Make Mine Stamps

Sketch Challenge - Thanksgiving Card

I don't have much time this week to stamp so I'm trying to do a challenge to get my mojo working quickly.  I apologize, but I do not know where I got this sketch -- it doesn't actually say on the sketch I printed.  However, I knew this would be an easy card and it was.  I love to rip paper!

I started with an Always Artichoke base card.  This one opens from the bottom -- I like to change my cards up often!  I cut a layer of the leaf DSP from the Autumn Traditions Paper Pack and folded back the upper right hand corner.  I adhered this to a piece of More Mustard that I had ripped down the right edge.  I rolled the edges with my fingers to give them more dimension.  

Next, I used a Kraft Corduroy Button and rolled it around on my Ruby Red ink pad.  I placed this through the folded corner but it looked bare.  I found one sentiment stamp small enough to work on this card and it was from Teeny Tiny Messages.  I stamped it in Ruby Red along the folded edge.

I colored the Pheasant from Autumn Days with my markers (Ruby Red, Soft Suede, Elegant Eggplant and More Mustard) and softened my edges with the fabulous Champagne Shimmer Mist Paint on a sponge dauber.  Once stamped, I cut this out and adhered it to my page with dimensionals.  As you may know, it is very difficult for me to make a card that doesn't have dimensionals somewhere!

Here is the inside of the card (click to enlarge).  I used Falling Leaves for the sentiment and stamped it in Always Artichoke.  Normally, I would have used a Very Vanilla card for the inside but I figured that More Mustard will work as well and is light enough for me to write on. 

I used pieces of both stamp sets to decorate the inside in More Mustard and Ruby Red.

That is all I have today.  I had to iron yesterday and was determined to get it all done so I can stamp like a mad woman when I get home from work today!  Thursday is statement day at work and I'm a one woman office -- I have to post and balance the work from September 30, balance the month and then print statements, do reports for Thom and then I can stamp -- but that is Thursday so Wednesday is the day I hope to get some new things done.

Have an awesome day!  Thanks for stopping!

Case the Idea Book and Catalog

On one of the demo forums I belong to, we were issued a challenge to case a card in the Idea Book and Catalog. We were supposed to copy it using different colors or stamps and then "step it up a notch".  I am not sure I met the challenge, but I am sort of happy with the card.  This may turn out to be the card I use for Thom's birthday, but I have some other things in mind as well.  I need to get whatever I am going to use made as his birthday is Friday!  No pressure here.....

I cased a card from the IBC on page 95 which used the Upsy Daisy set.  I wanted to do a shadow technique that makes the image appear to be embossed.  In this instance, I got my colors reversed.

I started with a Basic Black base.  I stamped the image from Upsy Daisy in Real Red onto Real Red cardstock.  Next, I used my Stamp-A-Ma-Jig to stamp over this but slightly to the right in Whisper White Craft Ink.  Because I need to get to the eye doctor to get new glasses, I managed to get it slightly to the left -- oh well, I think it looks okay anyway!

I adhered my Real Red cardstock to a Whisper White layer and covered my seam at the top with the Real Red Polka Dot ribbon, using the reverse side.  I layered on Black and White Gingham Check ribbon to give this some contrast and then tied a bow using the Real Red ribbon.

At the bottom of the card, I used the same ribbon treatment, but I allowed the Real Red cardstock seam to remain showing.  I stamped "Love You" in Basic Black ink on the card and still felt that it needed some bada bing - bada boom -- so I added some rhinestone brads!  Bling -- what could be better! 

Now, to give you some background, Thom doesn't care for bling and he isn't in to ribbon so perhaps I should try another card for him!  We'll see what happens with this one.  Here is the inside of the card.

I stamped my sentiment in Basic Black and then stamped hearts all over the inside in Real Red.  I called this done and didn't let him see it.  I know that he very seldom, if ever, reads my blog so I'm fairly certain he won't see this card if I decide to use it.  And I just might use it for his birthday if I can't get something I like better done in the next few days.  I know I'll be able to spend the entire day on Saturday stamping, but my time between now and then may be sparse. 

Hope you have a fabulous day!  God Bless you!  Thanks for stopping!

My One and Only Halloween Card/Homecoming

Well, it wasn't a pretty Homecoming game, and they didn't win, but they scored and were competitive.  We'll take it!  Here are a couple of pics from the game.

Andy told us at the Bonfire on Thursday night that our names would be announced as his parents.  Okay, no problem.  Before we left for the game, Thom asked me if we were going to have to walk out onto the field and I told him no, just that our names would be announced, along with Andy's father, as his parents.  Good to go, right?  WRONG!  The child didn't tell either of us that we would have to escort him onto the field.  So, everyone elses parents were dressed up.  Andy's parents, the homecoming King, were all in jeans!  We felt like idiots!  And when we asked him about it, he said, "Oops!  I forgot."  Well, I really felt dumb in a sweatshirt that said "Marion Catholic Basketball".  I was proud nonetheless!

Here's a picture of the captains before the game.  I didn't get any good pictures of McKenzie because I was on the field.  My mom has some great pics though and as soon as she sends them to me, I'll post one of Andy and McKenzie.

Now, on to the card.  I am not a fan of Halloween.  Trick or Treat is fine, but where we live, we NEVER get trick or treaters.  Neither Thom or I are into decorating for this holiday and we just kind of skip this holiday.  However, I had to do one Halloween card for my Techniques Club and here it is.

Colored Soot Stamping -- And not too scary at that!  Base card is Basic Black.  We layered on Perfect Plum at the top and used a piece of the striped DSP for the bottom, covering the seam with Pumpkin Pie 1/4 grosgrain ribbon.

We used Glossy cardstock, brayered on Pumpkin Pie ink, and held it on the flame of a burning candle to create soot.  When we had enough soot, we stamped the image and then sprayed the glossy card stock with a glossy sealer.

We layered this with dimensionals onto Pumpkin Pie and Basic Black mats.  Next, we stamped the sentiment on the bottom right.

Here's the inside:

When I first showed my ladies how to achieve this technique, one of my favorite ladies, Sue, actually had her eyes glaze over and roll back into her head!  She is so darned capable but you wouldn't think so by the way she acts!  And now, she is teaching this technique at a scrapping meeting -- she loves it!  I enjoy having her in class because she is so much fun!

Okay, I've got tons of projects in my mind that need to go from my mind to paper.  Today is cleaning day, so look for something quick tomorrow.  I won't have much time but I get cranky when I don't get to play with paper and ink!  Thom is learning....

Have a great day and be blessed!

 

Blogger's Challenge - Focus on Designer Series Paper (DSP)

It's Friday and it's time for Blogger's Challenge.  Today's project was designed with tweens in mind.  I'm thinking this would make a great project for those in the 10-14 age bracket.  This was designed with Amanda in mind and I'll be anxious to hear from her mom, Colleen, if she thinks Amanda would like this project.

There are lots of pictures, so hold tight!  You can click on any picture and it will enlarge.

                 

         

         

         

 

This is a paperbag scrapbook that was designed to be all about the person creating it.  If you created this at 10 or 14, found it in 10 or 15 years, wouldn't it would be awesome to see what was important to you at that time in your life?  You can store things in the open bag portion, and on the section entitled "My Dreams", you can flip the card up so your secrets are safely hidden unless you want someone to read them.  I've labelled that page "wish big" because after all, our dreams should be big so we can grow into them!  I was truly surprised how quickly this came together and there is very little stamping involved.  The focus is really all about the DSP.

I printed the labels on clear return address labels so I could make the titles small enough for the tabs.  This is the Razzleberry Lemonade DSP and I think for girls, it rocks!  I will add a ribbon all around to tie this project up and keep all of the treasures added within safe.

I'll post pictures of the game and bonfire sometime this weekend.  Hope all in your world is right and that you have a fabulous weekend!  Blessings to you!

If you have questions about this project, please email me and I'll be happy to help in any way I can!

 

Refuge and Strength

I love this set!  Here's another card I'll use for my workshop on Sunday.  I immediately thought of this set when Desi requested a spiritual card, and when I reached for my DSP, I found this "start" to a card I hadn't finished.  Well, that settled it -- too much of a coincidence and it must be meant to happen.

I started with a Chocolate Chip card base and layered on a piece of Sage Shadow cardstock.  I used two different pieces of the To the Nines Specialty Paper as layers. wrapped a piece of 1" Double Stitched Chocolate Chip ribbon around the layers, and adhered this to the card base.

I stamped the Cross from Refuge and Strength onto Whisper White cardstock in Chocolate Chip ink and layered this on Sage Shadow and Chocolate Chip mats.  Then I adhered this to the card as well.

Because I thought it needed to be balanced, I added my three 1/4" circles in Chocolate Chip cardstock to the upper left corner.

Here's the inside:

I hope Desi's guests enjoy this card and I didn't even use any dimensionals at all!  That is definitely a record for me...I must be sick or something!

Tomorrow is Blogger's Challenge and our focus is Designer Series Paper.  I'm stoked because I love the project I created.  It came together much more quickly than I thought it would and I hope you enjoy it.  I made it with "tweens" in mind and am thinking about offering a class for tweens through Scouting.  I'll have to investigate that option...

Thanks so much for stopping by.  I'm still working on Christmas cards but probably won't have too much time to create for the next three or four days -- Festivities for Andy and Homecoming, Buckeye Football and a workshop on Sunday.  I've got projects lined up for you so I won't miss a beat.

Happy Thursday!

Easy Christ Centered Christmas Card

I'm doing a workshop on Sunday and my hostess, Desi, has requested spiritual cards.  In addition, these are newbie stampers so I need to be careful about what I try to accomplish.  We need easy cards that will allow them to see the stamping possibilities. 

Because it is that time of year, I chose to do a Christmas card with one of my favorite Christmas Sets, Christ is Born. 

This is not your typical Christmas card.  It was designed to be easy, but also to be able to come together quickly and not use many supplies. 

I started with a Basic Black base card that measures 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 and does not fold.  It's just the square.  I added a Real Red layer onto the Basic Black and it measures 5 1/4" x 4.  On this layer, I stamped the sentiment. 

I folded a piece of Whisper white cardstock that measures 3 x 8 in half.  I stamped "Christ is Born" in Real Red on the front and heat set it but still managed to get a dot.  Oh well, it's authentic Tami Black style!  I adhered this to the Real Red layer with adhesive.

Next, I tied on a length of White Satin ribbon (it's so gorgeous in real life!).  Then, I stamped my sentiment on the inside.  This sentiment comes from God's Blessings and I'm not certain if it was intended for Christmas, but I like it.  Christ is born so we are celebrating the miracle of new life and new hope (mercy, grace and redemption) through the glorious gift of Christ the Lord.  Works for me!

This is a card that is easy for newbies and if they want to reproduce it, the supplies are limited, but give them some basics.  And, if you want to step this up a few notches, it is very easy.  I used this design last year as my own Christmas card but I embossed the front in Gold and used Gold Cord and Christmas plaid ribbon.  Still easy and quick, but I did get quite a few compliments on my cards.

Glad you stopped by.  I hope you are seeing cards and projects that inspire you.  I'm working each night on getting ready for the auctions I'm donating products to and to get ready for a workshop on Sunday.  Hopefully, I'll be showing you some new things that will make you itch to get your fingers inky!

May God richly bless you!

Homecoming Week

It's homecoming week at Andy's school and I've been wanting to try a folder project for a while.  Since I had some time this weekend, I gave it a shot, although I didn't really embellish this too much.  I made it with the intention of sending it to Andy to give to his date, McKenzie, who also happens to be the Homecoming Queen.  They will make a great couple -- no love interest, but really great friends.  Andy asked McKenzie to the dance before school even started and as luck would have it, she's the Homecoming Queen and he's the King.  Funny how it worked out, but cool, nonetheless!

Do you recognize this folder?  It's one of the file folders from the Thoroughly Modern collection (if you don't remember seeing these in the Idea Book and Catalog, check page 169).  I should have chosen another one to experiement with, but actually just pulled out the top one to see if I could make this work. 

I folded the folder to make pockets that will hold 4 x 6 photos.  In addition, I added a piece of paper to each slot so McKenzie can jot down things she might want to remember about Homecoming and the Queen experience.

I had to use clear return address labels for the tab titles.  If you have seen my handwriting, you will completely understand this.  If the titles were to be legible, typing was the way to go!

I used the DSP from the Thoroughly Modern collection, along with Vanilla Hodgepodge, Bermuda Bay Polka Dotted Grosgrain ribbon and some of our punches.

Here's a view of the folder opened. 

If you click on the picture, it will enlarge.  At Andy's school, the King and Queen are crowned at a Bonfire held on Thursday night (yes, I will be there taking pictures!).  The tabs read:  Bonfire, The Game, The Dance, Friends and Memories.

On Thursday, the Bonfire will be held and the coronation takes place.  Then, on Friday, they will be presented prior to the football game.  Andy will be in his uniform during this presentation because he plays football.  McKenzie cheers so she may well be in her uniform as well!  Yes, I'll be there taking pictures!

On Saturday, they get dressed up and go to the Homecoming Dance where there will be another presentation.  I'd love to be there, but Andy is letting me know that he thinks I'm on overkill with this whole gig.  Too bad, so sad, son -- sorry 'bout your luck -- I think I'll be there anyway and yes, I'll be taking pictures!

I'm mailing this to him tomorrow to give to McKenzie prior to the Bonfire.  Because some gals her age may not really be into this type of thing, I'm not going overboard on the frills.  It may not be used, but I wanted to prove to me that I could do this.  My next project of this sort will be to start with a manilla envelope and take it over the top.  Look for it in October!

If you are local and are interested in finding out what is on my October calendar, be sure to click on my events calendar.  All my classes will be listed, along with a description of each class.  I'd love to see you at Card Club or at Techniques and classes at the church are open to anyone as well.

Have a great day and thanks for stopping!  God Bless You!

Grateful -- For Many Reasons!

Thom was out of town this weekend and I was home alone.  Andy had a football game on Friday night -- the first he has been able to play in as he has a hairline fracture of his wrist.  No, it wasn't a football injury, but an injury due to a scavenger hunt while he was at a Catholic Youth Group event at Notre Dame College.  No story needed...  They replaced his hard cast with a soft cast and padded it up so he could play.  It has been very hard for him to be on the sideline while his team was losing.  But guess what?  Friday night...THEY WON!  He had some solo tackles and I kept hearing his name over the speaker -- a proud moment for me!  However, due to the location of the game, I didn't get home until well after midnight.  My initial plan was to stamp all weekend and that didn't happen either.  I did get lots done, but not what I would have liked to have accomplished.  I'm having some trouble with my left shoulder and back and it really kicked up on Saturday so I stopped stamping at about 7 p.m. 

Here is one of the projects I accomplished.  I have several events I've committed to giving away some hand-stamped and created items to in the upcoming month.  This box, plus a pretty Dusty Durango Polka Dot ribbon is going to be a part of one of those "donations".  The card was actually created as the invitation for a workshop I have next week for new people who are not really stampers.  I need to ease them into the fold, you know what I mean?

The card uses a Dusty Durango base.  Because the idea was to keep this very simple, I cut a piece of Soft Suede and then cut a piece of the Crushed Curry DSP.  I love this specific DSP in Crushed Curry because it is so light and elegant.

I ripped both pieces, separately, and then rolled the edges back with my fingernail (what there is of it!).  I adhered the Crushed Curry layer to the Soft Suede, making sure to leave a bit of the Soft Suede showing at the top.  Next, I adhered a piece of Crushed Curry grosgrain polka dot ribbon (reversible) to the top of the Crushed Curry DSP.  I tied a bow and trimmed my ends.  (I'm going to fix this one when I'm done with this post!). 

I stamped my sentiment from the Falling Leaves set that I won at convention (A BIG WOO-HOO!) on the lower right of my card.  The inside sentiment reads, "so thankful for you and all that you do" and is a curvy verse from the same stamp set.  LOVE FREE STAMPS!  Also, I stamped a leaf on the envelope.

I made the box from Dusty Durango cardstock and then used my favorite Dusty Durango DSP for the top.  It matches the DSP in Crushed Curry on the card.  This box will hold 6 cards and envelopes easy and if they aren't layered too high, it will hold more. 

Sorry I didn't have anything to post yesterday.  I was running around the house cleaning up after myself before Thom got home.  I was also working on tiles, a scrapbook of sorts and some other projects you are sure to see in upcoming days.

Homecoming is this week at Andy's school and since he was voted Homecoming King, you may get to see some pictures from the bonfire on Thursday night and from the game on Friday.  I don't know that I'll get a chance to get to the dance on Saturday, but I'm hopeful that the school photographer will be there to get some pictures.  At this point, I think he would like to me just drop it, but this is his senior year and I'm getting it all recorded!  Can you say, "Cheese!"

Have an awesome Monday and let it set the tone for the rest of the week.  Don't let anyone get you down -- whatever it is, you'll get through it!

Bloggers Challenge - Color Challenge

It's Friday so it's another Bloggers Challenge!  I'll admit I weenied out of this one...I made the easiest card ever!  Color challenges are hard for me and I should force myself to do them more often, but I weeny out!

The color challenge was to use Chocolate Chip, Melon Mambo and Crushed Curry, along with any neutrals you needed to complete the card.  Well, I immediately thought of Medallion which I have never inked before -- virgin stamp!  So, here's the card!

I started with a Chocolate Chip Base.  I inked the Medallion with Crushed Curry and used a sponge to daub Melon Mambo ink around the outside of the stamp.  I stamped the image on Whisper White cardstock and cut out the center, being careful to leave a white edge. 

Next, I re-inked my stamp with Crushed Curry and once again, daubed Melon Mambo in the center.  I stamped the image onto Whisper White and cut the center out, again being careful to cut to the outside white edge. 

I used my Crop-A-Dile to punch the small circles out so you can see the Melon Mambo layer through the circles.  I used dimensionals to attach the large image (with the circle cut out) to the Melon Mambo cardstock.  I snipped the prongs from a Rhinestone brad from the Fire Circles collection and attached it to the circle with a glue dot.  I added a double layer of dimensionals to the circle and attached it to the layer in the empty circle space, trying to line up the white outer layer so the image appears complete.

I attached my Melon Mambo layer to the Crushed Curry layer, attaching a piece of 1/4" White grosgrain ribbon around the Crushed Curry.  Next, I attached this to my Chocolate Chip card base and stamped my sentiment. 

Here's the inside of the card, and before you look, the sentiment inside is crooked.  That is what makes it an original Tami Black card.  No, I didn't mean to stamp it crooked, as my resident card critique will ask (he never disappoints me here!).  It just happened...like hope!

I love this sentiment from the Hard to Say set.  I'll never get rid of this set as I know I'll be able to use it to eternity!  I'm sending this card to a friend who just lost her job due to a reduction in force.  She's an awesome sales person and one of the most fabulous friends I could ever have.  She never forgets anything you tell her and is constantly asking about you and what is happening in your life.  I'm praying that she finds a better job with better bosses and working conditions very quickly.  I know that when God closes a door, He opens a window and I am praying she is going to feel that breeze very soon!

Hope you enjoyed this card.  If not, trust me, I'll have something for you this weekend.  As I said, I'm stamping until I cramp!  I've got so many committments out there of things to stamp and donate, for workshops and stamp camps.  So, if the mojo is working, I'll have a bunch to show you.

Have a fabulous weekend and stay safe!  I'm off to my son's football game and it's three hours away.  I'll be drinking coffee on the way home...

God Bless!

Autumn Days - Stamping 411 Sketch Challenge

This weekend, I am going to stamp until I cramp!! I've got a list a mile long of the things I need to complete and I am going to move through the list no matter what!  I needed to create something quick and easy today and I started with a sketch challenge. 

I decided to use Autumn Days as I love that pheasant or turkey or whatever that fowl is!  Thom and I were driving to an old country church a couple of months ago, shortly after this set debuted.  I swear we ran into a few of these gorgeous birds!  I immediately thought of this set and couldn't believe how beautiful these birds were -- beautiful and HUGE!  Not the kind of bird I want to run into on my walks, and I suppose they are perfectly harmless.  However, we thought they might be courting the smaller bird in the area who wasn't as pretty -- she may have been the female, but we aren't sure.  At any rate, it was a welcome sight as we traveled to church.

I started with a base of Always Artichoke and ran this through the Big Shot with the Distressed Texturz Plate.  Next, I cut a piece of the colorful leaf paper from the Designer Series Paper packet called Autumn Traditions.  I love this paper but I haven't really used it yet.  I layered this piece onto the basecard.

Next, I stamped my pheasant/turkey/fowl on Very Vanilla cardstock.  I colored him with More Mustard, Elegant Eggplant, Soft Suede and Ruby Red markers.  I made a mask of the pheasant/turkey/fowl and then stamped the wheat chaffs (what are these things called anyway!) in More Mustard over the mask so it appears that my pheasant/turkey/fowl is in front of the "stuff".  I mounted this on Ruby Red cardstock with dimensionals. 

I used my Tab punch to punch a Very Vanilla tab and stamped "just for you" from Teeny Tiny Wishes in Soft Suede.  I adhered this to my mat and then adhered the mat to the cardbase with dimensionals.  The sketch called for an embellishment of some sort on the top right hand side, so I used my Fire Circle Brads.  I have so many of these because I used one of the four colors for swaps for convention and have a ton left.  You'll be seeing these embellishments for a good long time to come!  Because I can never set these correctly, I cut off the prongs and applied them with glue dots.

I finished the inside of the card with Very Vanilla cardstock and a strip of another piece of the DSP which I scalloped before applying.  I stamped the wheat chaffs (?) in More Mustard and called this card done.  It certainly isn't my favorite card, but my resident card critique loves the pheasant/turkey/fowl and he actually commented without my asking!  That doesn't happen often...

Tomorrow is Blogger's Challenge and it is a color challenge.  Help me, please!  I don't do well with color challenges and am thinking this will really be a CHALLENGE!  Stay tuned for the results.

Thanks for visiting!  Have a fabulous day and if you are local, stop in at North Terrace Church of Christ on Brandywine Boulevard between 4 to 8 p.m. this evening for Bosco's Benefit.  There are some fabulous auction items and I know there is something you need!