Stamp Ninja

ANYTHING but a card!

2010-10-17T09:40:00.001-04:00

For this week's challenge you'll create anything BUT a card! It's up to you what you make as long as it's NOT a card!

This week we have two lovely sponsors:

Meljen's Designs

PRIZE: FOUR digis of winner's choice

AND

Our very own DT Sister, Leonie, who has provided this prize for our lucky winner:

JUST KIDDING!! I'm so sorry...I came across this old picture in my blog-stuff folder and I couldn't resist!

Her REAL PRIZE is AWESOME (but NOT as awesome as SHE is!):

My project is boring. YES it is and DONT try to convince me it isnt! I wanted to make treats for my son's class with the idea of something festive for their Halloween party yet easy to reproduce 24 times. I came up with a microwave popcorn package. It doesn't look half bad in person (like the kids care anyway!) but after photographing it I just don't feel "satisfied" with it. I think I'll add some chocolate along with the popcorn so the kids aren't totally disappointed as well, LOL....

I used stamps from the STAMPIN' UP! sets "Dark & Dreary" & "House of Haunts."

I think it needs more spiders :)

BFF: BEST FRIENDS FOREVER!

2010-10-10T06:00:00.003-04:00

Create a card or project that includes "B"uttons, "F"lowers and the word "F"riend/"F"riendship!

SPONSOR: My Favorite Things

PRIZE: $25.00 Gift Certificate

This is one of those cards that a photograph did not do it justice!
This adorable image is from the Pure Innocence collection at My Favorite Things . The name of it is "A Cart Full of Friends."
I used my trusty SU! markers and skipped the pencils. I had some issues with her skin. I wanted more color and dimension but the paper started breaking down and I had to STOP coloring!
I'm still learning :)
I'd love to make duplicates of this card and send it to a few friends.

Layer it on

2010-10-03T10:39:00.002-04:00

Create a card that has at least five layers! This can be designer papers, and cardstocks stacked on top of one another, 3-D effects, pop-ups, embellishments, etc...You decide! Just make sure you have five layers somewhere on your card front when you're finished!

SPONSOR: The Greeting Farm

PRIZE: SINGLE of winner's choice

I used all Stampin' Up! stamps for this project. NO patterned papers, its all stamping and distressing.
Did I meet the challenge?? Let's count at the "thickest" point, shall we?
1. first layer background matt
2. stamped background
3. clock face
4. red torn edge
5. matt for sentiment
6. sentiment

6! 6 layers.
Mwaaaa aaaa aaaah! (lightning and thunder)
Did any of you get the Sesame Street reference?? The Count?
I've had way too much sugar....

Season's Change

2010-09-26T09:16:00.003-04:00

With the change of the season comes a change to SSC as well.

This is the last week with the "old team" and a few ladies will be leaving us (*sniff sniff!*) They will be missed but will remain a blog-hop away!

Next week is the debut of our NEW design team ladies and let me tell you... their artwork is STAMP-A-LICIOUS!
The fun never ends!!!

Check out the NEW gals:

Lisa

Ashley

Danielle

Betty

Karita

NOW ONTO OUR CHAllENGE:
Create a card or project using as many colors as you can BUT...only colors of Fall!

SPONSOR: Magnolialicious

PRIZE:

THIS ADORABLE STAMP!!

So I was going for clean and simple with LOTS of color. The card is actually very cute but I couldn't get a good photo since I took it at night (the dark brown just blended in with the background).
NoW gawk at my lovely card then go look at the amazing creations by the STAMPTACULAR design team!

Sketch Challenge

2010-09-12T06:00:00.002-04:00

SPONSOR: Mo's Digital Pencil

PRIZE: $15 Gift Certificate

Maurie J. Manning ROCKS! Not only does she have a bevy of super-cute and funny images, but she offered the "team" each a FREE digi-image!! I chose "Louis and Bronte" and I LOVE it!
My card is a bit simple but this image needs no extra flourishes. Don't you think??? I colored the image with my STAMPIN' UP! markers (I think I'm getting pretty good with them!) and colored pencil on Louis' skin. :)
I didn't do the inside yet...boo! but I have some cute ideas.

Distress!

2010-09-05T06:00:00.004-04:00

Create a card or project that uses some sort of distressing technique! Sand it, scratch it, wrinkle it, ink it, etc...the choice is yours!

SPONSOR: My Favorite Things
PRIZE: $25 Gift Certificate

and

SPONSOR: Meljen's Designs
PRIZE: Winner's Choice of FOUR Digis

WOW!! That's a cart-load of fabulous prizes!! Make sure you go check out the rest of the shabby and distressed batch (NOT the design team ladies, THEIR projects) at Stamptacular Sunday Challenge !

The image I used was generously gifted to me by My Favorite Things. I had fun coloring her with my Stampin' Up! markers and colored pencils.

I made this card for my step-daughter. She's 13 and she is a terrific person! I wish I could tell you all about what she's been going through and how courageous she's been. But the gist is she just wants a NORMAL, happy life and to be HERSELF and stand up for what she believes in without being abused for it!

My brave, beautiful girl.

UPDATE (9/8/2010) My step-daughter loved the card :)
She said it made her cry.....in a good way.

Here is a nice picture showing off the shimmer in the wings:

Pretty in Pink

2010-08-29T06:00:00.001-04:00

Create a card or project that uses only shades of PINK! Of course you are free to use white as your card/project base and black ink. Everything else MUST be created with nothing but PINK's!

SPONSOR: Magnolialicious

PRIZE: This wonderful Magnolia Stamp

TOO MUCH PINK... that's how I'd describe my card this week!

I am going to give this card to the little girl that bunny-sat Nadia (our rabbit) while we were on vacation.

Two's Better Than One!

2010-08-22T06:00:00.002-04:00

Create a card or project and use MORE THAN ONE STAMPED IMAGE! This is a great time to practice with the MASKING technique!
SPONSOR: Simon Says Stamp
PRIZE:

I wanted to make a set of simple yet elegant cards. Two of each card for a set of 8. All stamps are by Stampin' Up!

Dont forget to check out the multi-stamped projects over at Stamptacular Sunday Challenge.

Buttons and Bows

2010-08-15T06:00:00.002-04:00

Create a card or project that uses both buttons and bows!

SPONSOR: Stamp and Create

PRIZE:

ANOTHER $20 in FREE GOODIES from "Stamp & Create" ????

HOLY COW is this sponsor generous and they really really have some adorable things!!

Check out the buttons and bows beauties at Stamptacular Sunday Challenge.

This is a set by CTMH that I've had for so long but NEVER used.... I love teddy bears too! I had a hard time fitting buttons on the card. I should have planned the design better but over all I think it's kinda cute. What do you think?

Bear is colored with colored pencil and heart is done with SU! markers.

Snips and Snails and Puppy Dog Tails....

2010-08-08T06:00:00.007-04:00

Create a card or project that is just for boys! How you do this is totally up to you! The possibilities are endless!
SPONSOR: My Favorite Things
PRIZE: $25 Gift Certificate

OK, so you recognize this little fairy girl from my last card? I chose her from MFT for the LAST challenge (out of this world) a while back and didn't realize I had my sponsors mixed up! Had I had my brain in tact, I would have chose a more boy-ish stamp for this weeks challenge. WELL, I used her anyway for BOTH challenges (it is a CHALLENGE after all!)

I made the card dirty and grungy to try for a more masculine look. I don't know if I pulled it off but I rather like the card.

I used my SU! markers and colored pencils and Pearl Ex watercolors to give her shimmer. The background paper was borrowed from a friend who got it on clearance. A little faux stitching, inking and distressing and it goes from BLA to FABULOUS!!
I'm starting to rethink some of my forgotten & dusty ol' patterned papers.....

You're Out of this World

2010-08-01T06:00:00.024-04:00

This week’s challenge is almost like an “Anything Goes” challenge! You will create a card or project that includes something that would wouldn’t really see here on Earth! For example…a fairy, unicorn, robot, alien, animal wearing clothes carrying flowers, spaceships, etc…JUST HAVE FUN! Oh yeah…and don’t forget to stamp! We don’t call this a Stamptacular Sunday Challenge for nothing!

SPONSOR : Di's Digi Downloads

PRIZE: Winner's choice of FIVE digis!

AND

SPONSOR: Meljen's Designs

PRIZE: Winner's choice of FOUR digis!

My card is a fairy! I wanted it to look young and girly so I added more bling than I usually do.

I used my SU! markers to color the images (regular colored pencils on her skin.)

The gold "swirl" are PearlEx water colors, touches of Crystal Lacquer throughout.

I'm very pleased with the results :)

Here is a closer look:

Christmas in July.. every body's doin' it!

2010-07-25T23:24:00.002-04:00

Create a Christmas card...you're free to do this any way you wish. Create two DIFFERENT cards and be entered into our weekly prize drawing twice, create three different cards and you'll be entered three times, create four and you have four chances to win, etc...

What a FABULOUS way to get a head start on your Christmas cards for this year!

SPONSOR: Simon Says Stamp

PRIZE: $25 Gift Certificate plus FREE Shipping

I made birdhouse ornaments. They started off really cute but then fizzled out. I stamped poinsettas and doves to decorate them but they looked horrible! so then I purchased some things i thought would look cute to embellish them with.... NO!

sigh....

they aren't done.

ICE CREAM!!

2010-07-18T06:00:00.014-04:00

In honor of National Ice Cream Day...Create your favorite SUNDAE! Create a card or project using the colors of your favorite ice cream sunday. For example: for a neopolitan hot fudge sunday I'd use pink, white, tan and dark brown. What's your favorite! (IF YOU CHOSE AN IMAGE FROM SOME ODD GIRL...YOU MUST USE THAT IMAGE FOR THIS WEEK'S CHALLENGE PROJECT!)
SPONSOR: Magnolialicious

PRIZE: This fabulous Bride and Groom Magnolia Stamp

and

SPONSOR: Some Odd Girl

PRIZE:

Winner's Choice of THREE digi-images!

So the flavor I chose is COOKIES N' CREAM.

I actually LOVE chocolate chip cookie dough but my LAST card used the colors I would have used so I wanted to pick a different flavor. A little fact about me: I adore Oreo (Double Stuff) cookies but I NEVER buy them because I will literally eat the entire package!!

DONT FORGET to check out the rest of the DT's DELICIOUS designs at Stamptacular Sunday Challenge!

so here is my take on Cookies n' Cream (with a cherry on top!)

images are by TAC:

A close up of the cute cow on the inside:

a SKETCH

2010-07-11T11:27:00.002-04:00

SPONSOR: Stamp and Create

PRIZE: $20 Gift Certificate

($20??? anyway I can rig this so I can win??? There are some CUTE stamps !!)

I love this sketch and I love how my card came out! . I didnt use any patterned papers, it's all Stampin' Up! stamps, cardstock and inks. TIP: I used a clear wax crayon on the bird and branch image to create a resist effect before stamping the blue flourish over the top.

I actually had FUN creating this card! It is CLASSIC ADRIA :) But if you want to see some REAL stunners, check out the rest of the team's creations at Stamptacular Sunday Challenge!

Here for you....

24-7

Creat an Aperture card...

2010-07-04T06:00:00.001-04:00

Create an aperture card. This is a card that has a hole in the card front that allows you to see a part of the inside of the card...This is usually done by stamping the main image on the INSIDE of your card and cutting a hole in the center of the card front so you can see the image when the card is closed (i stamped the sentiment inside and kept the main image out side)

SPONSOR: My Favorite Things (MFT)

PRIZE: $25 Gift Certificate

WEBSITE: http://mftstamps.com

This weeks sponsor is INCREDIBLY generous! MFT offered everyone on the Stamptacular Sunday Challenge Design Team FREE stamps to use in our challenge projects!! I chose " Sitting Pretty."

UNFORTUNATELY, my digital camera is on the fritz!! I had to SCAN (yuck!) my card :(

I am not totally happy with this card to begin with (I could list a thousand reasons and excuses...) but a scanned image does NO project justice!!

OH WELL... here is my card:

Why I was missing

2010-07-01T09:19:00.004-04:00

My son recently had surgery. I tried to get my projects done early then SOMEONE decides to dump an ENTIRE cup of Instant Lunch Ramen Noodles on my layout!! I left for Columbus (for his surgery) without any projects finished.... *sigh*

Oh well...
Stress, discomfort and pain aside, Louis' surgery went as planned. He is home and recovering well.

The day after his surgery we took a little walk with his Aunt Sam and cousin Maddy and visited a therapy dog. A local paper was there to do a story at the time. Here is the story about the dog (featuring a pic of my adorable little monster-child:)
News Story

Cute as a BUG!

2010-06-20T16:41:00.000-04:00

Create a card or project that has a bug on it. If our participants make something for a baby then they will be entered in to our drawing twice!

SPONSOR: Simon Says Stamp

PRIZE: $25 Gift Certificate plus FREE SHIPPING

I didnt create a card for a baby (just wast feeling it) but I am very happy with what I did come up with :)

Dont forget to checkout the other buggy-creations at Stamptacular Sunday Challenge!

A Tribute to Father's

2010-06-13T06:00:00.001-04:00

This week you will create a card or project with some sort of guy/man on it. If our participants create the card/project for their Dad then they will be entered in to the drawing twice!

SPONSOR: Meljen's Designs

PRIZE: FOUR digi-images of Winner's Choice

WEBSITE: http://meljensdesigns.com

AND

SPONSOR: Wink, Wink, Ink

PRIZE: THREE digi images of Winner's Choice

WEBSITE: http://winkwinkink.com

and make sure to go to Stamptacular Sunday Challenge to see what my most talented team-mates created!

I only have 3 stamps with the image of a man on it! The first image I used for my wedding/anniversary card for last week's challenge, one is a stick figure and the 3rd is the one I used for this creation. I used stamps from two different SU! sets ("Summer by the Sea" & "Seaside Sketches") to create the scene that included both a boy and agirl since I plan on giving this to my hubby.

I'm actually VERY pleased with the results! The colors are much richer and blended than what shows on the photos but water color pencils do that for some reason.

I've decided I want a BIGGER set of water color pencils for my birthday. They aren't as cool as Copics, but I'm poor and I'm getting by without them :)

LOOK what i got!!

2010-06-11T14:11:00.001-04:00

The mail came and I got a SURPRISE! My "Stampin' Sister, " Leonie, all the way from Australia sent me an envelope FULL of delightful embellishments!!! YAY! I'm soooooo excited! Look how many exclamation points I've used so far!!

check out the most ADORABLE little easel card she sent:

I am so honored to recieve this remarkable creation. You have GOT to see this in person because as cute and the photo is, to hold this gem in your hand simply fillS ONE with instant happiness :)

AND IT'S ALL MINE!

I DO, I DO, I DO!

2010-06-07T10:20:00.001-04:00

For this week's challenge you will create a wedding or anniversary themed card/project.

SPONSOR: There She Goes Clear Stamps

https://www.thereshegoesclearstamps.com/store/

I used an old Stampin' Up! set and my water color pencils...the photo sort of washes the colors out :(

Life's a Beach challenge

2010-05-30T06:00:00.002-04:00

May 30th: Life's a Beach!

For this week's challenge you MUST create a card or project that has a beach theme, something that you'd see at the beach or just uses colors you relate to being at the beach. PLEASE REMEMBER: You MUST use the images that you received from Shriley's 2 Girls AND place the Gift Certificate Badge with a clickable link back to Shirley's 2 Girls webshop on your personal blogs for this week's challenge.

SPONSOR: Shirley's 2 Girls

WEBSITE: http:shirleys2girls.com

the images i used are from Shriley's 2 Girls and TAC.

I used Sugar Dust on the mer-cat and mermaids tails.

I'm a looser and have no nifty markers so I used my colored pencils again.

My hand is really bothering me now so I cant type much. Thanks for stopping by.

Pearls and Swirls!

2010-05-23T06:00:00.001-04:00

For this week's challenge you will create a card or a project filled with pearls and swirls!

SPONSOR: Simon Says Stamp

PRIZE: $25 Gift Certificate

WEBSITE: http://simonsaysstamp.comKatt (Guest Designer)

I made 3 graduation cards... embossed the heck outta them!
Still avoiding coloring but how long can I do it??? hmmmm...
Here are my cards :

btw... in reference to the lovely as a tree challenge...
only ONE FREAKIN' comment??? SERIOUSLY??
Man o' man! I thought my tissue box ROCKED!
Tough audience...

Lovely As A Tree

2010-05-16T06:00:00.003-04:00

Today is "Love a Tree Day." So at Stamptacular Sunday Challenge, this week's challenge is to create a card or project that has a tree on it.

.SPONSOR: Meljen's Designs

PRIZE: Four digis of Winner's Choice

WEBSITE: http://meljensdesigns.com

YAY! this challenge is ALL ME! I love trees and my style is definitely botanical :) Too bad I CANT COLOR my images...really I cant! it is a physical limitaion due to an injury I sustained Friday, May 7th. The story is at the end of this post if you want to hang around long enough to read it.

I created a TISSUE BOX COVER! I wish I heat embossed my images and the coloring I attempted on the focal-point tree is a bit scribbly (dang hand!) but I'm pretty happy with the outcome. It got a little smooshed before I took these pictures ("sigh....")

By the size of my rump you'd think different, but surprisingly I DON'T BOUNCE!

2010-05-16T05:59:00.000-04:00

please take a second or two to say a silent prayer that if accidents come in threes that they DON'T increase in intensity, injury and absurdity...

Remember i mentioned my fall? you know my last post?? OMG...go back and READ it; I'll wait...

so two days later (5/7/10) I'm on the treadmill. I was gettin' my "Boom Boom Pow" on BIG time! I was rocking at a good 6mph pace when up walks our 22yr old cat....

Pandy, "meow."
Me, "no, go."
Pandy, (getting closer) "meow?"
Me, "GO!"
Pandy (stepping up on the plastic shield @ the front of the tread) "MEEEEE-OOOOW!"
Me, " GO, SHOO! GO, PANDY!"
Pandy (stepping in what seems like slow motion onto the tread) " Meeee.........." shooting off between my legs.....
Me, (STUMBLE, CRASH, OUCH)

THE CAT is ok. I went to the emergency room with an avulsion fracture on a finger in my right hand. Typing all this had taken me forever.

So as I sit watching Pandy steel my last buffalo jack n' bleu cheese stick, I'm torn with weather i should take it away from her. It cant be healthy for her but then again the thought of her spending an intensely "burning" moment in the litter box does give me a not-so-Christian-like sense of retribution.

SKETCH!

2010-05-09T06:00:00.002-04:00

So this week's Stamptacular Sunday Challenge in a sketch.
Here it is:

SPONSOR: Stamp and Create (they have some seriously adorable stuff!!)

PRIZE: $20.00 Gift Certificate (what??? NO FAIR! I want to win!!!!)

WEBSITE: http://stampandcreate.com

So, I wasn't really "feeling" this sketch... know what I mean?
I am still knee deep in boxes and clutter without a place and to top it off I FELL. YESSSSSS, like an eighty year old woman with bad hips and her calcium depleting by the second! So now I'm sore, bruises all over, it hurts to sit and I thought my cat was dying from something he ate or drank... have I mentioned I'm completely stressed out lately???

OK.... DEEP BREATHS.....

I did it! At first I was not happy with it, but the next day I woke up with a fresh perspective and I rather like it. The picture does NOT do it justice (but that's the case with most of the projects I do.)
Keep in mind I was not in the mood to color and quite frankly I'm BORED with my stamps (please don't tell them!) I chose a clear stamp I never used and an old SU set, "Essence of Love" for the background.

Temporarily out of service....

2010-04-30T14:06:00.000-04:00

Well, here I sit in our new-old house, boxes at my feet filled with stamping and scrapping supplies. My creative space is bigger and, YES, better, but yet to be unpacked and organized.

So it will be officially two weeks off when you see my next challenge posted...

BUT when I do get it together...LOOK OUT! I'm gonna BLOW YOUR SOCKS OFF with the most stamptastic creations and I'm not holding back! Noooooooooo! I'm gonna use my patterned paper and buttons and flowers and rhinestones and ribbons and etc etc... This stamp ninja is comin' at ya with all her secret weapons.."Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!"

PENGUINS!!

2010-04-18T06:00:00.003-04:00

Did you know that April 25th is "World Penguin Day?" Well...what are we waiting for? Let's celebrate! Create a card or project that reminds us of a penguin. You can do this by using an image of a penguin or simply by creating a card or project that is made with the colors black and white. Be creative!SPONSOR: our very own, Paula at Stamptacular Sunday Challenge

(pretend there is a picture of a cute "cupcake" clear-stamp set here from Paula)
AND

SPONSOR: Creations by Penny

Prize: Winner's choice of 8 images
WEBSITE: http://creationsbypenny.blogspot.com

I have ONE penguin stamp to my name! ONE! But I REALLY wanted to use it rather than go with a black and white theme. There is paper piecing involved... can you find it??

I HATE MUSIC GENERATORS ON BLOGS

2010-04-16T18:21:00.002-04:00

I had 20-something blogs to review submissions and TWO of them had music generators! It took me FOREVER to find them and shut them up!!!!!

HATE THEM.

SPOTS AND DOTS!

2010-04-11T06:00:00.030-04:00

Create a card or project using at least two pattern papers that have spots and/or dots! The rest is up to you!
SPONSOR: Meljen's Designs

PRIZE: FOUR digi-images of Winner's Choice

BONE HEAD ALERT: I read the challenge wrong!!! I am a complete DORK! Instead of using patterned papers, I used images to create spots and dots. I also stamped spots and dots to create a background (anyone that knows my style knows I RARELY use pattern papers. You know why? Cuzz if you use them then they will be all gone! Can't eat your cake and HAVE it too..)

Good news; I used a digi-image by this week's sponsor and is it (along with ALL of her sweet designs) ever C-U-T-E! Check her adorable creations at WEBSITE: http://www.etsy.com/shop/meljensdesigns
Unfortunately I don't have a single copic! This image would look fabulous if I used copic markers ... *sigh*... I used my trusty water color pencils and a blender pen.

NOW GO to Stamptacular Sunday Challenge to view all the fabulous stamped projects my fellow DT members created (and THEY FOLLOWED THE DIRECTIONS)!

Here's my card:

"FIRST challenge!" or "CHALLENGE #1" !

2010-04-04T06:00:00.004-04:00

BLESSED EASTER EVERYONE!

Time for my first official DT contribution for Stamptacular Sunday Challenge.....yay!
This first challenge is titled:
SUGAR AND SPICE AND EVERYTHING NICE!
Create a card or project that is just for girls! how you do this is totally up to you! The possibilities are endless!

Let me tell you what a true challenge this was for me! I wanted to create something truly STAMPTACULAR but project after project wound up in the can. It was terrible! I had a stampers-block that a pound o' prunes and a hunk of Exlax chocolates couldn't move!

What did I do? I went back to my roots!
Broke into storage and found an OLD stamp set from my beginners days (Pocket Fun from Stampin' Up!) and kept it simple. It isnt as awe inspiring as I had hoped but it's semi cute and it's my first easel card.
OK, now I will shut up and show the card (don't forget to check out the beautiful creations my fellow DT members created.)

Upcoming STAMPTACULAR fun!

2010-03-23T17:27:00.000-04:00

Go to the Stamptacular Sunday Challenge blog and be sure to check out the "Blog Hop" (coming up next Sunday, March 28, 2010!)
In addition to the Grand Prize...there will be chances to win 10 other fabulous prizes along the way! It is guaranteed to be a TON of fun for everyone who joins us! Fun starts at 6:00AM Eastern Standard Time!

It's about time!!

2010-03-05T15:58:00.002-05:00

I KNOW, RIGHT????
It's been so terribly long since I've posted anything!
I still favor clean and crisp lines to frilly and fluffy, but I think I'm going to start adding more. I've been browsing my fellow DT Members for Stamptacular Sunday Challenge and their cards are so beautiful! I feel compelled to step it up a notch or two....or three....or four.....

ANY WAY...
Here are a few of my most recent SWAP cards:

This is a lovely Stampin' Up! stamp set titled "Snow Swirled."
It's a fun set to heat emboss! BUT I was ...eh hem.....LAZY soooo I just used a glue pen and glitter to add a little sparkle.

My "Enjoy" card was made with one of my most often used sets, "Enjoy Every Moment."
NOW I realize, this card isnt finished! DUH! the cards I sent had more on them...hmmm....

Annnnnnnnnd finally....... "SOCK MONKEY!"
Had to break it out so I could try out "Sock Monkey Accessories." (plus, one of the people in the swap this is for is a beloved friend and she HATES that darn monkey!) **tee hee**
I paper pieced the monkey, cupcake and package. Of course I had to add glitter "sprinkles to the cupcake and glassy glaze to my balloon to make it shiney.

COMING SOON to blog land....

2010-03-03T18:07:00.002-05:00

MY NEW AND IMPROVED BLOG!

I've just been invited as a DT member for STAMPTACULAR SUNDAY CHALLENGE !

I'm so excited and EXTREMELY flattered. I'm also very grateful that Priscilla did not choose me as a designer for her blog based on the condition of THIS blog!

I will be redesigning this blog and posting MORE. YAY me :)

Please check back later and in the mean time check out the blogs of my fellow DT members:

Annette @ http://studioapapercreations.blogspot.com
Barb @ http://stampelicious.blogspot.com
Carlyann @ http://sweetncrafty.blogspot.com
Carolyn @ http://scrappyteabag.blogspot.com
Cheri @ http://graphicatcreations.blogspot.com
Debra @ http://james-ee.blogspot.com
Dee @ http://sprytebyrd.blogspot.com
Gemma @ http://defreubelfreule.nl
Leonie @ http://leoniesspot.blogspot.com
Marianne @ http://marianneshobby.blogspot.com
Paula @ http://ponderingsofpaula.blogspot.com
Priscilla @ http://skraptaculardesigns.blogspot.com
Sarah @ http://creationsbysarah.blogspot.com

DOVE card..(inside joke!)

2008-12-12T14:37:00.002-05:00

Well, if you are a long-term member of Scrappin' In Toledo, then you will appreciate my Christmas "dove" card! LOL... SO, how does this card rate on the "Dove Scale?"

I do love the simple elegance of this stamp set, "A Wish for Peace." Touches of versamarker then white EP give the tree a snow-laced look then I added lots of sparkle with Dazzling Diamonds SU! glitter and finally a few crystals at the corners. I then decided that the crystals would be a waste since most of the persons these cards are going to would not appreciate that detail and most of these cards are going to spend new years in a trash bin. Instead, I've added holographic sequence and they look just as nice.

Season's Greetings to you &
a wish for all your hand-made holiday projects to come along nicely!!

8x8 Calendar L/O Swap

2008-11-17T21:12:00.003-05:00

Here is August...
I used my Stampin' Around Wheel, "Swirly" all around as a border in a versamark inked cartridge, then embossed using a mixture of 3 parts clear EP/ 1 part dazzling diamonds. The effect is VERY sparkly! I used dazzling diamonds on some of the flowers, but soon got sick of all that dang glitter going everywhere...that stuff is sooooo fine and staticky, it was EVERYWHERE, OMG!!!
Flowers are "Ginormous Flowers." I love that set...so much fun to play with :O) I thought I'd be clever and myter the corners with my wheel, it was taking WAY too long and it was a real PITA! Did not look half as good as it should have for the time and effort I was putting into these layouts so the last 2 out of the 4 I tossed the myter idea!
Soon to follow; I still have to photograph my February layout from last month.

Wet Paper Watercoloring ( or; what to do with those lovely two-step stamping nature sets)

2008-09-30T14:14:00.006-04:00

...so easy, but SERIOUSLY... it took a dozen attempts to get the look I was reaching for!

You can find more information on this technique here: http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/resources/wetpaperwatercoloring.php

How I did it;
I sprayed a peace of water color paper with a water mister to make it slightly damp. Next I inked my background stamp (with dye ink) and sprayed the stamp lightly with the water....stamp/repeat. I let the paper dry then stamped with the outline stamps.

Stamp sets used: Wonderful You, Itty Bitty Backgrounds

Inks: bordering blue, brocade blue, night of navy

paper: night of navy, naturals white and bordering blue cardstock; water color paper

SU! contest submissions

2008-09-28T11:39:00.011-04:00

"Wish me luck!"

Here are my latest creations that I submitted to Stampin' Up! for this month's art contest catagories;

"Need a Little Christmas"
Another "joy fold" card. I love these cards! Dazzling Diamonds glitzes up the poinsettia and star a bit.

"WOW! Art File-US"

I paper pieced the MOST HATED stamp set I own (I still think it's CUTE!)

I submitted the card on the left and kept the card on the right. Do they look familiar? I CASED my own design! check out my Sock Monkey pillow box....

"Say it with Scallops"

A little plain, but I've noticed that it isnt the "flashiest" of the cards that usually win.

I do love the simple, clean elegance of this card. I should have made a few extra :O(

Peaceful Blue Silhouette

2008-09-26T17:51:00.005-04:00

My "Silhouette" SU! contest entry (top left card)

"Upsy Daisy" looks so peacful in "not quite navy" and "baja breeze" don't you think? You can tell from the pictures, but I added some Versamarker to the petals of the flowers then inked them in the "not quite navy", stamp then emboss in Iricescent Ice Stampin' Emboss Powder.

I used Canvas background as well... stamped it off once to lighten the effect.

Happy Birhtday Louis

2008-09-05T15:11:00.002-04:00

My little baby turned 4!
I didn't get hugely creative, but I did manage to come up with
some cute thank you treat bags
The stamp set I used, By Land is retired but the numbers, Well-Worn Numbers is still available. Those are "4's" in the back of the dump truck. My motivation is the dump truck is bringing a load of 4's in to fill the gap between the 3 & 5 (on the bottom of the bag.)

Cardstock is cheap stuff...

I plan on having a tutorial on how to make the bag topper soon!

Latest Paper Projects

2008-09-01T14:33:00.009-04:00

3-D project: Fresh Cuts Birdhouse

This needs some fine-tuning, but I do love the overall result of this cute project.

I used SU! KRAFT cardstock and
sahara sand with a small swatch of

chocolate chip around the opening.
Stamp sets: Fresh Cuts and Dreams du Jour
Accessories: gold brads, sugar dust (not SU!), 1"circle punch, scallop circle punch,
1 -1/4" circle punch

Joy Fold....I think they call it that because they are so easy yet so unique!

Stamps: Dreams du Jour

Inks: pink pirouette, chocolate chip,& kiwi kiss

Cardstock: pink pirouette, chocolate chip, very vanilla, kiwi kiss Accessories: 1-1/4" square punch, scallop edge punch

I love 3-D projects...don't you?

Little purses are always a charmer, especially when you use the darling little stamp sets Dreams du Jour and Fresh Cuts by SU!.

I used INN COLORS pink pirouette, kiwi kiss & baja breeze by SU! with some whisper white and chocolate chip (can I create WITHOUT chocolate chip??)

Some Accessories used: gold brad, circle punches, SU! Dazzling Diamonds glitter, crimper & hemp twine.

Everyone keeps telling me

"I HATE sock monkies!"

REALLY?? (*sigh*)

well, I was never in love with them,

but I really like this stamp set and

I plan on getting the "Sock Monkey Accessories" to go along with it.

I know i do LOVE the new in-color "kiwi kiss" by SU! and I think this set and the colors sure did make a cute little pillow box (**patting self on back**)
Well, it could be the clever use of paper piecing on the monkey or perhaps the touches of Dazzling Diamonds glitter, or maybe the "My Way" punch that helped to make this box so adorable... or maybe it was just good ol' fashion, pure talent? (**GRIN**)

First picture/posts

2008-09-01T10:46:00.011-04:00

Well, here are my first uploads. (I know...BORING, but I hope to add more and better projects SOON!) Keep checking back to see what's new :O)

My "wishing you happiness" card was inspired by anotherstamper, view her card HERE (my card pales in comparison!) The cardstock I used is not SU! and I noticed significant quality issues. I experienced buckling and wrinkling of the paper at the fold seam and the carstock did not hold glue well which caused some wrinkling (the kind you get when paper gets damp.)

Stamp sets used: Priceless, Heard from the Heart, So Swirly (wheel)- Inks: creamy caramel, chocolate chip & pink passion -Accessories: Crystal Effects (on butterflies for a lacquered look)

This sympathy card was created with all SU! supplies.

Stamps used: Close as a Memory & Watercolor Vine (wheel) - Inks: not quite navy & chocolate chip - Cardstock: tempting turquise, taken with teal, shara sand, chocolate chip, naturals ivory- Accessories: ticket corner punch, gold brads.