Challenge Week 33 - Color Combo - Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie, Rose Red & Taken w/Teal

I have always wanted to CASE the card on page 163 of the catty (shown at left) and I figured this challenge would lend itself to it nicely.

This week's color combo was great fun to play with... the Pumpkin and Rose Red really warm up the Teal and Olive. I'm not a huge fan of Teal, so I only used a little bit of it. And, thanks to SU's new rub-ons, I only stamped ONE image - cool, huh?

Some things to note - the dry embossed flower on the Pumpkin square did not show up well on the textured c/s, so I outlined it with a marker... I think it gives a little more definition without overpowering the effect. Also, I put rub-ons on BOTH sides of the clear button.

I LOVE how the card turned out - it was lot's
of fun creating each little square and the
rub-ons made everything SUPER EASY!

Supplies -

Stamps: Be Happy

Ink: Purely Pomegranate

Paper: Kraft, Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie Textured, Rose Red,
Whisper White & Taken w/Teal Cardstocks

Access: Love and Happiness Rub-ons, Pomegranate Dbl Stitched Ribbon, Hodgepodge Hardware, Clear Buttons, Pumpkin Pie Marker, 1 1/4" Square Punch, 1/16" Circle Handheld Punch, Pick a Petal Brass Template, Crystal Effects to adhere clear button, Scotch Dbl-Sided Foam Tape.

Technostampers Sketch Challenge #2

I'm a little behind posting my challenge card - this was LAST Monday's assignment, but since I actually finished the card, thought I'd go ahead and share. You'll have to click the image to see the glitter.

The sketch was created by Mary Jo at Technostamper. Wanna play along? Head on over to MJ's site and check out Sketch #3. Be sure to leave a comment with a link to your post... and have fun!















Supplies:
Stamps: Time for You, Level 3 Hostess Set
Ink: Soft Sky, Blue Bayou, River Rock, Black Stazon
Paper: Soft Sky, Blue Bayou, River Rock, Whisper White
Access: Lovely Lilac Watercolor Crayon, Aquapainter, Love & Happiness Rub-ons, Paper Piercer & Template, Pick A Petal Brass Template, Corner Rounder Punch, Spica Clear Glitter Pen, Dimensionals.

Blogger Challenge Rules & Players

Because the member list has gotten so long, I'm adding it here as a post of it's own. Whenever you want to see what we are doing, simply click on the Blogger Challenge Logo on my sidebar, and you'll be directed here, for the list of current players.

Here's the game - each week, members participate in a different stamping/paper crafting challenge. The due date for posting your creation on your blog is supposed to be Friday (but sometimes people are late, so please check back.) It's always fun and interesting to see how every member interprets the challenge.

Amanda Sewell
Amber Porter
Amy Caraluzzi
Anita Van Hal
Anna Wight
Barbara Dondero
Beckie Carlson
Carole Burrage
Charlotte Brown
Claudia Perry
Connie Babbert
Denise Wenzloff
Gerrie Johnnic
Ida Krause
Jane Bosi
Jeannette Swain
Julie Campbell (music)
Julie Glasgow
Karen Foltz
Kim Howard
Lauren Meader
Leigh O'Brien
Lila Holgate
Lisa Bohler
Lisa Somerville *Challenge Mom
Lori Tecler
Lynn Mercurio
Marilyn SanClemente
Mary Jo Price-Williams (music)
Pat Huntoon
Sheryl Dickinson
Stefanie Summerer
Susie Moore
Toni Tessler
Vicki Garrett

Technostampers Sketch Challenge #1

Another challenge card - this is for the Technostampers Group which is hosted by Mary Jo at Techno Stamper

I used the new Rub-Ons from Stampin' Up! and you'll be able to get them for FREE when you spend $50 beginning in February!

Please be sure to check out the other challenge players - links are on Mary Jo's site. Join us for the next sketch challenge - posted every Monday.

Supplies
Stamps: None!
Ink: None!
Paper: Cutie Pie DSP, So Saffron C/S, Whisper White C/S
Access: Love & Happiness Rub-Ons, 5 Petal Flower Punch, Pomegranate Dbl-Stitched Ribbon, Dots Brass Template, Dimensionals.

Challenge Week 30 - Color Combo - Real Red, Blue Bayou & River Rock

Hello Blogger Challenge Friends!

I haven't played in a while, and I made a promise to myself that I would try to do a challenge every month. So, when I saw this week's color combo, I knew I'd participate because I love these colors.

Supplies -
Stamps: Three for You (Punch Box Set)
Ink: River Rock & Blue Bayou Classic
Paper: River Rock & Blue Bayou C/S, Real Red Textured C/S, Dashing DSP (retired)
Access: Real Red Brads, Three for You Punch, 5 Petal Flower Punch, 1/16" Hole Punch, Pick A Petal Brass Template, Dimensionals.

Retired Stamp Sets for Sale

Take a look - sets priced at 30% OR MORE off original price. Clicking on the slideshow picture will take you to my flickr site where you can view all the sets super close.

Prices do NOT include shipping. Just send me an email with what you are interested in and your zip code, and I'll calculate the postage. Happy shopping!

All sets are mounted and used, unless noted otherwise.
All About U $19
All Year CheerI $20
Alphabits $11
Bold Basics $15
Brushstroke Alpha $25
Brushstroke Numbers $10
Bug Builders $15
Favorite Teddy Bear $20
Flower Filled $17
Fresh Fillers $6
Fun Filled $11
Headline Alpha $28
Lexicon of Love - UM $10
Love Ya Bunches $12
Made From Scratch - UM $6
Mini Messages $10
Natural Beauty $13
Noteworthy $5
Painted Posies - UM $10
Petal Pushers $17
Polka Dot Party $17
Sculpted Style - UM $5
Small Script - UM $5
Timeworn Trim - UM $5
Watercolor Minis - UM $11
Wheel - Gifts Galore $4
Wheel - Swirling Leaves $4

Hello & Happy Holidays!

Geesh, I can't believe the last time I posted was November 22... whew... where does the time go? So, is everyone ready for the BIG DAY? I'm not! Still have about 50 cards to make - hoping to get those done today, and shopping, wrapping, cleaning, cooking and everything else. I really LOVE Christmas... I really LOVE Christmas.... I really LOVE Christmas... right?

A stamper buddy blog tagged me, so I thought in the spirit of the season, I would play... but don't anyone else get any ideas... I really do HATE these things... Let's see I have to list 7 unknown or interesting facts about myself and then tag 7 other people.... Hah, hah, ha.... In the interest of the holidays... all of my facts are Christmas-related.

1. I really LOVE Christmas... at least that's what I keep telling myself every year!

2. We always cut our own tree... every year, we bundle up the kids, grab the dog, and trudge out to a tree farm. Then we roam all over the field, arguing over which tree is the right size, shape, etc. We now affectionately call it "The Annual Fight Over the Christmas Tree" trip. Hey... it's a tradition!

3. My kids (ages 7 and 9) still believe, but the effort to maintain the "lie" is really getting difficult. Last year, the question was "so... if Santa makes all the toys and gives them to the children, how come we have to donate toys and things for kids that are less fortunate?" Anyone have a good answer to that?

My lame-o response was... well, Mommies and Daddies have to give Santa money for the gifts... that's why some kids get more/less than others....?!

4. This year's question: "so... how do YOU pay Santa, Mommy?" Oy! I think I'm going to convert to Judaism. Happy Hannukah Everyone!

5. One year, when I was little (maybe 10 or 11), I decided to hunt for my Christmas presents. When I pulled a bag down from the top of my mother's closet, a giant candy cane fell and smashed into a million pieces... (ever seen that... it's just like glass!) I cleaned it up, but the funniest thing was when Christmas Day came, she had forgotten all about it, but the guilt consumed me, and I NEVER hunted for my presents again!

5. My favorite holiday movie is "Merry Christmas Charlie Brown"; my favorite song is The Carpenter's "Merry Christmas Darling."

6. The biggest thing I miss... my Mom & Dad coming to visit for Christmas... and all of us preparing for Christmas dinner on Christmas Eve.

7. My Christmas wish - the strength, patience, and wisdom to help me make it through another year!

Merry Christmas... Froehliche Weihnachten... God Jul... Feliz Navidad... Joyeux Noel... Mele Kalikimaka... Buone Feste Natalizie... Srozhdestvom Kristovym.

Now for the 7 elves I'm tagging:

1. Anna W.
2. Jane B.
3. Leigh O.
4. Lisa S. 'cause I know how much she LOVES this too!
5. Melanie S.
6. Sheryl D.
7. Vicki G.

Happy Birthday Jinnie

Just thought I would share some things that I've been doing since I dropped from the blogger challenges - this is a birthday card for my SIL, Jinnie. Her birthday is 11/24 and she is an avid quilter. So when I found this stamp in a LSS, I quickly snatched it up with her in mind.

It's a simple card with a simple message, but one that speaks from the heart, so I think she will like it. You should see the fabulous totes and bags she makes... I was thrilled to receive one for MY birthday last year... isn't it adorable?

BTW, if you'd like one for your very own... she can whip one up for only $50. They are very sturdy - I carry mine everywhere - filled with stamps to mount, knitting, and usually a magazine or two. If you are interested in getting one, send me an email and I'll contact you.

Card Supplies:
Stamps: Buttons and Patches (B Line Designs, LLC)
Ink: Soft Sky (Stampin' Up!)
Paper: Soft Sky, Naturals White, Old Olive (Stampin' Up), Amy Butler Designer Mat Pad (K&Company)
Access: Paper Piercer & Template, Buttons, Linen Thread

Challenge Week 20

So... did you miss me? Or did anyone even notice I didn't post last week? I have actually officially 'dropped' from the Blogger Challenge Group - it was just too much for me to keep up with. But when I saw the challenge for this week - using photos or magazine pictures - I thought I would jump back in, since (I think) I was the one who suggested this idea to Lisa.

In a former life (before stamping) I used to quilt - that was before cross stitch, which was before knitting, which was before stamping - well, I think you all know what I'm talking about! Anyway, I still adore the art of quilting, even though I don't actually 'do' any now. I attended a local quilt show a few years ago and was captivated by all the color and designs that filled the room. I snapped hundreds of pictures (don't ya just LOVE digital?) with the idea of turning them into cards "one day." And now, that day has come - this was so incredibly simple - Seriously, I tried to spiff it up a little by adding some stamping or punch corners, but anything I did took the focus away from the photo... so basically, it is a photo slapped onto cardstock with a simple saying. I wish you all could have seen this quilt up close - the artist had added beads along the windows and cute little flower sequins just above the row of stars. If you ever have a chance to attend a quilt show, please go see what people do with fabric... it is purely amazing!

Supplies:
Stamps: Punch Pals
Ink: Bashful Blue Marker
Paper: Bashful Blue C/S
Access: Stamp-a-ma-jig

Challenge Week 18 - Designer Series Paper

Well lookie lookie... today is Friday, and my challenge is done and posted... Whew! Why are deadlines so hard to meet?

This week's assignment was to use DSP as the focal point... I was going to be goofy and just slap a piece of paper on a card and stamp a sentiment... but then, as stamping goes, I just HAD to do a little more, then a little more, then... it's still pretty simple, which was my intent, and I don't think the DSP is actually the focal point... but the card is done, posted and on time... hey, can't have everything!

Challenge Week 17 - Inspiration

So, by now, you've figured out that I didn't participate in this challenge... all good intentions laid aside... I just ran out of time getting ready for our trip. Enough with excuses and promises... it is what it is folks... I try my best, but sometimes that's just not good enough.

My life philosophy - forgive or forget and MOVE ON!

Challenge Week 16 - Ornaments

Due October 12
To quote Alice's friend the White Rabbit...

"I'm late... I'm late... For a very important date. No time to say "Hello." Goodbye. I'm late, I'm late, I'm late."

I'm horribly, horribly late!

My sincere apologies... but I'll make up for it - we're going out of town this weekend, so I'll have to post this week's challenge on Thursday!

Supplies
Stamps: Loads of Love, Wild About You, Festive Favorites
Inks: Ballet Blue, Wild Wasabi, Basic Black, Real Red & Choc Chip Markers
Paper: Whisper White C/S
Access: Wild Wasabi Dbl Stitched Ribbon, Silver Cord (retired), Coluzzle, Dimensionals, Crystal Effects, Fake Snow (Michaels), Tin (I've had these for so long, I have no idea where it came from... most likely Michaels or AC Moore. But you can find them online.)

Challenge Week 15

Due October 5 - Use Black & Orange

Hello all ! I was completely uninspired by this week's challenge. It actually was a challenge just to sit down and stamp - what an awful feeling! So, I took the easy way out - I completely CASE'd a card from the catalog... well I changed a couple things, but for the most part I stole the idea on page 28.

Supplies

Stamps: Carved & Candlelit, EFP

Ink: Pumpkin Pie, Basic Black, Always Artichoke

C/S: Pumpkin Pie, Basic Black, Whisper White, Wild Wasabi

Access: Black Gingham Ribbon, Silver Brads, 1 1/4" Square Punch, Dimensionals, Paper Snips

Challenge Week 14

So, it's Saturday... bet y'all thought I wasn't going to participate this week huh? Well, guess what... even without a spectrum pad, I managed to fulfill my weekly obligation. I'm just a little late getting it posted...

The photo seems a tad bit overexposed (need to speak to my photographer!) because you can't really tell the spectrum colors - Bravo Burgundy, River Rock and Bashful Blue. So, what's cool when you don't own a spectrum pad, is that you can create your own colors... I just dabbed the stamp directly with a sponge of each color... kinda awesome, because you can 'place' the colors where you'd like... so the bottom half of the sentiment is in Bashful Blue, but I made sure the star dotting the 'j' was in River Rock. I also used a strip of Bashful Blue from the Winter Bright Simply Scrappin' kit and a touch of Crystal Effects on the top flowers.

Supplies:
Stamps: Season of Joy (Holiday Mini Collection)
Ink: Bravo Burgundy, River Rock, Bashful Blue, Sage Shadow
C/S: River Rock, Whisper White, Bravo Burgundy, Sage Shadow
Access: Burgundy Grosgrain, Winter Bright SS Kit; Crystal Effects, Sponges, Dimensionals

Challenge Week 14

Due September 28 - Use a spectrum pad on your card or project.

Guess what... I don't own one! LOL. So, I may opt 'out' this week, or do a 'faux' technique instead... hmmmmm... check back on Friday to see what my decision was!

Want to play along? Next week the challenge is to use Orange & Black... post your card on your blog by Friday, OctoBOOer 5. Send me your link and I'll post it on my blog!

Happy Stamping!

Blog Candy *Winner*

And the winner is.....


* * * Cheryl KVD * * *


Cheryl posted this comment -

I LOVE Papercrafts magazine....it is my favorite! I subscribe to Making Memories, but when it runs out, I'm switching to Papercrafts. I like the projects they have. Thanks!

So congratulations to Cheryl... please email me your address, and I'll get your magazines out to you right away.

Many thanks to the rest of you for posting and visiting my blog. I hope you enjoy my card creations... feel free to visit my other blogger friends' sites listed on the left.

Happy Stamping Everyone!

Challenge Week 13

Due September 21 - Embossing

Dry embossing is my all time, absolute FAVORITE technique. I just love the subtly and dimension it adds. So for this challenge, I knew just where to look for inspiration - Lasting Impressions. Their designs, papers and templates are adorable and so fun. So, without further ado...
... say 'Hello' to Witchy Poo.

Do you recognize her nose? It is the petal from the Pick A Petal template... I think I am on a quest to see how many things I can create using that set and template. LOL.

I also dry embossed her eyes, hat band and background paper. But, I can't take all the credit - my design inspiration came from Lasting Impressions' Idea Book #27 - shown here -

It seems that I've developed quite a habit of creating cards that are more paper crafted, rather than stamped. So, that's going to be my self-made challenge next week - to return to the land of rubber!

Supplies:

Stamps: None

Ink: None

C/S: More Mustard, Sahara Sand, Lovely Lilac, Gable Green, Basic Black, Whisper White.

Access: Pick A Petal & Dots Brass Templates, Stylus, Chocolate Chip Taffeta Ribbon, Paper Snips, 1/2" circle punch, Black Marker, Dimensionals

Candy Anyone?

I have three issues of Paper Crafts magazine (March, April & June 2007) that I'd like to send off to someone who wants them. These are new copies - never been opened!

Out of all the mags out there... this one is my favorite... I think the projects are clever and creative and more 'mainstream' than some of the other publications.

So, do 'ya want them? Just leave a comment and tell me what your favorite magazine is and I'll pick a winner (randomly, of course) on Friday, September 21.

Challenge Week 12

Due September 14 - Inspired by....pick something - say a pattern in a piece of clothing, colors in a rug. Some design that inspires you.

My inspiration for this challenge comes from a new knitting book I just bought. Yes, I knit too... I love stamping, but there's nothing like the soothing 'click clack' sound of the needles and warmth of soft wool gathering in your lap. Besides, it's something I can do without my kids bugging me to 'help' or use my supplies... LOL.

I just love this scarf - it's so fun and the colors so cheerful.

My photos are awful - sorry, gang... hubby is away and I'm reduced to taking my own pics.

So, when I started planning my card, I knew I wanted to re-create the floppiness of the flowers and make them 3D... I remembered Lisa Somerville's flower card I received in a swap and the next thing I knew...

TA-DA... scarf meets paper...
The flowers were easy to make - I just used the circle & oval punches for the petals and rolled the c/s around the end of a paintbrush. Centers are from a knotted piece of grosgrain.

As my son would say... it takes paper crafting "to a whole new level!"

Supplies:
Stamps: Warm Words
Ink: Wild Wasabi
C/S: Very Vanilla, Rose Red, Real Red, Cameo Coral, PIxie Pink
Access: Lg Circle Punch, Lg Oval Punch, 1/4" Cicle Punch, Celery Grosgrain Ribbon, Paintbrush, DSP Celery.

My First Bella

Do you know what Bella's are? They are the hippest, cutest, and completely fun stamps from Stamping Bella. I have a bunch, but this is my first one on paper.

My daughter turned 7 on September 2nd, and her party is in a couple weeks. She's having a ROCK IDOL party at Justice where she and her friends will get a makeover and party right in the store... they turn up the music and dance around and have a blast.

So, I thought ROCKABELLA would be perfect for her invite... I picked up some pre-printed cards/envies at Target (8 for $1... can't beat that!); slapped on my cutie bella and punched out a sentiment... and waaa laah... invites - made and in the mail - in 1 day! Rock out everyone.