the.amanda.sewell

I promise you, I am no seamstress. I seriously lack sewing skill . . . I mean, I try, and I can sew a straight line, usually, but basically, I am trying to say -- even if you suck at sewing, you too can make one of these easy pillow ornaments. I saw these in Oct 2008 Crafts N Things magazine (Sherrie Siemans made them originally - page 111), and I adapted them to work with the stuff I wanted to use. I had these awesome Riley moose images from Hanna Stamps -- and I stamped them, but then found that even after heat setting, when I colored them with copics - they bled. (Clearly a sign that I need more black inks that won't bleed even on linen fabric). Anyway, I decided to stitch (embroider - or whatever it is actually called), the outside of the image, and THEN color it with copics, and this worked. Would you believe I used my cuttlebug and nestabilities ovals to cut out my fabric in perfect ovals --yup, amazingly it did in fact work on fabric! Then I just zig zagged around the oval...

Sorry I have been MIA lately, but as you may or may not have heard, I am pregnant again. Yep, #4 is on his/her way. I am about 8 weeks along, and have been experiencing lots and lots of nausea. We are expecting the new one to arrive around Feb 18th or so . . . crossing my fingers he/she does not come early because I SO don't want to send my birthday anywhere near a hospital. I know what you are thinking -- "But, you just had a baby" and "Don't you know you can prevent those?" and "You must be out of your mind!" Al of those are true, but M and I had a hard time getting pregnant with #3 and we did not want a huge gap in between because we were not able to get pregnant again, or worse, not have another baby, so we decided to just go for it, and SURPRISE, we managed to get pregnant on the first possible month. Figures eh? Anyway, we are really excited about it. We always wanted 4 kids and this will be our last one. That said, in my spare moments lately...

HAPPY SATURDAY!!! Another day, another sneak peek. This new Riley is PERFECT for all things soccer. I colored his uniform in the colors that my daughter happened to have this year as her jersey color -- yep, BRIGHT ORANGE! You could see them a mile away, such a funny memory! I was talking to my kids and they have both decided that they want to play soccer again in the fall. FUN FUN! This stamp will be available MONDAY night after the release party on Splitcoast! Stamps : Soccer Riley (Hanna Stamps), Tiny Talk (SU!) Paper : Black Canvas Textured (Diecuts With a View), Solar White Classic Crest (Neenah), Soccer Collection - Dizzy Soccer Balls (Adornit - Carolee's Creations), Classic Orange (Prism) Ink: Onyx Black Versafine (Tsukineko), Whisper White Craft Ink (SU!) Accessories: plain and scalloped nestabilites (Spellbinders), Orange twill tape (Jody's shares), clear embossing powder (SU!), black gingham ribbon (SU!), Copic ciao markers (Imagination International In...

Did you miss me? I know! It has been forever since I blogged. I have been busy working in my back yard with M to get everything done, and been busy keeping up on life, watching a cute baby grow, etc. I promise to update on both of those things soon . . . It is with sadness that I bring you the news that I will no longer be on the design team for Hanna Stamps. It has been a fun ride for over a year and Kristi is making some business changes and changing the size of her design team as well as other things. This will be my last month with sneak peeks for you, but rest assured it will not be my last time playing with Riley, Sophie, Hanna and the gang!!! Thanks again for the opportunity Kristi!!! I SOON will be designing for someone new (stamps should be on their way as we speak), some gorgeous new stamps I just know you are going to LOVE . . . I promise to let you know more about that soon! And August I am hoping you will head over to embellish-online to see my work there as I gues...

HAPPY CINCO DE MAYO!!! I thought this would be fun to give to a neighbor. Kit contains a basting brush, a recipe for a potato salad, Sweet Baby Rays BBQ sauce (YUM - it's the BEST), and a package of corn holders (for your grilled corn on the cob). I love grilling in the summer! This Riley is available NOW at Hanna Stamps . I got the little bucket that I put all the stuff in at Target. I thought they would be perfect for something so I got 5. Seriously, for only $1, they are AWESOME! Also, I have been playing with my new Dymo label maker. I have wanted a label maker for awhile, but when the grocery store near me was clearancing them, I could not resist!!! Stamps : BBQ Riley (Hanna Stamps) Paper : Basic Black (SU!), Real Red (SU!), Solar White Classic Crest (Neenah), Grillin' It Up - BBQ Collection (Adornit - Carolees Creations) Ink : Onyx Black Versafine (Tsukineko) Accessories : Assorted ribbons, copic ciao markers (Imagination International Inc.), label maker (Dy...

So when I heard that we would be having this set make a comeback this summer as a retro set -- I immediately went online in search of what colors were fresh and new for 2009 and I came across this color combination and knew I immediately had to try it out. It is groovy guava and really rust. I absolutely love how they ended up looking together -- very monochromatic. Super nice. I colored the prima flowers to match the colors of paper using my copic markers. Also, it is really hard to see in this photo, but I added a little diamond stickles to her dress here and there to add a little glamor. Stamps : Bridal Hanna (Hanna Stamps), Mega Mixed Messages (Papertrey Ink) Paper : Groovy Guava (SU!), Really Rust (SU!), Solar White Classic Crest (Neenah) Ink : Onyx Black Versafine (Tsukineko), Groovy Guava Classic (SU!) Accessories : paper flowers (Prima Marketing), Sewing machine (Singer), white thread (Sulky), diamond stickles (Ranger), Copic ciao markers (Imagination International ...

The other day I introduced you to Pool Party -- available tonight at Hanna Stamps -- this is another card I made with the set. I just love the little free floating swim trunks. Hehehe, feel bad for the kid who lost those jumping in. Colors are from the Color Inkspiration I issued this past Thursday and the layout is from a sketch over on Papercraft Planet (SK042509) . Stamps : Pool Party (Hanna Stamps), Tiny Talk (SU!) Paper : Wisteria (Basic Grey), Nostalgia (Core'dinations), Solar White Classic Crest (Neenah), Twilight Medium (Prism), Stormy Light (Prism) Ink : Onyx Black Versafine (Tsukineko) Accessories : Copic Ciao Markers (Imagination International Inc.), grosgrain ribbon (Jody's Shares), 1 3/8 and 1 1/4 inch circle punches (SU!), sewing machine (Singer), white thread (Sulky), Dimensional Dots (SU!)

Want this stamp? He will be available today after the release party in the Hanna Stamps Forum. Layout for this card came from the page plans site ! Stamps : Fins Riley (Hanna Stamps), Mega Mixed Messages (Papertrey Ink) Paper : Bashful Blue (SU!), Brown Textured paper - Nostalgia Collection (Core'dinations), Happily - Skipping Along Collection (Pebbles Inc.), Vibrant Pink (Prism), Solar White Classic Crest (Neenah) Ink : Onyx Black Versafine Accessories : Clear embossing powder (SU!), copic ciao markers (Imagination International Inc.), Dark Chocolate 5/8 Swiss Dot Satin (Papertrey Ink), brown brad (Heidi Swapp- grunge), sewing machine (Singer), brown thread (Sulky)

Another day, another sneak peek. I am so glad you stopped by to meet FINS. This Riley is just so DARN cute! I had so much fun playing with him. I used the sketch challenge from April 22nd to make this creation. I just love the colors in this striped paper! This guy is available March 4th after the release party in the Hanna Stamps Forum over on Splitcoast. Hope to see you there! Stamps : Fins Riley (Hanna Stamps), Handwritten Notes (Papertrey Ink) Paper : Solar White Classic Crest (Neenah), Night of Navy (SU!), Yellow - Retro Mod Squad (Core'dinations), Star Struck Stripe - Jan Lanoy (Bo-Bunny Press) Ink: Onyx Black Versafine (Tsukineko) Accessories : Blue Double Stitched Grosgrain (Ribbon FX- Hobby Lobby), orange fire & ice brads (SU!), sewing machine (Singer), white thread (Sulky), Copic ciao markers (Imagination International Inc.)

Ahhh summer! The best thing about summer is grilling. Riley knows this and here he is enjoying his grill. YUM! This Riley will be available May 4th after the release party over at SCS on the HANNA STAMPS site. Sketch is from Jen del Muro's blog, sketch for you to try (4-18-2009) . (Apparently today is I *heart* Jen del Muro day on my blog- lol) . I added the little circle sentiment because I wanted to put a sentiment and there was no spot so I fudged the sketch a little. *smiles* Stamps : Barbecue Riley (Hanna Stamps) Paper : Basic Black (SU!), Real Red (SU!), Solar White Classic Crest (Neenah), Vellum Cardstock (SU!), BBQ Squares - BBQ Collection (Adornit - Carolees Creations) Ink : Onyx Black Versafine (Tsukineko) Accessories: Copic ciao markers (Imagination International Inc.), black gelly roll pen (Sakura), Sewing machine (Singer), black thread (Sulky), Black double stitched grosgrain ribbon (Ribbon FX - Hobby Lobby)

I fell in love with this sketch when I saw it on Jen del Muro's blog . It was so unlike anything I normally create. I was going for a relaxed, beach look on this card, but I still wanted it to be fun and funky. It was SO hard for me to get it looking how I envisioned this card to look and I struggled with the sketch for sure!!! What do you think? This set will be available May 4th after the Release Party in the Hanna Stamps forum on SCS. Hope to see you there and hope you will fill your cart with awesome new stamps afterward! Stamps : To the Beach (Hanna Stamps), Handwritten Notes (Papertrey Ink) Paper : 209-Teeny Polka Dot Bikini - By the Sea (Arctic Frog), Night of Navy (SU!), Orange Nostalgia color cored card stock (Core'dinations), Solar White Classic Crest (Neenah), Taken with Teal (SU!) Ink : Onyx Black Versafine Accessories : Paper flowers (Prima Marketing), button brads (Making memories), adhesive gems (Michaels Stores Inc.), sewing machine (Singer), white t...

At CHA, the Hanna Stamps booth was next to the Core'dinations Paper booth. Apparently some of the DT did some schmoozing and Kristi got sent a bunch of this paper for the team to play with. I am ABSOLUTELY in love. It is fabulous! I love the texture of it. I used it as the base of this card and a bit for layering. You SO need to check them out because their product rocks. Layout was sketch on Papercraft Planet (SK122008) . Stamps : Pool Party (Hanna Stamps), Handwritten Notes (Papertrey Ink) Paper : Retro Mod Squad Color Core Cardstock (Core'dinations), Embossed Green Dots - Nana's Kids Print (DCWV), Detours: Picnic Basket #PP015 (October Afternoon), Solar White Classic Crest (Neenah) Ink : Onyx Black Versafine (Tsukineko) Accessories : Green dotted organdy (Michaels Stores Inc.), Copic ciao markers (Imagination International Inc.), Sewing machine (Singer), white thread (Sulky), Dimensional dots (SU!)

It's that time again! Time for some sneaky peeks of the new Hanna Stamps sets, due to be released this coming Monday (the 4th) after the release party! This month I have been having WAY too much fun, so check back to my blog often because you don't want to miss all the samples I have for you. In fact, add me to your blog roll so you can see when I update!!! I used this sketch from the Challenge Chasers Eager Eight blog . They always have all sorts of fabulous inkspiration over there so go visit!!! Stamps : Pool Party (Hanna Stamps) Paper : Wild Wasabi (SU!), Glorious Green (SU!), Bloom & Grow Lots of Dots - Item#B&G138 (My Mind's Eye), Solar White Classic Crest (Neenah) Ink : Onyx Black Versafine Accessories : Inkssentials White Gel Pen (Ranger), button brads (Making Memories), Word Window Punch (EK Success/SU!), clear embossing powder (SU!), Copic ciao markers (Imagination International Inc.), Orange ribbon - Harvest Home Collection (Michaels Stores Inc...

As promised, here is my color inkspiration card. Sorry it took forever for me to make it back here to post, but I enjoyed a fun weekend. We got to go picnic in the park, and I had a fabulous mommy/daughter date with my sweet girl to see the Hannah Montana movie and then built a cute lamb at Build a Bear. One thing I learned during my most recent stays in the hospital, is that there are mean nurses (*ahem, nurses who don't care -- it is just a job), okay nurses and every so often you will find a WONDERFUL nurse. These are the ones who don't make you feel like a sick person, who treat you with respect and do their job while making every effort to maintain your dignity. They will go out of their way to make your stay better. These are the kind of nurses, who after your stay, deserve a note of appreciation. That is what inkspired this card. I used the Hanna Stamps Hospital set to create a book mark card (for those long nights when the good nurse you send it to is stuck on her ...

Kristi, of HANNA STAMPS , posted news on her blog this morning. She announced a couple of sets that will be retiring. (But I Need It, Tis the Season, Perfect Package and the Baseball Mini Set -- GET 'EM WHILE YOU CAN). She talked about the growth of Hanna Stamps (YAY!), and she told of plans to release more RILEY images at RANDOM! How cool!! >>> CLICK HERE TO SEE HER FULL POSTING Need more inkspiration to buy some of those retiring sets: PERFECT PACKAGE: ( 1 ) ( 2 ) BUT I NEED IT: ( 1 ) ( 2 ) ( 3 ) BASEBALL MINI: ( 1 ) ( 2 )

I made this card for Sandra's challenge (HSC65) in the Hanna Stamps forum today on SCS. Her challenge: Since its April I thought we’d have a challenge with a play on the old saying ‘April Showers Bring May Flowers’! Create a card or project using polka dots (the ‘rain’) and flowers . Who doesn’t love polka dots!?! You can use prima flowers or flower designer paper or even a flower card using polka dot paper! Just use them both! Polka dots and flowers happen to be two of my favorite stamping things. I love how polka dots can work with both masculine and feminine cards as well as cards for children, it all just depends on size, shape, etc. I know Valentines Day is past . . . but this card is a Valentine . . . apparently I am feeling loving right now. *blushes* Layout for this card came from the CARD POSITIONING SYSTEMS blog . Hope you are having a wonderful day! I will try and get back on here a little later to show you the card I made for my color challenge I issued ...

Here is my card for today's color challenge on SCS. The colors were bordering blue, pink pirouette, so saffron and chocolate chip. Layout is from the Mojo Monday blog (MOJO82). My favorite part of this card is the kiss behind the sentiment (I used Sweet Celebrations for this). Hope you like my card. Off to get some grocery shopping done so my family does not starve! Stamps : Paper Dolls Hanna (Hanna Stamps), Kiss Me sentiment (Rubber Soul), Sweet Celebrations Hanna (Hanna Stamps) Paper : Bordering Blue (SU!), So Saffron (SU!), Solar White Classic Crest (Neenah), Chocolate Chip (SU!), Two Scoops (Basic Grey) Ink : Onyx Black Versafine (Tsukineko), Pretty in Pink (SU!) Accessories : Copic ciao markers (Imagination International Inc.), Sewing machine (Singer), brown thread (Sulky), clear embossing powder (SU!), Sweet and Sassy Cinderella Paper flowers (Prima Marketing), brown flocked brads (The Paper Studio), bordering blue ribbon (Ribbon FX - Hobby Lobby).

Do you have this cute set yet??? I sure hope so!!! If not, head over to Hanna Stamps and get your order in right away! Tell 'em Manda sent you!!! I had some fun playing with this set last night. While I was at my fave local scrap store (LSS), I found some fun papers with rock star themes. The inkspired me totally! I used the layout from Our Creative Corner for the first one I did. Her hair, guitar and boots all have crystal accents on them to make them plastic looking. Her skirt is colored with black spica pen. Stamps: Rock Star Hanna (Hanna Stamps), Mega Mixed Messages (Papertrey Ink) Paper : Jammin' - Moxxie Mix 'Em Ups (Moxxie), Basic Black (SU!), Solar White Classic Crest (Neenah) Ink : Onyx Black Versafine (Tsukineko) Accessories : Copic ciao markers (Imagination International Inc.), crystal gemstones (Swarovski), Scalloped and plain circle nestabilities (Spellbinders), clear embossing powder (SU!), Sewing machine (Singer), white thread (Sulky), Copic...

Here is my card using the color combination I posted yesterday. I had to save it until today because it is also my card for today's challenge in the Hanna Stamps Forum on SCS (HSC64)! It is my fellow DT member Di's BIRTHDAY and since she is in charge of today's challenge, she chose BIRTHDAY cards (who'da thunk?) I used the sketch from this week on SCS also (SC223) for the layout. I am excited about the response so far to the color challenge and hope more of you will participate. There is no time limit on when to have cards uploaded by, but to be included for blog candy, they must be done by the 1st Thursday of the following month (so for cards to qualify this month -- May 7th). I will then draw a name from all of the cards uploaded with the keyword ACI in the SCS gallery. Happy Stampin'!!! Stamps : Perfect Package (Hanna Stamps), Mega Mixed Messages (Papertrey Ink) Paper : Apricot Appeal (SU!), Certainly Celery (SU!), Cameo Coral (SU!), Solar White Classic Cr...

Sorry it took so long for me to post this one today -- my camera battery died and then I had to find the charger cord and if you saw the current state of my stamp studio, you would know why. *giggling* It always is messy, but after a release is the worst!!! Here is train Riley Moose -- released just last night after the release party. Hope you will hop on over to HANNA STAMPS and check out all the new stuff!! This one is perfect for all things little boy -- I mean, have you ever met a little by who does not have even just a tiny bit of interest in trains??? All aboard! I used the color challenge from today over at Splitcoast. The colors were so saffron, close to cocoa and bashful blue. My train was more bashful blue until I decided to put the waterfall stickles on it and it became a little less bashful, but I still really like it. Sketch came from Jen del Muro's blog -- it is her sketch for you to try from this weekend. I don't like square cards, so I changed the sk...