I did it!

I did it! I made a card.I haven't stamped in 12 days! I knew it would take a Featured Stamper challenge to get me back in the swing of things, and Kim's gallery was wonderful inspiration!

Featured Stamper: blondie090277

I used the same basic layout with the same stamp set. I changed the colors and added ribbon and a sentiment. Here's Kim's sweet card.

This card measures 4.25 square. I use 4.5 A Muse envelopes.

Stamps: Once Upon a Time - Lizzie Anne Designs
Paper: chocolate chip, white, pretty in pink DSP, Making Memories DP
Ink: black, chocolate chip, bashful blue
Accessories: Copic markers, regal rose SU marker, large oval punch, taffeta ribbon, dimensionals
Techniques: sponging

I'm Home!

Hello! I just got home from the hospital and I'm playing catch up on everything I missed.... challenges, chatting with SCS friends, cruising galleries and blogs, and especially reading and seeing all the Stampin' Up sneak peeks! Thank you for continuing to stop by my blog. I will update shortly.

Dirty Dare Silhouette

The silhouette challenge intimidated me. I thought silhouettes had to be black or dark, but I learned otherwise. And I actually like the results of my hard work! I combined this with 3 other dirty dare challenges.

Joan - Silhouettes
Jen - Sketch
Laura - distressing
Lauren - monochromatic

This card measures 4.25 square. I use 4.5 A Muse envelopes. I coated the silhouette with dazzling diamonds.

I received the beautiful nestie scallop through wish rak!

Stamps: Garden Silhouettes
Paper: chocolate chip, creamy caramel, white, close to cocoa DSP, Apple Cider DP
Ink: chocolate chip
Accessories: seafoam white EP, dazzling diamonds, chocolate marker, white gel pen, ribbon, Nestie scallop square, dimensionlas, Cutter kit
Techniques: distressing, faux stitching

Make a Wish

Here's another one of my favorite Dirty Dare cards. This was the first of five cards I made for Jody's ribbon challenge. As a ribbon fanatic, I couldn't help myself and kept making cards! Thanks Jody for getting me to use my patterned ribbon.

Stamps: How Swweet It Is - Gina K Designs, Mini Mates - SU
Paper: chocolate chip, riding hood red, white, DCWV retro mat stack
Ink: black, chocolate chip
Accessories: Copic markers, American Crafts ribbon, eyelets, circle punches, dimensionals
Techniques: sponging

Need a good laugh?

Here's an absolutely hysterical thread on Splitcoast....

What are the Don't and No-Nos?

Warning... Don't be drinking or eating anything while reading. LOL!

Dare to Get Dirty Week

I've been a card making maniac this week! I love all the challenges posted by the Dirty Dozen on SCS. This card is one of my favorites that I've done this week. It's a quadruple challenge card!

SC186
Jenn's Challenge - Inspiration
(What a beautiful piece!)
Lauren's Challenge - Monochromatic
(What great insight in her write-up.)
Christine's Challenge - Watercolor
(Great tips in her write-up. This is pretty simple. I'm still learning how to use my aqua painter. I'm still getting my paper too wet. LOL!)

Stamps: Fresh Cuts
Paper: basic black, white, old olive & DSP, certainly celery & DSP
Ink: black, old olive
Accessories: ribbon, brads, Aqua painter, dimensionals, black Sharpie (brads)
Techniques: sponging

Welcome to the neighborhood

This card serves 3 purposes. First, it's going to Sean (NameMedia) as a welcome to our crafty world. Second, it uses Katharina's sketch #23, and third, I'm submitting it to Katherina's guest designer call for her new stamp company... Whiff of Joy Stamps.

This card measures 5x5.


Stamps: Frances Owl - High Hopes, Bodacious Bouquet - SU, sentiment - Gina K Designs
Paper: chocolate chip, creamy caramel, rose red DSP, white
Ink: black, chocolate chip, rose red, pumpkin pie, certainly celery
Accessories: Copic markers for coloring, rose red marker for dots, ribbon, dimensionals, large oval & designer label punches
Techniques: sponging with chocolate chip

MAKE A WISH

SHOOTING STARS

Featured Stamper: Susiestampalot

I used basically the same layout but changed it to a square card. I almost changed the colors because I never use pixie pink, but I decided to go out of my comfort zone! I used similar star stamps and DP. I didn't have ric rac, so I used scallop scissors. And I changed up the sentiment to make it look like a shooting star. The trail is from Stitched Exotics. The sentiment is handwritten. This card measures 4.25 square. I use A Muse 4.5 square envelopes.

Here's Susie's adorable card.

Stamps: In the Stars, Stitched Exotics
Paper: pixie pink, certainly celery & DSP, white
Ink: same
Accessories: scallop, small star, & circle punches, markers, taffeta ribbon, rhinestone brad, scallop scissors, dimensionals


BELLA BIRTHDAY WISHES

When I make a tent topper card, I start with a 4.25 square card. When it's time to add the topper, I set it next to an A2 card to line up the right height. Voila... A nice fit into a standard envelope!

Stamps: Priceless, Sincere Salutations, Stamping Bella
Paper: chocolate chip, bashful blue, so saffron, white
Ink: black, chocolate chip
Accessories: CM custom cutting system, markers, paper piercer & mat stack
Techniques: faux stitching



Vintage Wishes

I used my SU cutter kit distressing tool on this card. I love the effect it gives on shades of brown with sponging.

Stamps: Flowers- Stampendous, background - Baroque Motifs, sentiment - Small script
Paper: kraft, chocolate chip, white
Ink: chocolate chip
Accessories: hodgepodge hardware, ribbons, cutter kit, ticket corner punch
Techniques: distressing

Christmas in July

Yes... I'm already making Christmas cards! :) I found out recently that they are selling on the bay... I sold left overs from last year (3 sets). So now I'm making new ones.

Happy Holidays Kitty

This is such a fun sketch challenge for small images! I was ready for any size image needed. I knew I was in for a long wait at DS's appt, so I brought 2 boxes of Copics and a clamshell full of stamped images with me. I was quite the entertainment for awhile in that small crowded waiting room. LOL! And I had an image just perfect for the sketch. Sweet!

The image was received through the PIF image thread in the swap forum. Kittie's Santa hat is fluffed up with liquid applique.

Stamps: Meowy Christmas - High Hopes, Mini Mates - SU
Paper: white, real red, real red & cetainly celery DSP, basic black
Ink: black
Accessories: Copic markers for coloring, SU markers for dots, eyelets, ribbon, circle punches, liquid applique
Challenge: SC185


Santa Riley

This was made for the PIF challenge this weekend. I was inspired by this adorable card from LMcAree.

Stamps: Santa Riley - Hannah Stamps, Short & Sweet
Paper: white, riding hood red, basic black, CM DP
Ink: black, riding hood red
Accessories: Copics, SU black marker, liquid applique, twill
Challenge: PIF05

101 Dalmations

I love that movie! :)

The first card is quite simple, but I think it makes a good guy card with the colors and simplicity even with the ribbons. The Dalmation ribbon is from Offray.

Stamps: Dalmation - Rubber Stampede, sentiment - Hero Arts
Paper: sahara sand, basic black, whisper white
Ink: black, sahara sand
Accessories: ribbon, markers






The second Dalmation card was inspired by StamperTammy - Featured stamper #36. I used the same layout. I changed the colors and instead of masking a row of giraffe, I used Dalmations. Here's Tammy's adorable card.

Stamps: Dalmation - Rubber Stampede, sentiment - Short & Sweet (SU)
Paper: whisper white, basic black, real red
Ink: black
Accessories: ribbon, markers
Techniques: masking

BEFORE & AFTER CHALLENGE WEEK #5

Each week, I am choosing a card of my own to redo. I'm choosing one or two different elements to change. The rest of the card will stay the same or close to it. Please play along and remake one of your own cards! For fun, tell us why you chose the card you did! Post it back to this thread for everyone to see. If you use SCS, please use the keyword: BAC05.

BEFORE

I chose this card because I love the summer image and the layout. I wanted to soften the colors while adding some detail. My biggest obstacle was the background... I traded Shapes & Shadows a long time ago. So I had to figure out what I had that would suit the main image.



AFTER

I chose to use Stitched BG because I thought the flowers were similar in shape to the ones on the beach chair. I changed the colors to soft earthy colors that remind me of a relaxing beach at Mackinaw City. (People don't actually swim there, but it's great for sight-seeing!) I hadn't intended on changing the sentiment, but "happy summer" was too big for what I had planned when adding details.

Stamps: Sparkling Summer & Stitched - SU, sentiment - MFT
Paper: bashful blue, white, chocolate chip
Ink: brown stazon, bashful blue
Accessories: Copic & SU markers, ribbon, eyelet, brad, small oval punch, dimensionals

Happiness is...

Happiness is Pacific Blue!

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this new in-color. I have secretly been missing this color since switching from Creative memories to Stampin' Up! I already know that I will be stocking up on this color come next summer.

Like all the cards in this post, this card uses the new level 3 hostess set, Happiness Always. I used craft white on the edges to soften the celery. I don't know where I got the brads, but they match this marvelous blue! :)

Stamps: Happiness Always, Stitched BG
Paper: pacific blue, certainly celery, white
Ink: same
Accessories: taffeta ribbon, brads, paper piercer & mat stack, diemsnionals
Techniques: sponging, 2-step stamping


Happiness is a fabulous color challenge!

I had seen Dawn's card in the gallery and was so excited to see it as the sample for tonight's color challenge posted by Emily. (Congrats Dawn and Emily on being the newest Dirty Dozen girls!)

On this card, I also used craft white to soften the bottom mat (almost amethyst). I also sponged so saffron for some sunshine. I'm not sure I like the double ribbon. Curvy Verses get well sentiment is stamped on the bottom right. This layout is from Taylored Expressions cupcake challenge #23 from a couple of weeks ago.

Stamps: Happiness Always, Curvy Verses, One of a Kind
Paper: almost amethyst, wild wasabi DSP, white
Ink: almost amethyst, wid wasabi, so saffron, craft white
Accessories: circle punch, ribbon, dimensionals
Techniques: sponging, 2-step stamping



Happiness is Butterfly Dreams!

When I first saw the leaves in this set, I wasn't sure what I would do with them.... They are so big compared to the flowers. LOL! But some gallery viewing showed me that I didn't have to use them with the flowers. Boy am I thankful for SCS! :)

Stamps: Happiness Always, Itty Bitty Backgrounds
Paper: wild wasabi, basic balck, very vanilla
Ink: wild wasabi, black, groovy guava
Accessories: ribbon, brads, paper piercer & mat stack
Techniques: sponging, 2-step stamping

Riding Hood Red - I love it!

My In-colors arrived! I ordered riding hood red, pacific blue, and pink pirouette. I LOVE them all. I don't remember being this excited over in-colors before. I can already see myself needing to stock up next summer before they retire. LOL! Riding hood red is not as bright as real red, darker than ruby red or cranberry crisp, but not quite barouque brugundy.

I made this card for the featured stamper challenge on SCS.

Featured Stamper: Stephanie.Hargis

I used the same layout & rub-on sentiment. I used similar silk flowers. And I kept it a non-stamping card!

I changed the colors, DP style, and used a button instead of a gem brad.

Here's Stephanie's beautiful card.

Thanks Leigh Anne for the gorgeous ribbon!

Paper: riding hood red, white, DCWV retro mat stack
Accessories: Heidi Swapp flowers, clear button & thread, SAB rub-ons, American Crafts ribbon

HE SHOOTS! HE SCORES!

Well, maybe not this time.

You may have thought this set of cute basketball images from TAC was just for scrapbook pages, thank yous for coaches and maybe a few boy birthday cards. But the possibilities are endless! Doesn't this basketball look like he's having one of "those" day? I couldn't resist, so I used my own handwriting for the sentiment. I didn't want it to look like a Halloween card or a masculine card, so I added the apricot flower DP and the popped up punched flower.

Stamps: Nothin' But Net - TAC
Paper: pumpkin pie, basic black, apricot appeal & DSP, white
Ink: black
Accessories: SU markers, 5-petal punch, button & thread, Michael's Halloween ribbon

SCS Sketch Challenge Cards

When I first saw the sketch, I freaked out! It looked so hard! And then I went to bed late because I came up with 2 ideas. LOL!

This is My Story

I just had to say that! Because Mothermark is the hostess this week.... and obviously there has to be a story about this card because why else would I make such a thing.

What is that thing you ask?

Robot Clones

What in the world?

Well, like most teenagers, DS is obsessed with video games, TV, and $$. But unlike most teens, my DS is also obsessed with robots and clones... and when you combine them... it's even better... supposedly. LOL! Who is supposed to understand teenagers anyway???

Well, this was the only thing that popped into my mind when thinking about the 3 little triangles. I'm going to try and make something prettier tomorrow. :)

This card is slightly larger than a standard A2 card. I won't be needing an envelop for it, so it's OK with me. :)

Stamps: Toy Box, Family Phrases, Background Basics
Paper: real red, basic black, kraft, white
Ink: black
Accessories: markers, paper piercer, eyelets
Techniques: faux stitching


Ladybugs

No story for my second SC184 card... except maybe that yesterday I found a Copic marker that matches cool caribbean! :)

Stamps: Fluffles - Stampendous, Stampin' Up - Itty Bitty Borders, Polka Dots & Paisley
Paper: cool caribbean, basic black, real red, white
Ink: black stazon
Accessories: Copics for coloring, SU black marker for dots, ribbon

By the way, I'm loving stamping with my unmounted stamps.

Before & After Challenge #4

Each week, I'll have you choose a card of your own to redo. Each week there will be a different element to change. The rest of the card should stay the same or close to it. For fun, tell us why you chose the card you did! Post it back to this thread for everyone to see. If you use SCS, please use the keyword: BAC04.


BEFORE

I like the basic idea of this card. The inside has a cute verse for a newborn baby. But there are 2 things that just had to be changed: It needed to be lightened up... more white space maybe & the background just seemed.... hmmm - wrong. LOL!






AFTER

Color: rose red and blush blossom was changed to this week's color challenge: chocolate chip, groovy guava, and barely banana. And I used a mostly white background to keep it "lighter".

Background: I used stars to match the image and verse inside the card. To get it to "blend" in better, I stamped of with groovy guava using Itty Bitty Backgrounds.

Other Minor Changes: I changed the embellishments a bit.

Stamps: Cute As A Bug, Classic & Itty Bitty BGs, sentiment border from Hero Arts
Accessories: CM custom cutting system, Marvy scallop punch, brads, ribbons, markers & guava reinker

These cards measure 4.25 square. I use A Muse 4.5 square envelopes.

OMG! 3 DAYS

I took me 3 days to unmount my stamps! My fingers are soooo sore! But I knew if I stopped, I would put off finishing it. For now, my background stamps will stay on wood. And I haven't unmounted the alphabets yet since I haven't been scrapbooking like I should.

But the rest.... unmounted. I filled 3 large Stampin' Up boxes! Wow! I had no idea I owned that many stamps. The space I have gained in absolutely incredible! As soon as I have my craft room cleaned and reorganized the way I like it, I'll post pictures. It's a huge mess right now with extra clamshells cases and piles of sets for sale or trade. Yup! You heard that right. These are just the stamps I'm keeping!

Deciding what was OK to mount was very hard for me. I am very bad about selling and trading sets. I'm getting better at choosing stamps I will use for a long time. Which is good, because unmounted stamps don't sell or trade well.


Due to cost, only my sentiments and verses are mounted on EZ Mount right now. Eventually, all my stamps will be in binders. This 2.5 inch binder stores almost all of my sentiments. It holds 5 pages of stamps (front & back). In between each page of stamps are stamped images for finding and locating what I need. (It also helped me see that a couple were upside down! LOL!) The stamped image sheets are in page protectors. There are 5 sets of stamps on the page you see in the photo.




What to do with all those clamshell cases?

Consolidate.

There are 4 sets of small background stamps in the extra large case. I have these carefully mounted at a corner of the wood blocks and line them up well when I'm stamping.... I don't want to mess that up. The large background stamps are displayed on a bookshelf. I've never had room to display them before! Wow! Maybe I'll start using them again! LOL!

The medium case holds 4 sets. They are labeled on the index card. I was careful to keep themes together while placing different styles & colors of rubber together in one shell so I could easily identify which set the stamps come from. Some of the boxes also holds individual stamps. I will slowly be mounting these on EZ mount and placing them in a binder. For now, I'm using the naked rubber on the acrylic blocks with Tack 'N Peel from Tsukinek.... cheap!

The tiny case holds photo corner punches I received from my PIF friends! These little ones are sooo awesome! They hold lots of things like embellishments and other small supplies. The larger one are great for holding mat stack sized designer paper, markers, and more! Some of mine are holding game pieces!

The cases I don't need are being sold. People buy these things! Even the blocks (new ones only) can be sold on Ebay. Cool!

Now I need to catch up on stamping, blogging, and challenges. I will post the new week of challenges soon. First, I think the family wants dinner. Geesh!

Home of the Brave

Happy 4th of July to my American Friends!

This is yet another image I received from my wonderful PIF friends. The sentiment is hand written.

Stamps: Hometown Pride - Cornish Heritage Farms
Paper: white, close to cocoa, chocolate chip
Ink: chocolate chip
Accessories: chocolate chip, real red, & brilliant blue markers, white gel pen, hodgepodge hardware, chocolate chip taffeta ribbon

Pinks & Browns

The PIF challenge has moved to Fridays! PIF (Pay It Forward) is a type of swap found in the Swap forum under the Everything Else sub-forum. Want a lot of new images but can't afford the stamps? Come see us! It's fun!

Riley???

I think I turned Riley into Sophia! Oh my! But real moose wear pink, right?!?

This is a double challenge:
Hannah Stamps summer/outdoor challenge
PIF Challenge #2 - Use Pinks & Browns

I used a chocolate chip marker to add dots on Riley's boots and to draw stripes on the pot. I used a rub-on on the watering can.

This card measures 4.25 square. I use A Muse 4.5 square envelopes.

Stamps: Garden Riley - Hannah Stamps, Polka Dots & Paisley - SU
Paper: chocolate chip, creamy caramel, white, pretty in pink
Ink: black stazon, chocolate chip, creamy caramel
Accessories: SAB rub-ons, Copic markers, chocolate chip SU marker, ribbon, circle punch, brad



Did you know that I keep a running weekly listing of all the challenges I find on the web? You can find the link here.

Underthehoodybella

Stamps: Underthehoodybella - Stamping Bella
Paper: chocolate chip, white, pretty in pink DSP, Loves Me DP
Ink: black stazon
Accessories: SU markers, spiral clip, ribbons, dazzling diamonds

Before & After Challenge #3

Welcome to the third Before & After Challenge!

Each week, I'll have you choose a card of your own to redo. Each week there will be a different element to change. The rest of the card should stay the same or close to it. For fun, tell us why you chose the card you did! Post it back to this thread for everyone to see. If you use SCS, please use the keyword: BAC03.

BEFORE

I chose to redo my color challenge card from yesterday. I wasn't really happy with it and was thinking it was the Swiss Dots panel. Did it need to be changed or tweaked? I didn't know. But I was lucky to get lots of feedback on SCS yesterday. I found out the the Swiss Dots layer was well like. People loved the layout. And the DP looking stamped bakground was a hit, too. The advice I received was to add layers that would make it pop because purely pomegranate is a strong bold color.


AFTER

So, the card at the left is the result. I added both black and purely pomegranate layers to achieve the Pop factor. I also changed the double stitched ribbon to wine organdy because the new card looked more elegant to me. So, what do you think: Did I get the Pop factor?

Stamps: Live Your Dream, Tiny Talk
Paper: purely pomegranate, basic black, white
Ink: purely pomegranate, basic black, certainly celery, wild wasabi
Accessories: SU markers, blender pen w/ wasabi reinker, circle punches, CB Swiss Dots, ribbon
Techniques: stamping off

All images from Stampin' Up!

Pay It Forward

I made this card for the first PIF Image challenge on Splitcoast. PIF (Pay It Forward) is a type of swap found in the Swap forum under the Everything Else sub-forum. Want a lot of new images but can't afford the stamps? Come see us! It's fun!

Stamps: Changito - Stampendous, sentiment - SU's Mini Mates
Paper: wild wasabi, basic black, white, wild wasabi DSP, DCWV retro mat stack
Ink: black
Accessories: Copic markers, ribbon, brad, white gel pen, black marker for dots

Supplies are from Stampin' Up unless noted differently.

Featured Stamper Inspirations

Hoppy 4 You

Featured Stamper: chelemom

I used the same layout and a similar sentiment. Here's Michele's cute card.

Stamps: Just So Hoppy - Gina K Designs, Boho Backgrounds & Brushstroke Numbers - SU
Paper: black, creamy caramel
Ink: creamy caramel , white, Apple Cider DP
Accessories: ribbon, Copic markers, creamy caramel, CM custom cutting system, circle punch







Wish Big

Featured Stamper: Lzappa

I used the same layout as the card on the left in the grouping. I changed the DP and main image. Here's Lisa's adorable set of cards.

Stamps: Stamping Bella, Short & Sweet, Priceless
Paper: bashful blue, white, certainly celery, certainly celery DSP, Cutie Pie DP
Ink: black, bashful blue
Accessories: Marvy flower punch, gem bling, markers

All colored cardstock & ink are from Stampin' Up!

At the Bakery

I guess yesterday's sweet tooth wasn't satisfied, yet! :)

This card is a double challenge card!

I used the colors from today's SCS inspiration challenge. And I made an awning card using Taylored Expressions cupcake sketch challenge.

For more great challenges this week around the web, you can find links here.

For my tutorial on blending & coloring with Copics, click here.

Stamps: Baking Riley - Hannah Stamps, sentiment - SU's Eat Cake
Paper: bashful blue, chocolate chip, white, real red DSP, Apple Cider DP
Ink: brown stazon
Accessories: Copic markers, slit & circle punches, chocolate ribbon

All supplies are from Stampin' Up unless noted differently.

Sweet Tooth!

I definitely have a sweet tooth! I was so excited to get MFT's new set, Here's the Scoop. I made this first card for today's Limited Supply Challenge... the only embellishment we could use were brads. And it had to be incorporated into the image. So, I used a red brad for the cherry as well as a few extra brown brads. It was so hard not to use ribbon, but I survived once I added the circle sentiment.

For more great weekly challenges on the web, click here.

Stamps: Here's the Scoop - MFT, Polka Dots & Paisley (BG) - Stampin' Up!
Paper: chocolate chip, close to cocoa, white, real red, real red DSP, bashful blue DSP
Ink: black, brown stazon, chocolate chip
Accessories: Copic markers, chocolate chip marker, non-SU red & brown brads, circle punches, dimensionals
Techniques: sponging

The cards in this posting measure 4.25 square. I use A Muse 4.5 square envelopes.



I had fun making this cupcake birthday card. I love brown & pink together. I found the cute little cupcake in the dollar bin at Michael's.

Stamps: cupcake - Michael's $1 stamp, Polka Dots & Paisley and Favorite Teddy Bear (sentiment) - Stampin' Up!
Paper: regal rose, close to cocoa, white
Ink: brown stazon, close to cocoa, regal rose
Accessories: SU markers, spiral clip, non-SU ribbon, white EP, Marvy scallop punch









This cute flowering cupcake card was made using a sketch created by mytime (Lauren). I combined a lot of stamps to create this scene.

Stamps: Bugs & Kisses, Short & Sweet, Flower Filled, Because of You - Stampin' Up, Bee - Art Impressions
Paper: certainly celery, pumpkin pie, basic black, white
Ink: black, pumpkin pie, real red, certainly celery, so s affron
Accessories: SU markers, gingham ribbon


All supplies are from Stampin' Up unless noted differently.

Before & After Challenge #2

Welcome to the new Before & After Challenge!

Each week, I'll have you choose a card of your own to redo. Each week there will be a different element to change. The rest of the card should stay the same or close to it. For fun, tell us why you chose the card you did! Post it back to this thread for everyone to see. If you use SCS, please use the keyword: BAC02.

This week the change is with the LAYOUT. Yikes... this poor card needs a make-over. I made this card a couple of years ago when I first discovered designer paper was not just for scrapbooking! LOL! And well... the layout is dull and just not right with the dark DP.








My new card obviously has a new layout. I used today's sketch challenge on SCS. I used the same doggy image from Rubber Stampede, but I colored him with Copics. I used the same DP but combined it with a coordinating DP. I made a slight change in color to lighten it up... groovy guava instead of cameo coral. It's a perfect color match, but of course it didn't exist back then. I added some faux stitching and sponging... and voila... new card!

This card measures 4.25 square. I use A Muse 4.5 square envelopes.

Challenges: SC182, BAC2
Stamps: Fred - Rubber Stampede
Paper: groovy guava, chocolate chip, white, DCWV retro mat stack
Ink: black, chocolate chip
Accessories: ribbon, Copic markers, paper piercer & mat stack
Techniques: sponging, faux stitching

I've been tagged!

Angel (Angel's Creative World) tagged me. Thanks Angel!

1. I'm strange... I watch Walker, Texas Ranger several times a week on the Hallmark Channel.

2. I'm not much of a movie watcher, but I do like mini series type movies that would be shown on televsion: Anne of Green Gables, Sarah Plain & Tall, North & South.

3. I'm allergic to cats... but I have two. Zyrtec is a good thing! :)

4. I've become an avid PIFfer on SCS. What is that you say? New threads are formed frequently... for stamped images. It's sort of like a swap. But this concept is "Pay It Forward". You can snag an image you've been wanting, but can't afford to buy the stamp, from the current list. If you're first... several copies get sent to you. Then you put up a list of stamps you have. The first person who snags will PM their address. You stamp copies and send them off. Now I warn you.... It's addicting. And there is a lot of chatting and making friends. :) You will find this in the Swap forum on SCS under the Everything Else section.

5. I spend way too much time stamping or on the computer when I'm at home. I really should be doing housework right now. (wink) Please don't come over unannounced if you're a neat freak!

6. I hate driving in traffic, especially turning left into traffic without a stop light. So, I'll plan my trip ahead of time to try and avoid the situation.

7. I started getting gray hair in my early 30s. I color my hair... I'm way too young for it.... And it is too expensive. But I'm not going all natural like my Grandma did. :)

Wow... It's so hard to tag people... I visit soooo many blogs. I'll try and find some that haven't been tagged recently.

1. The Stamper's Touch - Studbo
2. Stamp Your Heart Out - Jenn D
3. Dawn... A New Day - DawnL
4. Inky Paws - Jeanne S
5. It's All About Stamping - Wendy Janson
6. Paper and Such - hobbywoman
7. Scrapnextras

I found... Fourth of July Blog Candy!

What a cute package Deborah has put together on her blog, Beadn & Stampn. To enter all you have to do is tell your findest 4th of July memory. If you would be so kind, please mention that Miss Boo sent you. (I'll get an extra entry!)

Wild Wasabi, Taken with Teal, & White

This was the color challenge on SCS, today. I decided to try two very different looks: cutesy and elegant.

Shore Do Love You

Challenges: CC172, TLC174, Mojo40
Stamps: Changito Pool Guy - Stampendous, starfish & sentiment - SU Crab & Company
Paper: wild wasabi DSP, taken with teal, white
Ink: black
Accessories: wasabi & teal reinkers, teal marker, wasabi striped ribbon, circle & slit punches, CM custom cutting system, Marvy scallop punch, white gel pen







Nature's Smile

The sentiment is from Vases in Vogue. I added the dots and lightly sponged the edges with teal.

Challenges: CC172, TLC174
Stamps: Oh, So Lovely, Vases in Vogue
Paper: wild wasabi, taken with teal, white
Ink: black, taken with teal
Accessories: reinkers, ribbon, oval punches, black marker

For more weekly challenges from around the web, click here.

All supplies used were from Stampin' Up unless noted differently.

All A Buzz......

.... over Happy Bees and Mojo sketches! :)

I have fallen in love with the Happy Bee collection from Stampendous. I've been fortunate enough to get some images from friends as well as purchase some. But I'm too cheap to spend a lot on sentiments. I'm glad I like my handwriting! LOL! All the sentiments on these cards were handwritten.

Queen for A Day

Challenge: Mojo43
Stamps: Bee Queen - Stampendous
Paper: pretty in pink, pretty in pink DSP, white, so saffron
Ink: black
Accessories: SU markers, CM scallop scissors, CM custom cutting system, Marvy scallop punch, ribbon, dimensionals




Watermelon Bee

I don't use these colors until summer... and then I love them!

Challenge: Mojo37
Stamps: Watermelon Bee - Stampendous, Boho Backgrounds - Stampin' Up
Paper: white, green galore, pixie pink, pink passion
Ink: black, pink passion
Accessories: Copic markers for coloring, green galore marker for doodling, Offray ribbon, eyelets, dimensionals



Bee Free

I love patriotic cards! I never know enough people to send them too, but I love making them! Too bad Independence Day wasn't a Hallmark holiday. LOL!

Challenge: Mojo25
Stamps: Biker Bee - Stampendous
Paper: real red, real red DSP, brilliant blue, white
Ink: black
Accessories: Copic markers for coloring, brilliant blue marker for sentiment, ribbon, oval punches, white gel pen

For more great challenges around the web, click here for links!

All cardstock and supplies from Stampin' Up unless noted differently.

Out of the Box Baby Cards

I've needed a few baby cards over the last few months. I wanted to make some that were not as common. I like traditional, too, but not this time!

The first card uses the paper tole technique. This technique creates layers of dimension as seen on the lion. The cameo mane is popped up with dimensionals. The the face is popped up again on more dimensionals. The elephant's ear and one of the leaves are also popped up once. I can't remember what set the leaves came from. Maybe Watercolor Minis?

Stamps: Wild About You, Mini Mates
Paper: white, cameo coral, apricot appeal DSP, apricot appeal, close to cocoa
Ink: same + mellow moss
Accessories: ribbon, circle & square punches, cameo marker, dimensionals
Techniques: paper tole





The second card uses an adorable image from Penny Black called Rainin' Daisies. I thought the "shower of flowers" with the cute teddy made a great baby shower card.

Stamps: Rainin' Daisies - Penny Black, sentiment - SU Mini Mates
Paper: certainly celery, bashful blue DSP, Cutie Pie DP, white
Ink: black, bashful blue, celery
Accessories: Copic markers, ribbon, oval punch

All supplies from Stampin' Up unless noted differently.

Look at those waves!

Riding the Waves

Surf's up for the star! Doesn't Riley look cool in his Bermuda trunks?! This card was made for one of the Hannah Stamps PJ party challenges to use stars. This poor card is the results of hiding many mistakes. LOL! Hopefully you can't notice them, now. Right click on the photo too get a bigger view. Find out what they are after the recipe. :)

Stamps: Surf Riley - Hannah Stamps, So Swirly jumbo wheel - SU
Paper: temtping turquoise, pumpkin pie, only orange, white
Ink: black, tempting turquoise, pumpkin pie
Accessories: Copic markers for coloring, SU markers for the dots, CM custom cutting system, dimensionals
Techniques: sponging

OK... Did you see the mistakes? 1) Do you like Riley off-centered? Well, he's like that because I goofed on the setting of my circle cutter. I stopped right away and tried to realign it. But he's not just off-center, the circle "over-lapped" meaning it didn't end at the right place. The stars were not supposed to be positioned quite like that. The bottom right ones are hiding the cutting blunder. 2) I punched the only orange stars to match the shorts. I was having trouble with the layout I thought I was going to use. I turned it over. One of the layers was too bright and out of place. But what if I had a subtle & mostly hidden one? I grabbed the nearest orange cs, only it was pumpkin pie! I did NOT notice the difference in oranges until I was taking the picture! So, back to the table. How do I tone down the only orange? I added pumpkin dots to the stars to go along with the other dot borders. Not enough. So, I got a dauber and sponged pumpkin pie ink in the middle of the stars..... and called it good. I'm sure the untrained recipient of this card will have no idea, but it's still bugging me. LOL! Boy am I exhausted!


Making Waves

What a talented skier Riley is! He can water ski one-handed and wave at his admirers! This card measures 4.25 square. I use 4.5 square A Muse envelopes. This card was also made the Hannah Stamps PJ party challenges. This time the challenge called for punches. I used square, circle, & photo corner punches. I was able to use all scraps of the DSP. I save all sizes of designer paper scraps!!!

Stamps: Riley - Hannah Stamps, sentiment - SU In the Spotlight
Paper: real red, brilliant blue, bashful blue, bashful blue DSP, white
Ink: black, bashful blue (sponging)
Accessories: Copic markers for coloring, gingham ribbon, square, circle, & photo corner punches, SU red marker for dots
Techniques: sponging

These fun challenges were found ion the Hannah Stamps forum at SCS. There were five in all to celebrate the release of new Riley stamps! Oh they are soooo cute! I wish I could have bought them all. These are the ones coming to my mailbox soon: School Riley, Sick Riley, Baking Riley, Santa Riley, Vampire Riley, Carrying a Tree Riley, & Pumpkin Patch Riley. You can see all the Riley stamps here. And as always, I had to get a couple new Copic markers. :) For my tutorial on blending & coloring with Copics, click here.

All cardstock and designer paper is from Stampin' Up!