Double Challenge Card

I had to double up on the Featured Stamper challenge today. I cased this card by Michelle (sf9erfan): http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/photo/726789?cat=500&ppuser=103425. I needed to make my Christmas cards for the monthly Christmas card challenge so might as well take care of them too. Why oh why though did I do all those dots!!!!!! Talk about going blind!!!! Hey, I like the look but boy were they a pain. I found this designer paper in my stash. I then went with the colors of Real red, Tempting turquoise and Always artichoke. I love 2-step stamping so the Painted Poinsettias set was perfect. I've linked Michelle's SCS gallery over on the right so check it out.

Busy, busy day here. Several loads of laundry got done and, to do my part to save the planet, I hung them outside to dry. Love how they smell when I bring them inside. I planted a bunch of flowers - I do container gardening so I can put the pots on the deck and the deer don't get them. I leave on Wednesday for Florida on business so I'm trying to get everything done. I'll need a SCS fix the moment I get home next Sunday.

Papertrey Ink...I Love It!!

This is for a card swap I'm involved in on SCS. We needed to use Papertrey Ink images for sure, and if we had any of their fabulous cardstock, DSP, inks and ribbons, we could. Of course when they release new product each month, I usually buy it all!!! Such gorgeous stamps and their new colors are yummy!!! I used the Women of Life set for this one. Along the left side of the card, I punched some holes as faux brads -- definitely less bulk!!!! The "Friend" sentiment fit in my small oval punch perfectly -- it's popped up too. Little loops of ribbon finish off the project. Now to make 5 more!!!!!

Stamp Camp Card

Here is one of the cards we made at my stamp camp today. Everyone seemed to have a real good time. On the inside I stamped Happy Mothers Day...I need to make another one then I'll be done with those cards!!

Stamp sets used are One of a Kind and Pretty Petals background (I love this background!!!). Colors of card stock are Chocolate chip, Regal rose, Pretty in pink, Close to cocoa and Whisper white. Ink colors are Chocolate chip and Regal rose. Pink taffeta and chocolate chip wide grosgrain are the ribbons and Berry Bliss is the DSP. The flower from One of a Kind was stamp in chocolate chip ink three times - pink circle, white (cut out) and close to cocoa (cut out). The center of the flower was stamped in regal rose ink on regal rose paper then punched out and attached with a silver brad. The flower is then popped up on the circle/scallop circle. A little time consuming because of cutting, but otherwise a very simple card. Thanks so much for looking.

AMuse Card

I am still working on using those scraps out of my scrap bin. Why does it never seem to get any smaller??!! I also am trying to use stamps that haven't seen ink in quite some time...like these AMuse stamps. I stamped the yarn and sentiment in Chocolate chip and the dotted oval in PTI Berry Sorbet. The yarn needed some bling so Stickles to the rescue!! I think the DP is from Bo Bunny, Basic Grey and Cosmo Cricket -- definite favorite companies of mine. Just bought the newest lines from Basic Grey and Cosmo Cricket. I can't cut into any of it yet, I need to look at it a little while longer!!


Stamp camp was fabulous. 22 of the 23 showed up today plus I have two coming on Tuesday. I had to add the Tuesday slot to ease some of the weight off Sundays. It's fun when there are only a few because I then get to stamp too.

Scrap Cards

Okay Viv, you inspired me to really work on using my scraps!!!! I found this CB paisley layer in my bin along with the Cosmo Cricket DP. The image is from another good SCS friend Debra Tack (dtstampz) thru WRAK. I colored the bird with Prismacolor pencils, used Crystal Effects on his belly, Sakura gel pen and Stickles on his hat. I found this sketch on StampOwl's blog - you can find a link over on the right hand side of by blog. I colored in a few other Pun Fun images so maybe I can get them made.

Tomorrow and Tuesday morning is my stamp camp -- for 25 people!!!! I wish I had access to one big room and could set up lots of tables. My dining room table only holds 8 so I can't go much more than that each session. Three sessions on Sunday and one, two if necessary, on Tuesdays. Lots of work but lots of fun.

Simple Little Things

This is a card I cased for today's Featured Stamper Kharmagirl. Her gallery is wonderful...check out the link I've added along the right hand side of my blog to see for yourself. I cased this card: http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/photo/819267?cat=500&ppuser=52346. As soon as I saw it I knew I wanted to use the anniversary set I received FREE from Papertrey Ink called Simple Little Things. I used their new signature colors too - Berry Sorbet and Sweet Blush. Even the DSP is their Pink Patterns. This card went together rather quickly...except for all those dots!!!!!!! Hey, they really make the card but what a pain!! I used a buckle from my pewter hardware kit instead of the oval frame because I wanted to see the gorgeous PTI stitched ribbon. Thanks Jodi for such awesome inspiration!!!

Swap Card

I am always amazed how many days can go by between blog posts!!! This is a busy, busy, busy week at work and by the time I get home at 9pm, get the kids off to bed, and eat dinner, I'm often too tired to do any stamping.

This card is for a swap my good friend Vivian and I do amongst ourselves. We send each other the supplies and images for a card and the recipient makes two cards - one to send, one to keep. I received this image from Viv (I think it's a Lockhart stamp) along with some textured In Colors, ribbon, and Two Scoops Basic Grey designer paper and brads. I colored with Prismacolor pencils, Cuttlebugged the background, and popped up the image and the blue that has the ribbon tied around. Fun, fun, fun!! Now I need to think of what to send to her!!!!!

Cracked Glass Blossom

I really like the cracked glass technique...I just don't think to use it!! The results are just like a snowflake, no two are ever alike. Rubbing ink over the cracks just really makes them pop. I use this set, Blossoms Abound, often when doing challenge cards. The results are always beautiful and it's fun to play with different colors for the flower. Here I used Groovy guava and Ruby red for the flower and Handsome hunter (or was it Forest foliage?) with Sage shadow for the leaves. Guava and hunter are two colors I rarely use...this was a VSN challenge after all so why not use them!! This card measures 5 1/4" square. Thanks for looking. I have one more VSN card to show you, probably tomorrow. I can't believe I got 7 cards done. I had 3 more I really wanted to do but ran out of time. Funny how the family doesn't understand "Mom needs to stamp now."

Masculine Card

Another VSN challenge from the weekend was to create a masculine card. I just bought this stamp set (Winds of Grace) and, bonus, I got it mounted right away. I have a bad habit of not mounting my stamps quickly but this one I really wanted to play with. I got a little heavy-handed with the watercoloring using reinkers. The boat is stamped on watercolor paper by SU which is the first time I've used it -- and it's fabulous!! Brown is a favorite color of mine - mix it with blue and I think it looks very masculine. I then found this designer paper by Wild Asparagus in my stash and knew I had my colors. Two jumbo eyelets with a little hemp pulled thru and interlocked completed the look. The words are a Sale-a-bration set called Lots of Thoughts...first time for using that set too!

For You Dawg!

Yep, you got it, another VSN challenge card --use a sketch style stamp. I think I stamped this image off from my good friend Vivian, when we met last year in MI for a fun weekend of stamping and more stamping. It was either from then or thru Wish RAK!!! I used watercolor pencils to color this guy in and added sparkles to the candles and pom pom on his birthday hat. I had wanted to put brads under the words "For You", but forgot. It was Friday nite when I made this card and very, very tired. So use your imagination.

Buckle Up Baby!

This VSN challenge was to incorporate a buckle into your card as the main focal image. I had this unused set from Close to my Heart that I immediately thought of. I figured I'd add some hodgepodge hardware as well. Hard to see but I braided the hemp for fun. Last year sometime SU had long notes in a mini catalog. I bought several packs and there they sit on my shelf. Well, now one has been used!!!!! More VSN inspirations on the way --- if everyone would leave me alone I might get them done!!!!! Have a great day!!

Use Thread on a Card

Yep, it's another VSN card -- the challenge was to use thread on a card. Of course I went to my sewing machine to add straight as well as zig zag stitching. I love using Blossoms Abound, being 2 step the results are always lovely. I never did it in So saffron and love how it turned out. What do you think of the edge anchor at the top of the card? I bought these from Close to my Heart and this is the first time for using one...and I love it!!!!! Anything that lets me add brads is a good thing!!

Because I had to work late today I am behind on today's VSN challenges. Who am I kidding, I haven't even started a one!!! And I'm home alone, you would think this would be a big incentive to stamp, stamp, stamp!!! DH took the boys to Grandma's house - they live on a farm and the boys love going and playing outside. I'm not sure I want to see how much mud they bring home! Laundry day tomorrow for sure!!!

It's VSN Over at SCS!!

Challenges are posted every hour tonight and most of the day tomorrow. This is my first one, an inspiration card from a photo of a dress with all the colors of the rainbow...+black. I had fun with this one, especially when it came to getting all those brads in. Part of the challenge rules is to make your card in 45 minutes or under. I'm always rushing at the very end and this card was no exception. Almost forgot to add the googlie eye!!!

I am FINALLY feeling better (it's been 3 weeks) but I don't think I'm going to make it much longer tonight making cards. I have two more to post on SCS...I hope to play more tomorrow. I'll even try to post all my VSN cards here on my blog...we'll see. Have a super weekend everyone.

Friendly Birds

I made these cards last night but was too tired to post them. I HAD to watch the finale of Make Me a Supermodel -- I'm so happy Holly won!! When Perry got eliminated right away, I cheered. I enjoy watching Top Chef and Project Runway -- Supermodel wasn't as good but once you get started watching these elimination shows, you just have to see it to the end. Now go figure, I've never watched American Idol!

Anyway, back to the cards, I recently bought several Inkadinkado clear stamp sets and couldn't wait to play with them. This is the Bird Assortment. I stamped the bird twice, figuring I would mess up coloring the first one so I had a back-up. Go figure, I was happy with both birds (used Prismacolor pencils) so why not make two cards!! I pulled stuff from my scrap bin which is always a bonus. One of these days I would love to see the bottom of that thing, but I don't think it will happen in my lifetime!! This weekend is VSN on SCS so maybe I can hit it hard then!! As always, I will be starting it late which makes me feel like I'm behind right from the start so I just give up. I'm keeping my fingers crossed this time.

Just For Fun!

Just having fun today playing in my stamp room. I pulled out some AMuse stamps that haven't seen ink in quite some time. I love this little airplane and thought the scallop oval shadow stamp would make a fun cloud (after stamping off the Bashful blue ink). The heart and plane is colored in with markers then glitzed up with some Stickles. I have yet to put away my Cuttlebug from the island in the kitchen so why not pull out a new embossing folder (Paisley) for the background. I was really happy to use nothing but scraps on this card because my scrap bin runneth over!!!

Not much else happening today. I cleaned house a bit, something I am not known for doing much. Rain kept me from hanging the laundry up outside. Call me old-fashion but I love drying my laundry outside, especially sheets then putting them right back on the beds. They smell so fresh and clean.