Nowhere Bayou

2RB Banana Split Sunday Challenge

2010-02-07T07:00:00.001-06:00

BE MINE:

This weeks' 2RedBananas Banana Split Sunday Challenge is to create a Valentine! Just in time for next week, too (if you haven't made one yet... like me).

I decided to go with a not-so-traditional Valentine card. My husband is a bit of a romantic, but he still doesn't really go for the foofy pink and red hearts and cupids thing. I saw this great sketch on the Basic Grey Challenges blog and thought I would give it a try.

I used brown CS for the base and all of the DP and stickers/die cuts used on this card are from the Offbeat collection by Basic Grey. The bird image is the For Peep's Sake stamp by Imaginisce. I just love this sweet little bird! And you can get it at 2RB.

I hope you'll be sure to stop by 2RedBananas' blog and submit your Valentine, and check out the DT samples. We have some talented ladies designing for 2RB!

SUPPLIES USED
Stamps: For Peep's Sake - Imaginisce
Ink: Timber Brown - StazOn
Paper: CS - Bazzil; Offbeat Collection - Basic Grey
Other: Stickers/Die Cuts - Offbeat Collectin - Basic Grey; Flower - American Crafts; Pearls - Kaiser Crafts

2RedBananas Banana Split Sunday Challenge

2010-01-31T07:00:00.000-06:00

INSPIRATION CHALLENGE: HEARTS

This week's 2RedBananas Banana Split Sunday Challenge is an inspiration challenge - use hearts in your project. This is a good one to help up gear up for Valentine's Day, which is right around the corner.

I made a card for this one. The base is a pre-made blank card by Garner, which I stamped all over with a 2RB heart image. The snowman and heart images are from 2RedBananas' set called Snowman Love. The image was cut out using the Nestabilities Label 1 die.

This was fun, since I don't get to see a lot of snowmen in Texas. I hope you'll be inspired to play along too. Go to 2RB's blog to enter your project and see the Design Team samples.

SUPPLIES USED
Stamps: Snowman Love - 2RedBananas
Ink: JetBlack - StazOn, Versamark
Paper: Card base - Garner
Other: Pearls - Michael's, Nestablities Label 1 - Spellbinders

2RB Banana Split Sunday Challenge

2010-01-24T07:00:00.001-06:00

BEHIND THE SCENES:

This week's 2RedBananas Banana Split Sunday Challenge is to make a background for your project.

I made a card and used a stamped sentiment to create my background. The sentiment is from the Birthday Chicken stamp set by 2RedBananas, as is the chicken image. I stamped the sentiment with Moonlight White ink on yellowish orange CS and adhered it to the white CS base. The chicken image is stamped on a scrap of Basic Grey DP with Jet Black StazOn and colored with watercolor pencils.

Of course, after I finished this card I thought that a monochromatic background made from a punched shape would have been cool, too. Unfortunately I didn't have time to make another card, because I had to finish making Matt's birthday cake.

I hope you'll accept this challenge and try to create a background of your own. Go to 2RB's blog and see all of the samples or post your own entry.

SUPPLIES USED
Stamps: Birthday Chicken - 2RedBananas
Ink: Moonlight White - Brilliance Ink, Jet Black - StazOn, Stardust - Sakura
Paper: CS - Bazzil, Yellow DP - Basic Grey
Other: Ribbon - May Arts, Rhinestones - Kaiser Crafts

2RB Banana Split Sunday Challenge

2010-01-17T07:00:00.001-06:00

A COLOR CHALLENGE:

This week's 2RedBananas Banana Split Sunday Challenge is to use blue, silver and white on your project. What a great combination - definitely makes me think of winter! We actually had a week of cold weather here in Texas, and it put me in the winter mood. Had a couple fires in the fireplace, made s'mores and everything.

I made a card for this challenge. It has a white CS base and blue CS mat with a block of Frosted DP from the Fancy Pants fancy-free collection. The bare tree stamp is from 2RB's October/November Journaling Spot stamp set, and it was stamped with silver ink, which looked much more silver on the wipe I used to clean my stamp than the cardstock, so I accented it a little with a silver Stardust pen. I used small silver beads/marbles to make the "snow" at the base of the trees.

I loved the chance to make something wintry with this awesome color palette. I hope you'll let these colors inspire you to make something too! Be sure to upload your project on 2RB's blog.

SUPPLIES USED
Stamps: October/November Journaling Spot - 2RedBananas
Ink: silver Ink Dot, silver Stardust pen - Sakura
Paper: assorted cardstock - Bazzil, Frosted - Fancy-Free Collection by Fancy Pants
Other: Silver marbles - ?, snowflake brads - Making Memories

2RB Banana Split Sunday Challenge

2009-12-13T07:00:00.001-06:00

Sorry I've been gone so long. I've had a LOT of stuff going on since... basically since about Halloween. It's good to be back.

INSPIRATION CHALLENGE:

This week's 2RedBananas' Banana Split Sunday Challenge is to use... drumroll, please... a tree! Just include a tree on your project. Be sure to go to 2RB's blog to enter your project, and to see all of the great samples from the Design Team members.

This week I decided to so with a card. I think I'll be using this for my Christmas card this year, since that's what I orignally sat down to design when I realized I hadn't gotten my sample ready for the challenge yet. Oops.

The card base is black CS with a block of DP from sei's Alpine Frost collection. The sentiment is from 2RB's Winter Wishes stamp set and it was stamped on black CS with Moonlight White ink. The tree image, by Stampin' Up, was also stamped with Moonlight White ink. The center tree has rhinestones and a silk ribbon bow tied around the trunk.

This was a really easy card to put together. I hope 2RB has inspired you to make a tree card (or whatever) and participate in this week's 2RB challenge.

SUPPLIES USED
Stamps: Winter Wishes - 2RedBananas, Tree - Stampin' Up
Ink: Moonlight White - Brilliance by Tsukineko
Paper: Alpine Frost - sei, CS - Recollections
Other: Rhinestones - Kaiser Crafts, ribbon - ?

2RB Banana Split Sunday Challenge 35

2009-11-08T18:46:00.004-06:00

RECIPE CHALLENGE:

This week 2RedBananas' Banana Split Sunday Challenge is to follow a recipe - use 3 eyelets (that's right, time to dig out your old eyelets), 2 ribbons or fibers and 1 oval (or more). How fun! I tried a new recipe for fettuccine today and a new recipe for a card.

The card base is cream CS with a block of Spring Fling Collection DP by Pink Paislee and another piece of scallop-edged DP. The sentiment is from 2RB's October/November Journaling Spot stamp set, along with the acorn stamp. The sentiment was cut out with a Sizzix Scallop Frame die. I layered the brown striped grosgrain ribbon over a cream scalloped ribbon. And, of course, I can't forget the three brown eyelets.

This was a very easy recipe to follow. See how you do with it and post your creation to 2RedBananas' blog.

SUPPLIES USED
Stamps: October/November Journaling Spot - 2RedBananas
Paper: Spring Thing Collection - Pink Paislee
Other: Eyelets - Making Memories, Brown grosgrain ribbon - 2RedBananas, cream ribbon - ?

2RB Banana Split Sunday Challenge 34

2009-11-01T09:02:00.003-06:00

FALL COLORS CHALLENGE:

This week's 2RedBananas Banana Split Sunday Challenge is a color challenge - use three of these fours colors: red, orange, yellow and brown (or all four colors as a bonus). This week there will be a prize of a fall colors goodie bag awarded to one random participant.

I made a card this week using the new 2RB stamp set called Autumn Leaves Penny. So cute! The card base is brown CS with a block of MM Autumn Splendor DP and a partial circle of some more Autumn Splendor DP. The image is colored with watercolor pencils and some Smooch and matted on brown CS. The felt flowers are by American Crafts.

This card is loosely based on the sketch from the Card Patterns blog. Be sure to check it out.

I hope you'll join the Bananas in this week's challenge. Don't forget to go to 2RB's blog to participate and see the DT members' samples, and go to 2RedBananas.com to see the new stamps that were just released in October.

SUPPLIES USED
Stamps: Autumn Leaves Penny - 2RedBananas
Ink: Moonlight Smooch - Clearsnap
Paper: CS - ?, Autumn Splendor DP - Making Memories
Other: Felt Flowers - American Crafts, Brads - ?

Penny's Christmas Tree - New from 2RB

2009-10-28T07:00:00.001-05:00

Don't forget to go to 2RedBananas.com to see the new stamps that were released this week. They are so cute!
I used the stamp Penny's Christmas Tree to make this card. She is so adorable!

The base is brown CS with a block of packaging from some Making Memories letter stickers, and a block of Christmas DP from My Mind's Eye. The image is colored with watercolor pencils and some Stardust ink.

I LOVE Christmas stuff, so I'm enjoying the chance to do some Christmas cards using these cute stamps. I hope you'll go to 2RedBananas and see the stamps released for October.

SUPPLIES USED
Stamps: Penny's Christmas Tree - 2RedBananas
Ink: Stardust - Sakura
Paper: DP - My Mind's Eye, Making Memories packaging, CS - ?
Other: Ric rak - ?, Tinsel - the paper studio, Rhinestones - Michael's, Button - ?

New 2RedBananas Stamps

2009-10-27T13:41:00.003-05:00

JACK AND THE SNOWMAN

2RedBananas is debuting some new stamps for October, which were released on Monday. They are really cute, so be sure to go to 2RedBananas.com and check them out.

I used the 2RB stamp Jack and the Snowman for this card. The base is brown CS with blocks of DP from the Alpine Frost collection by sei. The image is colored with watercolor pencils and a blender pen, along with some Stardust ink and Smooch (snowman and snowball - not sure how well it shows in the photo). I used some Stardust ink on the Making Memories flowers, too.

Jack is so cute, and I LOVE snowmen... which I never get to see now that I live in Texas, so I have to enjoy the stamped kind.

Go to 2RedBananas and see the rest of the stamps being released for this month.

SUPPLIES USED
Stamps: Jack and the Snowman - 2RedBananas
Ink: Stardust - Sakura, Moonlight Smooch - Clearsnap
Paper: Alpine Frost - sei
Other: Flowers - Making Memories, rhinestones - Kaiser Crafts, Pearl Brads - Oriental Trading

2RB Banana Split Sunday Challenge 33

2009-10-25T07:00:00.000-05:00

RECIPE CHALLENGE:

This week the Banana Split Sunday Challenge by 2RedBananas is a recipe challenge - that means you have to follow our recipe on your project, and the recipe is to use a square, the color red and three buttons. How fun is that?

For this challenge I made a card using brown CS for the base and a block of Autumn Splendor DP.

The image is a new 2RedBananas' stamp called Falling Leaves Jack, which is being released on 2RB this month. I cut it out in a square and matted it on brown CS. There is red ribbon along the top of the image and three tiny buttons on the lower right-hand corner.

I enjoyed going by a recipe (which is the ONLY way I cook around my house). I hope you'll try it too. Go to 2RB 's blog to participate and see the DT member's samples.

SUPPLIES USED
Stamps: Falling Leaves Jack - 2RedBananas
Paper: CS - Bazzil, Autumn Splendor - Making Memories
Other: Red ribbon - ?, buttons - ?, Pearls - Kaiser Crafts

2RB Banana Split Sunday Challenge 32

2009-10-18T07:00:00.001-05:00

SKETCH CHALLENGE:

This week's 2RedBananas' Banana Split Sunday Challenge uses a sketch. So, if you love sketches as much as I do, you'll want to go to 2RedBananas' blog to check out the sketch and enter your project. You can also see the DT members' samples.

I used the sketch for a card. The base is cream CS with blocks of Making Memories Autumn Splendor DP. The image is Pumpkin Penny from 2RedBananas. It's stamped with StazOn and colored with watercolor pencils. The sentiment is from the Birthday Sentiment collection by CC Designs.

Did I mention that I love using sketches? I finished this card in about 15 minutes (which is pretty fast for me). Hope you'll join the Bananas this week and show us your stuff.

SUPPLIES USED
Stamps: Pumpkin Penny - 2RedBananas, Birthday Sentiments Collection - CC Designs
Ink: Jet Black - StazOn
Paper: CS - Bazzil, Autumn Splendor - Making Memories
Other: Twine - ?, Rhinestones - Kaiser Crafts

2RB Banana Split Sunday Challenge 31

2009-10-11T07:00:00.002-05:00

COLOR CHALLENGE:

This week's 2RedBananas' Banana Split Sunday Challenge is a color challenge - use black, orange and purple. Which are awesome Halloween colors, of course. Go to 2RB's blog to submit your project in the challenge and to see the DT members' samples.

The card base is black CS with a block of orange DP from the Boo to You Collection by My Mind's Eye. There is a piece of Lavender Mesh Ribbon by May Arts tied around the block of DP, and also purple rhinestones in the upper right corner. The letters were cut from purple CS using the Makin' the Grade cartridge by Cricut. There is some purple Stardust ink on the letters.

The image is from the Fuzzy Bears stamp set by 2RedBananas, with the witch's hat from the Jack-O-Lantern Penny stamp.

Don't miss this week's challenge - go to 2RB's blog and check out the Halloween fun.

SUPPLIES USED

Stamps: Fuzzy Bears - 2RedBananas, Jack-O-Lantern Penny - 2RedBananas

Ink: StazOn Jet Black, Purple Stardust - Sakura

Paper: Boo to You Collection - My Mind's Eye

Other: Rhinestones - Michael's, Lavender Mesh Ribbon - May Arts

2RB Banana Split Sunday Challenge 30

2009-10-04T07:00:00.001-05:00

HERE'S TO HALLOWEEN

This week's 2RedBananas' Banana Split Sunday Challenge is to create a Halloween project. One random participant will be awarded a Jack-O-Lantern Penny stamp by 2RB. You don't want to miss this one, so go to 2RB's blog to participate and see the DT members' samples.

This week I went with a layout for Kate's 1st Year album. The base is DP from the Boo to You Collection by My Mind's Eye. All of the DP and die cuts used on this layout are from this adorable collection.

I added border strips along the right-hand side (along with three green rhinestones) and some pumpkin die cuts to the lower left-hand corner (with cute black rhinestone eyes). I also stamped Jack-O-Lantern Penny, by 2RedBananas, colored her with watercolor pencils, trimmed her out and tucked her behind the die cuts.

Super easy, and this paper and stamp image make it impossible to not be cute. Please join the Bananas and show off your Halloween project.

SUPPLIES USED
Stamps: Jack-O-Lantern Penny - 2RedBananas
Ink: StazOn Jet Black
Paper: Boo to You Collection - My Mind's Eye
Other: Rhinestones - Kaiser Crafts

2RB Banana Split Sunday Challenge 29

2009-09-27T07:00:00.001-05:00

BAGS, BOXES OR WRAPPINGS:

This week's 2RedBananas Banana Split Challenge is to make a bag, box or wrapping of some kind. There will be a Pink Paislee goodie bag given to one random participant, so be sure to go to 2RB's blog to enter your project and see the samples by the DT members.

I have had a cute wooden box that looked like a purse for a while and this was just the encouragement I needed to finally do something with it.
I spray painted the "purse" black and covered it with DP from the Boo to You collection by My Mind's Eye using Mod Podge. I also adhered some of the coordinating die cuts. I tied a variety of ribbon on one side of the handle.

The image on the tag is Jack-O-Lantern Penny from 2RedBananas. She was stamped with StazOn and colored with watercolor pencils.

This project came together really quickly, which had me asking myself why I hadn't done it sooner. I have another box like this that might need to be covered with Christmas paper... I hope you'll join the Bananas in this week's 2RB challenge. You'll be surprised how easy it is to use your scrapping and stamping supplies to make the perfect wrapping or box for that special gift.

SUPPLIES USED
Stamps: Jack-O-Lantern Penny - 2RedBananas
Ink: Jet Black - StazOn
Paper: Boo to You Collection - My Mind's Eye
Other: Purse box - Oriental Trading, Ribbon - ?, Mod Podge, Black spray paint - Krylon

2RedBananas DT Texture Challenge

2009-09-23T07:00:00.004-05:00

The top Banana has issued another challenge to the 2RedBananas Design Team. We have all been sent a set of products (which are all available at 2RedBananas.com) to be used on a project.

Our supplies included paper from October Afternoon's Daydream Collection, Pink Paislee Glitter, Dew Drops and May Arts ribbon.

I used my supplies to make a layout for my daughter's Year of Firsts album.
The base is CS with a block of Rain Boots DP that was edged with pinking shears and a small strip of Patio Umbrella DP. I used the turquoise ric rac along the right side and the pink velvet ribbon between the DP and journaling block, with a button on top.

I used two stamps from 2RedBananas' August/September Journaling Spot stamp set. The flower and flourish were both stamped with a Glue Pad and glittered with the Bubble Gum Pixie Stix. The flower was punched with a circle punch and mounted on a scalloped circle punched from the reverse side of the Patio Umbrella DP, with a Dew Drop in the center of the flower. There are also three Dew Drops along the bottom left side.

These supplies were fun to use. The glitter is so easy to use with a Glue Pad, and hardly any mess, so I don't know why I don't use it more often. You can get all of these products at 2RedBananas.com.

SUPPLIES USED
Stamps: August/September Journaling Spot - 2RedBananas
Paper: Rain Boots and Patio Umbrella - October Afternoon, CS - Bazzil
Other: Bubblegum Pixie Stix - Pink Paislee, Turquoise Grosgrain Ric Rac - May Arts, Pink Velvet/Woven ribbon - May Arts, Mardi Gras Metallic Dew Drops - the Robin's Nest, Button - Foof A La

2RB Banana Split Sunday Challenge 29

2009-09-20T07:00:00.002-05:00

EASY AS 1, 2, 3...

This week's Banana Split Sunday Challenge from 2RedBananas is to use 1 piece of ribbon, 2 stamps and 3 dew drops or gems on your project. Go to 2RB's blog for more information and to see the samples by our fabulous Design Team.
This card was made with a black CS base and a block of K&Co.'s Halloween Glitter Pack from last year (these papers are so awesome you almost don't need to add anything else, I hated to cover it up). I used 1 piece of purple ric rac. The 2 stamps I used were Pumpkin Penny by 2RedBananas - just the pumpkins along the bottom of the image - and 2RB's Jack-O-Lantern Penny - just the pumpkin and the witch hat. I stamped them on some Bo Bunny DP. Then I put 3 pieces of purple metal decor from Hero Arts along the bottom.

See, it really was easy as 1, 2, 3. I hope you'll play along with us this week. Be sure to go to the 2RB blog to particpate.

SUPPLIES USED
Stamps: Pumpkin Penny - 2RedBananas, Jack-O-Lantern Penny - 2RedBananas
Ink: Jet Black - StazOn
Paper: CS - Recollections, Halloween Glitter Paper - K & Company, orange and green DP - Bo Bunny Press
Other: Metal Decor - Hero Arts

2RB Banana Split Sunday Challenge 28

2009-09-13T07:00:00.001-05:00

This week's 2RedBananas Banana Split Sunday Challenge is... wait for it... a sketch challenge! Yay! Love the sketches. Go to 2RB's blog to participate in the challenge and see the DT member's samples. But that's not all... there will also be a new 2RB stamp set awarded to one random participant. Even more incentive to join the Bananas this week, right?

The card base is black CS. The spider images are stamped on white CS and matted on green DP, with a strip of orange DP across them.

The main image is Jack-O-Lantern Penny - one of 2RB's new stamps - and it's colored with watercolor pencils. The pumpkin was stamped on the orange DP and her witchy hat was stamped on the green DP, then cut out and paper pieced.

Don't forget to join 2RB this week. What's better than a sketch? How about a shot at a great prize!

Be sure to go to 2RedBananas on Monday to see all of the new stamps.

SUPPLIES USED
Stamps: Jack-O-Lantern Penny - 2RedBananas, Spider & Web - Recollections
Ink: Jet Black - StazOn, Black - Versa
Paper: green DP - BoBunny Press, orange DP - BoBunny Press, black CS - Recollections
Other: Ribbon - Michaels, Purple Metal Decor - Hero Arts

2RB Peek - Jack-O-Lantern Penny

2009-09-12T07:00:00.006-05:00

Welcome back as we continue with 2RedBananas' Week of Peeks. Today's peek will be of 2RedBananas' new stamp called Jack-O-Lantern Penny by Mindy Baxter. Love it!
I have always been a really big fan of Halloween. I love to go all out decorating my house, giving out candy and dressing the kids up. So, of course, I am really excited to get a Halloween stamp featuring the adorable Penny!

The card base is black CS with a block of Tangerine Posie by Chatter Box on top. There are two blocks of Making Memories Halloween Embellishment Paper called web and icon. The "lace" along the top of the ribbon is paper punched with EK Success' bat border punch. The three bats are cut from some ribbon I got at Michaels. The rest of the ribbon is also from Michaels.

The Penny image is stamped with StazOn and colored with watercolor pencils and Stardust ink. I used the Nesties Label 1 die to cut it out.

So, what do you think so far of 2RB's newest stamps? Aren't they cute? Be sure to stop here and at 2RB's blog all week to see even more. And, don't forget to visit the store on September 14th when all the sets will be released.

SUPPLIES USED
Stamps: Jack-O-Lantern Penny - 2RedBananas
Ink: JetBlack - StazOn, Stardust - Sakura
Paper: web and icon - Making Memories, Tangerine Posie - Chatter Box, CS - Bazzill
Other: Ribbon and bats - Michaels, Nesties Label 1 - Spellbinders

2RB Sneak Peeks - Quotes III

2009-09-11T07:00:00.000-05:00

For my sneak peek of 2RedBananas' new stamp sets I used the Quotes III set today. This set has a love/friendship theme.

The card base is a brown card by Garner with a block of K&Co. DP on it. I punched the bottom edge of the card with an EK Success border punch. The quote and mat were cut with the Nesties Label 4 die. All of the papers and flowers were inked with brown inks.

I'm enjoying the chance to use my Fall papers and colors on these peeks. It's a nice change from summer stuff. To see more peeks come back here tomorrow, or go to 2RB's blog.

SUPPLIES USED
Stamps: Quotes III - 2RedBananas
Ink: Timber Brown - StazOn, Creamy Brown & Chestnut Roan - Chalk Ink
Paper: Brown card base - Garner, CS - Bazzil, DP - K & Company
Other: Flower - Prima, Flower ribbon - ?, Nesties Label 4 die - Spellbinders, Border punch - EK Success

2RB Sneak Peeks - Fuzzy Bears

2009-09-10T07:00:00.002-05:00

Today's sneak peek for 2RedBananas' new stamp sets is of the set called Fuzzy Bears, illustrated by Mindy Baxter. These are cute, Fall-themed stamps.
I did two cards using this set. The large one has a brown pre-folded card base with a block of Autumn Splendor DP. The image is colored with watercolor pencils. There is some eyelet lace, velvet ribbon and printed ribbon, along some leaves and pumpkin and brown rhinestones.

The smaller card is a photo mat from the Autumn Splendor collection, which is folded in half. The image is colored with watercolor pencils. I added some burlap ribbon with small twill threaded through it, and a rhinestone flower brad.

This set has some cute images along with a number of sentiments. Come by again tomorrow for another peek, and go to 2RB's blog to see some samples by the rest of the DT members. Don't forget to visit 2RedBananas.com on Monday, September 14th to see the new stamp sets in their entirety.

SUPPLIES USED
Stamps: Fuzzy Bears - 2RedBananas
Paper: Autumn Splendor collection - Making Memories, Card base - Garner, CS - Bazzil
Other: Burlap Ribbon - May Arts, Twill - ?, "Fall" ribbon - Target, Eyelet Lace - ?, Velvet ribbon - May Arts, Rhinestone Flower Brad - Hobby Lobby, Rhinestones - Michaels, Leaves and Pumpkin - Target

2RB Sneak Peek - Skater Jack

2009-09-09T07:00:00.001-05:00

Today's 2RedBananas sneak peek is of the stamp Skater Jack, illustrated by Mindy Baxter. He is such a little cutie! It's nice to have a boy stamp in my large collection of girly things.

The card base is white CS with a block of grey CS. The image is colored with watercolor pencils and Stardust pens. The letters were cut out of black and maroon CS with my Cricut.

I had fun using this masculine stamp, it was actually kind of a challenge for me. Very outside of my box. I hope you'll come back tomorrow and see another peek of 2RedBananas' new stamps, or go to 2RB's blog to see even more peeks by the DT members.

SUPPLIES USED
Stamps: Skater Jack - 2RedBananas
Ink: Stardust - Sakura
Paper: CS - Bazzil
Other: White mini brads - Basic Grey, Metal Decor - Hero Arts, Screw Brads - ?, Makin' the Grade - Cricut

2RB Peek - Pumpkin Penny

2009-09-08T07:00:00.000-05:00

Here is another 2RedBananas.com Sneak Peek of a new stamp set called Pumpkin Penny. I just love this character, she's so adorable! Don't forget to come back tomorrow to see more peeks.
The card base is a brown pre-folded card from Garner. I trimmed the edge with a Fiskar's scalloped border punch. The patterned papers are from Making Memories.

The Penny image is stamped with StazOn and colored with watercolor pencils.

Come back again to see more, and check 2RB's blog to see the peeks by all of our awesome Design Team.

SUPPLIES USED
Stamps: Pumpkin Penny - 2RedBananas
Ink: Jet Black - StazOn
Paper: Autumn Splendor - Making Memories, CS - Bazzil, Card base - Garner
Other: Ric rac - ?, Felt Pumpkin - Target, Scalloped Border Punch - Fiskars, Corner Rounder - Creative Memories

2RedBananas Week of Peeks

2009-09-07T07:00:00.001-05:00

That's right! You guessed it! This week the 2RedBananas team will be showing sneak peeks of all the new 2RB stamps to be released on September 14th. Be sure to stop by here and 2RB's blog all week long to see the wonderful samples prepared by the 2RB design team. There are some really cute stamps coming out, and you won't want to miss them.

BIRTHDAY PENNY

This card was made using the 2RB stamp called Birthday Penny illustrated by the very talented Mindy Baxter. Isn't she fun? Pssst... you may be seeing more of her this week.

The card base is black CS with some K&Co. paper from the Daydreams collection. I used the clear Stardust pen to accent some hearts and the word "magical" on the the paper.

The image was colored with watercolor pencils and some more Stardust ink. I love these pens - they are really easy to use and add a little something extra to your stamped images, DP, paper flowers, etc. Check them out at 2RedBananas. The sentiment is from CC Design's Birthday Sentiment set.

I love this stamp, and I am sure I will get plenty of use out of it. Especially since my family seems to have a surplus of little girls having birthdays.

Be sure to check out the new stamps all this week here and at 2RB's blog!

SUPPLIES USED
Stamps: Birthday Penny - 2RedBananas, Birthday Sentiments - C.C. Designs
Ink: Jet Black - StazOn, Stardust - Sakura
Paper: Daydreams - K and Company, CS - Bazzil
Other: Black rhinestones - Kaiser Crafts, pink rhinestones - Michaels, ric rac - ?

2RB Banana Split Challenge 27

2009-09-06T07:00:00.000-05:00

STRIPES & DOTS:

The 2RedBananas Banana Split Sunday Challenge for this week is to use both stripes and dots on your project. Go to 2RB's blog to participate in the challenge and to see the Design Teams' samples.
This card has a white CS base with a block of polka dot paper and a smaller block of striped paper from the Baby Boy Collection by Sharon Ann.

The image and sentiment are from 2RedBananas' stamp set Caring Critters. It's stamped on watercolor paper and colored with watercolor pencils and Stardust pens. I cut it out using the Nesties Label 4 die. I also added some sage velvet ric rac and faux suede leaves.

Don't forget to go to 2RB's blog to participate in this week's challenge. Also, check back Monday because 2RedBananas will be having it's Week of Peeks, where the DT members show samples using the soon-to-be-released stamp sets, which will be available on 2RB beginning September 14th.

SUPPLIES USED
Stamps: Caring Critters - 2RedBananas
Ink: Jet Black - StazOn, Stardust - Sakura
Paper: CS - ?, Baby Boy Collection - Sharon Ann
Other: Faux Suede Leaves Ribbon - May Arts, Sage Velvet Ric Rac - May Arts, Mini Brads - Basic Grey, Nestabilities Label 4 - Spellbinders,

2RB Banana Split Sunday Challenge 26

2009-08-30T07:00:00.003-05:00

RUB A DUB DUB

Today's 2RedBananas Banana Split Sunday Challenge is to use rub-ons on your project. That's pretty easy, we all probably have some of these versitile embellishements laying around - whether it's words, images or even letters.
I made a card with a BasicGrey base (you have to love the BG solids) and a block of K & Co. DP. I used a rub-on flower on some brown CS and punched it out. I also used a rub-on word on the upper right corner.

The image is a House Mouse stamp called Autumn Cruise, which is available on 2RedBananas. I used the Nesties Label 4 die to cut out the image.

I was happy to have the opportunity to use my long neglected rub-ons for this project. Go to 2RB's blog and play along with us Bananas. You can also check out the talented DT's samples. .

SUPPLIES USED
Stamps: Autumn Cruise - House Mouse and Friends
Paper: Wild Saffron Collection - K & Company, Solid DP - BasicGrey, CS - Bazzil
Other: Nestabilities Label 4 Die - Spellbinders, Glitter Domes - Crystal Stickers, Rub-Ons - Magnolia Collection by My Mind's Eye

2RedBananas Product Spotlight #3

2009-08-26T07:00:00.003-05:00

This is the third installment of 2RedBananas' Challenge the Design Team. For our third set of products (all available on 2RedBananas.com) we were all given papers and embellishments from Pink Paislee's Fascinating Collection. We were asked to create a project using these supplies: Pink Paislee Alluring, Eye Popping and Spectacular DP, Fascinating Collection chipboard pieces and some May Arts black grosgrain ribbon.

For my first project I made another layout for Kate's First Year album - the colors on the papers went really well with a photo of Kate meeting her grandparents for the first time. I used the Spectacular DP as the base with a block of Alluring at the bottom and a strip of Eye Popping above it. I also used a coordinating chipboard element with a piece of May Arts ribbon tied around it. I also used a label sticker from the Fascinating sticker book (which I had already ordered from 2RB) and some ribbon scraps and rhinestones.

For my second project I made a card. The card base is black CS wth a block of Alluring on the left and Eye Popping on the right. I stamped a sentiment from 2RedBananas' More Quotes stamp set on a Fascinating chipboard element. I used more of the May Arts ribbon and some Metal Decor by Hero Arts.

I really like this paper collection, and had already ordered some of it from 2RedBananas before I received my supply kit. Be sure to stop by 2RB and check out all of the products available on the site.

SUPPLIES USED
Stamps: More Quotes - 2RedBananas
Ink: Jet Black - StazOn
Paper: Pink Paislee's Fascinating Collection - Spectacular, Eye Popping and Alluring, CS - Bazzil
Other: Rhinestones - Kaiser Crafts, Metal Decor - Hero Arts, Black Grosgrain ribbon - May Arts, Chipboard Elements - Pink Paislee

2RB Banana Split Sunday Challenge #25

2009-08-23T08:56:00.007-05:00

INSPIRATION CHALLENGE:

This week's 2RB Banana Split Sunday Challenge is an inspiration challenge using this photograph:

What do you think of when you see this photo? Is it the colors, the buildings? Use that inspiration to create a project.

When I looked at this photograph I saw colorful, happy homes, and I made a card that reflects that. The base of the card is Basic Grey DP. The little houses are also BasicGrey DP with black CS roofs and doors. The house on the right is Bo Bunny DP with BasicGrey DP for the roof and door.

The sentiment is a quote from 2RedBananas Quotes stamp set. It's stamped on BasicGrey DP with StazOn ink and matted on black CS and more BasicGrey DP.

I loved this bright, cheerful inspiration photo. They moment I looked at it I knew what I wanted to do for my project. I hope you'll give it a try too. Go to 2RB's blog to participate and see how the other DT members were inspired.

SUPPLIES USED
Stamps: Quotes - 2RedBananas
Ink: JetBlack - StazOn, Pink Stardust pen - Sakura
Paper: BasicGrey, Bo Bunny Press, CS - Bazzil
Other: Rhinestones - ?

2RB DT Card Challenge 2

2009-08-19T07:00:00.003-05:00

It is time for the next installation of Challenge the 2RedBananas' Design Team. This week the DT members are using the second kit of supplies sent to us by Jeanette (Head Banana).

This kit included paper from My Mind's Eye's Bella Bella - French Flea Market Collection, ribbon from May Arts, Dew Drops and a ribbon buckle slider. All of these papers and embellishments can be found on the 2RedBananas site.

I actually used these supplies for two projects - a layout for Kate's "Year of Firsts" album and a card.

The colors of these papers made me think of Fall, so I used them to make a Thanksgiving layout. The base is Kraft paper with random blocks and strips of the MME DP, which is double sided. I adhered the Dew Drops along the ribbon and in the upper right corner. The journaling strip along the bottom was threaded through part of the ribbon slider.

The card base is cream CS with a block of green CS and blocks of the MME DP. I inked all of the paper edges with Vandyke Brown ink. The sentiment is from 2RedBananas' Quotes stamp set.

This was a fun challenge, and I was glad for the excuse to get something done on Kate's album (I told my husband I had "work" to do), and take a break from painting my kitchen. I really love this line of papers. Be sure to go to 2RedBananas and see it for yourself. And go to 2RB's blog to see how the other DT members used these same supplies.

SUPPLIES USED
Stamps: Quotes - 2RedBananas
Ink: Vandyke Brown - Nick Bantock
Paper: The Rouge Bird and Floralesque - My Mind's Eye French Flea Market Collection
Other: Winter Retreat Dew Drops - The Robin's Nest, Small Buckle Slider - The Paper Studio, Rust Satin/Grosgrain Edge Ribbon - May Arts, Flowers - Prima and Fancy Pants Designs, brads - Making Memories

2RB Banana Split Sunday Challenge 24

2009-08-16T07:00:00.004-05:00

SKETCH CHALLENGE:

Today's 2RedBananas Banana Split Sunday Challenge is to use the sketch found on 2RB's blog to create a project. There will be a prize randomly awarded to one participant.

As I may have mentioned before, I LOVE sketches. Not that I can't design my own layout for a project, of course, but a sketch just takes off the pressure and I can concentrate on the soothing task of cutting and gluing.This card is for a friend of mine (who is a lot edgier than I am) and I know she will appreciate the subtleness of the skulls. Who says skulls can't be pretty?

The base is green CS with a block of DP from the Alison Collection by My Mind's Eye. All of the DP is from this collection. The leopard print paper block has three white eyelets with rhinestone centers across the top of it. These eyelets are called Easy Eyelets (I think) and they don't need a setter, all you need is an ink pen to set them. They're pretty awesome.

The image is from A Spring Thing stamp set by 2RedBananas. She's colored with watercolor pencils. I paper pieced some skull DP as her dress. I thought it was funny that she looks so sweet and innocent... and has a skull on her dress.

This project was fun to put together. I hope my friend gets a kick out of it. Go to 2RedBananas' blog to participate in the challenge and to see the samples by our talented DT.

SUPPLIES USED
Stamps: A Spring Thing - 2RedBananas, sentiment - My Sentiments Exactly
Ink: Jet Black - StazOn
Paper: CS - Bazzil, Alison Collection - My Mind's Eye
Other: Eyelets - Eyelet Outlet, Rhinestones - Kaiser Crafts, Grosgrain ribbon - ?

2RB DT Card Challenge No. 1

2009-08-12T07:00:00.004-05:00

The gracious (and talented) owner of 2RedBananas, Jeanette, has issued three card challenges to the Design Team members. She has sent each of us three kits of supplies (i.e. paper, ribbon, embellishments, etc.) and asked us to use these supplies to make a card (or other project if we wish).

This card was made using the first kit, which contained papers by Imaginisce from their A Shore Thing Collection, ribbon by May Arts, and Fantasy Fiber. These are all items that are available on 2RedBananas. I saw a really great sketch on the Delightful Sketches blog, and so I used it for this card.

The card base is brown CS with a block of Feel the Burn DP. The vertical strips of DP are Getting Hotter Need Water and the horizontal one is Cool Pool Chatter. A piece of light blue sheer/twinkle ribbon is tied along the bottom.

I have never used Fantasy Fiber before, but it wasn't too difficult. I laid out some fibers on a splat mat, placed some waxed paper over it and ironed it. I then used a scallop circle punch to punch it out. Easy as pie! I adhered the scallop circle in the upper right corner with a felt flower and brad on top of it. It adds a nice shimmer and really goes well with the ribbon.

The image and sentiment is from the Hawaiian Chicken stamp set by 2RedBananas. I colored it in with watercolor pencils and Stardust pen.

I had a lot of fun with this challenge. I even tried a technique that was new to me. Go to 2RB's blog and see how the other DT members met this challenge.

SUPPLIES USED
Stamps: Hawaiian Chicken - 2RedBananas
Ink: Jet Black - StazOn, Stardust - Sakura
Paper: CS - Bazzil, A Shore Thing Collection - Imaginisce
Other: Light Blue Sheer/Twinkle Ribbon - May Arts, Bellflower Fantasy Fiber - Art Glitter, Felt Flower - American Crafts, brad - ?, Scalloped Oval - Sizzix

Happy Birthday, Dana!

2009-08-11T07:00:00.002-05:00

My best friend's daughter, Dana, is turning 11 years old this week. She's a pre-teen with Goth tendencies, so I thought she would appreciate this card.
The card base is black CS with a block of MME DP from the Alison collection. I basically got this pad of paper just for my young friends, because it is so cool. It's full of skulls, camo, doodles, etc. that totally remind me of the 80s. I cut out a larger skull from another sheet of the Alison DP and adhered some flowers and a brad. I actually had to ink a flower to make it black. Out of the 1000's of flowers I have, somehow I managed to avoid black ones.

The sentiment is from the Birthday Sentiments stamp set by CC Designs.

SUPPLIES USED
Stamps: Birthday Sentiments - CC Designs
Ink: Jet Black - StazOn
Paper: CS - Bazzil, Alison Collection - My Mind's Eye
Other: Flowers - Prima, brad - Making Memories, rhinestones - Hobby Lobby, ribbon - ?

2RB Banana Split Sunday Challenge No. 23

2009-08-09T07:00:00.001-05:00

CARDSTOCK ONLY

Today's 2RedBananas' Banana Split Sunday Challenge is to use only cardstock on your project - that means no patterned paper, flowers, buttons, ribbon, brads, etc. Sound difficult? OK, I guess we can let you use one small embellishment along with the cardstock. So if you just don't think a card (or layout, etc.) is complete without a little something extra, go ahead and add that one thing to finish it off. Go to 2RB's blog for more information and to see the DT members' samples.
After a couple of false starts (where I kept reaching for patterned paper) I finally managed to make a card using nothing but cardstock. Yay.

The base is brown CS that I stamped with the Stampabilities Dotted Circles stamp using VersaMark watermark ink. The blue CS was stamped with the same stamp, but I used a glue pad and glitter.

The image is the Penny's Mushroom stamp from 2RedBananas. I stamped it with StazOn and colored it with watercolor pencils and a Stardust pen. The sentiment is from a small set I bought from Target's dollar spot. I have no idea who the manufacturer is.

SUPPLIES USED
Stamps: Dotted Circles - Stampabilities, Penny's Mushroom - 2RedBananas
Ink: Timber Brown - StazOn, VersaMark - Tuskineko, Stardust pen - Sakura
Paper: Cardstock - Bazzil
Other: Glue Pad - Tsukineko, Pearl glitter - Art Glitter

Too Many Stickers?

2009-08-04T07:00:00.000-05:00

I have a friend who insists that it is possible to use too many stickers (or other embellishments) on a project and push it over the edge. We refer to this as "potato chipping," which is a long, and embarassing, story. Of course I like to harrass her about it, and vice versa.

When I saw this stamp in a set of sentiments, I knew just who to use it for:

"Stickers & Friends... ...there's always room for more!"

This card was made as a Thank You to this friend for something she did for me. The base is beige CS with stickers (of course), flowers, brads and lable holder from Heidi Grace Designs.

I'm sure she'll get a laugh out of it.

SUPPLIES USED
Stamps: Sentiment - My Sentiments Exactly
Ink: Timber Brown - StazOn
Paper: CS - Bazzil
Other: Stickers, label holder, brads, flowers - Cherrywood Lane Collection by Heidi Grace Designs

2RB Banana Split Sunday Challenge No. 22

2009-08-02T07:00:00.002-05:00

AND I QUOTE...

2RedBananas' Banana Split Sunday Challenge for this week is to use a quote - any quote - as the focal point of your project. There will be a prize given to one randomly chosen participant. Go to 2RB's blog for more information and to participate. There are also some pretty awesome samples by the design team members.

Also, 2RedBananas will be having a SALE beginning August 3rd, so be sure to stop by and see what awesome goodies you can get for a bargain!

I was remembering a really great quote from 2RB's stamp set called Precious Bundles, so I decided to go with a baby-themed card. The base is pale green CS with two blocks of Nana's Nursery DP. The quote and mat were cut with the Nestabilities Label 1 die.

I don't usually use just a quote on a card, and I thought I would have a hard time with this one, but it was pretty easy and I like the way it turned out. Why don't you give it a try, too?

SUPPLIES USED
Stamps: Precious Bundles - 2RedBananas
Ink: Jet Black - StazOn
Paper: CS - Bazzil, Nana's Nursery Baby Girl - Die Cuts With a View
Other: Label 1 die - Nestabilities by Spellbinders, Pearls - Kaiser Crafts, Lemon Sheer/Twinkle Ribbon - May Arts, Pin - Making Memories, Heart Button - Junkitz

2RB Banana Split Sunday Challenge No. 21

2009-07-26T07:00:00.005-05:00

SPELL IT OUT

Today's 2RedBananas' Banana Split Sunday Challenge is to Spell It Out with letter stickers. All you have to do is use letter stickers of some kind to spell out something on your project. Be sure to stop by 2RB's blog for more information and to enter your project in the challenge. There will be a prize randomly awarded to one lucky participant.

For this challenge I made a card for my friend Joe Bob's birthday. The card base is orange CS. All of the DP, stickers and die cuts used are from October Afternoon's Night Light Collection. There is Night Light: Louie DP on the left, Night Light: Henry on the right, and ric rac, arrow, star and monster from the Night Light Shapes sheet. "Happy Bday" is spelled out with Night Light Newsroom letter stickers, which I traced around with a brown marker to make them stand out a little better against the DP. I loved this collection from OA and thought the monsters were just adorable, and I got it all at 2RedBananas.com.

The chipboard letters are Vibrant Chipboard Stickers by atd.

I hope you'll stop by 2RB and play along in the challenge. I mean, who doesn't have some letter stickers laying around, right?

SUPPLIES USED
Ink: Zig Writer - Chocolate
Paper: CS - Bazzil; Night Light collection: Henry, Louie, Shapes - October Afternoon
Other: Letter stickers - Night Light Newsroom by October Afternoon, Chipboard letters - atd, brads - Basic Grey

2RB Banana Split Sunday Challenge No. 20

2009-07-19T07:00:00.004-05:00

It is time for this week's Banana Split Sunday Challenge by 2RedBananas. Seeing how everyone is trying to be Green these days, this week's challenge is to "Reduce Reuse Recycle." You can do this for your project by using recycled paper or using product packaging, etc. You can do a "clean" and simple layout (i.e. not a lot of products on it), or reuse some paper scraps from a previous project. I hope you'll join us on 2RB's blog and Be Green!

I needed a thank you card for my girls to send to their papa, so I figured I'd kill two birds with one stone (I really hate that expression, since I would never kill even 1 bird... Is there a similar expression that means the same thing but doesn't involve killing innocent little birdies?) The base of the card was made with a piece of 8 1/2 x 11 white CS, so I could get two cards without any waste.

REUSE: All the rest of the CS used was leftover scraps.

RECYCLE: The green dotted paper was part of the packaging from some Making Memories glitter letter stickers - I just always thought it looked cute and saved some to use someday.

REDUCE: I tried to keep the layout clean and not use a lot of products.

The image is Tree Swinging Penny by 2RB. It's stamped on a scrap of watercolor paper and colored with watercolor pencils. The sentiment was stamped on another scrap using a Hero Arts stamp.

The ribbon is from Dots, Dashes & Checks, and the heart ribbon slide was a freebie from a crop.

Don't forget to stop by 2RB and show off your eco-friendly project.

SUPPLIES USED
Stamps: Tree Swinging Penny - 2RedBananas, sentiment - Hero Arts
Ink: Jet Black - StazOn
Paper: CS - Bazzil
Other: Ribbon - Dots, Dashes and Checks, Ribbon Slide - Maya Road, Brads - Doodlebug Designs

Taylored Expressions Cupcake Challenge #74

2009-07-17T19:20:00.004-05:00

I was looking at The Daily Dare blogspot and saw that Taylored Expressions was back and hosting the Cupcake Challenge. I love those little cupcakes! They're so cute. The sketch was really cute, so I thought "Why not?"

I made a card using Kraft CS as the base and Pink Armadillo DP. The image is from CC Designs' Gingersnaps Celebrate collection that I got from 2RedBananas.com. I've never used this particular stamp from the set, but she just looked so cute. Of course, it would be more my style if she was holding a latte...

The image is stamped on watercolor paper with StazOn ink and colored with watercolor pencils. The boots have black glaze ink on them so they look like patent leather and the martini glass has clear glaze ink on it so it would look like glass.

I cut out the image and mats with the Nestabilities Label 1 die.

This is a fun challenge blog and I'm glad to see it's back. Go over to the Cupcake Challenge and give it a try.

SUPPLIES USED
Stamps: Gingersnaps Celebrate - CC Designs
Ink: Black Glaze - Sakura, Clear Glaze - Sakura, Jet Black - StazOn
Paper: Kraft CS - ?, Pink Armadillo - the Paper Studio
Other: Grosgrain Ric Rac - May Arts, Nestabilities Label 1 - Spellbinders

Cuttlebug Challenge & 2RB New Stamps

2009-07-15T07:00:00.003-05:00

2RedBananas.com is sponsoring today's Cuttlebug Challenge. Be sure to go to the Cuttlebug Challenge blog to see the sketch and to participate in the challenge. One lucky participant will win a stamp set from 2RedBananas.

I went with a card this time... shocking, I know. The card base is cream CS with a block of green CS embossed with the Cuttlebug Distressed Stripes embossing folder. The sentiment is from 2RedBananas' More Quotes set, which is a new release on 2RB today. It was stamped on cream CS and matted on black CS with Dewdrops on each corner. I also used the Cuttlebug Garden Creatures die to cut out a flower, bee and frog (he's on the inside of the card) from various colors of CS. The double layered ribbon is black grosgrain and a narrow stitched green ribbon.

Don't forget to go to the Cuttlebug Challenge blog and play along with 2RedBananas.

SUPPLIES USED
Stamps: More Quotes - 2RedBananas
Ink: Jet Black - StazOn
Paper: CS - Bazzil
Other: Dewdrops - The Robin's Nest, Garden Creatures dies - Cuttlebug, Distressed Stripes - Cuttlebug, ribbon - ?

2RedBananas Sneak Peek - July Journaling Spot

2009-07-14T07:00:00.000-05:00

It is now time for yet another sneak peek of 2RedBananas' new stamp sets to be released on July 15th. Be sure to stop by the site tomorrow and check out all of the stamps, and go to 2RB's blog to see the last of the sneak peeks.

For today's peek I used the July Journaling Spot set to make a card. The card base is blue CS. I stamped the sea grass on cream CS with brown ink. The shell, starfish and sand dollar are stamped on kraft CS. The sentiment is stamped on cream CS and matted on brown CS.

SUPPLIES USED
Stamps: July Journaling Spot - 2RedBananas
Ink: Chestnut Roan - Chalk Ink
Paper: CS - Bazzil
Other: Burlap/Woven ribbon - 2RedBananas, pearls - Kaiser Craft

2RB Banana Split Sunday Challenge and a Sneak Peek

2009-07-12T07:00:00.000-05:00

Today is not only 2RedBananas' Banana Split Sunday Challenge, it's also part of the sneak peeks of 2RB's July stamp set release. So this is a 2 for 1 post.

This week's challenge is a sketch - YAY! I love sketches! Go to 2RB's blog for more information, to see the sketch, and to see the DT's samples. Oh... and also to participate in the challenge! There will be a prize given to one random participant.

I used peach CS for the card base and all of the DP is by MME. The image is Penny's Mushroom by Mindy Baxter - one of 2RB's soon to be released stamps. The image is stamped on watercolor paper with black StazOn and colored with watercolor pencils and Stardust ink. The rhinestone flowers along the bottom are from Prima.

Be sure to play along at 2RedBananas' blog, and check out the new stamps on July 15th at 2RedBananas.com!

SUPPLIES USED
Stamps: Penny's Mushroom - 2RedBananas
Ink: JetBlack - StazOn, Stardust - Sakura
Paper: CS - Bazzil, Simply Delightful - My Mind's Eye

Other: Rhinestone flowers - Prima, rhinestones - Kaiser Craft

2RB Sneak Peek - Tree Swingin' Penny

2009-07-10T07:00:00.001-05:00

Here's another sneak peek for 2RedBananas' July stamp set release: it's a set called Tree Swingin' Penny by Mindy Baxter. I just love this sweet little girl!
The card base is brown CS and the DP is from EK Success. The image is stamped on watercolor paper with StazOn and colored with watercolor pencils and Stardust ink. The sentiment is by Hero Arts. The ribbon is from May Arts and the rhinestones are by the Paper Studio. I cut out the image with my Nestabilities Label 1 die.

There will be more sneak peeks leading up to the stamp release on July 15th on 2RedBananas.com. Be sure to stop by 2RB's blog for peeks by all of the DT Members.

SUPPLIES USED
Stamps: Tree Swingin' Penny - 2RedBananas, sentiment - Hero Arts
Ink: Saddle Brown - StazOn, Ice Blue - Chalk Ink, Stardust - Sakura
Paper: CS - Bazzil, A Day at the Beach Collection - EK Success
Other: Ribbon - May Arts, rhinestones - The Paper Studio

2RedBananas Sneak Peeks

2009-07-09T10:53:00.004-05:00

Guess what? It's time for 2RedBananas.com to release its new stamp sets for July! Yay! As usual, the Design Team members will be showing some sneak peeks of the sets to be released on July 15th on the 2RB website. This month we have some very cute sets and a new illustrator - Mindy Baxter.
I used Mindy's set called Princess for my sneak peek. With two girls I can't resist a girly princess set! I used lavender CS for the base with a block of MAMBI DP. I stamped the image on watercolor paper and colored with watercolor pencils and some Stardust ink. The crown was stamped with embossing ink and gold embossing powder. I also colored it in some with a gold Stardust pen. I adhered some tiny pink ball fringe along the right-hand side of the image.

I love this set, and there are more peeks to come of the other adorable stamp sets. Be sure to check out 2RB's blog to see more peeks by the DT.

SUPPLIES USED
Stamps: Princess - 2RedBananas
Ink: Jet Black - StazOn, Emboss it - Ranger, Stardust - Sakura, Moonlight - Smooch
Paper: Alison Collection - Me and My Big Ideas, CS - Bazzil
Other: Ball fringe - ?, ribbon - May Arts, Jeweled Gold Embossing Powder - Stamp-n Stuff

2RB Banana Split Sunday Challenge - Patriotic Please

2009-07-05T07:00:00.002-05:00

In honor of the 4th of July, this week's 2RedBananas' Banana Split Sunday Challenge is Patriotic Please! We would like to see a patriotic project. Go to 2RB's blog for more information and to see the DT's patriotic samples.

For this challenge I decided to go with a card. The base is beige CS with a block of dark blue CS over it. I layered two ribbons on the left-hand side. I matted a block of Rusty Pickle DP with some dark red CS and adhered it to the card. I just love this paper. I bought it years ago because I couldn't resist that Uncle Sam.

The sentiment is from Jami Bova's stamp set called Come Home Soon by 2RedBananas. I punched it with a circle punch, matted it on red CS and used a brad to attach a charm to the center.

Let's see how patriotic you can be. Please join us for this week's 2RB challenge.

SUPPLIES USED
Stamps: Come Home Soon - 2RedBananas
Ink: Saddle Brown - StazOn
Paper: CS - unknown, Main Street Parade - Rusty Pickle
Other: brad - Making Memories, Ribbon - May Arts, charm - unknown

2RB Banana Split Sunday Challenge - Summer Inspiration

2009-06-28T07:00:00.005-05:00

It is time once again for 2RedBananas.com's Banana Split Sunday Challenge! This week's challenge is to use this photo as your inspiration:

You can use whatever element you want as your inspiration: color, content, etc. There will be a prize awarded for one random participant in this week's challenge - an Imaginisce goodie bag! Be sure to visit the 2RB blog for more information and to see the DT's samples.

Having recently been to the beach, when I looked at this photo I was inspired by the sand and water. Mostly because I knew I had some photos with exactly those things in them. I decided to do a layout with a few of my photos.

The background is a piece of Crate Paper DP. Most of the DP strips are from EK Success' A Day at the Beach collection, and the pink strip with flowers is from Flair Designs. The chipboard stickers are also EK Success.

I distressed the photo edges with MM distressing tools - roughed up the edges and sanded them. The blue lines were doodled in with a Stardust pen. The sentiment at the upper left corner of the photo is from 2RB's June Journaling Spot stamp set.

What kind of summer inspiration are you feeling right now? Be sure to share it with us at 2RB's blog.

SUPPLIES USED
Stamps: Sentiment from June Journaling Spot- 2RedBananas

Paper: Jungle Fever - Flair Designs, A Day at the Beach - EK Success, Play Time - Crate Paper

Ink: Marine Blue Stardust - Sakura, blue ink - Hero Arts

Other: Ispirables sentiment stickers - EK Success, Velvet flowers - Maya Road, light blue brads - Lasting Impressions

Happy Birthday, Kayla!

2009-06-26T10:51:00.003-05:00

Next week is my niece Kayla's birthday. She's turning 11. (I think... I found out the Sweet 16 card I made for my niece Nicky was 1 year late. Oops.)

I made her card using a pink CS base and a block of MME paper. The image is from the Gingersnaps Celebrate stamp set I got from 2RedBananas. It's such a cute set! It's stamped on watercolor paper with StazOn and colored with watercolor pencils and some Sakura Stardust ink (got to have a little sparkle). The sentiment is from the the coordinating set of birthday sentiments.

SUPPLIES USED
Stamps: Gingersnaps Celebrate - CC Designs, AmyR Stamps: Birthday Sentiments - CC Designs
Ink: JetBlack - StazOn, Stardust - Sakura
Paper: Cardstock - Bazzil, My Mind's Eye
Other: Rhinestones - Kaiser Craft, Ribbon, Brads - Lasting Impressions

Father's Day Album

2009-06-24T07:00:00.002-05:00

For Father's Day this year I thought it would be nice to make Matt an album of our trips to the beach along the Gulf Coast (near Galveston). We always have a great time, and I thought he would like to have an album that he can flip through to remind him of the fun that we have when we're there. Especially at times when he probably wishes he were there instead of... oh say, at work.

I used an SEI album in a bag, with some extra embellishments - ric rac, ribbon, brads, charms, dimensional stickers, etc. It came together really quickly, and once I had the basic parts of the album assembled, I added the extra embellishments. I also used my Zutter Bind-it-All to add a spiral binding since it was way too fat for it's original binding by the time I finished it.

SUPPLIES USED
Other: Album - sei, charms & dimensional stickers - Sea Glass by K&Co.

2RB and House Mouse & Friends Challenge

2009-06-22T07:00:00.007-05:00

Today 2RedBananas.com is sponsoring the House Mouse & Friends Monday Challenge. It will be a sketch challenge this week, so go to 2RedBananas' blog or HM&F's blog to see the sketch and participate in the challenge.

For this challenge I made a card using white CS for the base with a block of Wild Saffron DP. I adhered a CS scalloped circle to the left, with some rhinestones along the top and bottom.

The image is a Gruffie stamp called Lilac Bouquet, which I stamped with StazOn and colored with watercolor pencils. There is also some Stardust ink on the flowers and leaves. The sentiment is by Hero Arts and it's also colored with watercolor pencils and Stardust ink.

Be sure to stop by 2RB or HM&F to participate in this week's challenge.

SUPPLIES USED
Stamps: Lilac Bouquet - Stampabilities Gruffies Collection, sentiment - Hero Arts
Ink: Jet Black - StazOn, Stardust - Sakura
Paper: Wild Saffron - K&Company, Card Stock - Bazzil
Other: Rhinestones - Kaiser Craft, Scallop Circle - Cricut

2RB Banana Split Sunday Challenge 16

2009-06-21T07:00:00.010-05:00

Today is 2RedBananas' Banana Split Sunday Challenge. Today's challenge is to create a summer project. It can be whatever you want, but it has to have a summery theme. Be sure to go to 2RB's blog for more information, and to see the samples by the DT Bananas, or you can also go directly to their blogs:

Jeanette Fincher
Deb Felts
Jami Bova
Teresa Grau
Cassie Larson

Denise Marzec, Guest DT
Silke Ledlow, Guest DT

For today's challenge I decided to go with a layout. I hadn't done one in a while, and I remembered I had the perfect photos that were summery AND would be perfect to use with 2RB's new June Journaling Spot stamp set.

How perfect is that??? These photos are of Olivia's first time ever eating an ice cream on a stick. We were at the beach on the Gulf and her aunt bought it for her from an ice cream truck (also a first) driving along the beach. It was so hot she couldn't keep up with how fast the ice cream was melting, so she was covered in drips (hence the topless look she's sporting).

The entire layout is made with DP from the White Out Promenade collection by We R Memory Keepers. The letters were cut out of DP with my Cricut. I traced around them with a brown journaling pen after adhereing them to the LO so they would stand out better.

I stamped the June Journaling Spot popsicle image and drips on DP and the sticks on beige CS, then trimmed and paper pieced them together.

This was a fun layout, and I love these photos of Olivia with her salt water soaked hair and drippy ice cream. I hope you'll give this challenge a try yourself.

SUPPLIES USED
Stamps: June Journaling Spot - 2RedBananas
Ink: Saddle Brown - StazOn, brown pen - Zig
Paper: White Out Promenade - We R Memory Keepers
Other: Pink ribbon - American Crafts, ric rak - ?, buttons - Lasting Impressions, letters - Cricut Making the Grade cartridge

Father's Day Mini Album

2009-06-19T07:00:00.006-05:00

In my last post I mentioned a mini album I made for my Dad for Father's Day. It contains only photos of both of my girls together. My Dad lives in Florida and has never seen Kate (the youngest). I thought he would like some photos of her and her sister, so they start off when she was born and go up to the present (about one from each month).

I used my Zutter Bind-it-All to bind the album. The covers are chipboard with Bloom and Grow DP from My Mind's Eye, and the pages are made from kraft CS with Bloom and Grow DP. It came together pretty quickly, and it's really simple, but turned out cute. Some of the pages have the matching die cuts and a few have titles made with letter stickers.

I hope my Dad likes it, and maybe soon he'll get to meet Kate in person.

2RB Stamp Release and Father's Day Cards

2009-06-18T07:00:00.002-05:00

Don't forget 2RedBananas.com has released its exclusive stamp sets for June. You can see the new sets on the website or the 2RB blog.

These are the cards I made for my dad and father-in-law for Father's Day. I don't have a lot of masculine stuff, so I used the same paper for both of their cards. As you can see by the images I used... I don't have a lot of masculine stuff. Did I mention that already?

The card bases are grey CS with DP from Wild Asparagus (double sided). The mouse card uses a House Mouse stamp and sentiment from My Sentiments Exactly. I also used some cute brads that look like screws.

The truck card uses a stamp set from Stampin Up. It's a really cute set that comes with different "loads" for the truck and corresponding sentiments. The rubber swirl is a sticker from Stickopotamus (I know I probably spelled that wrong),and the "DAD" was made with CS and my Cricut.

I also made my FIL a really cute memory cup with BG paper and die cuts from the Mellow collection, and my dad a mini album using My Mind's Eye's Bloom and Grow collection that I got at 2RedBananas.com. I'll probably show some photos of it in a later post.

Hope everyone has a great Father's Day.

2RedBananas Sneak Peek - Play YOUR Game

2009-06-16T07:00:00.001-05:00

We Bananas are still showing sneak peeks of the stamp sets to be released on 2RedBananas.com on June 17th. For today I am showing a peek of the stamp set Play Your Game by Abbey Westemeyer.

The card base is cream CS with a block of DCWV DP from the Nana's Nursery mat stack. The remaining DP is from Chatterbox.

I stamped the image (and sentiment) on watercolor paper and the image is colored it with watercolor pencils and some white ink accents. And, of course, some rhinestones for a little bling! That's about it for this card. Pretty simple.

Be sure to visit the 2RedBananas blog to see more samples by the DT. Don't forget - the stamps will be released on March 17th at 2RedBananas.com.

SUPPLIES USED

Stamps: Play Your Game - 2RedBananas

Ink: JetBlack - StazOn, Red - StazOn, white ink - Inkssentials, Stardust - Sakura

Paper: Chatterbox, Die Cuts With a View - Nana's Nursery Baby Girl

Other: Rhinestones - Michael's

2RedBananas Week of Peeks

2009-06-15T07:00:00.004-05:00

I guess it isn't quite a whole week of sneak peeks of 2RedBananas.com's new stamps for June, which will be released June 17th, but it's pretty close. For today's peek I've used a stamp set called Goal! by Abbey Westemeyer.

The base is orange CS and the DP is by Sassafrass Lass. The image was stamped on watercolor paper and colored with watercolor pencils, Stardust ink and white ink accents. I added eyelashes and red lips to the frog to make the image more feminine to go with the paper. I added googly eyes, too.

To see more sneak peeks of the 2RedBananas stamps to be released on June 17th, go to 2RB's blog or to the DT blogs:

Jeanette Fincher
Deb Felts
Jami Bova
Teresa Grau
Cassie Larson

Denise Marzec, Guest DT
Silke Ledlow, Guest DT

SUPPLIES USED
Stamps: Goal! - 2RedBananas
Ink: JetBlack - StazOn, white ink - Inkssentials, Stardust - Sakura
Paper: Sassafrass Lass, Bazzil
Other: Googly eyes, rhinestones - Kaiser Craft, scalloped frame - Sizzix

2RedBananas' Banana Split Sunday Challenge No. 15

2009-06-14T07:00:00.009-05:00

Here we are again with another 2RedBananas' Banana Split Sunday Challenge, which is a sketch challenge that 2RB is sponsoring on the CPS blog. Check out both blogs for more information. There will be a randomly awarded prize for one participant on each of the blogs, so be sure to enter on both blogs for two chances to win, and to see the great samples by both DTs.

For this challenge I made a card for my nephew, Christopher's 2nd birthday. The card base is kraft CS with DP by Rhonna Farrer for Autumn Leaves. The sentiment was made using MM glitter letter stickers (I love those stickers).

I stamped the image, which, believe it or not, was a penguin from the Heartfelt Friends stamp set by 2RedBananas, with StazOn ink. I altered it {slightly} to create this little alien using watercolor pencils and Stardust pens.

The three star brads in the corner were pink, but I inked them with StazOn so they would match a little better.

This was a fun card to make, and it goes to show that you can do just about anything with a stamp image to better fit your project. I hope you'll go to 2RB's blog and the CPS blog to join us in our challenge this week.

SUPPLIES USED
Stamps: Heartfelt Friends - 2RedBananas
Ink: Jet Black - StazOn, Stardust - Sakura
Paper: Rhonna Farrer - Autumn Leaves
Other: Glitter Letter Stickers - Making Memories, star brads - unknown

2RedBananas June Stamp Release

2009-06-12T09:41:00.010-05:00

It's time for the release of 2RedBananas.com's new June stamp sets. There will be 4 new sets this month. Today I'm going to do a sneak peek using a really adorable set by Jami Bova called Precious Bundles. I'm sure you can kind of figure out what the theme is, and this is really a teaser because the set has loads of cute images and sentiments. Be sure to stop by the 2RB blog to see more samples, or visit the DT member's blogs:

Cassie Larson
Denise Marzec, Guest DT

Silke Ledlow, Guest DT

This card has a pink CS base and all of the DP is by Chatterbox (I think...). The image is stamped with brown StazOn and colored with watercolor pencils and some Stardust ink. There are some pearls by Kaiser Craft on the buggy. I also added some giant ric rac and pink polkadot ribbon. This is a pretty simple card, but I just loved that buggy and wanted it to be the focus. And the quote by Winnie the Pooh is awesome, too.

Be sure to visit 2RB on June 17th for the release of the stamp sets, and stop by here or the 2RB blog to see more sneak peeks.

SUPPLIES USED
Stamps: Precious Bundles - 2RedBananas
Ink: Saddle Brown - StazOn, Stardust - Sakura
Paper: Chatterbox, cardstock - Bazzil
Other: ric rac - May Arts, pearls - Kaiser Craft

Nicky's Gift Can

2009-06-10T07:00:00.000-05:00

My niece, Nicky's 16th birthday is tomorrow. This is a Prima flower can I decorated with MAMBI paper. Her gift is inside.

SUPPLIES USED
Paper: Alison collection - Me & My Big Ideas
Other: Velvet letter stickers - Making Memories, rhinestones - Michael's, ribbon - ?, clear can - Prima flowers

Happy Sweet 16, Nicky!

2009-06-08T07:00:00.004-05:00

This week is my niece Nicky's 16th Birthday. Happy Birthday, Nicky! How do they grow up so fast? I remember when she was a sweet little flower girl in my wedding.

When I started planning Nicky's card I happened to see a really good sketch on the I {heart} 2 Stamp challenge, so I couldn't resist!

This card has a pink CS base and the DP is all by Me & My Big Ideas from the Alison collection. The main image and small cupcake (I just love cupcakes!) are from the Gingersnaps Celebrate stamp set, which is new to 2RedBananas.com. They are stamped on watercolor paper with StazOn. The sentiment is from My Sentiments Exactly (I got 100 sentiments in a clearance pack for a great price and this is probably the only time I'll use this one). I used watercolor pencils, Stardust pens and a white Inkssentials pen on the images.

This was a fun card to make. Go check out I {heart} 2 Stamp and join in their challenge.

SUPPLIES USED
Stamps: Gingersnaps Celebrate - CC Designs, sentiment - My Sentiments Exactly
Ink: Jet Black - StazOn, Stardust pens - Sakura, white pen - Inkssentials
Paper: Alison Collection - Me & My Big Ideas, cardstock - Bazzil

Other: heart rhinestone - K&Co, rhinestones - Michael's, ribbon - ?

2RedBananas' Banana Split Sunday Challenge No. 14

2009-06-07T07:00:00.004-05:00

PATTERN FRENZY: 2RedBananas is holding it's 14th Banana Split Sunday Challenge this week, and we dare you to use at least three different patterned papers on your project.

For this challenge I made a card with a white CS base and I used three pieces of Imaginisce DP from the Twitterpated collection.

The bee image is from 2RB's stamp set called Party Bees . It was stamped with StazOn and colored with watercolor pencils. There is some black Stickles on the black stripes and Moonlight Smooch ink in the wings. I trimmed the image and adhered it to the card with pop dots. Then I added a cute, wavy sentiment that reminded me of a bee's flight path. There are also some rhinestones in some of the flowers.

SUPPLIES USED
Stamps: Party Bees by 2RedBananas and sentiment by My Sentiments Exactly
Ink: StazOn Jet Black
Paper: Imaginisce Twitterpated Collection - Flower Trails and Mushroom Fancy
Other: Smooch ink - Moonlight, rhinestones from Michael's, Stickles

Basic Grey Clock

2009-06-01T09:18:00.004-05:00

I wanted to share this fun clock that I made for my daughter's room. I've been promising her I would make her a clock ever since I made one for her baby sister's room. I don't know why it took me so long to do it, since I had the clock movement and everything already. But, anyway, I finally sat down Saturday night and did it. I think it turned out so cute (that's me patting myself on the back), and I almost want to keep it for my scrapbooking room...

I used a square artist's canvas and painted the edges black. I mod podged on the background paper and die cuts (all from Mellow by Basic Grey), then added Making Memories glitter sticker numbers. I cut a hole in the center and added the clock movement and hands. Easy as pie!

Of course, when I showed it to Olivia the next day she said "Mom, clocks are supposed to be round." Oh well...

2RB Banana Split Sunday Challenge No. 12

2009-05-31T07:00:00.002-05:00

It's time for 2RedBananas' Banana Split Sunday Challenge, and this week's is a good one. The challenge is called Tied Up With Ribbon, and all you have to do is use ribbon on your project. Piece of cake, right? I'm sure we all have this embellishment in our stash. One random participant will be given an assortment of ribbon from 2RedBananas.com (and believe me, 2RB has a LOT of very cute ribbon).

For this challenge I used Jami Bova's Chicken Dumpling stamp set from 2RedBananas. I don't know why, but to me ribbon and baby stuff just seem to go together. I stamped the image on yellow Basic Grey DP and colored it with watercolor pencils and a Inkssentials white pen. All of the other DP is from "Just the Girls" by Lasting Impressions. The mat was made using the Nestabilities Label 1 die. I used some ribbon scraps to make the "flower", and the buttons are all by Junkitz.

I have also included a card I made for Ashton's birthday. I didn't use any DP on this one, just ribbon (makes it perfect for this challenge, doesn't it?) I used my Nestabilities Label 1 die on a folded piece of cardstock to make the card base. Then just covered it with scraps of ribbon and added a monkey image (Stampendous) and sentiment (My Sentiments Exactly).

I also wanted to include a mini baby album I made using my new Zutter Bind-it-All. I love this machine! This project used a lot of ribbon, so it also fits the theme of this week's challenge. All of the DP is by Making Memories.

I love using ribbon. It just seems to finish a project. I hope you join us in this week's challenge. Be sure to go to 2RedBananas' blog for more info and to see the other DT members' samples.

Happy Birthday, Avery

2009-05-28T11:16:00.005-05:00

This card is for Avery, who turned 2 years old this month. The card base is white CS with a block of "Just the Girls" DP from Lasting Impressions. The image (by Stampin' Up!) was stamped on watercolor paper and colored with watercolor pencils and Sakura Stardust pens, then it was matted on a piece of pink Just the Girls DP and pop dotted onto the card. The sentiment is by Hero Arts. And last, but not least, I added a piece of pink stripe ribbon.

2RB Banana Split Sunday Challenge No. 11

2009-05-24T07:00:00.009-05:00

I hope everyone is ready for this week's 2RedBananas' Banana Split Sunday Challenge, because it's flower time. That's right, all you have to do is use flowers on your project. This was pretty easy for me because I must have a million of them...

I made this card for my mom, just to let her know I'm thinking about her. The card base is purple CS with blocks of Heidi Grace Designs DP. The flowers are also from Heidi Grace (with pearl brad centers from Oriental Trading).

The image is Flourish with Flowers by Jami Bova from 2RedBananas. I stamped it on watercolor paper and colored it with watercolor pencils. I also went crazy with the sparkly accents - I used Sakura Stardust pens, Shimmerz, Blingz and Pink Paislee Pixie Stix glitter. The sentiment is by Hero Arts.

I also did yet another page for Kate's mini birthday album. The chipboard and DP is all by Little Yellow Bicycle, from their Baby Safari collection.

I used the Nestabilities Label 1 die to cut out the mat and photo. The felt flowers (orange and green) are from American Crafts and the paper ones (pink and yellow) are by Prima. I think the mini brads are from Creative Impressions, but I'm not sure.

The sentiment is from Jami Bova's stamp set Cajun Chicken by 2RedBananas.

This was a fun challenge. I mean, who doesn't have some of these versatile embellishments? Be sure to go to 2RB's blog for more info and to check out the other DT's samples.

Happy Birthday, Diana

2009-05-22T07:00:00.000-05:00

This is a card I made for my friend, Diana's 40th birthday today. Happy Birthday, Diana!

The card base is black CS with a block of My Mind's Eye DP. The small squares are also MME DP. I used the Nestabilities Label 1 die for the mat under the chicken.

The chicken image is from Jami Bova's stamp set Chicken Impossible by 2RedBananas. The square he's pointing at flaps up and has a sentiment from the set underneath it.

The rhinestones are from Kaiser Craft and the black acrylic flourishes are by Queen & Co.

Happy 1st Birthday, Aiden

2009-05-20T07:00:00.001-05:00

This card is for my great-nephew, Aiden, who turned 1 this month. I can't believe I have a GREAT-nephew...

The card base is white CS with a block of Orbit Collection DP from Crate Paper (did I mention that I love this paper?). The strip of alien DP is the reverse of the red DP. The chipboard letters and number are Thickers by American Crafts that have been inked with blue ink. The arrow brad is by 7Gypsies.

Happy Birthday, Bryce

2009-05-19T07:00:00.001-05:00

This is a birthday card I made for Matt's godson, Bryce. Bryce turned seven this month.

The card base is teal CS, with a block of Orbit Collection DP by Crate Paper. The strip of DP with aliens is the reverse side of the DP. I used a couple sizes of circle punches to punch circles from watercolor paper then used scissors to cut notches out to make the asterisk shape. The sentiment is a Hero Arts stamp.

I love this DP, it's so cute. I need to do a layout using my last piece. Not sure how to make it girlie, though.

2RB Banana Split Sunday Challenge No. 10

2009-05-17T07:00:00.006-05:00

This week for 2RedBananas' Banana Split Sunday Challenge we have a great sketch. Go to 2RB's blog for more info and to see the sketch and samples from the DT.

The card base is black CS with a block of black & white checked DP (this scrap is so old I have no idea who made it). The oval and pink strip of DP is from Basic Grey.

The flamingo image is from 2RB's stamp set called Heartfelt Friends by Abbey Westemeyer. It's stamped with StazOn and colored with watercolor pencils and some Sakura Stardust ink. The sentiment is from 2RB's stamp set called Wrapped in His Love by Jami Bova. It's stamped with pearlescent white ink on black CS, and matted on some pink DP. The black rhinestones are from Kaiser Craft.

Be sure to stop by 2RedBananas and join us for this week's challenge.

2RedBananas Week of Peeks - Tickled Pink

2009-05-15T07:00:00.003-05:00

2RedBananas.com's Week of Peeks is still going strong. There have been sneak peeks of so many great stamp sets - and there's still more to come. Go to the 2RB blog and see more samples by DT Bananas.

For this peek I'm using two stamp sets: Tickled Pink and Sweetie, both by Abbey Westermeyer.

The card base is black CS with a block of Basic Grey DP. I stamped the flamingo image on the Basic Grey DP and the cake on watercolor paper. They're both colored with watercolor pencils, Sakura Stardust pens and Souffle pens. I used the Nestabilities Label 1 die (can you tell it's the only one I have?... so far) to cut out the image and mat (which is Crate Paper DP). The sentiment is by Hero Arts and I stamped it with pink Chalk Ink then traced over it with a Stardust pen. I also added some pretty ribbon.

Even though both of these stamp sets are wedding themed, I thought they also be used to make a birthday card.

Stop by 2RB's blog tomorrow and see what else you can get a peek at, and go to 2RedBananas.com on Monday to see all of the new stamp sets.

2RedBananas Week of Peeks - Party Bees

2009-05-14T07:00:00.002-05:00

2RedBananas.com will be releasing its new stamp sets on May 18th. For this "Week of Peeks" I decided to use Abbey Westemeyer's new set called "Party Bees" to make a card. You can go to 2RB's blog to see more samples, or visit the other DT members' blogs and see what else they're showing peeks of:

Jeanette Fincher
Deb Felts
Jami Bova
Teresa Grau
Cassie Larson

Denise Marzec, Guest DT
Silke Ledlow, Guest DT

The card base is a white DCWV gatefold card with a block of Wild Saffron DP by K&Co on either side of the opening. The flowers are stamped on Basic Grey DP with a rhinestone center and the stems and leaves are made from ribbon. The bee's body is stamped on watercolor paper and the stripes on the body have yellow and black flocking from Doodlebug Designs. The wings are stamped on a transparency with Stickles on the back.

Again, I decided to do some experimenting with this sneak peek and I had fun doing it. I guess I need to use more techniques when I'm crafting, instead of falling back on the same ol' same ol'.

Hope you'll stop by 2RedBananas' blog to see more peeks this week, and don't forget to go to 2RedBananas.com on Monday to see the new stamp sets.

2RedBananas Sneek Peek - Flourish in Thought

2009-05-13T07:00:00.003-05:00

For today's sneak peek of 2RedBananas.com's new stamp sets (to be released on May 18th) I have used Jami Bova's stamp called "Flourish in Thought." It is a really beautiful stamp. That Jami is so talented...

The card base is purple CS with a block of K&Company's Brenda Walton paper on top.

There are so many techniques going on with this image I don't even know where to begin. I stamped the body on watercolor paper and colored it with watercolor pencils. The wings are stamped on a piece of K&Co DP with Versamark ink and covered with purple Perfect Pearls. I sprayed the whole piece of DP and the fairy's body with some Perfect Pearls mixed with water (which shows up much better in person), and added some Sakura Stardust ink and Shimmerz to her dress.

There rhinestones in the scallops are from KaiserCraft. I also stacked up three flowers and used a glittered brad in the center, then added it to the top of the image, along with some sheer ribbon tied in a bow.

I was definately playing around and experimenting when I made this card. Now I have a better idea of which effects I like the best.

Hope you'll stop by again this week, and go to 2RB's blog to see more peeks by our talented DT members:

Denise Marzec, Guest DT

Silke Ledlow, Guest DT

2RB Sneak Peek - Mr. Frog Grad

2009-05-12T11:59:00.005-05:00

For 2RedBananas' Sneak Peek today I used a cute stamp set by Abbey Westemeyer called Mr. Frog Grad. We all know that graduation is right around the corner, so now I'm all set for at least one grad. Be sure to go to 2RB's blog to see more peeks by the DT.

The card base is green CS with a ric-rac edged piece of white CS on top and a block of black CS on top of that. I used Tsukineko's Brilliance Moonlight White ink to stamp the "Yipee" sentiment repeatedly on the black CS.

The frog is stamped on watercolor paper and colored with watercolor pencils and Sakura Stardust pens. I added a little tassel made of black thread to the mortarboard and a little "diploma" made from a tiny piece of rolled paper and some red thread to the frog's hand.

This was a fun set to use, and there are even more fun sets that will be available on 2RedBananas.com this coming Monday. Don't miss it.

2RedBananas Week of Peeks

2009-05-11T13:45:00.003-05:00

Hey everyone! It's 2RedBananas' Week of Peeks for all of the new stamps that will be released on the website beginning Monday, May 18th. There are a lot of new sets for this month, so be sure to stop by 2RedBanana's blog and the blogs of all the DT members to see some great samples. We'll be posting them all this week. (There was a slight snafu with my stamps, but I should have some samples up by tonight.)

Here are all of the DT members who will be showing some samples this week:

Jeanette Fincher
Deb Felts
Jami Bova
Teresa Grau
Cassie Larson
Denise Marzec, Guest DT
Silke Ledlow, Guest DT

All that Glitters... 2RB Banana Split Sunday Challenge

2009-05-10T07:00:00.009-05:00

This week's Banana Split Sunday Challenge from 2RedBananas is to use GLITTER. How fun is that? Plus, this week there will be a prize awarded to one random participant.

Even if you don't use loose glitter, there are so many other glittery papercrafting elements out there. I'm also participating in Prairie Paper and Ink's Friday Sketch challenge, because I just can't resist a good sketch. Be sure to go to 2RB's blog for more information and to see all of the DT's sparkly samples.

I used three different glittery products on this card, but I don't think the photo really shows the glitter very well.

The card base is kraft paper and all of the DP used is from My Minds Eye Simply Delightful collection. I inked all of the edges with Chestnut Roan Chalk Ink. The girl image is from 2RB's stamp set called A Spring Thing and it's stamped on watercolor paper and colored with watercolor pencils and some Sakura Stardust ink. There is also Stardust ink on the large flower paper and Stickles on the blue flower paper. The glittery letter stickers are from Making Memories, and the brown pearls are by Kaiser Craft.

Hope you try out 2RB's challenge this week and let your glitter shine! Here are all of the DT members who have samples for this week's challenge:

Denise Marzec, Guest DT

Silke Ledlow, Guest DT

2RB's Week of Peeks is Coming!

2009-05-09T15:30:00.004-05:00

Just a reminder that 2RedBananas will be having its Week of Peeks for the new stamps that will be debuting this month. Be sure to check back here and at 2RB's blog to see all of the sneak peeks by the design team. You won't want to miss it!

Thank You Card

2009-05-05T17:26:00.003-05:00

I made this card last night for Kate's Grandma and Grandpa, who have given her a subscription to Animal Baby magazine.

The card base is teal CS with Imaginisce DP from the Twitterpated collection (which I got from 2RedBananas). The little birdie stamped image is also from Imaginisce and colored with watercolor pencils. I used the Nestabilities Label 1 die for the mat.

Here's Kate "reading" her new magazine (in Daddy's gaming chair, which she loves):

2RB Banana Split Sunday Challenge No. 8

2009-05-03T07:00:00.006-05:00

That's right... it's Sunday again, so that means it's time for 2RedBananas' Banana Split Sunday Challenge. This week's challenge is to create something monochromatic. How easy is that!?! Go to the 2RB blog for more info and to see the DT's samples.

I have used this challenge to inspire me to create another page for Kate's chipboard book. I have decided the theme will be her first birthday. All of the chipboard pages and DP are from Little Yellow Bicycle.

The background is the chipboard page covered with a piece of yellow DP. I used some pearlescent yellow CS for the photo mat, rounded the corners and adhered it to the page with the photo on top. The three yellow fabric flowers on the upper left corner of the photo are from a piece of Making Memories ribbon, but I cut each of the flowers apart and stuck a yellow rhinestone in the center of each.

The baby chicken is from Jami Bova's stamp set Chicken Dumpling by 2RedBananas, which I stamped on yellow DP from Crate Paper's Baby Bee collection (it's the perfect color for these chicken stamps) with Jet Black StazOn ink. It's colored with DerWent watercolor pencils and some gold Sakura Stardust ink, with a little Shimmerz on the diaper. The image was punched with a scallop punch and matted on another yellow CS scalloped circle. The birthday hat is from the Birthday Chicken set and I paper pieced it onto Chicken Dumpling. The whole thing was then adhered with pop dots.

This was a very fast and fun layout to create. Being monochromatic made it easy to get papers together - yellow matches yellow, right? I hope you'll join us Bananas in the challenge this week.

Happy Birthday, Mom.

2009-04-28T07:00:00.000-05:00

This card is for my mother-in-law, whose birthday is today. I used the sketch from the Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Challenge. I love sketches!

The card base is black CS with a block of Pink Armadillo DP from the Paper Studio on the upper portion. There is a piece of ribbon along the bottom of the DP. I adhered three rhinestones from Kaiser Craft to the lower right corner of the card.

The image is from the Birthday Chicken stamp set by Jami Bova from 2RedBananas, which I stamped with Jet Black StazOn on yellow DP from Crate Paper's Baby Bee collection and colored with DerWent watercolor pencils and Sakura Stardust pens. I cut the chicken out and used pop dots to put him on the black CS circle, which is matted with Pink Armadillo DP cut in a scalloped circle on my Cricut. The sentiment is also from the Birthday Chicken set and punched out with a circle punch. This was also adhered with popdots.

I liked this sketch and enjoyed playing in Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Challenge. I hope my MIL has a great birthday today!

2RB Banana Split Sunday Challenge No. 7

2009-04-26T07:00:00.003-05:00

Today is 2RedBananas.com’s Banana Split Sunday Challenge and the theme is Wearing Stripes. Just create any kind of papercraft project using stripes. One lucky, random participant will win a My Mind's Eye Bloom paper pack and a 12x12 sheet of coordinating die cut shapes. Go to the 2RedBananas blog for more information and to see samples from the other design team members.

I decided to make a little layout for a chipboard book (by Little Yellow Bicycle) that I'm making for Kate. All of the DP is from Baby Safari by Little Yellow Bicycle. The background is striped DP with a strip of animal DP along the bottom. There is a piece of ric rac along the bottom of the animal strip. The paper flowers are from Hullabaloo by Making Memories - one set has a fabric-covered brad in the center and the other has a sentiment from Jami Bova’s stamp set called Chicken Dumpling by 2RedBananas.

The photo was cut out using Nestabilities Label 1 die and matted on pink CS, then adhered to the layout.

I hope you’ll play along with us for this week’s challenge.

You're an Animal!

2009-04-19T07:00:00.005-05:00

Today I am participating in two challenges - the 2RedBananas Banana Split Sunday Challenge and the Friday Sketchers' challenge. 2RB's challenge is to use your favorite animal on a project, and Friday Sketchers is... you guessed it, a sketch. Go to 2RedBananas blog to find out more about the challenge and see what the other DT members have done.

This base of this card is white CS and all of the DP is from Crate Paper's Baby Bee Collection. I adhered a block of the reverse side of Dragonfly on the base with another block of Caterpillar on top of that. There is a block of the front of Dragonfly on the right-hand side, a block of DP to the left of it, then a strip of Dragonfly across all of it. There are three glittered brads on the left side of the strip.

Since the challenge was to use my favorite animal, I finally got a chance to use my giraffe stamp. I love giraffes. I don't know what it is about them, but I think they're cute. I stamped the giraffe from Imaginisce on the reverse side of the Caterpillar DP with brown StazOn ink and colored it with watercolor pencils. I cut it out with Nestabilities Label 1 die and matted it on Caterpillar DP. I used pop dots to adhere it to the front of the card. There are some felt flowers from American Crafts to the right of the image with glittered brads through the centers. On the upper left corner is a piece of ric rac (also by Crate Paper) tied in a knot with a sentiment pop dotted on top of it.

I hope you decide to play along with us this week. Go to 2RB's blog for more info about the challenge.

Chicken Impossible

2009-04-14T12:43:00.005-05:00

Today I am participating in a challenge by Inspirational Card Sketches Challenge Blog. They had a very lovely sketch, so I decided to use it to make a card for my Aunt Madelyn (who's birthday is also this week).

The card base is white CS and all of the DP is from Crate Paper's Sweet Branch Collection. I adhered a large block of Blossom DP to the card front, along with a block of the reverse side of Blossom on the left-hand side and a block of Hope DP on the right-hand side. The ribbon along the left-hand side is also from Crate Paper. Above the block of Hope DP I adhered some clear Dew Drops.

I used the Chicken Impossible stamp by 2RedBananas.com and the cake is from Stampin' Up. The images are stamped on watercolor paper with Jet Black StazOn ink and colored with Derwent watercolor pencils and a Tombow blender pen. There are also Sakura Stardust accents on the cake and chicken.

The sentiment is printed on the solid side of some Crate Paper DP.

This was a fun challenge. Of course, I always appreciate a good sketch! Stop by Inspirational Card Sketch Challenge Blog and check it out.

Happy Bird Day Card

2009-04-13T12:00:00.006-05:00

Just a quick note to remind everyone that 2RedBananas.com's new stamps for April are available on the website today. Stop by and check them all out!

Today I am participating in a challenge from Just Christmas and Birthday Cards. It's a sketch (which I always appreciate), and you can do both a Christmas and birthday card or just one or the other. I am submitting a birthday card - which I did for my Aunt Barbara's birthday later this week.

The card base is pink CS and all of the DP is from the Laundry Line collection by My Mind's Eye. I adhered a block of Lucky Run Paper to the left-hand side and a block of Party Flowers Paper on the right-hand side. The little flowers in the upper and lower corners were punched from pink CS and adhered with pop dots. Each flower has Sakura Stardust ink in its center. I adhered a strip of pink CS down the center with a piece of ribbon and a bow(Michael's) on top of it.

The image and sentiment are from the Birthday Chicken stamp set by 2RedBananas.com, and it's stamped on watercolor paper with Jet Black StazOn ink and colored with Derwent watercolor pencils. There are also some Sakura Stardust accents on the hat and cake. I matted it on pink CS and used pop dots to adhere it to the card.

This was a fun challenge and I really liked Just Christmas and Birthday Card's sketch. I'll have to check them out next Monday, too.

2RB Sneak Peeks Day 6 and Sunday Challenge

2009-04-11T07:00:00.003-05:00

Today 2RedBananas.com is not only having its sneak peek of the new stamp sets being released next week, it's also having the Banana Split Sunday Challenge (a day early due to Easter Sunday). So... I have two projects to show you.

The first, for the sneak peek, is a card made using one of 2RB's exclusive stamp sets "The Early Birds" by Abbey Westemeyer.

The card base is cream CS with a large block of Imaginisce DP on the left side and a smaller block of the reverse side of the DP on the right, which has pink Sakura Stardust ink in the centers of the flowers. I tied a piece of celery grosgrain ribbon in a bow and adhered it along the seam of the two papers.

The image (2RB) and sentiment (Making Memories) are stamped with Jet Black StazOn ink on white CS and colored with watercolor pencils and a little pink Sakura Stardust ink. I also added googly eyes to the bird. The bird is adhered to the card front along with a row of small flowers (Prima) with pink rhinestone (Michael's) centers.

2REDBANANAS.COM BANANA SPLIT SUNDAY CHALLENGE:

For my second project I created a layout for Kate's baby album for the 2RB Banana Split Sunday Challenge, which is a sketch challenge this week. Go to 2RB's blog to see the awesome sketch and give it a try yourself.

The base of the layout is brown CS. All of the DP is from Rusty Pickle's Chocolate Bunnies collection. I adhered a block of Spring Chicken DP on the CS, with a small block of Chocolate Bunnies in the lower right-hand corner and a block of Peter Cottontail on the upper left-hand side. The photo is matted on the reverse of the Chocolate Bunnies DP and adhered to the layout.

The rhinestone flourish adhered to the upper right-hand corner is by Best Occasions. The sentiment is printed on cream CS. The bunny image (from 2RB's stamp set The Gift) is stamped with brown ink on the reverse side of the Peter Cottontail DP and adhered with pop dots. The date is stamped underneath with brown ink using Making Memories magnetic date stamp set.

I love sketch challenges - they take all the pressure off of me and just let me play around. I hope you go to 2RB's blog and join us in this week's challenge.

Don't forget - all of the new stamp sets will be available on the 2RedBananas site beginning April 13th.

Best wishes for a very blessed Easter!

2RedBananas Week of Peeks - Day 5

2009-04-10T09:23:00.006-05:00

For the fifth day of 2RedBananas.com's peeks of its new stamp sets to be released on April 13th, the DT is using two different sets. I chose to use the set called Hawaiian Chicken by Jami Bova.

The card base is DP by the Paper Loft called Wild Blue Yonder, with a block of Simple Stripes (also the Paper Loft) on the top 2/3 of the card. I stamped the image on watercolor paper with Jet Black StazOn ink and colored it with watercolor pencils, then cut it out with the Nestabilities Label 1 die. The sentiment "Aloha" was also stamped with StazOn. I matted the image on a Label cut from the Wild Blue Yonder DP. I added a piece of ribbon to the bottom portion of the card and tied a second piece around it in a knot.

These chicken stamp sets by Jami are really cute and easy to use. Please go to 2RB's blog to see more peeks and what the DT is doing:

Deb ♥ Jeanette ♥ Maraya ♥ Teresa ♥ Wendy

And check back tomorrow to see what new set will be used.

2RedBananas Week of Peeks - Day 4

2009-04-09T16:34:00.002-05:00

For the week of peeks of 2RedBananas.com's stamp sets to be released on April 13th, today's sneak peek is of the stamp set "A Spring Thing" by Abbey Westemeyer. It's really cute, and has a lot of elements to it. I just used one sentiment from the set.

The card base is brown CS with a block of Crate DP on it. The sentiment was stamped on the reverse side of the DP with Chestnut Roan Chalk ink and colored with watercolor pencils. Then I punched it out with a scalloped frame of brown CS, trimmed off the top and adhered it to the card front. I adhered some rhinestones in the centers of a few of the flower images. Along the bottom right hand side I adhered some Prima flowers with brad centers.

Be sure to check out the 2RB blog to see how the other DT members used this set. Come back tomorrow, too, for more sneak peeks.

2RB Week of Peeks - Sgt. Chicken

2009-04-08T07:00:00.008-05:00

Today's sneak peek of 2RedBananas.com's new stamp sets for April is of a set called Sgt. Chicken. 2RB's new stamps will be released on the website on April 13th. Check out 2RB's blog for peeks by other Design Team members.

I decided to use the Sgt. Chicken set because I have a friend in the military who will soon be celebrating a birthday. I figured what better way to wish him a happy birthday than by using a military chicken.

I used tan CS as the card base with a strip of striped DP from sei's Alpine Frost collection along the bottom. There is a piece of brown striped grosgrain ribbon along the top of the striped DP.

The sentiment is stamped with Jet Black StazOn on tan CS using Martha Stewart acrylic letter stamps, a "Happy Birthday" stamp by Hero Arts and "Attention" from the 2RB set. The corners are punched with a hole puncher. It is matted on kraft paper with a small copper brad at each corner and adhered to the right-hand side of the card.

The chicken was stamped with Jet Black StazOn onto Basic Grey DP and colored with watercolor pencils. The dog tag and chain are colored with a Silver Stardust pen by Sakura, and the eyes are colored with a black Glaze pen with a dot of white ink. I trimmed the image and used pop dots to adhere it to brown CS matted on kraft CS and tan CS and adhered to the right-hand side of the card.

Be sure to check the 2RB blog to see all of the sneak peeks this week, then visit 2RedBananas.com on April 13th to see all of the stamp sets being released.

2RB Sneak Peek - April Journaling Spot

2009-04-07T07:00:00.005-05:00

For 2RedBananas.com’s Week of Peeks for the new stamp sets that will be arriving at the site on April 13th, I will be doing a sneak peek of the exclusive set “April Journaling Spot.” Go to 2RB's blog to see more.

This set includes a journaling spot shaped like a raindrop, which I thought would be perfect for some photos of my daughter playing in the rain.

The background is green CS with blocks of DP from the Wild Asparagus collection “Play.” I then added my photos over the blocks. I used the collection’s journal block that said “Play” and added a block of DP stamped with Chalk Ink that says “in the” and another with “Puddles,” which was stretched across both pages. There is a strip of orange CS across the bottom of both pages. I also used some of the tags from the collection and placed photo turns and brads in between them. I covered a chipboard label holder with DP and put a photo in it before attaching it to the layout with brads. I stamped the 2RB journaling spot onto orange CS with burn sienna Chalk Ink, trimmed it and adhered it to the left hand side of the left page. I also stamped the date underneath it with blue Chalk Ink.

The 2RedBananas Design Team will be featuring peeks of all of the new stamp sets this week, so be sure to stop by tomorrow.

2RB April Week of Peeks

2009-04-06T12:00:00.003-05:00

2RedBananas.com will be releasing its new stamp sets for the month of April on April 13th. This week the 2RB Design Team will be showing sneak peeks of all of the sets on their blogs. You can go to the 2RedBananas Blog to find out more.

I just couldn’t resist the adorable set by Jami Bova called Cajun Chicken (being a former resident of Louisiana) and I had to make a card.

All of the papers used for this card are by Basic Grey (even the yellow for the chicken’s body), and I think most of them are from the Oh Baby collection. The card base is purple DP with three rhinestones in the upper right corner.

I stamped the image on yellow DP with StazOn Jet Black ink and colored it with watercolor pencils. I also used a Sakura Stardust pen to add some sparkly accents to the beads and mask. I trimmed the image and used popdots to adhere it to a diamond of green DP, which was then adhered to a block of checked DP and adhered to the front of the card.

I stamped the Cajun Chicken sentiment on green DP and popdotted it to the lower right corner.

This set was really fun, and there are many more great sets that will be used on the 2RB DT blogs this week, so be sure to stop by and check them all out.

2RB - Banana Split Sunday Challenge No. 5

2009-04-05T07:00:00.004-05:00

It is once again time for 2RedBananas.com’s Banana Split Sunday Challenge. This week’s challenge is to make something that is not a card. Go to 2RB’s blog for more information and to check out the other Design Team member’s samples.

I didn’t have a problem with this challenge because I love to alter stuff, so I don’t always do just cards or layouts. I have baskets and boxes full of items that I figure I can alter some day. Today I chose to use this little sandwich frame (which consists of a cardboard back, glass front and clips to hold it all together) that had an image in it that no longer goes with my décor.

I used a piece of Imaginisce Baby’s Breath paper as the background. The sentiment is stamped with Brilliance Pearlescent Orchid ink using some Martha Stewart acrylic stamp letters. I also added some Sakura Stardust ink in the centers of the tiny flowers.

The image is a House Mouse stamp (from 2RB) that was stamped on watercolor paper with StazOn Jet Black ink and colored with watercolor pencils. Then I punched it out with a circle punch. There are some Stardust accents on the eggs and around the edges of the image. I adhered the image to the background paper and placed it in the sandwich frame.

This was a really quick and easy little project that my daughter is excited about hanging in her room for Easter. I hope you are inspired to join 2RedBananas’ challenge and create something different this week.

2RB Banana Split Sunday Challenge No. 4

2009-03-29T07:00:00.002-05:00

It’s Banana Split Sunday Challenge with 2RedBananas.com! This week’s challenge is to use some kind of gem, jewel, pearl, dew drop, etc. on a card, layout, or whatever kind of paper creation you want to do. Please stop by the 2RB blog and check out the challenge.

I decided to go with a layout this week, instead of a card. I am so hopelessly behind in my scrapbooking. I’m trying to do a year-of-firsts album for my baby (who turned 1 a couple weeks ago), and this layout is for her album.

I used Making Memories DP from the Chloe’s Closet collection as the background. It was so cute I didn’t really need to do much to it. I adhered pearls to the center of each flower on the paper. A mat made of Chloe’s Closet DP was adhered to the background paper and a piece of double-sided ribbon was wrapped across both pieces and tied in a bow, then the photo was adhered to the mat. The title and little journal strip were printed on cream CS, trimmed and adhered to the layout. The title was first matted on a piece of Chloe’s Closet DP that was trimmed with scallop edged scissors. I also used Making Memories’ magnetic date stamp to add the date to the lower right corner with Chalk Ink.

I hope you’ll stop by 2RB’s blog and play along with us.

2RB Banana Split Sunday Challenge No. 3

2009-03-22T07:00:00.006-05:00

Here we are again with another 2RedBananas.com Banana Split Sunday Challenge. The challenge this week is to use the picture posted on the 2RB blog, called "The Banana Thief" as inspiration to create something yourself. Please visit the 2RB blog to see the inspiration picture and for additional information on participating in the challenge.

When I saw the inspiration picture the first thing that struck me was the vibrant colors and then the Spanish flavor to it. So that's what I went with.

The card base is orange CS with a block of K&Company Wild Saffron DP adhered to it. The strip of DP is the reverse side of the K&Co. DP and it is adhered across the lower part of the card. It is stamped with a quote from 2RB's stamp set called "Quotes," which was stamped with jet black StazOn ink. I used five different Prima flowers and stacked them all together with a button in the center and adhered them to the upper right corner of the card. There are also two faux suede leaves byMay Arts peeking out from under the flowers. At the upper left corner I adhered three small buttons.

I really enjoyed making this card. The bright colors of the inspiration picture were so energizing. I hope you'll play along and be inspired too.

2RB Banana Split Sunday Challenge No. 2

2009-03-15T07:00:00.007-05:00

This card was created for 2RedBananas.com's Banana Split Sunday Challenge. The challenge this Sunday is to make a card with a Spring theme. Go to 2RB's blog for more information. There will be a prize awarded to a random participant for this week's challenge.

I made this card using 2RB's stamp set "Wrapped in His Love" by Jami Bova. It has a lot of wonderful images, even though I only used 3 of them.

The card base is cream CS with a block of brown CS adhered to it. The brown CS was randomly stamped with a flower stamp from the set using VersaMark ink, and a shimmery pink ribbon (American Crafts) was tied around it.

A block of Wild Asparagus paper was adhered to the upper left corner. The image was stamped on cream CS with Chestnut Roan Chalk Ink and colored with water color pencils and a pink Stardust pen (Sakura), with gold Stardust ink in the center of each flower. I trimmed the image, inked with edges with Chestnut Roan ink and put three dots of pink Stardust ink in each corner. It was then matted on the pink side of the Wild Asparagus paper and adhered to the card front with pop dots.

The sentiment was stamped on pink Wild Asparagus paper with Chestnut Roan ink, trimmed, inked on the edges and adhered to the lower left corner of the card. I also added some pink Stardust dots to it.

I also made this get well card with leftovers from the above card.

Please join 2RedBananas' challenge and be inspired by Spring!

Banana Split Sunday Challenge

2009-03-13T22:22:00.001-05:00

Don't forget to check the 2RedBananas blog for the 2RB challenge this Sunday. There will be a prize awared for this challenge.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

2009-03-11T07:00:00.000-05:00

Happy St. Patrick's Day (a little early). This card was made using 2RedBananas.com's stamp sets called Louie and Louie too by Abbey Westemeyer.

The card base is white CS with a block of green DP on it, which has a black gingham ribbon wrapped around it.

The image is stamped on white CS with StazOn ink and colored with watercolor pencils. I trimmed the image and drew two black lines around the edge and three dots of gold Stardust pen (Sakura) in each corner. This was then adhered to some green sparkly CS and adhered with pop dots to front of card. I stamped the pot of gold image on white CS with StazOn ink and colored it with watercolor pencils and a little gold Stardust pen on the gold, then trimmed it to look like a tag and tied it to the gingham ribbon with some thin yellow ribbon.

The sentiment was printed out on a Dymo tag maker and adhered to front of card.

If you want to make some cute cards for St. Patrick's Day be sure to check these stamp sets out on the 2RedBananas' site.

2RB - Banana Split Sunday Challenge

2009-03-08T07:00:00.000-05:00

2RedBananas.com is hosting a weekly challenge on the 2RB blog. It will be held every Sunday, with a prize awarded to a randomly selected participant every other Sunday, but we hope you'll play every week. Each week will be different. There will be sketches, inspiration challenges, color challenges, supply challenges, and what ever else the Bananas can dream up for you.

The first challenge is today and it is a sketch challenge. The sketch and additional info is posted on the 2RB blog. (Everyone loves sketches, right?) Please feel free to combine your entry for the 2RB challenge with other challenges that are out there in cyberspace. If you don't have any 2RedBananas stamps yet, you can still play. If you do have 2RB stamps, why not show them some love.

My sample for the Banana Split Sunday Challenge is a card I made using the cute 2RB stamp set by Jami Bova called Caring Critters.

The image is stamped on white CS, colored with watercolor pencils, cut into an oval and matted on green CS. The card base is green CS with a block of Nana's Nursery Baby Girl DP by Die Cuts With a View. The small squares consist of green CS and more Nana's Nursery DP layered and adhered at the top left and bottom right corners. The oval is adhered in the center of card with buttons adhered along top right and bottom left edges. The sentiment is stamped on pink CS and adhered at lower right corner.

I hope you join our challenge!

Happy Birthday Jen

2009-03-04T07:00:00.000-06:00

Here's another card for one of my 40-year-old friends. It's Jen this time. I like to rub it in that they're all turning 40 before me (even though Jen's birthday is like 3 days before mine).

I don't think the colors in the photo are very true to life (or it's just my monitor), but this card is black and purple. And, no, I didn't do the whole black, over the hill thing on purpose. I just thought it would look cool to stamp the image in white on black and it kind of went from there. It wasn't until I was almost done that I made the connection.

The base is black CS with a block of DCWV paper adhered to it. There is a piece of black ribbon and purple suede ribbon wrapped around the DP.

I stamped the image (Stampin' Up) with white ink onto black CS and colored some parts in with a black Glaze pen, Stardust pen (Sakura) and white pen, and there are some tiny rhinestones on there, too. I drew two lines around the edge of the block of paper with a white pen and Stardust pen. This was adhered onto a block of the DCWV paper, with some flourish sequins (Queen & Co) sandwiched in between, which is on a piece of white CS, which is on a piece of shiney black paper, and it was all pop dotted onto the card. There are also purple rhinestones stuck to the end of each flourish.

The sentiment (Stampin' Up) was stamped on black CS using a glue pad and Pearl ultrafine pearlescent glitter by ArtGlitter. It was trimmed, matted on white CS, then matted on shiney black CS and popdotted onto the card. I also added a Queen & Co sequin to this too.

For a final touch I added three black rhinestones (Kaiser Craft) to the lower right-hand corner.

House Mouse Challenge #27

2009-03-02T14:15:00.006-06:00

I made this card for the House Mouse and Friends Monday Challenge, which was to make a card using a House Mouse image and chipboard of any kind. I was also inspired by last week's challenge to make a card for Mother's Day (which I participated in by making a card for my mom). I decided to make a card for my mother-in-law, too, who loves to knit.

The card base is Basic Grey DP. The House Mouse image, which is available on 2RedBananas.com, is stamped on white CS and colored with watercolor pencils (Kimberly) and a Tombow blender pen, with some accents on the knitting needles of silver Stardust (Sakura). The image is adhered to a block of yellow Basic Grey paper with a strip of Basic Grey DP above and below it, with three Dewdrops adhered on the upper strip. It is adhered to the upper portion of the card base.

I used a chipboard heart covered with pink Basic Grey DP and pop dotted it onto the lower strip of paper near the image. I also covered a chipboard tag with Basic Grey DP and stamped the sentiment with Making Memories magnetic letter stamps using black Staz On ink. I tied a piece of rick rack through the tag.

2RedBananas.com's March Stamp Release

2009-03-02T07:00:00.002-06:00

Hey Everyone. Don't miss the release of 2RedBananas.com's new stamp sets for March. All nine sets of stamps will be available on the website today. Be sure to check them out!

This is a card I made using a stamp from the 2RB Quotes set. It has 4 quotes that are perfect for cards or scrapbook layouts.

The base is cream CS and the edges are inked with Chestnut Roan Chalk Ink. I adhered a block of Imaginisce Oopsie Daisy paper onto a larger block of brown CS and adhered it to front of card.

I stamped the sentiment on cream CS with Chestnut Roan ink and adhered it to the upper portion of a block of pink CS. I cut two notches into the sides of the pink CS and tied a piece of wrinkled brown ribbon around it. I adhered this onto the left side of the card. I layered three Prima flowers on top of each other and attached them to the front of the card with a pearl brad. I also adhered three brown pearls by Kaiser Craft along the bottom right side.

2RB Sneak Peek - Day 5: Caring Critters

2009-02-27T07:00:00.002-06:00

2RedBananas.com's Week of Peeks continues with a sneak peek at its exclusive stamp set "Caring Critters" designed by Jami Bova. I should give this card to my hubby, because today is our 10th anniversary, and I couldn't agree more with the sentiment. Too bad I used such girly paper...

This card was made using a white CS base, on which I adhered a large block of paper from the Paper Studio's Pink Armadillo matstack on the upper portion and a smaller block of Pink Armadillo paper on the bottom portion. I stamped a sentiment from the set onto a strip of Pink Armadillo paper and added an eyelet with a rhinestone glued on it to either end. This strip was adhered over the spot where to two different DS meet. I added three Prima flowers with brown brad centers to the lower left corner with pop dots.

I stamped the bird image onto yet another piece of Pink Armadillo paper with brown StazOn ink and colored it with Watercolor pencils and a Tombow blender pen. I also used Shimmerz opal and angel wings on the bird. I trimmed the image and matted it with... you guessed it - Pink Armadillo paper, and used a pop dot to adhere it to the card.

Keep checking the 2RedBananas blog and the DT member blogs for more peeks and the stamps to be released in March. Then be sure to go to 2RedBananas.com on March 2nd to see all of the new stamp sets. Also check out the inspiration challenge on the 2RedBananas blog. All the details are posted.

Leah's Birthday

2009-02-27T06:58:00.001-06:00

Five of my friends (from grade school and high school) and I will all be celebrating (?) our 40th birthdays this year, so I've been making each of them a special card and handmade gift. I've already posted the card I made for my friend Cheryl. I made this card for one of my oldest friends, Leah. I've known her since the 6th grade. That's, what... 28... 29 years.

The card base is brown CS with a block of shiney magenta paper on top. Over that I adhered a block of Pink Armadillo paper from the Paper Studio. The image (Stampin' Up) is stamped on white CS with Staz On jet black ink, colored with watercolor pencils and Stickles. I also adhered a pink rhinestone at each corner of the image. This was circle punched and adhered on a brown CS scalloped circle and pop dotted onto a block of Pink Armadillo paper with rounded corners. The whole shebang was then adhered to the front of the card.

The sentiment (Making Memories) was stamped on a strip of Pink Armadillo paper and adhered to the card front, with a small dotted strip of paper above and below it. There are three rhinestones on the bottom right corner.

The sentiment on the inside is "How old would you be if you didn't know how old you are?" by Satchel Page.

2RB Sneak Peek - Day 4: Just Ducky

2009-02-26T07:00:00.003-06:00

Continuing with 2RedBananas.com's "Week of Peeks" this is a sneak peek of the 2RB stamp set "Just Ducky" designed by Abbey Westemeyer.

The card base is cream CS on top of which I adhered a block of Imaginisce Baby Powder/Oopsie Daisy paper. I used the tulip image from the set and stamped it multiple times in a row on a strip of cream CS using StazOn Jet Black ink. The flowers were filled in with a glue pen and sprinkled with Doodlebug Designs glitter, and the stems and leaves were colored with watercolor pencils. I adhered this to the front of the card and above the strip I added a piece of American Crafts shiny satin ribbon. I stamped the duck image onto cream CS with StazOn and colored it with watercolor pencils. I also used Judikins Diamond Glaze on the boots to make them look like shiny rubber, and used Stickles on the raindrops. I trimmed the image and matted it with the Imaginisce paper, which is pop dotted (1/8 inch) onto a piece of the reverse side of the Imaginisce paper and this was all pop dotted (1/2 inch) onto the front of the card.

I used a journaling pen to write "April Showers..." on the bottom right corner of the card, and, of course, on the inside it says "bring May flowers."

Be sure to check out the 2RedBananas blog and the all of the design team member blogs all week for additional peeks of the new stamps being released.

2RB Sneak Peek: Day 3 - Gunther's Greetings

2009-02-25T07:00:00.005-06:00

2RedBananas.com is celebrating the release of its new stamps for March with another Week of Peeks. I get to give a peek today of the stamp set "Gunther's Greetings" by Jami Bova, which features a cute little schnauzer. I made this card for my mom, because she has a black miniature German schnauzer named Buddy.

I used grey CS for the card base and randomly stamped it with the paw prints stamp from the set using Versamark ink. I then rubbed Perfect Pearls all over the paw prints to give them that pearlescent shine. I stamped the dog image on white CS with StazOn jet black ink (this is a good ink to use for watercoloring because it won't bleed or run when it gets wet) and colored it with watercolor pencils and a Tombow blender pen.

I stamped the bandanna on a separate piece of paper and used Autumn Leaves stamp family/scroll by Rhonna Farrer to add the pattern to the bandanna. It's colored with watercolor pencils and I used a Sakura Stardust pen for some sparkle. I then cut the bandanna out and adhered it to the dog image. I trimmed the image and rounded the upper corners with a Creative Memories corner rounder. I adhered it to a piece of K&Co. Beyond Postmarks embossed paper, which also has the upper corners rounded. The whole thing was then adhered to the front of the card.

I tied a piece of American Crafts shimmery satin ribbon across the front and used a jump ring to attach a small tag made out of white CS and stamped with a sentiment from the "Gunther's Greetings" stamp set.

This is a fun stamp set, especially for dog lovers. I think my mom is really going to love this card.
Don't forget these and other new stamps exclusively available on 2RedBananas.com will be released on the website beginning March 2nd. Be sure to check out peeks of the other stamps on the 2RedBananas blog and the blogs of all of the 2RB design team members.

2RedBananas - http://2redbananas.blogspot.com/

Jeanette - http://jcfincher.blogspot.com/

Maraya - http://itsmybailiwick.blogspot.com/

Theresa - http://leftyscrapper.blogspot.com/

Jami - http://sgtstamper.com/blog

House Mouse Challenge #26

2009-02-23T09:00:00.002-06:00

I made this card for the House Mouse & Friends Monday Challenge (http://housemouse-challenge.blogspot.com/), using a House Mouse image from 2RedBananas.com. 2RB has alot of really cute HM stamps and much, much more. The challenge was to use a House Mouse image on a Mother's Day card.

The card base is brown CS on top of which is a block of DP from the Pink Armadillo matstack by the Paper Studio. I adhered another block of Pink Armadillo paper wrapped with a pink ribbon on top of the first block, along with some flowers trimmed from a scrap and adhered with pop dots.

The House Mouse image is colored with Kimberly Watercolor pencils and a Tombow blender pen. I also added opal Shimmerz on the cup and used a Stardust pen by Sakura on the steam. I adhered three rhinestones in the upper right corner of the image. I used a piece of Scrapper's Floss to tie a small tag onto the handle of the cup, and matted the image on brown CS. I adhered the image with pop dots.

This was a fun challenge, and now I'm all set for Mother's Day in advance - for a change.