Looking Back, Heading Forward

Since today is my last post as a member of the DRS Designs Team, I thought a mini retrospective of my favorite projects would be a fun way to express my feelings.

Thanks to all the ladies on the DRS team and to Samantha in the office for everyone's help, support, and inspiration; they have definitely been 'espresso-ly wonderful'!
Stamps by DRS Designs: Coffee Trio, Espressoly sentiment, Thin Plaid. Cardstock: Very Vanilla, Chocolate Chip, Bashful Blue, Bayout Blue. Ink: Bayour Blue, Copics. Accessories: Dotted ribbon, brad, liquid applique, Stardust glitter pen.
Since today is Christmas Eve, this post wouldn't be complete without a holiday favorite:
Stamps by DRS Designs: Ornaments Galore K655, Gingerbread Man E040, One Line Merry Christmas B364. Cardstock: kraft, Real Red, CM green, Papertrey white. Accessories: Long Rectangle Nestabilities, Offray red gingham ribbon, Shrinky Dink plastic, shepherd hook earring hangers.

I may be heading off in a different direction, but I'll definitely keep visiting this fun blog for inspiration.

Stamps by DRS Designs: Silhouette Hiker G1026, Silhouette Background Trees F1030, Silhouette Branch Background H363, Vicki's Versatile Background H369, Successful Future Grad Greeting G850. Cardstock: Soft Suede, Bashful Blue, Old Olive, Glossy white. Ink: Soft Suede, Bashful Blue, Old Olive, Versafine black. Accessories: Long rectangle Nestabilities, Lumiere.
Wishing everyone the best in 2010 -- may it be your best year yet!

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Christmas Showcase

Posted by Jessica G.

Need some last minute inspiration for Christmas cards? I've used a few great images in different ways to showcase their versatility. Here are a few of my favorite DRS Designs holiday cards for this mailing season:


Stamps by DRS Designs: Santa Handmade for Christmas F133, Four Stages of Christmas G129, Easy Dot Background H628. Cardstock: Soft Sky, Old Olive, Real Red, GP110 whit, Doodlebug glitter white. Ink: Memento Black, Real Red, Old Olive. Accessories: gingham ribbon, Martha Stewart snowflake punches, Circle and rectangle Nestabilities, white flocking.

This Santa image is actually a portion of a 'Handmade by' stamp, masked off to showcase the jolly old fellow. I added flocking to make his beard and hat trim touchably soft:




The next card's focal point is a combination of a mailing label (trees) and sentiment:

Stamps by DRS Designs: Winter Trees Address Label Frame H106, Serve our country at Christmas D530. Cardstock: Night of Navy, Real Red, GP110 white, Doodlebug glitter. Ink: Always Artichoke, Night of Navy. Accessories: Stardust glitter pen, red dotted organdy, circle and rectangle Nestabilites.

For this sweet Christmas mouse, I used the Large Open Plaid on a diagonal for a candy cane effect:

Stamps by DRS Designs: Candy Cane Christmas Critter E134, Holly Giga Circle L120, Merry Christmas Arc E102, Large Original Plaid P641. Cardstock: Certainly Celery, Real Red, GP110 white. Ink: Memento, Copics, Real Red, Certainly Celery. Accessories: Giga circle punch, SU scallop border punch, red glitter pen.

Happy Holidays!!

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Happy Thanksgiving!

Posted by Jessica G.

To help celebrate this holiday, I thought I'd showcase cards featuring the new DRS releases.

For the first pair of cards, I used the Cutie Pie pilgrims:

Stamps by DRS Designs: Happy Harvest Cutie Pie Boy G108, Wooden Bucket H114, Vicki's Versatile Background H369. Cardstock: Close to Cocoa, Tangerine Tango, Kraft. Ink: Memento, Copics, Close to Cocoa, Tangerine Tango. Accessories: green double-stitched ribbon.

Stamps by DRS Designs: Happy Harvest Cutie Pie Girl F112, Leaf Giga Circle L095, Vicki's Versatile Background H369, Lots of Lines Background H366, 3 Leaf Background H534, Small Happy Thanksgiving B069. Cardstock: Close to Cocoa, Tangerine Tango, Kraft, Chocolate Chip. Ink: Memento, Copics, Close to Cocoa, Tangerine Tango, Chocolate Chip. Accessories: Giga circle punch, chocolate satin ribbon.

The next is a CAS card making use of those fun inchies:

Stamps by DRS Designs: Bunch of Wheat K137, Small Happy Thanksgiving B069. Cardstock: Kraft, Very Vanilla, Chocolate Chip. Ink: Chocolate Chip. Accessories: oval and square Nestabilities, dotted chocolate ribbon.

And finally, although this isn't a brand new release, this sentiment is perfect for a set of 3" x 3" mini cards that are super quick -- just right to produce in quantities for all your Thanksgiving notes:

Stamp by DRS Designs: Small Happy Thanksgiving B069. Cardstock: Kraft, Very Vanilla, Chocolate Chip. Ink: Chocolate Chip. Accessories: oval Nestabilities, dotted chocolate ribbon.

Wishing you and yours a very happy Thanksgiving with lots of reasons to be thankful!

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Super-Sweet Christmas!

Posted by Jessica G.
Stamps by DRS Designs: Sittin' Pretty Kitty G136, Super-Sweet Christmas Greeting E140, Cat Paw Print A1006, Easy Dot Background H628. Cardstock: Bravo Burgundy, textured Old Olive, Pretty in Pink, GP110 white. Ink: Memento black, Copics, Old Olive, Purely Pomegranate. Accessories: Rectangle Nestabilities, Martha Stewart snowflake border punch, Hero Arts felt pointsettias, gemstones.

Have you seen the new releases by DRS Designs yet? More Thanksgiving and Christmas images and fun sentiments are now available, including this sweet kitty. Doesn't she just make you want to say 'Awww ... how sweet!'?

The sketch is inspired by Sketch and Stash Challenge #23; I decided to break out my burgundy cardstock that has been neglected for many months because it's a great match to the felt pointsettias; hence a color combo was born! And perfect in pink for this sweet new kitty image!!

Be sure to stay tuned for more cards featuring these fun new releases!

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SheetLoads and DRS Make Great Treats!

Posted by Jessica G.



Stamps by DRS Designs: Poppin' In Holiday Greeting P032, Popcorn Bowl G1131, Popcorn Background G1124. Cardstock: Real Red, Black, CM yellow, Papertrey white. Accessories: gingham ribbon, Nestabilities.


Have you downloaded your free October e-issue of SheetLoads yet? DRS Designs is the sponsor for this month and the issue not only contains a fun sketch with the full recipe of supply lists and cutting diagrams, but is also chock full of great sample cards made with DRS Designs images! Remember, all SheetLoads readers will receive free shipping on orders from DRS Designs through the end of the month!!


It's never too early to start planning Christmas gifts, especially if your list includes handmade items. This popcorn treat set comes together quickly when you already have the sketch plus a coordinated image, background, and sentiment. These would make perfect gifts to have on hand for neighbors, teachers, or any last minute gift idea.


Stay tuned because more DRS Designs new releases with the a Christmas theme are on their way soon!

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Frosted Windowpanes

Posted by Jessica G.

Stamps: DRS Designs (Silhouette Icicles G035, Triple Tree L004, Snowflake Background H187, One line Merry Christmas B365); Ink: Stampin' Up (Read Red, Always Artichoke), Tsukineko (Versamark); Cardstock: Stampin' Up (Night of Navy, Basful Blue, Real Red), Papertrey (vellum), Marcella K (Perlescent Silver), Georgia Pacific (110 white), Doodlebug (Sugar-coated Lily white); Die Cut: Spellbinders (Rectangle Nestabilitiee); Paper Punch: Martha Stewart (snowflakes), Stampin' Up (Word Window); Embossing: Stampendous (Winter Wonderland, clear); Ribbon: Papertrey (Poppy grosgrain); Others: Hero Arts (gems); Unknown: star gem.

DRS teamed up with SheetLoads this month to sponsor the October e-issue featuring a sketch by Ann Seleshanko. This card is one of my takes on sketch; I thought the image panel was the perfect shape for a window with frosted vellum panes!

When the card is closed, there is a hint of another image:



Open the card to see three pines decorated for Christmas with gems and a star!



Ready to try your hand at trimming a tree for any season? DRS Designs is also sponsoring this week's Saturday Spotlight with Hidden Potential Challenge to 'Dress Up Those Trees'. Play along for your chance to win a DRS gift certificate!

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DRS Teams Up with SheetLoads!

Posted by Jessica G.




Have you downloaded your free October issue of SheetLoadsyet? You'll definitely want to spend time browsing through this month's DRS Designs sponsored e-zine sponsored. It not only contains the supply list and cutting diagram to create your own projects from the featured sketch, but also loads of amazing cards and 'not a card' projects by two Design Teams -- ours and SheetLoads'!

Here's my 'Halloween Lookout' card taken straight from the sketch; can you see the sparkly stars on the background black panel?


Stamps: DRS Designs (Halloween Lookout L253, Tiny Happy Halloween A042, Vicki's Versatile Background H369, Star Background H124); Ink: Stampin' Up (Creamy Caramel), Tsukineko (Versafine Onyx Black, Versamark); Markers: Stampin Up (Black); Cardstock: Stampin' Up (Kraft, Black, Crushed Curry, Dusty Durango); Die Cut: Spellbinders (Rectangle Nestabilities); Embossing: Stampendous powder (Stardust); Other: Sakura (Stardust glitter pen), unknown (velvet brad, scallop scissors).


There are no extra layers, only a few homemade embellishments like these cobwebs I created by cutting a square with scallop scissors and by drawing web strands with a clear glitter pen:

Another fun touch is a spider whose body is a velvet brad:

Make sure to check out the eZine or the top of the blog for DRS Designs' ad... they have a special offer for SheetLoad readers!

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Feels Like Fall!

Posted by Jessica G.


Stamps by DRS Designs: Scarecrow with Fence P377, Stuffed with Reasons Greeting G760. Cardstock: Kraft, Ballet Blue, So Saffron, Tangerine Tango, Black, GP110 white. Ink: Memento black, Copics, Tangerine Tango. Accessories: twine, Cuttlebug distressed stripes embossing folder, Martha Stewart border punch.

The final month of summer has felt more like the first month of autumn -- we've had cool, crisp weather and blue skies. The trees are even starting to turn, so it seems like an appropriate time to start breaking out the autumn-themed stamps!

My first thought on images to go with this sentiment would be a turkey, but since I was fresh out of poultry, my next thought was this scarecrow who also appears well-stuffed.

For my second autumn card, I had to go with my favorite part of Fall -- the leaves. This sentiment is beautiful on its own, so I used a simple layout from Unscripted Sketches #22 and highlighted it with mini prima leaves:



Stamps by DRS Designs: Time for Sharing Greeting G993. Cardstock: Soft Suede, Ballet Blue, Tangerine Tango, So Saffron, Black, corrugated Kraft. Ink: Tangerine Tango. Accessories: CB distressed stripes embossing folder, prima leaves.

Wishing you a beautiful Autumn stuffed with happiness!

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Frosty Windows

Posted by Jessica G.

Stamps by DRS Designs: Large Snowman Head L001, Poppin' Holiday Greeting F32, Snow Background H187. Cardstock: Ballet Blue, Real Red, GP110 white. Ink: Memento black, Ballet Blue, Versamark, Copics. Accessories: 'Winter Wonderland' EP, Nestabilities Circles, Martha Stewart pines border punch, red satin ribbon.

Frosted windowpanes or Frosty at the windowpanes??

Although the weather has been cooler lately, I think it may still be a bit soon to start singing Christmas carols. It's never too soon to start creating Christmas cards, though, especially now that DRS Designs has the newest releases available for sale.

Not only is this fun snowman now available, but there are several snow and holiday-related stamps and images to choose from. What better perfect inspiration to start creating those cards for this month's DRS-sponsored Cards For Heroes drive? Read HERE to see how you can participate. You have the opportunity to let our military members know you care and earn your chance to win a $50 DRS Designs gift certificate at the same time!!

Now that I have Christmas songs stuck on replay in my head, it's time to go work on a few autumn holiday cards. Anyone know a good Thanksgiving song?

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More Clean and Simple Style!

Posted by Jessica G.

Weren't Renee's Giant Flower clean and simple (CAS) cards from yesterday gorgeous? We must have been on the same crafting wavelength because I had planned to use a CAS card featuring the very same image today! While Renee's cards are very elegant, my card is more on the playful side:

Stamps by DRS Designs: Bloomin' Huge Flower H1023, You are my sunshine sentiment D1089. Cardstock: Crushed Curry, Basic Black, Pretty in Pink. Ink: Pretty in Pink, Versamark, Copics. Accessories: Black EP, gold glitter pen.

This sketch is based on the CAS sketch challenge #19 over on Splitcoast Stampers. It's a simple sketch, yet versatile enough to be used with many different types of images (and sentiments).

The Bloomin' Huge Flower is also versatile, perfect for every type of card from Renee's elegant versions to my end-of-the-summer celebration version!

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Comforting Sympathy

Posted by Jessica G./Jess' Obsession

Stamps by DRS Designs: Silhouette Background Trees F1030, Caring Words Greeting G033. Cardstock: Bashful Blue, Black, Glossy white. Ink: Versafine Onyx black, Bashful Blue. Accessories: Lumiere, white satin ribbon, SU scallop border punch.

Creating sympathy cards is always tough for me, most likely because I have a pre-conceived idea that they must be both soothing and elegant. I was happy with this card because the faux mother of pearl technique adds a touch of elegance with the Lumiere shimmer and the light blue ink adds a soothing touch, too.

The newly released Silhouette Background Trees were stamped twice to form a forest image and I kept the other embellishments very simple to maintain the elegant feel.

The Faux Mother of Pearl technique (tutorial HERE) is an easy technique that works well with many subjects. You can view another DRS card I created using the technique HERE; doesn't the same background remind you of a blue sky on this card?

Give this technique a try -- DRS has a full line of silhouette images including new releases that will really showcase your efforts!

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Super Summer Cuties

Posted by Jessica G.

Stamps by DRS Designs: Beach Baby F1094, 4 in 1 Beach Background D1099, Fun in the Sun sentiment D1072. Cardstock: Melon Mambo, Crushed Curry, Bermuda Bay, Papertrey white. Ink: Memento black, Copics, Melon Mambo. Accessories: Long rectangle Nestabilities.

Are you a fan of the Cutie Pie Kids? Then you will love the latest releases at DRS Designs because two new cuties make their appearance! 'Beach Baby' in the card above is perfect for a summer theme, while I thought 'Beach Boy' would be equally happy in superhero mode:

Stamps by DRS Designs: Beach Boy F1096, Creating Yourself sentiment H558. Cardstock: Bashful Blue, Summer Sun, Real Red, Papertrey white. Ink: Memento black, Copics, Real Red. Accessories: SU scallop border punch, dotted satin ribbon.

Be sure to check out all the fun new releases at DRS Designs!

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Get Well, Leo!

Posted by Jessica G./Jess' Obsession

Stamps by DRS Designs: Leonard's Sick Day Blues G1019, Cured Yet? sentiment, Easy Swirl Background H688. Cardstock: Cameo Coral, Ballet Blue, Certainly Celery, GP110 white. Ink: Memento black, Copics. Accessories: circle Nestabilities, Papertrey grosgrain ribbon, SU scallop border punch, Bella Baubles, mini prima, gemstone.

Poor Leo -- it looks like he's having a rough day! As lousy as he feels, this card and funny sentiment is sure to brighten a your under-the-weather recipient's day.

DRS Designs is sponsoring this week's challenge to create an altered item on the Charisma blog. Since we are on the tail end of a summer cold/bronchitis episode in our household I decided to create a treat to accompany Leo's card that would be appreciated by our 'sickies':


The complete tutorial for an altered peach tin can be viewed HERE. It's a great way to reuse common household items and surprise recipients who can't figure out just how you managed to 'can' such appropriate items. Hint: the trick is opening the can on the bottom, leaving the pop top in place, and then creating another bottom out of chipboard. Here's the top view:

Stamp by DRS Designs: Tiny Get Well Soon sentiment A256.

Have a healthy day and be sure to stop by the Charisma blog to see amazing altered items!

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Tee for Two?

Posted by Jessica G./Jess' Obsession

Any golf fans out there? Or fans of golf fans?? DRS Designs has a wide variety of golfing images and sentiments, including newly released stamps perfect for celebrating your own golf pro.

The first card is a one-layer card, super quick and easy to make, yet still with texture:

Stamps by DRS Designs: Silhouette Female Golfer G1149, Way Above Par sentiment G507. Cardstock: Wild Wasabi. Ink: Versamark. Accessories: white EP, striped Wasabi grosgrain ribbon, Cuttlebug Swiss Dots embossing folder.

The guy golfers don't need to feel left out with a version just for them, too:

Stamps by DRS Designs: Silhouette Male Golfer G038, Golf bag F947, Back Nine sentiment. Cardstock: Wild Wasabi, Textured white, black. Ink: Versafine black, Wild Wasabi. Accessories: Long rectangle Nestabilities, black organdy dotted ribbon, Martha Stewart border punch.

Add a little fun to your next golfer's card with these humorous sentiments and classy silhouettes!

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Final Stop on the DRS Blog Hop!

Posted by Jessica G.

Welcome to the last stop on the DRS Blog Hop! If you haven't visited all the Design Team Members' blogs, be sure to start at the first blog, Vicki/Stamped Smiles to see all the creations featuring the newest releases and leave comments for your chance to win blog candy!!

Here is a card featuring the new coffee images to be released on Saturday, June 13th:

Stamps by DRS Designs: Coffee Trio, Espresso-ly Wonderful Sentiment, Coffee Sign. Cardstock: Kraft, Very Vanilla, Soft Sky, Chocolate Chip. Ink: Chocolate Chip, Soft Sky. Accessories: brads.

And what could be a better Blog candy than the new releases themselves, a choice between these coffee images...



or the brand new golf images...

Be sure to visit all the blogs and leave comments for the designers, but LEAVE A COMMENT ON THIS POST by 7 am Saturday morning for your chance to win in the Saturday morning drawing!

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