Jennifer McGuire, ink.

A giveaway and a match made in heaven...

Hey there, stampers.

My friend, Tim, gave me a great idea.  (Once and awhile he has a good idea, huh?  Ha - just kidding. :)  Anyway, I saw that he randomly gave a prize to someone who had left him a comment - without warning.  Love that idea, so I am totally copying.  (Thanks, Tim!)  This may be the new way I give away goodies - just randomly pick a name from any post.  (So, yes, leaving comments is a good thing to do... it lets me know you are out there!)  I picked someone who left a comment a few days ago to win these chipboard goodies from K&Company...

And the winner is Dawn T who left a comment on 11/4. I will email you to get your address.

Next, I wanted to share some cards I made a couple months ago at a retreat.  These were such fun to make because they use two of my favorite stamp companies - Papertrey Ink and Hero Arts - a match made in heaven.  I really like that both of these companies sell made-in-the-USA stamps - the quality results in crisp stamped images.  THIS set from Papertrey is my favorite... it is designed to add buttons to.  Instead, I used little punched circles and shapes of Hero Arts stamped goodness.  (I mostly used THIS and THIS from Hero.)  I then covered them with Glossy Accents for some shine.  Easy to do!  Here they are.  If you have questions on specific stamps, just let me know.  (ETA - the die cuts I used are from Spellbinders.  Love THESE!)

  

   

  

  

Supplies: Hero Arts and Papertrey Ink stamps, Hero Arts notecards, Ranger Glossy Accents, Spellbinders dies, Cuttlebug and Sizzix embossing folders, EK Success punches

And a quick note to all you wonderful gals from my classes this weekend... THANK YOU.  I had a blast - such a classy event.  Will link you up with the videos soon.  Hugs!

Night-night, everyone.

Fancy embellishments...

Hey there.

Awhile back, a kind gal named Cheryl emailed me about some beaded flower centers that she just started making.  I was intrigued and she was sweet to send me a few to play with.  I love them.  I really like anything that adds a lot of interest with little effort.  So, even if you make a simple card, it is eye-catching. I paired the lovely centers with an embossed background and some elegant Papertrey Ink stamp greetings.  (If you are interested in her beaded flower centers, click HERE.)

Supplies: Sizzix embossing folders, Cheryl's beaded flower centers, Hero Arts notecards and flowers and pearls and Papertrey Ink greetings

When you have a moment, please go check out the Card Drive Prize List HERE.  Even if you didn't send any cards, I think it is worth looking at.  All of these people and companies were so generous to donate during these rough times.  So, next time you are itching to spend some money on your hobby, you may want to consider buying from one of them.  Just to pay it forward.  Anyway, here are a few stamp prizes I thought I would share...

PRIZE 88: FOUR new stamps sets donated by Pink Paislee! 

PRIZE 89: The entire first release of new stamps donated by Wags 'n Whiskers Rubber Stamps!  This is a new stamp company - check them out HERE.

PRIZE 90: A ton of rub-ons from My Sentiments Exactly.  These are some of my favorites!

More later...

Dry Erase Book and a giveaway...

Happy Wednesday.  Just have a few things tonight... and a giveaway. :)

For all you cardmakers out there who love to help others, I have a link for you.  A kind angel is collecting handmade Christmas cards to raise money to help her nephew who is very ill.  Click HERE for more info - what a darling boy.  I will be sending lots in.

Next, I have received lots of questions about the dry erase book I had in Creating Keepsakes a month or two ago.  It is an American Crafts album (my fave) with the page protectors that came with it.  These page protectors (as do all) work great with dry erase pens.  So, I just create pages to put in the album.  I have a font that is for tracing and can create any words I'd like.  (Read more below on an easier way to create your own.  And, once again, forgive the poor photos.)

Here is after Colin did a bit of tracing...

(c) Creating Keepsakes

We loved this book.  However, I have since changed our system so it is easier to take places.  I now have a full-sized binder that zips shut.  It is filled with office page protectors.  I print lots of different activity pages and put them in there.  Most I download from the internet, but some I create or tear out from activity books.  This way he can do the pages over and over.  (I hated that we pitched so many pages before this.)  This has worked so well for him - we are now using it for reading and adding stuff.  If you are interested in pages to download, click HERE or HERE.

So... giveaway time.

I love these albums from Cosmo Cricket and realized I had two extras.  So, I am sharing.  Just leave a comment here by Saturday night at 11:59pmEDT telling me your favorite fall meal.  (I need ideas.)  A lucky winner will get these babies...

Have a great night.

Faith card...

Hey there!  Home from Oklahoma.  On this trip, I learned that napping isn't going to be a good hobby for me.  I truly gave it my best.  I took 3-hour naps here and there.  I rested lots.  I slept well at night.  But still tired.  Always tired.  So, I am going to have to move on and explore a different hobby.  Maybe jewelry-making.  Just no napping.

:)

Thought I would share a card I made for Kate's parents using one of Ali's digital kits.  I have a hard time finding great Christian greetings - and I LOVE hers.  And, since she is one of our generous donors for the Cards for Kate prizes, I thought I would share it here...

Supplies: Hero Arts background stamp, Jillibean Soup paper, Hero Arts flower, Prima pearls and such, Creative Impressions twine, Corner Chomper, Ali Edwards digi quote

The paper on that card is from JilliBean Soup.  Both Ali and Jillibean donated prizes.  Here is more info...

PRIZE 12: Two Digital Products from Ali Edwards.  Your choice of her products at Designer Digitals.  Donated by Ali.

PRIZE 76: Goodies from Jillibean-soup.  Love it all - $40 value!  From Grandma's Christmas Crab Soup Collection: Can Tomato Soup, Can Potato Soup, Can Beef Consomme, Pinch of Christmas Cheer, Chives and Frozen Crab Meat.  From Soup Staples: Red Macaroni, White Macaroni, Orange Macaroni, Black Macaroni. Also, Corrugated Kraft Alphabet, Birds Bean Stalks, Green Cool Beans, Brown Cool Beans, Red Cool Beans, Circle Brown/White Journaling Sprouts and Square Red/Kraft Journaling Sprouts.

Thanks for stopping by.  Off to kit for a class!  Night.

How-To Video: Recycled Stamped Gift Bags

Hey there, all you crafting folks.

I have a simple little video for you today.  It shows stamping and creating little Halloween gift bags from Hero Arts packaging.  There are a few little tips in here - and they are quick and easy to do.  For more info, click HERE.

(c) Hero Arts Blog - click HERE for details.

Wanted to update on the Cards For Kate.  Well... I got in a bit of trouble at the post office yesterday.  When I went to my PO Box to get the cards, there was a note in it to go see the people at the counter.  Eek.  They came out with a HUGE bin with a big sign taped on it saying "overflow."  Turns out they want me to invest in the biggest PO Box possible due to the large number of items I was getting.  It is much more expensive.  But I just smiled.  Why did I smile?  Because that means you all have sent lots of cards for dear Kate.  I explained to the lady what I was doing and she was nice.  Colin said to her, "We are just trying to fill Kate's bucket."  (If you don't know what that means, you need to check out THIS book - the best kids book ever.)  So, even though I got in trouble, Colin and I left smiling... with full buckets. :)

I am about to go add TONS of new prizes HERE.  A big shout-out to Kristina for helping to get so many great things donated.  And a big thanks to the donors.  I hope next time you are wanting to make a purchase that you will consider these companies/people first as a thanks for their generosity.  Here are some more new prizes...

PRIZE 7: Product from Studio Calico.  Includes a Lollipop Guild add-on kit valued at $39.50 (ATC holder not included)

   

PRIZE 8, 9, and 10: Product from Studio Calico.  Storytime Alphabet Stamp sets valued at $9.50

PRIZE 13: Two adorable placemats from Jill McDonald.  Donated by Jill McDonald - an amazing artist!

 

PRIZE 14: A subscription to CARDS magazine.  Donated by Scrapbook Trends.  Wow!  Huge value.

 

PRIZE 15: A subscription to SCRAPBOOK TRENDS magazine.  Donated by Scrapbook Trends.  Wow!

Also, sweet Jana will be adding more names to her list of people whose cards we have received.  Thanks, Jana.

Time to get a bit of work done.  I head to Scrapfest tomorrow.  I can't wait to meet some of you.  Please come and see me at the Hero Arts booth.  I teach most of the afternoon, but will be in the booth the rest of the time.  There is a dinner planned for Saturday night - click HERE for details.

Night.

Happy Sunday...

Several things today...

Before I forget, the winner of the punches from last week is Sarah Martina.  I emailed you.

Thought I would share some cards I did for Kate's parents.  I used a favorite Hero Arts flower image, Hero Arts notecards and Copic Markers.  I also used a new favorite set of mine - THIS great stamp set from Taylored Expressions.  Love how detailed and classy it is.  I cuttlebugged the notecards, followed by some sanding.  This revealed the white core of the notecards, which I then added dots of color with my Copics.  Love doing this.

Supplies: Taylored Expressions greeting, Hero Arts stamps, Copic Markers, Cuttlebug embossing, sandpaper, glitter pens, gems

By the way, I get a lot of questions about what notecards I use.  I use Hero Arts - I love the white core, matching envelopes and rounded envelope flap.  They are from Memory Box - high quality. 

Speaking of Memory Box, I have some more prizes for the card drive to share...

PRIZE 51: 10 packs of Memory Box notecards donated by Memory Box... a $70 value.  These are the BEST cards.  (Hero Arts sells these.)

PRIZE 34: Complete set of Doodle Cutz donated by Heather Mills of A Scrappy Design Etsy store.  This looks fun!
 

 

PRIZE 32: Two Cuttlebug Embossing folders, donated by Cathi Thorpe.

  

PRIZE 31: Gift Certificate donated by Heather Melzer.  $20 gift certificate to either her digital website or jewelry etsy shop.  Love her necklaces.

I am so amazed at the prizes rolling in.  Makes me smile.

Next up, some links worth checking out:

• Love Heather's fabulous fun cards for Kate HERE.
• Jenn B did a great Halloween project HERE.  And, she shows steps for using Hero Arts digital.  It is really helpful.
• If you have a MacBook Pro (we are addicted HERE), THIS is really cool.  It is a vinyl sticker (peels off without hurting the computer) that looks like an etching.  LOVE it. 
• If you like to support handmade and like fun clothes for kids, check out THIS etsy seller.  I have gotten a few things from her (love the tie shirts) and she is always willing to make any size and color.  

I better get going.  Need to work on kitting for Scrapfest.  Anyone going?

Happy new-week to you.

GIVEAWAY! In honor of Cards for Kate

Hey!  Just want to give something away today - hope that is ok. :)  I have been thinking about Kate all day and thinking about how much our cards will make her smile.  And, I want to make one of you all smile, too.  So just leave a comment here by Tuesday at 11:59pmEDT telling me what made you smile today and I will pick a winner of these three Fiskars punches...

I am going to share all the Cards for Kate info here again because so many people have asked for it.  Please keep them coming in.  The prizes are ROCKING.  Click HERE and check them out.  Several great companies are giving away HUGE $$$ goodies!  And more are coming. 

Here is the info...

Cards for Kate Card Drive

Here is some info about Kate:

About 6 weeks ago the life of the McRae family changed forever when their precious 5 year old daughter, Kate, was diagnosed with an aggressive form of brain cancer.  Dad (Aaron) is a pastor in Arizona and he and his wife, Holly have two other children, Will and Olivia.  Of course this is devastating for the whole family and many are praying for them.   (Go to www.prayforkate.com to learn more about this family and their struggle).  Kate has a rough road ahead of her for quite awhile.  When you hear their story you will want to do anything you can to help.

And one thing we can do to help is to send cards to Kate and her family to encourage them, give them strength, and let them know how many people are thinking about and praying for them.  And the most generous and kind people in the world are crafters so we thought we’d have a Cards for Kate Card Drive.  This time I have two rockin' friends helping me out - Jana Millen and Kristina Proffitt.  Be sure to watch their blogs for more info, etc.

Think of how much it would encourage this family to receive cards from all over the world.  You can simply send the cards to me. We will then box them up and pay to send them to Kate's parents.  (We have already gotten the ok from them.)

The details:

• Cards can be for any member of Kate's family:

                           -  Kate (age 5) - The sweet girl who is battling cancer.
                           -  Little brother Will.
                           -  Bigger sister Olivia.
                           -  Mom and Dad, Aaron and Holly.

• Cards can be anything cheery, encouraging, supportive, etc.  (This family is a family of God, so for all you Christians out there, feel free to share messages of Faith.)  Anyone can send a card - even your children!

• Please write a message in the card and sign your name and where you are from.  On the card envelope, please write the name of who the card is for (Kate, Will, Olivia, Aaron and/or Kate).  Also, please don't seal the envelope, as Kate's parents might want to preview cards before the kids see them.

• With your cards, please include a piece of paper with your name, address, email address and number of cards.  We will keep these for picking out prizes.  (See below.)

• The cards should be sent to:

                        Jennifer McGuire
                        Card Drive for Kate
                        PO Box 428612
                        Cincinnati, Ohio 45242

• Please send the cards to arrive by October 1. This should give enough time for those overseas to play along. As we get enough to fill a box to send to Kate's family, we will send them.  This way they don't get them all at once.  And since they are having some struggles lately, the sooner we get some cards, the better.

• If you want to send more than just a card (such as a gift), please just send directly to the address given HERE.

• If you want to donate money to Kate's family, please click HERE.  If you want to help cover the costs of shipping, feel free to include some money in with your cards.  Any money leftover will be donated to the family.  (But there is NO need to include money.)

And... how about some prizes as a thank you for participating?  For all the cards we get, we will pick random winners of some great prizes.  Click HERE for up-to-date prize info.  Stuff will be added soon and often.  Please keep in mind that winners will be pick based on piece of paper you include with your cards with your name and info. So, be sure to include it!

Thank you everyone,

Jennifer, Kristina and Jana

Dude. People rock. And so do Copics.

People rock.  They really do.  Getting lots of emails from my girl Kristina about prizes so many folks are offering.  Big value stuff.  Be sure to check them out HERE.  I know many people say they don't want the prizes, but this is our way of thanking you for taking the time to make this family smile.  Going to head to the PO tomorrow to pick up my first round of cards.  Can't wait.  Thanks, everyone!  (If you are interested in learning more about this current card drive, click HERE.)

So, yes, I have jumped on the Copic bandwagon.  I was going to resist, as I was happy with my colored pencils.  However, when one of my bosses asked me to do a few projects with them, I jumped in.  And I am glad I did.  Now, many people really get into the techniques with these - you can do some amazing things with them.  Me?  I just use them to create solid colored images quickly.  I don't do all the more advanced stuff. 

I have gotten some questions on them.  I got the Copic Sketch Markers, thanks to the help and suggestion of the awesome Ellen Hutson.  She and Cathy got me started.  If you have questions, be sure to check out her blog HERE.  You can also get helpful information from Daisy and Joy HERE.

If you want to see Copics used in an incredible way, visit Debbie Olsen.  This girl is a gem, along with each of her cards.  And she has a great tutorial on Copics HERE.  Be sure to check it out.

Here is a quick card I did for Kate with my Copics.  Simple simple simple.  But this little squirrel is so cute with Copics, a gemstone (colored black) eye and a glittery heart.  Sweet.  Hope it makes Kate smile.

Supplies: Hero Arts everything (squirrel, greeting, background), Ranger Inkessentials white pen, clear gemstone colored black, glitter pen.

By the way, check out Kristina's great page HERE.  Too cute.  And you gotta check out THIS post by Cathy Blackstone.  She tells how she makes salsa.  And it is funny, too!

OK... night!

Another Thinking Inking Week and Video... and a Giveaway!

I realized I haven't had a giveaway in ages.  Need to change that!  But first, time for another Thinking Inking video.  For more info, click HERE.

(c) Twopeasinabucket - click HERE for info.

I had such fun doing the owls.  :)

OK... time for a giveaway.  Leave a comment on this post by Wednesday at 11:59pmEDT and I will pick a winner of these great goodies from American Crafts.  In your comment, I would love to hear about the last crafty project you made.  (Card?  Page?  Etc.) Forgive the bad photo.

Me?  The last projects I worked on are class projects for CHA.  Nothing like the last minute, huh?

Night night.

Winner of 7Gypsies Binderie!

We have a winner of the Binderie Punch!

The lucky one is...

Marcy Grant!

I will email you.

Thanks!