Smile

Hello everyone! It's been a bit quiet around here lately...hmmm I wonder what is up?!? Stay tuned next week and I might just have a few things to share that will explain why it's been so quiet :) But today I have a simple card to share with you using My Thoughts Exactly stamps.

I keep seeing all those really cool mason jars that are covered in lace and spray painted, I really want to make some but have been too lazy to get the supplies...enter the Dainty Doilies stamp set and a mason jar cut file from Lettering Delights. Perfect!! I'll make a paper version :)

The jar is just cut from kraft paper. I used a silver paint pen to make the lid look metallic (don't ask why it has a tag hole). There is a little trendy twine to embellish the lid and a little skeleton key from Tim Holtz. I used the Dainty Doilies stamp set to make the 'lace' on the jar and the smile sentiment. The happy birthday is form the Mini Thoughts set. I also used the Dainty Doilies set to create a doily on the table which is embossed with white embossing powder.

I hope you enjoyed today's card! Happy crafting.

Jessica

Fly away with me...

Hello everyone! Today is my day to post over at My Thoughts Exactly. I found a really fun card layout on Pinterest

and thought I'd try it with a little twist. I used the new Up, Up, and Away set for my card.

The cloud paper is lifted up on foam dots as is the sentiment banner while the hot air balloon is flat on the card base. So the card has lots of dimension in person (not so much in the picture). Twine is Trendy Twine. All the patterned paper is from the Summer Days collection from Echo Park, it goes perfectly with the Up, Up, and Away set! Now my little twist is how the card is folding, it's a tri-fold card!

I hope you enjoyed my card today. Happy crafting!
Jessica

My Thoughts Exactly June Challenge

Good morning crafty friends! Today I'm popping in to announce the start of the very first My Thoughts Exactly challenge! Before I show you my example project here are all the detials:

The challenge will run from Sunday June 3rd until Sunday June 24th. Winners will be announced Saturday June 30th.

The challenge:
Create a project (of any kind) that includes one of the following themes: Father's Day OR Mustaches. You are not required to use both themes if you don't want to but you MUST use My Thoughts Exactly stamps (any set that fits your project is ok).

The winners:
ALL participants will receive a 10% off coupon to the MTE store
One RANDOM winner will receive a $10 gift certificate
One JUDGED winner will receive a bundle of MTE stamps as well as a guest designer spot in July

All you have to do to enter your project is link it up on the main June Challenge Blog Post.

Now for my project I choose to go with the mustache theme and made a congratulations on your promotion card.

I used the Pick a 'Stache, Father's Day Mini, and More Mini Thoughts sets for the card. The awesome muctache paper is from Hambly Screen Prints.

Good luck on your projects and happy crafting!
Jessica

Birthday Wishes Just For You

Good morning everyone! Today is my day to post over at My Thoughts Exactly. I have a fun little birthday card to share with you and it features FOUR stamp sets! Crazy huh?!? Well tomorrow is my fiance's grandmother's 89 birthday! Now let me tell you she does not look nor act like she is turning 89 tomorrow. So here is the card I made for grandma:

I found a cool tutorial on how to make a pocket card and just knew I had to try it. I used my Sew-Easy to stitch up the sides (ignore the imperfect hole making on the right hand side - I may have had the head upside down the first time >.<). I just used the Sew-Easy floss for the stitching. I also used the Mojo Monday #243 for the the front design. Of course there is a little Trendy Twine in there too. The 'Just for you' sentiment comes from some very selective inking of the stamps in the More Mini Thoughts set. The 'Pull me out' sentiment is from the Interactive Card Phrases and Grillin 'N' Chillin sets. And here is the inside card when it's pulled out:

I used the Big Thoughts set for the 'Wishing you a happy birthday' sentiment.

I hope you enjoyed my card today. Happy crafting!
Jessica

My Thoughts Exactly May Stamp Release Blog Hop

Good morning everyone! I would like to welcome you to the May Stamp Release blog hop for My Thoughts Exactly. If you have arrived from Jen's blog you're on the right track. If not, hop on over to the Design Team blog to start from the beginning. Today we are showing all of our readers some inspiration using the newly released My Thoughts Exactly stamps. Now before I get to my projects, I have a little sale and giveaway to tell you about! If you spend $25 or more in the stamp store enter code GRAD12 for 12% off your entire order! How awesome is that?!? Make sure you pick up  the stamps you want before they are out of stock. Also one lucky commenter from all the stops along the way will win a $10 gift card to the  stamp store.

Just in case you get lost along the way here is the line up:


Design Team Blog
Ashley
Becki
Belinda
Benedicte
Jen - You were just here
Jessica - You are here
Kendra - Your next stop
Lenae
Tracy
Wida
Alyssa


Ok now on to my projects. Both cards feature the Mustache On set but in VERY different ways. The first one is fun card that could fit any occasion for a man.

I created a little background paper with the mustache in the Mustache On set. Ugh my vellum tape is not being invisible in this lighting!!! GRRRRR, oh well pretend you can't see it :)

Now my second project is very different and a vert girly application of the Mustache On set, hee hee. Here goes...

I wanted a really fun way of asking my girls to be in my wedding so I created these cute little book boxes filled with 'survival' items for them. All I did to change the masculine stamp to a very feminine application is replace the mustache with the word wedding. I used my sing to write the word wedding in pink glittery gel pen. All the details gave the girls clues about the wedding. Besides the Mustache On set I also used the Interactive Card Phrases set for the little open me tag. So before I gave the girls the book box I gave them a cute little notebook made from coffee sleeves from their favorite coffee shops. The first pages had a personal message to each of them asking them to be apart of our big day. The next two pages had details on the colors and dresses of the wedding.

I just love how they came out! Now do you wanna see their survival items?

There's a little shot of liquor to help calm nerves, a little chocolate, a few re-hydration packets, a pen to takes notes with in the notebooks, and a little pick me up card to their favorite coffee shop. Each survival item has a little tag featuring the Interactive Card Phrases and several other sets. I'll list the other sets in the close up pictures.

The liquor bottle just features the Interactive Card Phrases set. The chocolate tag combines the Interactive Card Phrases set and the Sweet Thoughts set. The pen tag features the More Mini Thoughts set.

The re-hydration packets and notebook just feature the Interactive Card Phrases set. The coffee gift card features three sets; Interactive Card Phrases, Fright Night Phrases, and Sweet Thoughts.

I hope you enjoyed my inspiration today! Now hop on over to Kendra's blog.

Happy crafting!
Jessica

A little surprise blog hop!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALYSSA!

The My Thoughts Exactly Design Team would like to welcome you to Alyssa's Surprise Birthday Blog Hop! Today is the lovely Alyssa's birthday and to celebrate we are throwing her a surprise birthday blog hop. Each of the design team members has a little surprise for her at each stop along the way. If you arrived from Kendra's blog you are on the right track, if not head back to the Design Team blog to start at the beginning. If you get lost at anytime just pop on back here to find your way:

DT Blog
Wida
Tracy
Lenae
Kendra <- You should have come from here.
Jessica <- You're here.
Jennifer <- Your next stop.
Benedicte
Belinda
Becki
Ashley
The birthday girl Alyssa!

So yesterday you saw Alyssa's gift for my design team post, well I decided that I wouldn't show her the exact card I was mailing to her but it will contain similar elements :)

I just had to include a giraffe ;) they are her favorite animal after all! The sentiment is from the Big Thoughts set. The background is from Hero Arts and the giraffe is from Stampin' Up.

Now what birthday party would be complete without a little party favor? One lucky commenter from all the stops will win a $10 gift card to the My Thoughts Exactly stamp store. To enter just leave the design team some love at each stop and on your last stop leave the lovely Alyssa a little birthday greeting where she has one last super special surprise! The winner will be drawn on Monday morning. Now hop on over the Jennifer's blog.

Happy crafting!
Jessica

Just a Note

Hello everyone, Jessica here to share a fun little project for My Thoughts Exactly with you. Now I hear a special someone has a birthday coming up this week and I wanted to make the perfect little gift for her. Alyssa no more reading until you get a fun little package in the mail :D















Hee hee I'm not even going to let her get a peak at it :)















Ok now that Alyssa has stopped reading I can show you what I made her! I saw this really cool post on her Pinterest board and I just knew I had to try and make it.

Isn't it fun?!? It has lots of bright colors and just a little bit of bling. Now I couldn't just decorate the front cover of this cute little up-cycled notebook so I added a little something to the inside front page...

I think I'll finish it off with a little message to Alyssa before I send it off. The stamps on the front cover are from the More Mini Thoughts and the inside features the Big Thoughts sets. Unfortunately both sets are out of stock right now! Don't worry they will be back in the store as soon as possible.

Happy crafting!

Jessica

My Thoughts Exactly May Release and an Announcement!

Hi everyone! Today is the day many have been waiting for the release of the newest My Thoughts Exactly stamps! There are a total of 10 new stamp sets and 6 bundle options. The bundles save you 15%-20%. On top of those awesome deals there is also a sale going on until Tuesday! Just enter code 15OFF to receive 15% off your entire order. As always shipping is included in the price of the stamps.
Ready to see all the new releases?!? Ok here goes:

Mustache Mania
4in x 6in Stamp Set
$14.95

Pick a ‘Stache
4in x 4in Stamp Set
$11.95

Mustache On
2in x 2in Stamp Set
$2.95

Up, Up, and Away
4in x 6in Stamp Set
$14.95

Mother’s Day Subway Art
4in x 4in Stamp Set
$11.95

Mother’s Day Mini
2in x 2in Stamp Set
$2.95

Father’s Day Subway Art
4in x 4in Stamp Set
$11.95

Father’s Day Mini
2in x 2in Stamp Set
$2.95

Dainty Doilies
4in x 4in Stamp Set
$11.95

Interactive Card Sentiments
4in x 4in Stamp Set
$11.95

Be sure to check out the 6 bundles options in the stamp store.

Now last but not least I have an announcement. My design team family already knows but I thought I'd make a little card to share my super exciting news with all my readers :)

The paper, rub-on letters, and chipboard banner are all from October Afternoon. The sentiment is from the More Big Thoughts set. The pennant epoxies are from Epiphany Crafts shape studio. I used an edge punch to highlight the sentiment and of course there is a little Trendy Twine. Did you guess my announcement?!? For my regular readers you know I have an amazing 'boyfriend'...well he is now my FIANCE! We are super excited.

Hope you are having a wonderful weekend and happy crafting!
Jessica

My Thoughts Exactly Blind Blog Hop

Hello and welcome to the My Thoughts Exactly Blind Blog Hop! Why is it blind you ask? Well we are searching for the newest members of the design team! If you are a regular here in my little corner of the world you already know I AM NOT A NEW MEMBER...you'll have to keep on searching. Maybe your next stop will be one of the newest My Thoughts Exactly Girls, hop on over HERE to see. If you just happened upon this post be sure to start at the amazing new My Thoughts Exactly Design Team Blog to catch all the details of today's blind hop.

While you are here I thought I'd share a quick card with you too. I used the Mojo Monday 238 as my inspiration.

I used the Mini Thoughts set for this card along with one of the new sketch files from Lettering Delights!

Patterned paper is from October Afternoon, twine is from the Twinery, and the wood grain stamp is from Stampin' Up.

Happy crafting and searching! Don't forget your next stop is  HERE.
Jessica

Happy Birthday...A Little Late

Happy Thursday everyone! I hope you are all having a wonderful week. It's been a little hectic in my nook of the woods as school is nearing an end for the semester. On top of all the craziness going on with school I am also preparing for a trip to Italy at the end of June to present my research at a conference! I am super excited but have so much to do before I leave.

Enough about me and on to what you came here for, My Thoughts Exactly Design Team Thursday! Today I have a fun birthday card I made for my brother whose birthday was on Sunday...I have yet to mail it >.< I'm a bad little sister :) So brother, don't read any farther! You'll be getting your card soon I promise!

I used the sketch this week over at Card Patterns, #161 and this card by Lenae of Sugar Gem as inspiration.

Here is the Card Patterns sketch:

I used stamps from the new Mini Thoughts set. Seriously if you haven't picked up your April release stamps yet you NEED to get on that ASAP, they are a must have for everyone!

The rocking airplane paper clip is from Amy Tangerine, I'm a nut for airplanes (really anything that flies) if you couldn't tell by my blog title :) I used patterned paper from October Afternoon's Rocket Age collection (my new favorite besides EP's Springtime) and We R Memory Keepers. The black ink is charcoal chalkboard glimmer mist. I used a paint brush to drip the glimmer mist all over the card and then held the card up to let excess ink run, I thought it looked like spilled oil. I also grunged up the gear and bolt with distress ink in various brown tones.

It's an easel card and on the inside is one of Lenae's skinny slider files!

And there is a fun little birthday greeting behind the slider. I used white embossing powder to make the sentiment pop against the bright blue. Ok one last look before I send you off to the My Thoughts Exactly Blog for more inspiration.

Well I hope you enjoyed my card today. Now, head over to the My Thoughts Exactly Blog and check out all the other design team inspiration.

Happy crafting!
Jessica

Hello Sunshine

Hello everyone! It's been a bit quiet around here this last week or so...I've had a nasty cold and have had zero energy to do anything. I'm finally starting to feel better so I thought I'd pop in quick to show you a card I made for two challenges. Yes two, I know that's a little crazy :)

The first challenge is the Runway Inspired Challenge #9 - Preen Fall 2012

It has been so long since I've been able to complete a RIC on time! I just love the colors and the flowery pattern in this dress.

I also so used the Mojo Monday #236 Sketch for the layout.

Here is my card.

Stamps are from My Thoughts Exactly More Mini Thoughts set, twine is from the Twinery, and the flower card is from October Afternoon.

Happy crafting,
Jessica

My Thoughts Exactly April Release!

Happy Sunday everyone! Today is an awesome day because it's release day at My Thoughts Exactly! If you have arrived from Jennifer's blog you are on the right track if not be sure to start from the beginning you don't want to miss anything. April's release is a must have in some form. There are four total sets being released and they fit so many occasions you for sure need to buy at least two if not all four! That will make more sense once you see them. Ok are you ready to see them? I won't make you wait today ;)

Introducing:

Big Thoughts:

 Mini Thoughts:

More Big Thoughts:

More Mini Thoughts:

Aren't these just awesome?!? So if you can't tell there are two big sets two corresponding mini sets. The big sets are 4"x6" and the mini sets are 3"x4". As always the stamps are 100% clear photo-polymer and made right here in the USA. Each of the big sets will be $15 a piece, the mini sets will be $10 each, and there are also several bundles to choose from to save some money. If you are interested in any of the bundles please see the stamp store for details. Alyssa has decided to do a little giveaway for the release and one lucky commenter from all the blogs will win the entire set! That is awesome, each comment you leave along the hop counts as a new entry so be sure to stop at all the blogs! In case you get lost here is the full lineup:

Alyssa - www.MyThoughtsExactly.co
Ashley - hearthugsdesigns.blogspot.com
Bee - dare2beecreative.blogspot.com
Belinda - beeshiveofdrama.blogspot.com
Benedicte - benelun.overblog.com
Jennifer - ourchangeofart.blogspot.com <- you were just here
Jessica - craftyrktsci.blogspot.com <- you are here
Kendra - luv2scrapnmakecards.blogspot.com <- your next stop
Lenae - sugargemscrafts.blogspot.com
Tracy - queeniesscrapmad.blogspot.com
Becki (Our Guest Designer) - happycardfactory.blogspot.com

Ok are you ready to see some projects? Yup I said PROJECTS!!

The first card is a fun little birthday card I created using the Big Thoughts set. The paper is from My Mind's Eye Lime Twist Life of the Party collection. The little epoxy circles were created using Echo Park's Playground paper and an Epiphany Craft's shape studio. The eyelet edge punch is from Stampin' Up! as is the ribbon.

The second card is super fun! I used the new skinny pop up slider svgs from Sugar Gem. These SVGs are the perfect combination of pop up cards and zipper cards. All the patterned paper is from Echo Park's Country Drive and Playground collections. The twine is from the Twinery and the little epoxy circle is from Epiphany Craft's shape studios, I just used the title from the Playground paper to create it (I hate to throw anything away!).

When you pull on the little play epoxy the sentiment is revealed. I used the More Big Thoughts sets for this card.

Last but not least I have a fun little gift card holder card that I have been dying to make forever! I used two sets for this card, More Big Thoughts and Mini Thoughts. Here you can really see the difference in size between the Big and Mini sets. The designer paper is from My Mind's Eye Lime Twist Life of the Party collection and the twine is from Trendy Twine. The coffee cup was a set I got at Achiever's awhile back, it came with the instructions to make this gift card holder. Where is the gift card well untie the twine!

 It's inside the cup! How fun is that?!? Now it's kind of hard to see in these pictures but I ran the cute little cupcake sleeve through my paper crimper and then flattened it out some before adhering it to the card. 

Here's a better angle to see the crimping. 

That's all I have for you today, now hop on over to Kendra's blog. And remember to leave everyone a little love for a chance to win the entire April release!

Happy crafting,

Jessica

Happy Spring!

Happy Thursday everyone! Today is design team Thursday at My Thoughts Exactly. I have a fun little card for you today that showcases the new Easter Greetings set. Even though the set is called Easter Greetings it really can be used for anything spring related! So I'm going to show you a non-Easter related way to use the set :)

Isn't it just fun and bright? If you didn't already know the Springtime collection from Echo Park is my favorite paper line right now. All of the paper is from the Springtime collection, yes even the card base :) I just love the colors and designs, they go so well with the Easter Greetings stamps too! I also used some Stampin' Up! pom pom , Trendy Twine, and a  few Epiphany Crafts shape studio flowers to embellish.  The card is a standard A2 but it folds over on the right hand side and is held closed by a little twine and a brad. The sentiment is stamped on one of the journaling cards in the Springtime collection. Here is what it looks like open.

I'm not really sure who this is going to yet so I left the inside blank. Be sure to stop by the My Thoughts Exactly blog to check out all the other design team creations today!

Happy crafting!
Jessica