new blog address

My New Blog Address: http://nikiestes.typepad.com/my_paper_creations/

Come on over and visit my new home. *smile*

Okay, I'm making a leap!

It's kind of scary to make a big change, but I am moving my blog to typepad. I'm a little scared because it is like starting over in a way. I will add a link to this blog so that you can always come back if there is something you want to check out. I don't plan to take this blog down either. I will just start posting everything on the new blog from now on.

There are some things I like better about each and it is a matter of getting used to the differences. One thing I really like is that there is an actual nice help section. Very easy to follow directions on just about everything.

I'm still working on some stuff, too, like the photo albums. I will slowly get everything I want added the albums. I imported this blog's contents last night and then decided to take the posts off. I will just start fresh with a link to this blog, like I mentioned. Many of the photos from this blog will also be in the photo albums when I get them done. There just won't be any supply lists. My blog header seems kind of huge, too! I used a premade one and it is a little too tall. I will work on making another one when I get some time. I've spent the last couple days setting stuff up. Man, it takes a long time to move everything on your blog!

Here's the link to the new blog: http://nikiestes.typepad.com/my_paper_creations/


If you link to me on your blog, I would be so grateful if you could change the link to my new address. Believe I know what a pain it is to edit links. Sorry!!

I'm hoping to have a "blog warming" with a few different blog candies over the course of the month. Hope you all will join me!

blogging

Hey Everyone,

I posted this on the end of my Riley post, but thought I would make a separate post since I am looking for all of your opinions and you might have missed it.

I've been thinking about changing my blog provider. Anyone have any info or experience they would like to share? I've always wondered if I would like typepad better than blogger. Anyone ever used both and have a preference? Seriously, I would love to hear about your experiences.

A couple things that I like about Typepad is the ability to have photo albums for each category and to create extra pages without having to create a whole new blog for that page. I also like the clean look of most typepad blogs and the three columns. I tried changing my blog to a 3 column template once, but I lost all my sidebar stuff and it was a real pain. I also like that they actually have customer service when you need help. I had issues this summer with blogger and never could get help. I guess you get what you pay for.

Would you all follow my blog over to a new address? I am also worried that if I switch, I will lose some of my readers who won't want to bother with following me to a new blog. Hmm. Not sure what I am doing yet. Just doing a little researching.

I would love to hear from all of you about what you think. Be sure to scroll down for a sneak peek at two new Rileys releasing Friday from Hanna Stamps.

Riley is off for adventures!

I can not believe it is already time for another Hanna Stamps release. Seriously, November just flew by! How did it get to be December 1st already?! Three new stamp sets and two new Rileys are releasing this Friday.

Hanna Stamps is releasing two new Rileys this month (Van and Trailer Rileys). I had to use them together, of course, so my image is really long. They are so adorable! I stamped my images first and colored them with copic markers. Then, I cut my card base from kraft cardstock (5x7 inches). I stitched my patterned papers to my card. I stamped my sentiment and then, I punched some holes to thread my ribbon through. I attached my ribbon with brads. I matted my image and added it to my card using foam adhesive. I finished off my card with a row of brads above my image.

I updated my sale post. I decided to just always post stuff there so it's all in one place. Just thought I would mention this because I added my SU stamp cubes to the list.

I've been thinking about changing my blog provider. Anyone have any info or experience they would like to share? I've always wondered if I would like typepad better than blogger. Anyone ever used both and have a preference? Seriously, I would love to hear about your experiences. Would you all follow my blog over to a new address? I am also worried that if I switch, I will lose some of my readers who won't want to bother with following me to a new blog. Hmm. Not sure what I am doing yet. Just doing a little researching.

Have a fabulous Monday!

Recipe
Stamps: Van Riley, Trailer Riley (Hanna Stamps), Wonderful Adventure (High Hopes Rubber Stamps)
Cardstock: kraft, pure poppy (Papertrey Ink)
Patterned Paper: Boxer (Basic Grey)
Accents: pure poppy twill (Papertrey Ink), brads
Tools: copic markers, slot punch tool (Making Memories), sewing machine

O' Christmas Tree

Last year, our cats loved our Christmas tree. It was their first Christmas and they batted more than a few ornaments off the tree. Between the cats and our kids, all the nice ornaments go way up high on the tree! lol

I just received this Callie Christmas Kitty stamp and had to use it for this week's High Hopes Challenge. The challenge this week is Metal Madness brought to us by the very talented, Amy.

I had to use my new Basic Grey Wassail paper for my card and used Papertrey's ripe avocado cardstock because it is a perfect coordinating color. I started by stamping my kitty on white cardstock and cutting it out with a petite scalloped circle die. Then, I colored my image using copic markers.

I cut my card base and patterned papers and stitched them together. Then, I cut a piece of velvet olive ribbon. I attached it using some brads and added a silver metal Christmas tree and more brads in the corners of my card.

I stamped my sentiment on my card before adding my kitty to my card using foam adhesive. Isn't she cute?! I think I will be sending this Christmas card to my grandma because she loves kitties.

I actually got a photo of the copic markers I used again for this card. Be sure and stop by the High Hopes challenge blog. The divas have created some amazing stuff for the challenge and you won't want to miss it!

Have a Happy Sunday!!

Recipe

Stamps: Callie Christmas Kitty (High Hopes Rubber Stamps), Merry and Bright (Papertrey Ink)

Cardstock: white, ripe avocado (Papertrey Ink)

Patterned Paper: Wassail (Basic Grey)

Accents: velvet olive ribbon, brads, metal Christmas tree (Making Memories)

Tools: copic markers, sewing machine, petite scalloped circle dies (Spellbinders)

A Must Read

Just say No to image harvesting and hot linking.

I am so glad Julie Ebersole posted about this on her blog yesterday. This is something that really bothers me and I can't believe how many cases I have heard about recently. You have to read Julie's post because she has some great info (not to mention fabulous cards! *wink*) and, of course, she addresses the problem more eloquently than I ever could.

I've had it personally happen to me and I'm not even close to a big name in the stamping industry. Just today I added to my copyright info (before I read Julie's post). I added this sentence: Please do not save my photos and post them on your own blog without getting my permission first. Please show respect for your fellow crafters and don't take what is not yours. Most of us are more than happy to share when you ask permission before lifting the photos.

This is not referring to linking to other bloggers. That is completely okay and something we all do. This is referring to taking the images off of someones blog without their permission and uploading them to your own blog or site. Some people even go so far as to claim they made the item. If you have questions, please ask. Please join the campaign against harvesting images and hot linking.

And Have a Happy Thanksgiving! I hope you all are getting to spend some wonderful time with your family and friends! If you're not celebrating Thanksgiving today, I hope you have a marvelous Thursday anyway!

Gavin is bringing birthday wishes

I got the chance this morning to play in the SCS sketch challenge. (Shh, don't tell anyone! I'm supposed to be cleaning house, baking pumpkin pies, and doing all the other stuff to get ready for Thanksgiving. *wink*)

Now, I'm not too sure about this card. I don't know for sure what it is that I don't like about it, but something is bothering me. It may be my need for layers under the patterned paper and on the card base. But anyway, I love this dragon! Actually, I love all the High Hopes dragons because they are so cute! Who would have thought a dragon could be cute?!

I stamped, cut out, and colored my dragon first. Then, I cut my card base and used a glue pad to stamp the pattern (using Papertrey's Background Basics Stars stamp set) and added red fun flock. It is nice and fuzzy! Then, I cut my patterned papers and added the black stitching. I tied a ripe avocado ribbon around one piece and added some brads and my sentiment before assembling my card. I added a little white pigment ink to the edges of my card for a little contrast. I did get fuzzy on my inkpad, of course, so I don't recommend using a good ink pad.

And I have to have a close up of Gavin' the Givin' Dragon just because he is cute!

Here is the copic marker colors I used to color the image. I don't usually list the colors because I rarely take a photo of a card the same day I make it, but I decided to snap a quick pic this morning when I made this card.

Hope everyone celebrating Thanksgiving tomorrow has a fabulous Thanksgiving! I better get busy! *wink*

Recipe

Stamps: Gavin' the Givin' Dragon (High Hopes Rubber Stamps), Background Basics Stars, Mixed Messages (Papertrey Ink)

Cardstock: white (Papertrey Ink), night of navy (SU)

Patterned Paper: Box (Basic Grey)

Accents: ripe avocado stitched ribbon (Papertrey Ink), red and blue brads

Tools: copic markers, sewing machine, rectangle nestability die, red fun flock, glue pad, white pigment inkpad

Holiday Greetings

This was a card that I had a vision in my head for right after the release of the Merry and Bright stamp set. I finally got a chance to sit down and create it. I started by stamping my patterned paper on vintage cream cardstock and coloring in the stars with coordinating copic markers. Then, I stamped my trees and cut out the rectangles using a nestability die. I sponged pure poppy ink around the edges and used a black pen to fill in the centers of the stars. I cut my card base from ocean tides cardstock and added a thin pure poppy mat to my patterned paper. Then, I added a ripe avocado scalloped layer and some pure poppy swiss dots ribbon before adding the pieces to the card. Last, I stamped my sentiment in the bottom corner and added some red rhinestones.

Tonight is the Papertrey Blog Hop. I haven't had a chance to create anything, but I can't wait to see what everyone came up with. There are always lots of great ideas. So, stop by the forum and join in the fun. Have a great afternoon!


Recipe
Stamps: Merry & Bright (Papertrey Ink)
Cardstock: vintage cream, pure poppy, ripe avocado, ocean tides (Papertrey Ink)
Inks: pure poppy, ocean tides, ripe avocado (Papertrey Ink), noir (Palette)
Accents: pure poppy swiss dots ribbon (Papertrey Ink), rhinestones
Tools: copic markers, long rectangle nestability die (Spellbinders), scalloped punch (SU), black pen

Just Stuff

How was everyone's weekend? Hope you all had a great weekend and have some great plans for Thanksgiving if you're in the US. I thought I would do a post to just catch up on some stuff.

My email was being all wonky this weekend so if you emailed me and didn't get a response, I probably didn't get it. My email provider is also blocking emails from blogger right now because of all the spam involved with blogger. Hopefully, the emails will start going through again soon.

I changed my comments over to moderated. I tried unmoderated without the word verification a while back and started getting spam comments right away and had to turn the word verification back on. So, we'll try it this way and see if it works better.

All items from my sale posts that have been paid for have been mailed out as of today. I hope they arrive quickly and in perfect condition. Please let me know when you get the packages. Thanks so much for your purchases!

Many of you asked about what system I ended up going with for my unmounted stamps. I am using ez mount and these storage panels from Sunday International. I use the light weight ones. They are punched for three ring binders and I got some large binders at Costco. I was a little leery that the stamps might fall off the sheets, but they stick really well. A friend of mine uses these storage sheets and stores her stamps in large ziplock baggies instead of binders and uses the clip it up clips. Hope that helps someone out. I definitely understand the cost and hassle of trying to find a system that works. I think I will be very happy with this storage system for my unmounted rubber stamps.

I can not tell you how much it means to me to read the comments people leave on my posts. I love hearing what everyone thinks. Blogging can sometimes feel very one sided. You all keep me going and I love to hear from you. Your comments mean the world to me! With that said, I have received some blog awards and I appreciate them so much. Thank you so much to Karen, Claire, and Sue! Be sure and check out their blogs because they are super talented ladies!

Well, I am finally going to get a chance to go stamp something. Hope everyone has a great week!!

Kiss Me

Okay, is that not one of the funniest images you have ever seen?! I love Kissy Face Frog! I love frogs and this image is so funny. This week's High Hopes challenge is a sketch challenge brought to us by the amazingly talented Ila. You can see the sketch on the challenge blog. If you click on the photo, the red parts won't be fuzzy. Maybe it's just my computer, but the sentiment looks fuzzy and it's not really.

I usually always start my cards by coloring my images. So, I cut an oval shape and stamped my frog in the center. Then, I stamped my image again on a post-it note to create a mask and cut it out. Then, I used a pink copic marker and my air compressor to spray the pink around my frog while my oval was still in the die. Then, I removed the mask and colored my frog. I cut a black scalloped oval and added it to my frog. I added some dimensional glaze to my frog's lips and set it aside to dry.

Then, I cut all the layers for my card. I stamped the circle and heart pattern on some pink paper and then sewed it to the black layer. Then, I stamped the hearts and "love you" sentiment on the white and pink polka dot paper and sewed them to the black layers. I cut a ribbon slide for my sentiment, stamped the sentiment and created a black mat. I tied my ribbon and wrapped the piece around my patterned paper piece. I added all the patterned paper layers to my card. Then, I cut a red scalloped piece and added it. I added a chipboard heart and my image with some foam adhesive. Last, I added a few green buttons.

Another photo that shows the dimension a little better. The chipboard heart and the frog image are on foam adhesive.

Have you joined in the High Hopes challenges yet? Tina is so generous and has been having a random drawing each week among the participants with a free stamp as the prize. You have to join in for a chance to win! Be sure and check out all the design team ladies' creations for the challenge, too. They are always fabulous!

Have a great Sunday!

Recipe
Stamps: Kissy Face Frog, Kiss Me (High Hopes Rubber Stamps), Love Circles (Art Warehouse)
Cardstock: white (Papertrey Ink), black, real red (SU)
Patterned Paper: SU retired
Ink: noir (Palette), pure poppy (Papertrey Ink)
Accents: chipboard heart, green buttons, red satin ribbon (Target)
Tools: copic markers, air compressor, oval nestability dies, ribbon slide (Spellbinders), scalloped punch (SU), sewing machine

Celebrate Today

I hear people are starting to receive their PTI goodies! Have you played with any of the new stamps yet? This was one of my favorite cards I made for the release. I just love the colors aqua mist, dark chocolate, and kraft together.

First, I cut an aqua mist card. Then, I stamped my star pattern in dark chocolate ink across the top 2/3 of my card. I sponged the edges with dark chocolate ink.

I cut a strip of kraft paper and used my scorepal to score lines along the entire piece. Then, I sponged dark chocolate ink on all the edges and adhered it to my card. I cut my tag out using a cuttlebug die and embossed the sentiment in white ink. Then, I cut a piece of dark chocolate satin ribbon and tied my bow. I cut another dark chocolate ribbon to go around my card. Then, I added hemp to my button and tied it around my bow and ribbon. Then, I added my ribbon and tag to my card.

This week has been so hectic. Seriously, I don't think I have gotten anything done really and yet I have been doing stuff all week. Next week will probably be worse with Thanksgiving coming. I did manage to get one page of my calendar done. I'll try to get a photo of it to share next week. Do any of you make calendars? I make one every year. I love looking back through all the photos from this year and picking out which ones I want to use. When I'm finished, I scan the calendar and print copies onto photo paper for all the grandparents and great-grandparents in our family. They love them and every year that is their only request for Christmas. This year, I am behind on getting started, but I have one month done. Just eleven more to go! *wink*

Recipe

Stamps: Background Basics Stars, Mixed Messages (Papertrey Ink)

Cardstock: aqua mist, kraft, dark chocolate (Papertrey Ink)

Ink: dark chocolate (Papertrey Ink), versamark

Accents: dark chocolate satin ribbon (Papertrey Ink), button, hemp

Tools: scorepal, sponge, heat gun, white embossing powder (Papertrey Ink)

Wishing you every Blessing

The final set that released last week at Papertrey Ink is Melissa Bickford's Heartfelt Basics. I LOVE this stamp set! I love the sentiments in the set, the fonts, and the ability to customize the sentiments.

I thought this sentiment would be perfect for a baby card. I stamped the onesie on a piece of patterned paper and on a piece of ocean tides cardstock. Then, I paper pieced the onesie so that the collar and edges are ocean tides. Then, I cut the entire onesie out. I used a petite scalloped nestability die to cut out a piece of ocean tides cardstock and sponged ocean tides all over the center piece while it was still in the die. (I wish you could see it better because it does add a nice contrast.) I cut a piece of vintage cream cardstock using a long rectangle nestability die. Again, while it was still in the die, I sponged antique linen ink around the edges. I did not sponge the entire thing so the center is light and it gradually gets darker. I stamped the sentiment on the bottom of the rectangle and then added the ocean tides scalloped circle. I added the onesie using foam adhesive.

I cut a vintage cream card base (card is 5x7) and my ocean tides and patterned paper layers. I inked and distressed the edges of the patterned paper before sewing it to the ocean tides layer. I assembled my card and added some vintage cream stitched ribbon.

I really like the look of the sponged ink and light center on the rectangle layer. I think it helps highlight the sentiment.

If I were remaking this card, I would not ink the edges of the patterned paper quite as much. But overall, I think it has an interesting look.

Recipe

Stamps: Heartfelt Basics, Bitty Baby Blessings (Papertrey Ink)

Cardstock: vintage cream, ocean tides (Papertrey Ink)

Patterned Paper: Honey Pie (Cosmo Cricket)

Ink: noir (Palette), antique linen distress ink (Ranger), ocean tides (Papertrey Ink)

Accents: vintage cream stitched ribbon (Papertrey Ink)

Tools: sewing machine, long rectangle and circle nestability dies (Spelldbinders), edge distressor, sponge

Just a little note

Another card that I created for the Papertrey release. I created this card using the new Out of the Box stamp set. I started by creating my card base using plum pudding cardstock. Then, I stamped the flower on the card using plum pudding ink. I cut my patterned paper and stitched it to the vintage cream mat. I tied my ribbon and wrapped it around my patterned paper before adding it to my card.

I stamped my sentiment on vintage cream cardstock and punched it out. Then, I stamped the flower in the center. I tied some thread through a mini button and added it to my flower center to finish off my card.

If you haven't already, be sure to enter my blog candy. It closes today at noon (PST). I also listed some stuff for sale if you're interested in anything. I will announce the winner of the blog candy this afternoon.

Have a great day!

Recipe

Stamps: Out of the Box (Papertrey Ink)

Cardstock: vintage cream, plum pudding (Papertrey Ink)

Patterned Paper: Guide Lines (Papertrey Ink)

Ink: noir (Palette), plum pudding (Papertrey Ink)

Accents: vintage cream grosgrain ribbon (Papertrey Ink), button

Tools: sewing machine, square punch (Marvy)

Happy Father's Day, Dad!

The long awaited Men Of Life set was released last Saturday at Papertrey Ink. It coordinates with the Women of Life and Women of Life Additions stamp sets. One of my favorite things about these sets is the fonts used in the titles. I just love those fonts. They are perfect for cards and scrapbook pages.

I started my card by cutting the layers. Then, I stamped the patterned paper on the vintage cream cardstock using ocean tides ink. I stitched it to the pure poppy layer. I cut some circles using nestability dies and stamped the boat that coordinates with my stamped patterned paper. I stamped my sentiment on the card base and the boat. Then, I added the red dots using a marker. There was something missing on my card and it seemed a little unbalanced so I stamped the image across the bottom to finish off my card.

Have a great day!

Recipe
Stamps: Men of Life (Papertrey Ink)
Cardstock: vintage cream, aqua mist, pure poppy (Papertrey Ink)
Ink: ocean tides, pure poppy (Papertrey Ink), noir (Palette)
Tools: nestability circle dies, sewing machine

Believe Santa

I am excited to finally get to share my creations from the Papertrey Ink release. One of my personal favorite new sets is Background Basics: Stars. I love the patterned paper you can create with this set! It works just like polka dot basics and is so easy to use. The patterned paper on this Santa card is created using this set. It looks like patterned paper you would buy, doesn't it?!

This was a fairly quick and easy card to create. I stamped the patterned paper and sewed it to my pure poppy mat before adding it to the bottom of my card. Then, I stamped Santa on white cardstock, colored him with copic markers and cut him out. I cut a piece of vintage cream cardstock using a nestability square die. While the cardstock was still in the die, I used a copic marker and an air compressor to spray the background where I was going to add Santa. I added a pure poppy mat.

Then, I added Santa to my square using foam adhesive. I added a little liquid applique to Santa's beard and the trim on his hat and suit. I heated it using a heat gun to make it nice and puffy. Be sure to let it dry for quite a while (usually I let mine dry overnight) before you set something over it or mail it or anything like that because it will squish the liquid applique. Last, I tied a bow in my pure poppy stitched ribbon and added it below Santa.

Be sure to scroll down for my High Hopes blog candy post. *wink* Have a great day!

Recipe

Stamps: Background Basics Stars, Believe (Papertrey Ink)

Cardstock: vintage cream, pure poppy, ripe avocado (Papertrey Ink)

Accents: pure poppy stitched ribbon (Papertrey Ink)

Tools: copic markers, air compressor, sewing machine, nestability square dies, liquid applique, heat gun

Santa's Surprise

It's time for another High Hopes challenge. This week's challenge is buttons and brads. I had a vision in my head of a row of altering buttons and brads. I'm not too sure that I like the Santa brads. My card didn't quite live up to my vision, but it was such a fun challenge. I think I will try it again some time with regular round brads and buttons.

I started out stamping and coloring my image (info below next photo). Then I cut all my layers and patterned papers. I added some stitching. Then, I wanted to use altering brads and buttons on top of some ribbon. So, I cut a slit in the spine of my card and slipped my ribbon through. Then, I stitched the buttons to the ribbon and added the brads and stuck the ribbon down. Then, I added my image and some more buttons in the corner.

I just love this Santa. I think he is so adorable. This is Santa's Surprise. I colored my image with copic markers. I added a little gray using koh-i-nor pencils and gamsol. It is light and great shading, but it is hard to see in the photo. Then, I created a mask and using a copic marker and an air compressor to spray the background around Santa. (It was originally a piece of white cardstock.)

I added some dimensional glaze to the candy cane and used a clear copic spica pen to add some glitter to the bows and ribbon on the presents. It was hard to photograph the glitter, but I finally got a photo that shows it pretty well.

I hope you join us in the challenge and have a great Sunday! Be sure and stop by the High Hopes challenge blog to see what all the design team ladies came up with. They are fabulous!

Recipe

Stamps: Santa's Surprise (High Hopes Rubber Stamps)

Cardstock: pure poppy, white (Papertrey Ink)
Patterned Paper: Figgy Pudding (Basic Grey)

Accents: pure poppy stitched ribbon (Papertrey Ink), buttons, santa brads

Tools: copic markers, air compressor, sewing machine, dimensional glaze, copic spica pen, koh-i-nor pencil, gamsol