Design! Need some help!!

I decided I just couldn't stand my layout any longer so I just deleted it! The post font blurring into the side bar font was just too confusing. I loved the header, but it was too jumbled up. Now SugarGem is super boring, but clean and easy to read. I really can't find anything I like. Anyone have any suggestions of good place for freebie headers? For some reason even the font that I choose in Blogger won't take. Strange. So there you have it now you know what is going on!

I do have a card I would like to share with you today. It is very simple, but I really like it. My MyThoughts Exactly Design Team member Jennifer Rzasa inspired me to make this card. She is so so talented. She can take a simple line and turn it into a piece of art! She does a lot of work with simple lines and I always love them! So here is my take on the LINES! :)

This card also is a really good example of what you can do with My Thoughts Exactly stamps! I used the Sweet Thoughts set on the card! I love how versatile these stamps are!

Thanks for stopping bye today and if you have ANY suggestions on blog headers I am all ears!

Don't forget this Saturday(Oct.1) is the My Thoughts Exactly release party and Sunday (Oct 2, my bday) is the start of the October Pumpkin Spice blog hop where I will be unveiling my featured artist kit! I can't wait to show you! Plus you will not believe the price for all the product in the kit! WOW is all I can say!
If I can inspire just one person today I have done my job!
XOXO SugarGem

No PINK and No Cupcakes! WHAT?

Is she not the cutest little girl ever? In case you missed my original post of Sister Stamps you can find it here with all the links and information.
I pre-ordered Ayako when I was in Hawaii and I finally received her last week and had a chance to play the other day! I decided you might be a little sick of my pink and cupcake obsession so I thought I would step outside my comfort zone and make something with some different colors than I normally use.
I absolutely LOVE her! When I was little I had some rice paper fans and rice paper umbrellas my mom gave me from Japan. Not only did I love playing with them, but I can distinctly remember the smell of them. They have a certain fragrance that I haven't EVER smelled before. It must be from the wood they use. It is intoxicating to me and brings back so many happy memories. I think that's why I chose Ayako!

I finally got to use my Stella Rose papers so I made this card for my Pumpkin Spice Design Team project!! . You can find the papers at my favorite store Pumpkin Spice!  I love the colors, but they are not what I normally gravitate towards. But I still love them.  I really had to challenge myself on this one. I am sure I will be doing one with pink soon. lol

I also used Spellbinders Nestabilities Labels Nine and Standard Circles. Did you know that you can special order Spellbinders now? Aren't you excited???? I am!!!!
If I can inspire just one person today I have done my job!
XOXO SugarGem

Mark Your Calendars *IMPORTANT*

Wow October is going to be blast! Are you ready for lots of giveaways and my Kit of the Month at Pumpkin Spice?
Here is the lineup for October

October 1st The incredible My Thoughts Exactly stamp release! Oh my I cannot wait to show you these stamps they are FABULOUS!

October 2nd-8th  Pumpkin Spice October Blog hop with lots of goodies on each blog! PLUS I am excited to announce I will the featured artist for the month of October and unveiling my kit of the month! I can't wait to show you! I will give you a hint *Candy Corn
If you are wanting some *Spooky* goodies for your crafting needs I would wait to purchase until October 2nd (My Birthday by the way) when we unveil my kit!!  All Pumpkin Spice kits are full of tons of goodies with an additional discount!  If you buy my kit you will receive even more savings on the product in my kit! So you can buy even MORE! :) Mwahhahahhahaha!
How can you say no do a fabulous deal?

October 7-10 Fang-Tastic Blog Hop with more giveaways and tons of talent and inspiration!

Believe me these 3 events will get you inspired for Halloween you won't want to miss the fun!

XOXO SUGARGEM

Everything Is Better With a CHERRY on Top!

Have I mentioned how much I love the Sweet Thoughts set from My Thoughts Exactly? Well I do! I love love love it!!!! I have been having so much fun with this set. Here are two simple little cards I made for my birthday card swap. This fold is one of my faves. I cut a 8.5"x11" sheet of paper length wise. I end up with 2- 4.25"x11" then I score at 5.5" and 2.75". It's just a simple card with a twist.

If I can inspire just one person today I have done my job!
XOXO SUGARGEM

Pumpkin Spice DT Echo Park Little Girl

Hi everyone! I made this little card using the Echo Park Little Girl collection from Pumpkin Spice!!!
This set is so cheerful and fun. I love it for birthday cards.

XOXO SugarGem

Jar Inspiration plus FREE Bumble Bee SVG

I must have some sort of obsession with Jam's and Jelly's because I was so inspired by Thienly's Jars last year I always look at them for inspiration. I think that is part of what inspired me to make the box.

 Anyhoo here are a couple more pics of boxes I made back in March for gifts that I told you about yesterday. (If you missed yesterdays post please scroll down) I used Spellbinders Nestabilities for the tags. If you would like the box you can purchase the SVG file in the left side bar! I will email the file and directions to you within 24hrs. of receiving payment.

 I love this paper! It is the Botanical Stack from DCWV. This one turned out to be my favorite box. I usually only use bright colors, but this paper is so beautful!

Here is my little bumble bee SVG I promised and of course he is free ! :)

And I am still working on the stationary box for you! Should be available soon.
And just in case you missed the new blinkie in the top right corner....We are having a fabulous Halloween Blog Hop Starting October 7th! There will be great prizes and tons of inspiration! Can't wait to see what everyone makes.

If I can inspire just one person today I have done my job!
XOXO SUGARGEM

My Thought Exactly DT -SugarGem's Honey Box

BBBBBUUUUUZZZZZZZZ'in bye to say hi!
Today is My Thoughts Exactly design team project day! I am coming up on one year since I started using SVG files. So much has happened in the last year I can't believe it! Last year at the fair I saw a cute box with homemade jelly in it! I found a couple different jar boxes out there in the SVG world, but each one had something I didn't like so I decided to make my own version. I made this a long time ago and I am finally sharing it with you!  I don't know why I have been hoarding it? I think it's because I wanted get the file ready for you before I shared the pictures. Which just so you know I am sitting here just figuring out how to combine all the pictures into one file for you at 10:00pm! Thank you Belinda!
Do you girls remember when I was in Hawaii during the tsunami? Well during that trip in March I bought some of my favorite lilikoi jam in the world back for gifts. This box is what I came up with. I really wanted something special for my family and friends. I have a few more to show you later this week for inspiration too!

For today's project I used My Thought's Exactly Birds and Bee's collection on the little bee tag I made. It's so perfect for honey! It fits a standard Ball glass canning jar that I filled with some yummy honey! I made the little bee to match the bee on the Echo Park Country Drive paper. I think he turned out cute!

 You can purchase my jam/honey jar box <<<<<--------over there in the left side bar for $2.50.  Once I have received payment I will email the SVG file to you within 24hours. If you still haven't received the file after 24hrs please check your spam folder. :)

Let me know what you think of the little bee and I will make it available if you like him!

If I can inspire just one person today I have done my job!

XOXO SugarGem

Pumpkin Spice DT Fine and Dandy Collection

Happy Tuesday everyone! I made another birthday card for today's design team post! I used the My Minds Eye Fine and Dandy Tickled Pink 6"x6" paper collection and embellishments. This is so perfect for birthday cards because it is so bright and cheery! Love all the colors!
I used Copics to color in the stamp and some stickles for a bit of sparkle!
The sentiment reads "Sprinkled with Birthday Wishes" from the My Thoughts Exactly Sweet Thoughts collection.
All the information on the tutorial for the cupcake can be found here!

If I can inpsire just one person today I have done my job!
XOXO SugarGem

Pumpkin Spice WINNER

And the winner is #17 Jen H!
Congratulations Jen!!!
Please contact me at Lovesugargem@gmail.com and I will get your info to Pumpkin Spice! Thank you everyone for playing along!

I removed all the DT member comments! :)
XOXO SugarGem

Sweet Thoughts! Cupcake-licious

Today is just for fun how about that!!!!
I wanted to play with my new paper stack I got from Alyssa at My Thoughts Exactly and my Sweet Thoughts set! She gave all of the DT members Echo Parks Springtime collection 6"x6"! It is such a beautiful paper collection. I think Pumpkin Spice is sold out, but she has some other super cute 6"x6" stacks for only $4.19!
I also wanted to play along in my first Sketch challenge. I decided to play along with the Sweets Stop Sketch challenge SSS125. I have been following their blog for a while now and finally decided to jump in! I used My Thoughts Exactly Sweet Thoughts stamp set! (My FAVE) The amount of sentiment options is unbelievable! It is fun just mix and matching everything around! They are so darling too I just can't stop playing with them!

Have a great weekend!

If I can inspire just one person today I have done my job!
XOXO SugarGem

Reminder! ding ding ding!!!!

In case you missed it! Tomorrow -Saturday, Sept 10th will be the last day to comment on the September Pumpkin Spice Blog hop. I will be drawing a name using random.org to win your choice of 4 - 6"x6" My Minds Eye stacks!  Denine is sooooo generous to us! Just scroll down to the blog hop post, comment and check back soon! :) 

XOXO SugarGem!

Sprinkled With Birthday Wishes -My Thoughts Exactly DT

Please scroll down for the September Pumpkin Spice Blog Hop

Hi again!
I found this darling tutorial on Youtube using a Hero Arts Cupcake stamp. I know what you are thinking....Yes more cupcakes because I LOVE CUPCAKES!
When I was in Hawaii I actually found the cupcake stamp that Shari Carroll uses in the tutorial! I couldn't believe it!
Here is what I made! I used my new all time favorite stamp set by My Thoughts Exactly Sweet Thoughts.  The sentiment reads "Sprinkled with birthday wishes" Is that cute or what? I love these stamps so much you can arrange the words any way you want! They worked PERFECT for this project!

Here is what I used-
My Thoughts Exactly Sweet Thoughts Stamps
Echo Park Be Mine collection.
I also used Spellbinders Small Circles and Labels Three.
Stickles- Diamond
I did a lot of paper piecing on this card too! Even the tiny hearts I cut out by hand! Thank goodness for Cutterbee's!

If I can inspire just one person today I have done my job!
XOXO SugarGem

Trying To Get back Into my Groove!

PLEASE SCROLL DOWN IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR THE SEPTEMBER PUMPKIN SPICE BLOG HOP!

Hi there! How is everyone doing? I am finally getting settled back in from being away from the home front for so long. Who would think it takes so much work to go on vacation?
I missed my little Kalani girl! She was so excited to see us when we got home she hasn't left our side once since being back!
Today I want to share a little card I made the other night with my new Sister Stamps! Have you heard of them?  If you haven't heard of them let me tell you! I follow a few blogs from Hawaii because I am hoping to meet some new crafters from there to get together with some day! It's so hard meeting other crafters sometimes especially in a new area. I love my craft girl get togethers when I'm home so why not when I'm away right? And since I plan on moving to Hawaii eventually why not find new friends now! So while I have been searching for fellow crafters I found this site called Sister Stamps out of Hawaii.

Side note*Something you might not know about me is that I am obsessed with Asian cultures and influences. My mom grew up in Japan for many years and half my family is Japanese. Growing up my favorite doll was this gorgeous Japanese doll that sat at the end of my bed. Every night I would day dream about being her when I was a little girl. In fact here is a picture of her. She still sits in my bedroom. I think she is so beautiful.

 When I saw the Sister Stamps I knew I HAD to get some! They are just too adorable! I just love anything with an Asian influence! When I went to Hilo with my mom I found the Island Scrapbooking(AWESOME) store and they had Sister Stamps in stock! SCORE!(If you would like to purchase your own Sister Stamps you can contact Island Scrapbooking at 1-808-933-9390 tell them Lenae at SugarGem sent you)

My poor mom had to wait forever for me in the store because I was in heaven there! We don't have any stores in the Washington area with such a fabulous selection!

Introducing Mei Li!

Isn't she a doll? I just LOVE her!

I used Cosmo Cricket Circa 1934 papers for the background and all the paper piecing on Mei Li!

I've been practicing a lot with my Copics. I have realized that I just need to find "my style" I really don't think there is a right or wrong way to use them. Even though a lot of people will probably tell you otherwise. What do you think about the hair? I think I have finally found "my hair style". Everyone colors differently with their Copics, I have found I like a more bold, less blended look for myself. I see that a lot with the Anime style. I found that is what I was drawn to when admiring others coloring techniques! So if you are just starting out or wanting to start I recommend just finding "your style"!

Hope everyone had a beautiful Labor Day weekend! What is everyone working on now? I have some really cute new SVG's that I am dying to show you and share, but they are so much work and I have such little time right now. Just keep checking back and they should hopefully be up soon!
Thanks for stopping bye today and I always love reading your comments!

If I can inspire just one person today I have done my job!
XOXO SugarGem

September Blog Hop Pumpkin Spice DT

Happy Saturday! Welcome to SugarGem! Today is the September Pumpkin Spice Blog Hop! This month the Pumpkin Spice Design Team is show casing projects made with My Minds Eye. If you are here from the Pumpkin Spice Blog you are in the right spot!
I just love the My Minds Eye Lime Twist Life of the Party Collection. The colors are so cheerful and pretty! I just smile every time I see the papers. The feel of the paper is so wonderful too! It's heavy and so posh feeling!

I decided a long time ago I really needed a mini card set! Why do I need so many little cards you ask? Because when I do swaps with my friends I like to add little notes to items I send. Just to make it a little extra special and to explain what I got and why I got it for them.  I usually just put a sticky note on the goodies. Every time I peeled a sticky note off the pad I would cringe because come on...... PAPER IS WHAT I DO!!!! DUH!
I would think to myself "Hello Lenae, wake up and make something already! sheesh these little sticky notes are so BOOOOOORING" so I decided I really needed something cuter....I needed to step it up a bit. When I got my Lime Twist Paper and Lime Twist Twine it sealed the deal!

You like? It seems like I made my box and card set a million years ago now because I made it back in July before I went out of town. I have been excited to show you and see if you all like it! I am so happy with the way it turned out! I should have the file available soon for all of you! You could use this for card sets, Christmas ornaments, cookies, treats, kids lunch sack notes, etc.. 

Just in case you are lost or just starting-
Here is the line up!
Pumpkin Spice http://pumpkinspiceblog.blogspot.com/
Lenae-  http://sugargemscrafts.blogspot.com/
Courtney- http://courtscrafts.blogspot.com/
June- http://simplyelegantpapercrafts.blogspot.com/
Ann http://raindropechodesigns.blogspot.com/
Carrisa http://www.happilyeverpapercrafter.blogspot.com/
Pumpkin Spice http://pumpkinspiceblog.blogspot.com/

Fingers crossed I hope to have a better camera soon!!!

TEASER ALERT!!!!!

Do you know what this picture is????

Carrisa from http://www.happilyeverpapercrafter.blogspot.com/ is our September Featured Artist of the Month at Pumpkin Spice! She has put together a kit for Pumpkin Spice and we all get to see it today! But first we will see all the teasers along the hop! I am so excited to see her kit she is amazingly talented!

Next on the hop is the talented Courtney! http://courtscrafts.blogspot.com/

If I can inspire just one person today I have done my job!
XOXO SugarGem

It'll Be Owl Right My Thoughts Exactly

Hi everyone! I'm back now from Hawaii and it seems like I have been gone for a couple years. It feels good to be home though.

I made this owl card for the My Thoughts Exactly Design Team project. I used the adorable Birds and Bee's collection! You can find it here. All of the stamps are mix and match with endless possibilities! If you aren't good like me coming up with phrases don't worry because Alyssa sends you a little cheat sheet with the stamps! Easy Peasy!

The Owl is from Lettering Delights.
Paper is Echo Park Summer Days Collection from Pumpkin Spice Store.

If I can inspire just one person today I have done my job!
XOXO SugarGem