Make Mine Stamps

Blogger's Challenge...Sketch Challenge

Happy Friday!  I leave for convention on Tuesday and I have multiples lists of things I have to get done before I can leave...but I'm so excited, I can hardly sleep!  Today's Bloggers Challenge was to use a specific sketch and I KIND OF did use the sketch.  My card started out to be fairly pure and true to the sketch, but as it evolved, I flipped the sketch upside down and moved my center image a bit to the left so I could stamp to the right.  Last week, I missed the challenge (Christmas in July) as I was just too busy to stamp anything that wasn't for convention, but I redeemed myself this week by combining Christmas in July with this sketch.  It makes me feel a bit better about myself and my ability to meet these challenges.  And as my step-daughter would say, "If it makes you sleep better at night to think that, then go for it."

I started with a base of Chocolate Chip and layered on Old Olive cardstock.  Next, I used the DSP from the Christmas Jingle Scrapbooking kit (pg 165) and layered on a piece of the striped DSP.  It's yummy!  I added Very Vanilla cardstock to the top and wrapped that absolutely gorgeous Really Red 1" Double Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon (pg 182) across the entire card. 

Next, I stamped the poinsettia from the Christ Is Born stamp set (pg 37) in versamark ink.  I chalked the image with my Really Red chalk and cut it out.  I love the Rhinestone Brads (pg 179) and used three of the large Fire Circle yellow brads on the image.  Finally, I adhered this image to an Old Olive mat with dimensionals and then attached the Old Olive Image to the base with dimensionals as well. 

My final step was to ink the words "joy and wonder" from the sentiment stamp using my Chocolate Chip marker and stamp these above the Really Red grosgrain ribbon.

  As you can see, I didn't do a great job of following the sketch; however, I maintain that a sketch just gets you started and you see where the creative juices take you.  I hope you subscribe to the same notion!

I'll definitely be back tomorrow with a special post so check me out!  I hope to schedule posts while I am at convention and then on to Seattle to meet my husband for vacation.  We are really looking forward to that record-setting hot weather...NOT! 

Have a blessed, God-filled day, and thanks so much for checking!

I'm Baaaack!

But probably not for long!  I'm still making my swap cards for convention, my scrapbook pages for convention but the worst is that I am waiting on an order due to arrive today so I can actually get these things made.  I ran out of supplies for the cards I am doing and I'm kicking myself for not using what I have to design something else.  Oh well....I know it will get done!

Personal opinion...When you emboss something, it gives it that WOW factor without much effort.  This is the newest embossing folder for the Big Shot, Elegant Bouquet, and I love it!  It looks absolutely fabulous without color, but I really wanted to make this pop.  I embossed the Whisper White cardstock and then swiped across the embossed part with Versamark ink.  Next, I used q-tips and my chalks to give this some color.  I attached the Whisper White to Melon Mambo cardstock (base) and used Melon Mambo ink to stamp my sentiment from Sincere Salutations.

This was super easy and quick and I think I'm going to make some of these for the church.  Simple, but easy, and right now, that is exactly what I need.

Andy is here visiting and I love that he is here.  However, I don't see the computer for days on end.  He is sleeping and it is very early so I've absconded with the computer for this post.

Thanks for checking to see if I've done anything new.  I promised pictures and I will get them posted before I leave so stay tuned..I'll wrestle the computer back on Thursday!  Have a great week!

Asian Artistry Hostess Set

I have to start getting the name of my stamp sets right!  In yesterday's post, I said the sentiment was from Many Merry Messages, but that is incorrect.  The sentiment was from the new Teeny Tiny Messages.  Hopefully, you'll understand just how I could have gotten that incorrect -- Sorry!

Today's card was designed for a workshop I did last Saturday.  I had a ball, met some interesting and funny gals, all related in one manner or another...sort of.  You can figure that one out!

I started with a base of Brocade Blue and embossed a piece of Certainly Celery with the new Texturz Plate, Perfect Details.  I adhered this to the base card.  Next, I diecut the Top Note Die in Whisper White.  My current favorite hostess set (Level 1) is Asian Artistry.  Using my markers, I used Old Olive for grasses and stems, Pumpkin Pie for the flowers, Brocade Blue for the bird, and Chocolate Chip for the twig and the bird's feet.  I stamped the grass and flower image first and then stamped the bird image.  I love using these two images together and think they complement one another perfectly.

For the finishing touch, I popped this with dimensionals, added the Brocade Blue ribbon and then added it to the card.

I think this is a clean and simple design, which is exactly what I needed!

I'm still working on designing swaps so I can order additional supplies, but I'm going to quit stressing over this.  If I have to ship my supplies (hopefully all cut and stamped!), I'll do it and just put the cards together at convention.  I'm not going to be able to make any swaps to just have with me -- but at least I'll be participating in about 6 organized swaps.  Can't wait to see what everyone comes up with and then I'll have some fab samples to share at my classes!

I've still got some photos to take and share and I'm going to try to get them done this afternoon.  Until then, have a great day and God Bless You!

Thinking of You...

I am so fortunate to have great friends and class members!  My second Techniques Class for July met on Monday and I got presents!  Francie is the "mother" of our group -- she's the one who knows everyone, strives to make everyone in our group feel special and she's got a fabulous sense of humor -- you gotta love this woman!  She is also the one who probably stamps the most -- even more than me!  She is constantly trying new techniques and brings me samples to show what she has done -- and her cards are so darned creative! 

She knows I am going to convention and she treated me to a new bag with my name on it -- I can't wait to take it on the plane with some of my carry-on stuff -- Thanks so much Francie -- I LOVE THAT BAG AND YOU TOO!  I'll post her card tomorrow and show you the bag too -- I didn't get them photographed yet.

Today's card uses the new DSP Razzleberry Lemonade.  I would never have thought of putting these colors together, but then I say that about so many of Stampin' Up!'s color combinations.  I firmly believe that most of the DSP doesn't show nearly as pretty in the catalog as it truly is in person. 

I started with a Melon Mambo card base and layered on Crushed Curry that I had scalloped.  I placed a piece of the DSP over the Crushed Curry layer.  Next, I layered a piece of Whisper White taffeta ribbon over a strip of Crushed Curry and added this to my card over the DSP layer.  I just received the Movers and Shakers die for my Big shot and used it to diecut a Melon Mambo Modern Label tag to add to the strip.  More to come using this die for sure!  I stamped a sentiment from the Many Merry Messages stamp set in Rich Razzleberry ink onto Whisper White cardstock and punched it with the Modern Label punch.  I added this to the card with dimensionals but just wanted something else for this card.  I fished around until I came up with a Rose Red flower from the Flower Fusion kit, which coordinates with this DSP beautifully.  Using Crushed Curry, I punched a center with the Flower Trio punch and added a Pretty In Pink brad to the flower from the Soft Subtles brad collection.  I'm not quite certain I like the punch and the flower on the same line, but I didn't leave enough room to put the sentiment on the bottom.  At this point, I really like the colors together and I'm leaving it "as is".  It will have to work.

I recently received some of the DSP shares that I had ordered from another demo.  You've got to see this DSP in order to appreciate it.  And, if you didn't notice the wood sheets in the catalog on page 158, as well as the Bride and Groom collection, you are missing out.  When I originally saw the Bride and Groom collection, I thought they were pretty but didn't think I would ever use them.  THINK AGAIN!  I'm going to be using these papers for upcoming projects in a big way -- they are STUNNING! 

Another BIG WOW! for me was the Storybook Specialty paper.  It would be fabulous for your favorite children to color and use for their projects or room decor, but the backsides are fantastic and I know I could use these as textured DSP in my stamping projects.  Because I no longer have small children and all of my nephews and my niece do not live close, I didn't think I could use these papers -- WRONG!  Located on page 163 in the new catalog, check these out -- the printed sides are fabulous!

Time for me to get busy and get ready for work.  I've absolutely got to design at least two of my swaps for convention tonight and have one completely cut, but not put together.  I am going to need to order additional supplies and will have to do that fairly soon so I am not working on swaps AT convention!  I'd like to have them completed and sent ahead but I think, at this point, this is wishful thinking.

Have a fabulous, blessed day!

Random Stamping...

I did my first workshop outside of my home on Saturday and I can tell you it was fun, but I don't really think I did a fantastic job.  At least I have some ideas upon what I need to improve.  I think I can say the ladies really liked their cards.  That is half the battle already!

I'll be posting my techniques class cards this week as my final group meets tonight.  And, I've got other cards to post if I can just get them photographed and ready.  Here's a card I wouldn't normally show you because it doesn't make me go WOW! but it will show you why I don't normally "random stamp."

This card is random stamped and I tried to create a pattern because my first attempt was even more pitiful!  I started with a Brocade Blue card base and layered Cameo Coral on top.  Next, I stamped one pattern from the Circle Circus stamp set in Brocade Blue and then followed it with another design in Cameo Coral.  I stopped stamping high enough on the Whisper White cardstock that I could stamp a sentiment and tie some of the gorgeous Brocade Blue grosgrain ribbon across to add something to this poor card. 

I think you can tell that this card took about 5 minutes, start to finish.  But at least it looks like some sort of pattern and that was my goal!

As a demo, I've been able to preview the new Holiday Mini and I'm in real deep trouble!  I want it all and there are some fabulous new product lines being debuted in this mini.  I'm not supposed to share and being the good girl that I am, I won't, but suffice it to say that come September, when you get to see the new mini, I think you are going to be WOW'd like I was!  And, I've recently gotten the Christmas Scrapbook offering from the new catalog and I am thinking I'll be wading into this paper very soon -- I really like it and think there are some great designs to come...with NO random stamping!

Enjoy your day and I hope you stop by tomorrow -- there will definitely be something new to see!   Blessings to you!

Bloggers Challenge -- Stitch It! (And I DON'T!)

I've been so busy I've been missing in action!  And, today, Blogger's Challenge is to "stitch it" -- the problem?  I DON'T!  I have been thinking I'd like to get a Janome small machine for stitching on paper because I like the look, but I'm not sure I could even handle that!

I have to pick my son up from the University of Notre Dame in Indiana today and I have to leave at 6 a.m. to be there by noon.  I'd like to tour the grounds and then we'll hit the road for the trip home.  So, my "stitch it" project is a small project that I'll actually use this weekend as a tag.  I used the Scallop Circles 2 and my Big Shot to create the round scalloped card.  (I did think it would be bigger, but it will still work!).

The scallop circle card was cut from Kraft cardstock.  When I opened the Thoroughly Modern Designer Series Paper, I was completely floored!  I love, love, love it!  Love the colors and I adore stripes!  So, naturally, I picked the stripe for my tag.  I scalloped a piece of Bermuda Bay cardstock and cut it across to fit the tag.  Next, I pierced the Bermuda Bay piece and used my White Gel Pen to "fake" my stitches!  Sorry, but that is about the extent of my sewing and I'm okay with this completely!  Next, I used one of the Rose Red felt flowers from the Flower Fusion kits and added a Chocolate Chip Corduroy button.  Finally, I stamped the sentiment from Many Merry Messages (and managed to get it crooked!). 

Overall, although I cheated on the stitching part, I'm happy with this tag and will use it at a workshop on Saturday!

Enjoy your day and blessings to you!

Stamping 411 Sketch Challenge

It's a late posting today -- very busy and spent quality time with Thom today.  That is always worth the investment!  I chose to work on a very simple sketch challenge today.  This is one of those that immediately hit me and it came together easily.

The base card is Brilliant Blue, which I don't seem to use often at all.  I chose it to start with because I have a ton of the 8 1/2 x 11 paper and need to reorder most of the other colors.  Very scientific...

Next, I used a layer of Pumpkin Pie and created a So Saffron layer that is 1/8" smaller than the Pumpkin Pie layer.  I layered these two pieces.  I stamped the grasses from Inspired by Nature in Old Olive and then colored the flowers with Pumpkin Pie and Chocolate Chip markers.  I used Always Artichoke ink forthe stems, and instead of huffing on this large stamp, I gently spritzed it with water and then stamped the image. 

I stamped the sentiment "just for you" from the Many Merry Messages stamp set and cut it out to fit the Silver Hodgepodge hardware.  I used the White Taffeta ribbon to adhere the Hodgepodge Hardware to the Pumpkin Pie/So Saffron Layer and adhered this to the base card.

I'm happy with this one.  But, I'm happier still that I've finally gotten one of my 5 cards designed for swaps at Convention.  One down, four to go and they all need to be designed this week so I'll be working hard!  And, I've still got cleaning, laundry, work, etc., that must be done before I can stamp.  I don't know if it's considered proper to pray to God to make you more of a creative stamper, but I have always read that we don't have because we don't ask, so I'm asking!  Even though God knows what we need, we might as well throw out some of our wants as well!  Perhaps He has some cretivity left in that bucket for me...I'll let you know throughout the week if I get some divine intervention!

Have a wonderful day!  Thanks for stopping!

Bloggers Challenge - Case a Bloggers Challenge Member

I can't think of anything more fun than casing (Copy and Share Everything) someone you admire.  I could choose anyone on the member list and case anything on their blog -- these folks are so talented!  However, when I grow up, I want to be like my upline, Connie Babbert.  There is no end to the creativity this woman has been blessed with and she shares everything, answers all my questions, and genuinely helps me to be a better stamper!  So, of course...I cased Connie!  

I absolutely love the new In Color, Bermuda Bay.  It's a jewel tone and I adore jewel tones (just ask my Techniques Class Members!).  Here's the card I created.

As luck would have it, I received my order of Bermuda Bay DSP yesterday and have been anxious to get my fingers in this ink.  I started with a base card of Bermuda Bay.  I chose a striped DSP from the Bermuda Bay package and layered this on Whisper White cardstock. Next, I punched the border for the top and bottom of the floral DSP I decided to use and adhered these to the Whisper White cardstock.  I used the Bermuda Bay Striped Grosgrain Ribbon and flipped it to the solid side, wrapping this around the entire layer.  Then, I wrapped a piece of the 1/4" Whisper White Grosgrain ribbon around the Bermuda Bay Grosgrain ribbon and tied a knot.  I wanted that transition of White against the Bermuda Bay grosgrain.

Finally, I used my Big Shot and die cut the smaller of the two Scalloped Circles from the Scalloped Circles #2 die in Bermuda Bay.  I used the Circles #2 Die and diecut the coordinating circle in Whisper White.  The heart image stamp is from the Simply Said stamp set and I stamped this onto Whisper White in Bermuda Bay ink, using the marker to color in the biggest of the flowers.  I mounted the stamped image on the scalloped cardstock with dimensionals, and adhered this entire piece to the card with dimensionals as well.  Because I know this is going to be a RAK card, I stamped the sentiment "hope happens."

Okay, you've seen my card, but you ask, what was the inspiration card?  You can find it on Connie's Blog, appropriately titled, "Inkspired Treasures".  Here's the link:  http://www.inkspiredtreasures.com/page/2/ and the post is from June 26.  I wasn't sure it was appropriate to actually post her card picture on my blog, but if you click the link, you'll get to see the card.  It is gorgeous -- calm and very soft!  What is not to love about this card?  I love the colors she used and I like the sketch itself.

I know I will find myself using this sketch over and over.  Perhaps I'll even use this sketch to create a swap card for Convention in August.  I've signed up for too many swaps and I haven't even started!  However, if I have to give up sleeping (notice I didn't say eating?), those swaps will be done and mailed to my hotel before I leave on August 4!

Thanks for stopping and enjoy your day.  Count your blessings and remember to thank God!

Not so Sure About This One...

Ever have one of those days when you know what you want to get accomplished but it just doesn't seem to come together?  Well, I was there yesterday.  I needed to finalize my third card for my Techniques Classes and I had a fairly good card in mind.  My fingers just wouldn't cooperate and my brain just shut down.  I worked and worked on the card, refusing to let go of the design, until it finally took shape and I'm now happy with it.  I'll post the card after the 20th as my second class doesn't meet until then.  When you finally get something you're happy with, it is a great feeling, but until you get there, you question whether or not you should even be making cards!  Frustration -- Overcome!

This card was a quick answer to a sketch challenge that I thought would be straight forward and easy.  Not by a long shot -- I'm still not satisfied with this one, but I'm posting it anyway to see what you think.  I would love it if someone would take this card, rework it and make it a WOW.  I think perhaps I should have layered more or used different colors...whatever!  What is your take on this one?  If you rework it, send me a picture and I'll post it!

I love the new In Colors -- every one of them!  For some reason, I am especially drawn to the combination of Dusty Durango, Crushed Curry and Soft Suede.  I've loved any combination of orange, yellow and brown since I was a young child.  The base card is Soft Suede and I used a piece of Crushed Curry behind the layers.  To give this some interest, I ripped the edges, both top and bottom, on the Crushed Curry piece. 

Next, I colored the image from Pocket Silhouettes using my Dusty Durango and Old Olive markers.  I stamped the image onto Whisper White.  I mounted two of the small images onto Old Olive Cardstock and placed those over the Crushed Curry layer left and right.  Because I wanted to give this card some dimension, I mounted the third image onto Old Olive with mounting tape and then used mounting tape again to pop this entire layer in the center of the Crushed Curry layer. 

It still needed something, so I used my 1/4" circle punch to add the three Dusty Durango punches top left and bottom right.  Maybe I'll give this one another try with a different color combination and some additional layers. It's worth a shot -- after all, as a wise woman once told me, "It's only paper.  If you don't like it, toss it and try again."  Good advice!

My (first) order of new catalog goodies arrived yesterday.  Instead of playing as I wanted to, I finished cutting and preparing for my Techniques Class tonight.  When I get home today, hopefully I'll have a few moments to get into some new rubber and some new Designer Series Papers.  I'm never really sure about the DSP until I see it in person.  Most of you may know that I'm not visual -- I'm kinisthetic, meaning I have to touch it to fall in love with it.  And fall in love with it, I DID!  Some fabulous new paper I can't wait to work with and since Thom is gone on Saturday, I'll play to my hearts content and I'm starting early!

Enjoy your day and make a point of praying for someone who has a special need.  You will be blessed in more ways than you can think of!  God knows what we need, but He still wants us to ask and He still answers prayer!

Happy Tuesday!

I did get to stamp yesterday, but only for a short while.  My rule is that I have to have the housework, the ironing and all the rest of my "wifely" duties done before I can stamp.   Thom deserves that and since he is "a bit" OCD (read that TOTALLY OCD), I don't want him coming to resent the time I spend stamping.   And this weekend, he and a friend are attending a car show so I get to stamp WITH NO GRIEF!  Ya gotta love that!

This card is the result of a sketch challenge, but I'm not sure from where it came.  I really liked the sketch, but I think if I use it again, I'll layer a bit more.  As I said, I knew my time was limited and I wanted to complete something.

This is a 5 x 7 and if you follow my blog, you know I really don't create many cards that are this size.  However, I needed the room with this card.

I used the Designer Series Paper Razzleberry Lemonade (sounds like a fabulously refreshing summer beverage, doesn't it?).  I adhered the left piece to the base card.  Next, I pierced and scalloped a piece of the Rich Razzleberry cardstock and adhered this to the base card. 

I used another piece of the Designer Series paper and wrapped three strands of 3/8" Whisper White Taffeta Ribbon around the top, attaching cheater bows (Thank you, Connie).  I colored the small flower image from the Razzle Dazzle stamp set with my Rich Razzleberry, Crushed Curry and Old Olive markers and stamped this on Whisper White.  I stamped the sentiment in Rich Razzleberry (from the Many Merry Messages stamp set) and then I punched this out with the Designer Label punch. 

I used a piece of the Silver Hodpodge Hardware and cut the bottom tab off with my snips - you cannot even tell!  The Hodpodge Hardware is sturdy, but soft enough that if you want to manipulate it, you can!  This is a great investment with all those fabulous pieces!  I placed my punched piece inside the hardware and used Crystal Effects around the outside on the back to keep this piece inside the hardware.  Once it dried (about 20 minutes), I used some hemp twine to attach this piece to the Whisper White taffeta ribbon.

I've got some smaller gift bags and my thought is that I'll attach this to the front of the gift bag, fill it with stamped tissue and vola!  --  A great presentation!

Hope you are having a fantabulous day and that you have fun things planned.  Thanks for stopping and I hope to be back tomorrow!  It's grocery shopping day though...

God Bless you!