Blogger’s Challenge–Pets

Today’s theme for the Blogger’s Challenge Group is “Pets”. That really is an easy one for me as I LOVE my “puppies” and seems like a good time to start sharing projects again.

A little while back, I finally created some scrapbook pages in “My Digital Studio” honoring Maggie. She was our first “child” and last year we had to make the very hard decision to relieve her of her pain.

Here are my pages:

The page above captures it perfectly. You see, the dog bed really belonged to Annie “the new baby” at that time. But Maggie decided from the get go to show who’s boss and took over the bed and toys whenever she wanted. The other 2 always respected her!

The journaling reads: “She just loved her tennis balls and chew bones, and enjoyed her walks even with her bad hip!”

Even though it’s been a little over a year now, we still miss her, but know she’s in a better place!

Blogger’s Challenge – It’s a Bird

So today for the Blogger's Challenge Group we've had to have a bird in our design. At first I was going to approach it the "traditional" way and use one of our bird stamps. But then I still had the "green electronic cutting bug" hooked up to my computer and started to think: "My Digital Studio - Cheap Talk" and cutter = way cute bird! And sure enough, it worked out just the way I wanted it!

Here it is:



And a closer look so you can see that wonderful sparkly 3D wing:



Not much stamping, I admit - But I LOOOOOOVE this cute birdie!

Supplies

Stamps: "A word for You"

Paper: Marina Mist, Pear Pizzazz, Whisper White, Regals Pattern DSP

Ink: Not Quite Navy

Accessories: Marina Mist Taffeta Ribbon , Jumbo Brads, Baja Breeze Glass Glitter over Crystal Effects, Dimensionals

Tools: Square Lattice Embossing Folder  

I hope you all will have a wonderful weekend!

Blogger’s Challenge – It’s a Sketch (Yay!)

LOL did  you see me do the skip? You know how much I love playing with sketches and this one is another pretty easy one… Thanks, Lisa!

Here is the Sketch:

And today  I was so in the mood to make flowers with my very cool “Build a Blossom” stamp set and matching “Blossoms Petal” Punch… so that’s what I did:

And a close-up for you:

Colors used: Crumb Cake, Tangerine Tango, Daffodil Delight, Whisper White.

Tip:
The 1/8” Taffeta Ribbon works pretty well with those huge buttons :-)

This is another card, where I’ve colored my pearls with “Sharpie” markers… So I might be addicted to that along with using the shimmer mist. Heheheee!

I hope we’ll have some nice weather this weekend so we can enjoy a little time outside… if the allergies will allow…

Happy Friday to all!

Blogger’s Challenge – Spring Flowers

Today’s Blogger’s Challenge Theme is “Spring Flowers”. Well that is an easy one for me because you know just how much I love my “Fun Flowers” Die.

I am going to my Scentsy Upline’s house tonight and she asked to bring some snacks. So I made a fun basket and filled it with the Almond Joy Pieces (see the blue ones matching our Pacific Point!).

The original idea to modify the Petal Cone die to make a basket came from Sharon Field. She is a genius like that!

Here is my take on it:

 

Supplies

Stamps: Confetti, Punch Bunch

Paper: Tempting Turquoise, Pacific Point, Whisper White

Ink:Tempting Turquoise, Melon Mambo

Accessories:  Ice Cream Parlor DSP and Buttons, Rhinestone, Paper Daisies

Tools: Mini Glue Dots, Dimensionals, Fun Flowers Die, Scallop Circle Punch

I used the “Confetti” Stamp set and stamped it in Tempting Turquoise ink all over the the basket before assembling it.

The “original basket” has a handle, but I opted not to put one on, because I was afraid it would not support the weight of my treats :-)

Blogger’s Challenge – It’s a Birthday

Today’s theme for the Blogger’s Challenge is an easy one: Birthday! We’re always in need of those cards!

This week again, I was able double up on challenges! Love it when it works out like that. The SUDSOL CASE challenge was a very easy one – see here:

And in combination of the 2, I came up with this little card:

I’ve used the stamp set “Elements of Style and added a little speckling, sponging and shimmer mist… The CS measures 4 1/4 by 8 1/2, so when you fold it it makes a 4 1/4 inch square card…

The greeting oval was popped up as well as the scallop oval. Just so it would have some extra dimension, since it’s a one-layer-card.

Hope you’ll have a wonderful weekend!

Blogger’s Challenge

Today’s Blogger’s Challenge was to use the colors Peach, Green and White (or Vanilla).  We are allowed to add neutrals as needed.

And since I haven’t participated in the SUDSOL challenges much lately, I decided to do that as well and combine the two.

The CASE challenge there was to copy a sample from the demonstrator magazine “Stampin’ Success”, which was this one:

So the colors that I chose are of course completely different because I am following the Blogger’s Challenge colors. See:

I really like how my distressed flower turned out! I simply spritzed the flowers with water, waded them up, let dry a little. But while still moist I stamped over them with the Sanded Background in Crumb Cake ink. Then I heat set them so they would keep  the crinkles.

Supplies

Stamps: Sanded, Teeny Tiny Whishes

Paper: Peach Parfait, Pear Pizzazz, Wild Wasabi, Whisper White

Ink: Crumb Cake, Pear Pizzazz, Wild Wasabi,

Accessories: Antique Brads, Bolds Brads

Tools: Fun Flowers Die, Square Lattice Embossing Folder, Elegant Bouquet Embossing Folder, Modern Label Punch and matching shape in Movers & Shapers Die

This is a very simple card and can be duplicated in a snap!

Happy Friday…

Blogger’s Challenge – Embossing

For FRIDAY’s Blogger’s Challenge (yes, I am late!), we were to use any kind of embossing. While there are the more traditional ways of embossing such as heat embossing, emboss resist and so on, I chose the embossing with embossing folders…

Supplies

Stamps:
Teeny Tiny Whishes

Paper:
Wild Wasabi, Whisper White

Ink:
Crumb Cake (sponged onto flower), Early Espresso (Greeting), Always Artichoke CRAFT spot (sponged over embossed Frame)

Accessories:
Antique Brads, Brads, White Organza Ribbon, Dimensionals

Tools: 
Modern Label Punch, Fun Flowers Die, Framed Tulips and Square Lattice Embossing Folders

This is a very simple ONE-Layer card, but I think it turned out pretty elegant still.

Now of course while we were having fun at the technique class, I showed how you can use the shimmer spray over a finished card, and used it on this card… and let me tell you, it is SOOOOOO pretty!

Tip:
I’ve used the Always Artichoke CRAFT spot to ink over the Framed Tulips texture on the card. The little spots are perfect for this kind of “sponging” and give you a little more ink coverage!  Try it out, and see how you like it…

Blogger’s Challenge and a video tutorial

For today’s Blogger’s challenge we were to use the theme “Love” since Valentine’s Day is just around the corner.

So I went ahead and made a lovely card *grin*. I mean, I made a card with LOVE in mind but didn’t make a traditional Valentine’s Day card. You want to scroll down below the photo of the card, so you can watch a little “Tip Video” as a bonus today.

Here is my card:

Supplies

Stamps:
Always, Wheel “Friendly Words”

Paper:
Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla, Soft Suede

Ink:
Soft Suede, Early Espresso

Accessories:
Victoria Crochet Trim, Antique Brads, Dimensionals

Tools:
Scallop Border Punch

The following video is going to show you how you can convert the wheels into a regular STAMP. Lot’s of people shy away from using the wheels… but now they don’t have to do that anymore! 

I hope you’ve enjoyed this little tutorial and will start to use those wheels as stamps some more now…

Blogger’s Challenge: Red, White, Black

Today I finally took a little break from book keeping and made my card for the Blogger’s Challenge. The theme this week was: Red, White and Black!

I actually had a card pictured in my mind for a couple of days, and I am happy to have completed it:

Supplies

Stamps:
Sincere Salutations

Paper:
Naturals White, Whisper White, Basic Black, Cherry Cobbler, MDS DSP “Night & Day”

Ink: 
Basic Black

Accessories:
Designer Buttons “Brights”, Red and black Grosgrain Ribbon, Dimensionals

Tools:
Square Lattice Embossing Folder, Framed Tulips Embossing Folder, Fun Flowers Die, Decorative Label Punch

Blogger’s Challenge – Birthday Card

The theme for today’s Blogger’s Challenge was “Birthday”. I know we all need Birthday cards all the time so this was an easy one.

I was in the mood for cupcakes, so I decided to put that desire to use on paper.

I had pre-stamped some of the cup-cake background pieces a long time ago so I could make them into cards when I’m in a bind, so forgive for the use of some retired colors (gasp!)… I used Crystal Effects to cover the cherry, it makes it so nice and shiny and dimenstional!

Supplies

Stamps: “Simple Birthday Thanks” (= The Cupcake Background stamp), “Something to Celebrate” (Level 2 Hostess Set, Occasions Mini Catalog), “Birthday Bakery” (Level 1 Hostess Set)

Paper: Pear Pizzazz, Close to Cocoa and Apricot Appeal DSP (both retired, sniff), Melon Mambo, Rich Razzleberry

Ink: Basic Black, Chocolate Chip

Accessories: Melon Mambo Pompom Trim (how fun!), Crystal Effects, Basic Rhinestones

Tools: Beautiful Wings Embosslit, Paper Crimper

I had stamped the “cup cake” several times, cut out and then paper pieced them together. The “cup cake” wrapper was hand drawn a little larger as the cupcake and then run through the paper crimper.

Tip:
Did you know that you can color your clear Rhinestones? You can do that (while still on the wax sheet!) using sharpie markers or Copic Markers, or any other alcohol based ones... Very cool! Customized Rhinestones to match your projects!

Try it out – you’ll love it!

Blogger’s Challenge: Recycle/Re-use

Today’s Blogger’s Challenge is called Recycle/Re-use, which is a great opportunity to dig through the “keep for later pile”. And that’s what I did! I pulled out a piece of technique cs that was created in JUNE and you can see the original post here.

The piece I pulled out of my pile was this:

Then I pulled out my new punch, available 1/4/11 called Blossom Petals Punch and created a flower. This is the card:

And because you can’t see how I’ve curled the smaller petals, I thought I’d share a close-up:

I’ve also used the new Embossing Folder called “Framed Tulips”. It’s gorgeous!!! Notice, the the matching thread  that I’ve used in the button? Well it’s actually CARDSTOCK! Cut into a very thin strip…

Colors used: Perfect Plum, Blushing Bride, Elegant Eggplant, Concord Crush.

If YOU have some time to play today, why don’t you dig through your “keep for later pile”? I know you all have one!   :-)

I also wanted to say THANK YOU for all of your support throughout the year and wish you all a very Happy New Year!
See you soon…

Fabric Ornament

I am way behind in sharing… so I thought I’d better share something neat!

Some of you may know that I’ve tried my hand in making an fabric ornament. It starts out with an 3 inch Styrofoam ball, fabric squares and LOTS of pins.

You may also know that I am NOT a quilter at all! So this should not come as a surprise when I tell you that I didn’t use a rotary cutter and ruler to cut my squares. I used the Sizzix die called “Scallop Squares Duo”…. (the bigger shape on the die)… and it works perfect… for me anyway!

Here is my first fabric ornament:



I also know you might want to know how this is done. And you just need to watch a video and can learn it too. Click here to view!

Have fun!

Blogger’s Challenge – It’s a Sketch!

Oh, I am just so happy when I have a sketch that I can follow. Lisa gave us another neat one this time around!

Here it is:

And since I showed my downline girls last night how to use the “heat & stick” powder and glitter, I had a pretty glittery snowflake punchie to use.

Here is what I did with it:

Colors used: Marina Mist, Crumb Cake, Not Quite Navy. The greeting comes from the “All Holidays'” stamp set and the small snowflake in the background from the “Season of Friendship” set. A little bit of silver tinsel trim mixed it with the Marina Mist Grosgrain ribbon, a glimmer brad and a scalloped border and voila you have a festive card…

Blogger’s Challenge – Halloween

Well I couldn’t share my Blogger’s Challenge item(s) prior to today, because they were for my 1st annual Stamping Trick or Treat!

I am going to share the Make-and-Take project and my welcome treat in this post and then come back with another post of the stampers in costumes so you can vote for a winner.

Here is the little Make-and-Take:

It’s a little treat holder made with TWO of the tag from the 2-tags die. The are glued together on the bottom to form a triangle treat holder, sort of.

The images are from the “Wicked Cool” Stamp set. Colors used: Tangerine Tango, Peach Parfait, Basic Black, Wild Wasabi (Greeting), Basic Gray (Spider Web). The bat is the “bat punch” from “My Digital Studio” but cut out (larger) on my Cricut with the Sure Cuts a lot software…

And this was my basket filled with the little welcome TREATS:

And a close up of one of them:

I bought those treat stick at Sams Club and they had the jelly treat already attached! All I did was added the Tag and Bat. Again, using “My Digital Studio” because I only have one real Halloween Stamp Set, which we used in the project :-)

Here is a little preview of our stampers in costume:

Don’t forget to come back to vote later on!

Blogger’s Challenge - Color Challenge: Black/White splash of Orange

For this week’s challenge we were to use the colors Black/White and some Orange.

At first I thought of Halloween, but then decided to go a totally different route.

I still had my “Days of Gratitude” Stamp set on my desk because I just love to look at it :-) And I wanted to try out something simple but elegant. And here is what I came up with:

I really just wanted to use a “splash” of the orange and chose to color the images in with Markers in Pumpkin Pie, Tangerine Tango and Peach Parfait.  The images were stamped in black CRAFT ink and embossed with clear embossing powder. And boy have I discovered a new love! That black craft pad is just stunning!

You have to take a closer look:

It’s so deep and rich in color and then the clear embossing powder makes it so shiny… love it! Or should I say “Likey, likey” (Tuesday Girls!)?

Like I said this card is very simple, but I think with all that shine (embossing and the white glossy cardstock) it’s also elegant.

I’m very happy with the outcome, considering that orange is not really my favorite color :-) I do like it when it’s in combination with other fall colors…

Blogger’s Challenge – A Sketch

This week we were given a sketch. It was a very easy one! See here:

And since you know how much I like to use sketches, I couldn’t let this one go “bad”. I did take the liberty to add the greeting on a tag between the layers…

Here is my card:

It’s a very easy card… no sparkles or such. since the DSP is so pretty. I just didn’t want to take away from that. I did distress the Espresso strip, I think that goes with the Earthy Look. I used the stamp set “Day of Gratitude” and added a button from the “brights collection”. Those Designer buttons are GORGEOUS!

Colors used: Cajun Craze, More Mustard, Early Espresso…

Enjoy this sunny Sunday guys!

Blogger’s Challenge – Recycle/Reuse

For today’s Blogger’s Challenge the theme is Recycle/Reuse! You just don’t know how long I’ve been waiting for this theme to come around again :-) Because I knew exactly what I wanted to do!

Here is the card:

Stamps: Perfect Punches

Paper: Cajun Craze, Early Espresso, Crumb Cake, Whisper White

Inks: Soft Suede, Chocolate Chip

Other: Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder, Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder, Elegant Lines Embossing Folder, Leaves #2 Die, Scallop Oval Punch, Linen Thread, Log Cabin Smooch Spritz, Dimensionals, Regals Brads

And here are a couple of close up shots so you can see the process of my recycling. I’ve cut a Soda can open, cleaned and dried it, then used the BigShot and die on it:

 

Then I embossed it… not once, oh no! I double embossed! I first used the Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder and then the Elegant Lines Embossing Folder over it… since I wanted the look of veins:

And THEN I wanted some color on it, so I used the Log Cabin Smooch Spritz. I did use a paper towel to smooth it out some:

So now before you throw out (ahem put them into the recycle bin), think about using those soda cans with your craft projects…