Thursday, August 26, 2010
Papercraft Star Challenge #10
I found some new digi stuff to play with at Fred She Said and this is my very first attempt at using one of several downloads I bought. The flowers are from the Faux Foldy Flowers 1 set. These digis print out on a full sheet of cardstock in several sizes so you can stack--or not. :) Some of her downloads even contain SVG files!
Mine were printed on white cardstock and I inked them with Tattered Rose Distress Ink and then went over the embossed lines with Aged Mahogany. White brads covered in Scattered Straw Stickles and Peeled Paint leaves finish up the flowers. I put it all on a background of fun green plaid October Afternoon paper. I think it made for a cheery card! :)
Supplies
Paper: Georgia Pacific White Cardstock, October Afternoon Fly a Kite
Stamps: Fred She Said Faux Foldy Flowers 1 Digital Stamps
Inks+: Tattered Rose, Aged Mahogany, and Peeled Paint Distress ink; Scattered Straw Distress Stickles
Tools: Cuttlebug Swiss Dot embossing folder, Spellbinders Wizard, Fiskars Paper Edgers Decorative Edged Scissors
Miscellaneous: Offray ribbon, brads
You have until tomorrow August 28th at noon EST to get your entry in for this weeks challenge and then make sure you come back and vote for your favorite entries from our players and DT between then and midnight Monday. Come dazzle us with your creative genius! :)
Have a blessed day!
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
What a wonderful day!
Yippee! I was really happy with how the card turned out and now I'm even happier. :) And speaking of CCCB check this out.
Aren't these little birdies just beautiful. Unfortunately I don't speak or read Russian (I'm pretty sure that's what this is LOL), so I can't tell you exactly what it says, but I believe the gist of it is that the person giving it to you thinks your blog is nice and they enjoy visiting it. Sure hope that's what this means or it could be very embarassing. hee hee That's how I'm going to view it anyway, because that's the way I think my sweet bloggie friend Kirsty meant it when she awarded me with it on her personal blog, Handmade Little Things. Kirsty is the mastermind behind City Crafter Challenge Blog, one of my favorite places to play for card challenges. If you're into card making and have never played there, you definitely need to give it a try. Kirsty and her DT girls do an awesome job of both inspiring us and being great sources of encouragement and support by visiting and commenting on submissions for each weeks challenge. Trust me, you won't feel like you're just a number there. The challenges are great too! And no, LOL, I'm not saying this because I just won a Spotlight Artist there. hee hee I really enjoy the atmosphere at CCCB. So here's a great big THANK YOU! to Kirsty for being my bloggie friend and picking my blog for this award.
Those who receive this award are supposed to pass it along to ten of their favorite blogs to visit. That would really be tough so I'm just going to send this out to those of you who regularly follow my blog and leave me such wonderful encouraging comments. If you'd like to display the award on your blog, feel free to grab it. I hope you all enjoy visiting my blog and seeing what I've made or just sharing a chuckle.
My second blessing of the day came when I visited my friend Traci's blog, He IS Able. If you'll remember a couple of weeks ago I created a card with a cross on it as my submission for her very first blog challenge. Well, her hubby pulled my name as the winner! Traci has started a wonderful card ministry to help spread the love of Christ. She's still collecting cards and has a card giveaway every week to one of her commenters. It's a worthwhile cause and she has been a blessing to me. If you'll take the time to visit her blog I bet she'll be a blessing to you too. Thanks Traci!
Don't forget that the sketch challenge at papercraft Star started today. Join us for the fun this week. You have until Saturday at noon to get your entry in.
Have a great tomorrow and thanks for listening to my ramblings.
Blessings,
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Just a little sugar
Here are the challenges I'm entering this card in:
7 Kids College Fund Challenge Blog--Strip It Down
Digi Doodle Shop's Best--Anything Goes
Meljen's Designs #21--brown, teal, orange
Sentimental Sunday #17--words of inspiration
Supplies
Paper: Recollections Kraft, Bo Bunny, Strathmore Watercolor paper
Stamps: Sarah Kay "First Kiss", Raindrop Echo Designs "Words to Inspire"
Inks+: Derwent Watercolor pencils, Prisma Colored pencils, Walnut Stain and Spiced Marmalade Distress inks, Gemini Masterpiece Odorless Mineral Spirits
Tools: Nestabilities Labels 8 (S5-019), and Classic Ovals Large (S4-110)
Miscellaneous: Prima e-line flowers and mini roses, Celebrate It ribbon
Thanks for stopping by
Monday, August 23, 2010
Isn't She Lovely
I have to laugh every time I think about reading Kirsty Vittetoe's blog post this morning about her three hour card. This card took over three DAYS! I knew what I wanted to do, but I just couldn't get it to pull together--until this morning. Huff! Now here I am down to the wire on submission time, but. . . it's done.
The photo is my beloved grandmother on the occasion of her tenth grade graduation. She's been gone seventeen years now and I still miss her. Living out in the country and being an only child, she was my playmate when I was a kid. Endless hours sitting on her front porch playing Scrabble, Rook, dominoes, and Monopoly. Letting me lick the beaters after she made a pound cake. If you've ever heard the expression "cathead" biscuit--by golly she could make 'em and they'd melt in your mouth. She wrote down the recipe for me, but I've never been able to get them to turn out like hers. Sigh.
For the card I printed off her photo and placed it in a chipboard frame that my sweet friend Silvia made for me because I am probably the last living human being on this earth who does not own a Bigshot. hee hee I covered the frame in silver embossing powder twice and stamped into it with a rubber stamp. I then used some Pitch Black Alcohol Ink over the EP to antique it. The pink and white flowers and leaves are from one of the awesome Digi stamp files I purchased recently from Fred She Said. The yellow roses are just spiral rolled paper strips.
Although this is in card form, I just night cut the other half off and use this in a heritage mini album. Haven't decided yet, but that's why I didn't add a sentiment. If I do the mini, I'll probably put her name or initials in the top corner.
Here are the challenges I'm entering this card in. Thought I try a couple more new ones out.
City Crafter Challenge Blog--"Isn't She Lovely"
Crafts and Me Challenges--petals and pearls
Fab 'n' Funky Challenges--flower power
Creatalicious Challenges--Vintage
Supplies
Paper: Recollections cardstock, white cardstock, American Crafts Dear Lizzy
Stamp: Stampabilities Ornate Textured Background, Fred She Said Paper Roses and Leaves Digital Stamp File
Inks+: Tattered Rose and Peeled Paint Distress Ink, Adirondack Butterscotch ink, Pearl Perfect Pearls, Brilliance Starlite Silver Dew Drop ink, Ranger Silver Superfine Detail Embossing Powder, Ranger Pitch Black Alcohol Ink
Tools: sewing machine
Miscellaneous: clear glass microbeads, seam binding, acrylic rhinestones, silver heart charm, Recollections adhesive pearls, silver sewing thread
I'm happy with how it turned out and I hope you like it too.
Thanks for visiting!
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Lacy Flowers and Butterflies
Thought I'd try out a few other new challenges too. I'm always looking for somewhere fun to play.
For Fun Challenges--1 ribbon, 2 DP's, 3 embellies
Stampin' for the Weekend--Anything Goes
Craft Your Days Away--With Wings
Flutterby Wednesdays--1 part sparkle, 2 parts DP, 3 parts buttons or gems
Supplies
Paper: Recollections Summer Flower, Coordinations cardstock, My Mind's Eye 29th Street Market, White cardstock
Stamp: Penny Black Lace Flower
Inks+: Memento Bamboo Leaves, Summer Sky, and New Sprout
Tools: Martha Stewart Arch Lattice Edger punch, Cropadile
Miscellaneous: seam binding, Kaisercraft adhesive pearls
Not sure what's up with the photo. I took a ton of pics and everyone of them made the card look like it's bowed out in the middle at the top and bottom, but it's straight as it can be. If I knew more about cameras I could probably fix this. ☺ Hope you enjoy the card anyway.
Blessings,
Tomorrows the last day to vote at Papercraft Star!
And here's a sneak peek at my DT example.
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Papercraft Star Challenge #9
The October Afternoon paper on the left is a map of London so it kind of looks like kitty is flying over the city with his balloons! Wish I could fly over there. Sigh! There's so much incredible history to be explored in the British Isles. Just the thought of all those old castles and beautiful landscapes gets my heart jumping.
This card made me happy, even if I can't go to London. The colors are my favorites and I feel like I'm pushing just a little bit out of the creativity bounds that I call normal. I think I'm growing, at least I hope I am. I know that I'm getting a LOT faster at making a card. :) Here's the ingredient list for my little cat's flying adventure.
Supplies
Paper: Recollections cardstock, October Afternoon, The Paper Studio, Strathmore Water Color paper
Stamp: Penny Black Bubbly Collection
Inks+: Tattered Rose and Antique Linen Disstress Ink, Derwent Water Color pencils
Tools: Nestabilities Classic Ovals large (S4-110), Classic Scalloped Ovals Large (S4-111), Standard Circles large (S4-114), Martha Stewart Branch and Doily border punches, sewing machine
Miscellaneous: Offray ribbon, beads, Prima mini roses and flowers
Thanks for popping in to visit. Make sure you get your entries in for the Papercraft Star challenge this week before noon tomorrow and then come back and vote. Remember, everybody gets two votes--one for a participant and one for a DT member. This weeks prize is a $10.00 gift certificate to Papertrey Ink! Remember, DT members are not eligible for prizes, so one of YOU will win! Break out all those supplies and show us whatcha got.
Blessings,
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Tag Tuesday
Thanks for stopping by for a visit. I'm looking forward to checking out all the other Tag Tuesday players. :)
Don't forget Papercraft Star's brand new challenge starts today. It's a clean and simple card sketch. Everyone is invited to come play! See ya there.
Blessings,
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Digi Doodle Shop's Best #20
Several months back I picked up a little $1.00 package of Studio G Fresh Flocking. I had no idea what I was going to do with it, but . . . it was only a dollar. After I printed out this image the thought came to me to make my flowers a little dimensional, so I dug out the little pots of flocking and VOILA! I wasn't sure how to work with it, but I just put a little Scotch Quick Dry glue where I wanted the flocking and sprinkled it on. I like the way it looks cause the flowers aren't flat.
Supplies
Paper: Recollection Kraft Cardstock, Scenic Route Sonoma Collection, Strathmore Watercolor paper
Stamp: Digi Doodle Shop Country Flowers
Inks+: Walnut Stain and Antique Linen Distress Inks, Derwent Watercolor pencils, Studio G. Fresh Flocking
Tools: Nestabilities Classic Squares Large (S4-126)
Miscellaneous: Michaels ribbon, Recollections Rhinestone Stickers
Thanks for visiting!
Monday, August 16, 2010
Quilted Hearts
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Play Date Cafe Challenge #42
A special thank you to all of you who have visited here recently and left me such wonderful encouraging comments. You're all such a blessing to me.
Friday, August 13, 2010
Tag Tuesday Crowns
The image is a snippet of one I downloaded at Karens Whimsey. I printed it out on watercolor paper. I then used Prismacolor colored pencils to color the image. Odorless mineral spirits and a blending stump were used to blend the pencil color.
The next part took quite a bit of time and could have been done better I'm sure. I used a ruler and pencil to draw a faux stained glass pattern onto the image. Using an Exacto knife and the ruler I cut the image apart. I then began to slowly reconstruct the image with grout line spacing on a piece of white cardstock. Lesson learned here. I should have used black cardstock. I'll explain later.
After the image was glued onto the cardstock I used a Versamark stamp pad over the whole image. Ultra Thick Embossing Enamel was sprinkled over this and then heated with a heat gun. It makes a perfect stained glass look.
My next step was to add black paint into the grout lines. This is why I should have used the black cardstock. The UTEE got into the grout lines and wouldn't let the paint soak in so I had to use a Sharpie to try and fill in some of the gaps. That's why my grout is splotchy.
Even though that was a big mistake, the distressed look really grew on me. I got halfway through completely redoing the whole project and decided I really liked the first one.
I glued the image onto a piece of black cardstock and added a crown image from The Graphics Fairy colored with the pencils, blended with the OMS, and covered in Ranger Glossy Accents. I was going to add some words to the tag but everything seemed to take away from the image and I thought it best to just let the subject matter speak for itself. :) Thanks for visiting and have a blessed day!
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Papercraft Star Challenge #8
I had a blast making this card. Isn't this image adorable! It's a Meljen's Designs digi image I bought from Whimsy Stamps. I will definitely be getting some more of these! I colored the image with my Derwent watercolor pencils and them added some Stickles too. If you look real close you can see some teeny tiny red gemstone blings in the centers of the little flowers. So fun!
The image is double matted and attached to some of my favorite October Afternoon DP. I used my Signo white gel pen to do some faux stitching around the red mat. I trimmed the corners of the mats with my 1" circle punch. Need to get myself a ticket corner punch. :)
The red twill ribbon is attached to a 1/2" strip of black cardstock. I added a little more bling at the bottom of the ribbon strip and a cute little bow made with my Bow Easy at the top. Three pretty red buttons tied with some hemp cording complete my 3B's card.
Supplies
Paper: October Afternoon, Recollections Cardstock, Bazzill, Strathmore Watercolor paper
Stamp: Meljen's Designs Garden Bird House Digital Stamp
Inks+: Derwent Water Color pencils, Signo White Gel pen, Stickles--Waterfall, Yellow, Orange Peel, Xmas Red, Crystal
Tools: EK Success 1" circle punch, Bow Easy
Miscellaneous: Recollections Rhinestone Sticker gemstones, Studio 18 Rhinestones, Celebrate It Ribbon, buttons, Martha Stewart Bakers Twine
You have until noon EST tomorrow to get in your submission for this challenge, and guess what--There are prizes this week! Yep, this weeks winner will receive a $10.00 Michaels gift card and if you join in at the Papercraft Star Forum and post ten times during the challenge week you'll be in the running for a $10.00 gift card from My Favorite Things! Who knows, you might be this weeks lucky winner!
The Shabby Tea Room Week #22
I see creams, black, and silver so that's what you'll find in my card. Though a little time consuming, the card was easy. It was the photographing that was a problem. I couldn't seem to find a place to take the pic that didn't wash the card out so that you couldn't tell that the paper was cream colored. The remnants of that tropical whatever it was have been playing havoc with the weather all day so lighting ops were terrible.
I was trying to go for a very elegant sophisticated looking card. I'm really pleased with how it came out. Hope you like it too.
Supplies
Paper: Recollections cardstock
Stamp: The Paper Studio
Inks+: Stazon Jet Black, Versamark Watermark Stamp Pad, Zing Clear Embossing Powder
Tools: Martha Stewart Garden Trellis border punch, EK Success Decorative Corner punch, Bow Easy
Miscellaneous: Robert Stanley Collection ribbon, pearl beads, Kaisercraft Pearls
Have a blessed day!
Thoughts in Red and White
Just Us Girls #45--sketch
Just For Fun Friday Color Challenge #23--kraft, red, and white
Sketch challenges are one of the areas I still have trouble with. I have a hard time stepping outside of a literal translation of the sketch. I'm a rule follower. What can I say. It goes against my very nature to not follow the given sketch to a tee. I guess the ability to see outside of the box will come as I grow in my crafting.
Supplies
Paper: Kraft and white cardstock, October Afternoon Thrift Shop
Stamp: Digi Doodle Shop Calliopsis, Inkadinkado Garden Flower
Inks+: Barn Door Distress Ink, Derwent Water Color Pencils, Stazon Jet Black, Polymark Medium Gold Iridescent Dimensional Fabric Paint
Tools: Nestabilities Classic Ovals Large (S4-110 and Classic Scalloped Ovals Large (S4-111), Martha Stewart Daisy Edge punch
Miscellaneous: Celebrate It ribbon, button, Crafters Square hemp cord, Recollections Rhinestone Stickers
Thanks for stopping by and don't forget to come back tomorrow and see my DT project for this weeks challenge at Papercraft Star. Submissions are open until 12:00 EST Saturday. Come play along with us!
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Digi Doodle Shops Best Challenge #19
Fall is fast approaching although temperature wise it's still dead in the middle of summer here (110+ heat indexes). I just thought these fall colored DP's from Scenic Route were so pretty so I decided to use them on my card for this challenge. Our challenge was to use our favorite stamp. This is my newest stamp purchase. I just LOVE Sarah Kay images!
Am I awesome with the sewing machine on those little squares or what! Just kidding. :) I was so scared that I would mess the card up that I got out a piece of plastic canvas and used it as a guide to paper pierce the "stitching" around the edge of the squares, then I sewed it by hand. Although most of the coloring was done with the water color pencils, I just couldn't get her clothing to match the colors of the DP so I went over her outfit with some watered down Distress Ink and it matched perfectly.
Supplies
Paper: Recollection cardstock, Scenic Route Sonoma Collection, Canon Heavyweight Drawing Bristol paper
Stamp: Sarah Kay "Bernadette admiring the spring flowers"
Inks+: Stazon Black, Derwent Water Color Pencils, Aged Mahogany and Antique Linen Distress Ink, Pearl Perfect Pearls, Crytal Stickles, Old Lace Glimmer Mist
Tools: Nestabilities Deckled Squares Large (S4-202), Martha Stewart punch
Miscellaneous: Prima Mini Roses, Offray ribbon, buttons, DMC embroidery thread
Hope you like the card. It was a fun one to make.
Blessings,
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
He IS Able Card Ministry
Monday, August 9, 2010
Go Vote at Papercraft Star!
Blessings,
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Flower Challenge at Ellen Hutson's the CLASSroom Blog
Supplies
Paper: Recollections cardstock, October Afternoon Thrift Shop, unknown brand maroon cardstock
Inks+: Tattered Rose Distress Ink, Derwent Water Color pencils, Olive Vine Glimmer Mist, Inkadinkado Blending Chalk, Cotton Candy Stickles
Tools: Martha Stewart Modern Garden and Rose Leaf punches, EK Success Retro Flower punches, Nestabilities Classic Ovals Large (S4-110) and Classic Scalloped Ovals Large (S4-111)
Miscellaneous: Vintage Shabby Seam Binding
This is my second post of the day so if you'd like to see my card for the opening challenge at the brand new 7 Kids College Fund Challenge Blog click here.
Hope you like the card! I loved every minute of making all those petals (white cardstock I colored with the distress ink) and the stem (packing paper and Glimmer Mist)--haven't made one of those in a while.
Blessings,
Brand new Challenge Blog at 7kidscollegefund
Well on top of being a great online store, they've started up their very own challenge blog aptly called 7 Kids College Fund Challenge Blog. Wednesday they posted their very first challenge--pink and dots and this is my card for the challenge.
My friend Silvia (who by the way makes the most awesome cards!) made a card using this labels 10 Nestie die and I just fell in love with it. I had to order it and another Sarah Kay stamp I can't wait to use.
Supplies
Paper: October Afternoon Fly a Kite, My Mind's Eye Laundry Line, Coordinations cardstock, white cardstock, Strathmore Watercolor paper
Stamp: Sarah Kay Spring Is Back
Inks+: Derwent Watercolor pencils, Tattered Rose Distress Ink, Cotton Candy Stickles
Tools: Nestabilities Labels Ten (S5-022)
Miscellaneous: Recollections Adhesive pearls, Prima mini roses, Celebrate It ribbon
I'm trying to experiment more with background elements. So much to learn.
Hope you like the card!
Friday, August 6, 2010
Play Date Cafe #41
Supplies
Paper: October Afternoon Thrift Shop, DCWV, Recollections cardstock
Stamp: Rubber Stampede Sunflower
Inks+: Derwent Water Color pencils, Scattered Straw Distress Stickles
Tools: Nestabilities Large Scalloped Octagons (S4-187), EK Success 3/4" circle punch, Martha Stewart Garden lattice punch
Miscellaneous: Paper Studio adhesive pearls, Studio 18 Rhinestones, ribbon
Don't forget to get your Papercraft Star project in before noon tomorrow and then come back and vote for your favorite submission.
Thanks for stopping by!
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Papercraft Star Challenge #7
Cupcakes! and a little news
How do you like the frosting on the cupcakes? Isn't that cool! It's called Liquid Applique. I haven't been able to find any locally so I ordered it online, along with some stamps of course. LOL I watercolored the cups and added some beads for the sprinkles. It's a fun card and it was fun to make.
Supplies
Paper: Recollections cardstock, October Afternoon Thrift Shop, Strathmore Water Color paper
Stamps: Meljen's Designs
Inks+: Derwent Water Color pencils; Tumbled Glass and Shabby Shutters Distress Ink; Red, Waterfall, and Crystal Stickles; Liquid Applique
Miscellaneous: ribbon, beads
This has been a really great week. You may have noticed that I've been in a creating frenzy this week. The mojo has really been working and it's because for some reason or another, I was really relaxed in my crafting. It's been great and I hope it continues! It always helps when you have wonderful bloggie friends who drop by and leave you wonderful words of encouragement or even something to make you laugh--Jan! A HUGE thanks to EVERYONE who comments here. I love reading your comments.
Besides all the craftiness that's been going on around here I have a couple of other nice things that have happened the last couple of weeks to tell you about. I know some of you are predominantly scrapbookers. If you're into vintage, shabby chic, lots of flowery, lacy embellies, etc., you NEED to visit the Swirlydoos blog by clicking on the button on my sidebar. Krissy Mosbarger heads up Swirlydoos which includes a kit club (THEY ARE GORGEOUS), blog, and forum. I've been a stalker on that forum for a long time. They had the greatest tutorials and shared ideas on there. Did you catch the HAD? Well, unfortunately, a few months ago some really hateful person hacked into the forum and basically wiped out all the wonderful stuff that was there. Krissy and her Swirly Girls are having to rebuild it as best they can. Some of it sadly is gone forever.
If you subscribe to my YT channel and watch my videos then you have probably seen the one that I did on how to make the organza flowers. This idea came from one of the Swirly Girls--Lisa. Well a couple of weeks ago Lisa wrote me and asked if I would allow them to use my video as a tutorial on Swirlydoos for her flowers. Of course I said yes, so I was able to help just a wee little bit in getting this site rebuilt. All those ladies are so incredibly talented. Go check them out. You just may become a fellow stalker like me. :)
Another nice surprise came yesterday when Judy from the Digi Doodle Shop left a comment on my pansy card I made for this weeks challenge there. She liked my card enough to include it in the Digi Doodle Gallery! Whoopee! This was the first time I got to play in their challenge and she picked my card for the gallery! Digi Doodle has some fantastic digital stamps so you can check them out too by clicking on the button for the shop on my sidebar.
Don't forget to play along with us at Papercraft Star Challenge Blog this week. It's a color inspiration challenge and you have until noon on Saturday to get you project entered. The blog has had some reconstructive surgery done, so go check out the new look. My DT submission for this week will be posted tomorrow so please come back and have a look see.
Hope you're having a great week too!
Blessings!