Make Mine Stamps

Bloggers Challenge - Sketch Challenge

I am surprised these ladies haven't kicked me off the list since I've haven't participated in the past three weeks.  I'm glad they didn't because I love the creativity of this group!

Today, we had a sketch challenge.  Let's see if I can get a copy to magically appear in this post:

  Here is what I saw in this sketch and it came to me pretty darned quick.

I was "creating" a month or so ago and played with some cardstock vellum because I couldn't find all my glossy cardstock (yep, I have a God's plenty, but I couldn't locate the first sheet!).  This was the result of my Pacific Point, Tangerine Tango and Melon Mambo reinker splash technique.  I hated it at the time but I just couldn't throw it away.  I tossed it to the side and just kept looking at it, determined that I could fix it.  Well, shimmer mist to the rescue!  Isn't it true that everything looks better with some bling?  You can't see it because I can't photo it that well -- and as far as that photoing getting better...fugghedaboutit.  I spend my time stamping -- not trying to figure out the camera!

I started with a Pacific Point base and added a layer of Whisper White which was texturized through the Big Shot with the Polka Dots Embossing Folder.  Next, I cut my vellum down and stamped the focal imagefrom For All You Do in Pacific Point and mounted this to a Melon Mambo mat.  I added this to the card with regular adhesive.  I stamped the words in Pacific Point, used my 1 3/8 Circle Punch to punch out the words, and matted them on a Pacific Point Punched Circle Scallop.  Of course I popped this up with dimensionals.  I'm going through withdrawl big time always trying to make these cards that are flat so they can be mailed for 44 cents -- I'm working on it -- not cured!

I added a Whisper White panel on the inside and embellished the piece with some small flowers stamped in Pacific Point.  I'll use this card for writing a personal message.  I love these colors together and am not certain if this is related to something in my hormones or what -- but brights are the choice this week!

Off to do some more stamping!  Enjoy your day and show someone some love -- they'll wonder what you're up to for sure!  God Bless!

Blogger's Challenge - Father's Day Cards

It's Friday and that makes me so happy!  I spent a couple of days this week with a stomach bug that was giving me fits and I'm hopeful it is over.

Today, we are to share Father's Day cards.  Not many people know that my own father died of lung cancer when I was but a babe (8 months old to be exact!).  And I was fortunate that my mother married my DAD!  You've read the saying that "Anyone can be a father, but it takes someone special to be a dad."  It's true.  I vividly recall that before I had my mastectomy, I was working one day and my father called me at work.  He didn't normally do that and I knew something must be up.  He was so choked up with emotion he could barely talk, but he said to me, "Tam, I love you.  If I could do this for you, I would do it in a heartbeat."  And I knew he would have done it for me if he could.  His tears made me cry and when I got off the phone, I thanked God that he gave me a dad who loved me that much. 

The story, as I've heard it told, is that my dad and my mom were dating and my dad was playing with me, holding me above his head.  He looked up at me and said, "Ask your mom if she'll marry me.  You need a dad."  I think it's true, but if it's not, it's a great story anyway!  Love you, Dad!

Here's the card I did:

I know I've used this set tons of times, but I love it.  I started with a base of Soft Suede. 

I stamped the image in Garden Green, Wild Wasabi, Summer Sun and Soft Suede.  However, some of the grasses are second generation stamping to give you a contrast between light and dark.   The flower stems are all done in Garden Green and I'm getting used to the new color families to figure out what works best with what.  Love Wild Wasabi with Garden Green -- gonna be a favorite combo, I can tell!

I cut my stamped image into four equal pieces and then mounted the squares on Wild Wasabi.  I mounted this piece onto Summer Sun (sorry to see this go!).  Next, I wrapped the Soft Suede polka dotted ribbon around the layer (dots down as always) and tied the cheater knot on top.  This entire panel was adhered to the basecard.

Finally, I used a retired stamp that I will always keep in my stamping closet because I love it so much -- the word, the font and how pretty it looks on cards.

I used Soft Suede and the Horizontal Slot punch to create the cattails.  I'm not sure who to credit with this idea, but I love the cattails with this set and think this is adorable. 

This weekend, if you are close to Zanesville, you need to attend the Gordon Mote concert at Licking Valley High School.  The concert is Sunday at 4 p.m.  Gordon is the premiere studio pianist for all the Christian and Country stars in Nashville.  He's an award winner and the most unbelieveable part is that he has been blind since birth.  The man is a marvel on the keyboard.  He can sing as well and his witness is very inspiring.  It would be a fabulous way to spend your Sunday afternoon.  Tickets are only $10 and I'm telling you, this concert is worth much more than $10!  You'll love the setting too -- very small and intimate and I can't wait to see and hear him play and sing some of his new songs.  He is da bomb!

If you want to hear some of his music, check out this link:  http://gordonmote.com/bio.html

Even if you can't come to the concert, check Gordon's web site out at gordonmote.com  You won't be sorry -- I guarantee it!

God Bless!  Fill your weekend with faith and family!

LOVE YOU MUCH!

It's Friday!  And by now, you know that means Blogger's Challenge and Sketch Frenzy Friday!  Blogger's challenge was to use Red, White and Blue and here's the sketch I had to use.

  This was an easy template to use and I had such good ideas!  However, life got in the way and I ended up not having time to put any of them into motion.  As a matter of fact, I actually created my card in less than 10 minutes and...IT LOOKS LIKE IT TOO!  Sorry, but I've got to admit I weenied out big time.

I used the Love U Stencils from the Decor Elements Line.  There are seven stencils in this collection and the cost is only $14.95.  I love each of them and decided I had to use something very easy in order to get this challenge done. 

The colors are Brilliant Blue, Real Red and Whisper White.  I intended to use the punch from the sketch; however, I loaned it to a customer and don't have it to use!  

I stenciled the hearts in Real Red and then used my markers in Brilliant Blue and Real Red with the air tool to blow on some color.  No, I didn't intend for it to splotch like it did and as a  result, I decided to stamp the sentiment from Family Phrases so it looked like a child had made this card.

Now I must also admit that part of the reason I didn't get a better card made is that my son had his graduation awards ceremony today.  It took longer than I anticipated and the best part is that he won more awards than either of us anticipated!  He received more scholarships than we knew about and he received the only award voted upon by his class, as well as the only one awarded by the school faculty.  You can imagine how proud I am! 

And to top it off, after that ceremony, we went to my mom's and I got to see my nephew, Braydon, whom I haven't seen in 3 years and his new brother Caleb, whom I've never met and he just turned one.  My baby toe fetish is in overdrive!  How I've missed my sister but you know what?  When she leaves?  I won't be missing her but those precious little boys!

Okay, I'm off to finish the graduation weekend stuff and get my boards finished for the graduation party.  I promise better participation next week.  I truly hope you have an awesome Memorial Day weekend!  Hugs to you!

Blogger's Challenge and Sketch Frenzy Friday -- IT'S A TWOFER!

It's Friday and that means Blogger's Challenge, as well as a new challenge for me:  Sketch Frenzy Friday.  I joined a group that will start creating cards based upon a sketch that someone in the group has "thrown down".  Because I love sketch challenges (although sometime they don't love me back!), I think this is a great way to grow my creativity.

Here's my Blogger's Challenge sketch and card.

This is the sketch we were given.

As you can see, this is one of THOSE sketches that got the best of me.  I created this card on Monday and had high hopes of returning to the sketch to "try again."  Not so -- didn't happen!

The card base is Bermuda Bay and all the layers are from the Bermuda Bay Pattern Pack.  I used the Upsy Daisy set to stamp in Whisper White craft ink on the patterned paper.  Then, it is just a matter of layers and ribbon.  And no, this isn't the picture that I gave to my hands.  My hands and my head just flat did not communicate on this one -- but I did finally open up my Hodgepodge Hardware and use a piece.  Did I ever share that I hoard these pieces as well?  I have whole kits that have retired -- what is up with that?

Here's the sketch for the Sketch Frenzy Friday group:

  I think I've kind of skewed the sketch getting it in, but you get the idea.  Here's my card and this one came to me EASY!

I started with a base of Crushed Curry.  The next layer is Soft Suede and I've run it through the Big Shot with the new embossing folder in the Occasions Mini.  This one is awesome because it looks different on each side and I really think you could use either side!  I think this looks like a rug you would put out at your front door to scrape the mud off your boots -- how romantic is that?  But, I really like it!

I stamped the image from A Flower for All Occasions in Chocolate Chip Ink and colored the image using my markers.  I colored the can with Sahara Sand, the frog in Old Olive and the flowers in Crushed Curry and Soft Suede.  I finished it off with the Crushed Curry polka dot ribbon (opposite side) and added some bling brads for a hint of sparkle.  Although you can't see it, before I embossed the Soft Suede, I shimmered it with my homemade shimmer spray and it really looks cool.  You gotta love the shimmer!

If you are interested in seeing what everyone else in the group did with the sketch, check my sidebar and click on their names for their challenge entries.

Off to check everyone else's work -- I love how stampers share and encourage one another -- it just feels good!  God Bless!

Blogger's Challenge - Crushed Curry, Taken with Teal and Real Red

So who would have thought these would be great colors together?  When I got the notice that these were the colors, I kind of cringed, but then I thought, "I'll worry about that later."  When I sat down to create, the polished stone background just came to me and from there, it was on.

I used vellum, alcohol and re-inkers to create the background.  Super easy and lots of fun, but my carpal tunnel challenged self found the pouncing a bit difficult.

Once I created the background, I stamped the sentiment in Taken with Teal on Whisper White.  Next, I cut the Crushed Curry layer and added the Red Corduroy Buttons -- YUMMY!  I love those darned corduroy buttons!

I liked the idea of ribbon, but decided instead to use a strip of Real Red carstock and to get that ribbon look, I pierced both edges and used my gel pen to give it that stitched look.  My stitches would certainly not look this good -- they would be all over, but I love the look.

I put this all together and already know who will be receiving this card.  It's going out in the mail today.

I used the Krista-Kris Challenge Sketch for this card and really like this sketch.  I use it over and over and over again already -- it's a favorite "go-to" sketch of mine.

I'm hopeful you have a fabulous weekend planned.  I've got to scrap for graduation and I'm well on my way, but as soon as I think I have it all done, I'll be wrong.  I'm so stressed about this that I actually posted the same card twice to my blog and didn't realize I had done it.  So much for that!

I'll be stamping on Sunday and will have something new for you on Monday.  In the meantime, enjoy your weekend and stamp something!  God Bless!

  

Blogger's Challenge - Mother's Day

It's another fabulous Friday and another Blogger's Challenge.  The challenge today:  Mother's Day Cards.  Hopefully my mom isn't reading my blog and won't see this card until I see her on Sunday.  Or perhaps if I get some stamping time tomorrow, I can make another card.  We'll have to see....

The basecard is Cameo Coral, another retiring color that I've learned to love and one that I haven't used very much in the past.  I used En Francais in Cameo Coral ink on the textured cardstock.

The next layer is Lavendar Lace.  I ripped this layer, pierced along the ripped edge, then used my White Craft Ink to swipe the edges.  It still looked a bit anemic so I liberally spritzed it with the Lavendar Lace Shimmer Mist I made earlier in the week.  Although you can't see it on the card, it really sparkles and is very pretty.

I used a piece of Kraft (which is now being called Crumb Cake) as my focal image layer.  Using my Versamark Pad, I once again used En Francais to give this some depth.  With my Old Olive and Lavendar Lace markers, I colored my stamp from the new Watercolor Trio set and stamped this over the En Francais.  I love this stamp set and the soft images it produces!  And because it is Mother's Day and we all love bling, I added some Ice brads to the focal panel.

For the sentiment, I ripped Very Vanilla and stamped my sentiment from the WatercolorTrio set in Cameo Coral.  Using Very Vanilla tafetta ribbon, I wrapped this around the layer after tying a knot in the center of the ribbon.

Although I didn't include a picture here, I used another stamp in the set to stamp on the inside of the card.  Done.  I like these colors together -- and if they weren't retiring, I probably wouldn't have put them together!  

Here's to wishing all the mother's in your life a Happy Mother's Day!  Have a blessed weekend!

Blogger's Challenge - Emboss It!

I love to emboss and I don't do enough of it!  There are countless techniques you can use when embossing and I love the result.  For this week's challenge, I've used one of the stamps from the Mini that goes live on May 1.  And this one is for the guys!

Isn't this motorcycle gorgeous!  My hubby has a Harley and we are what I refer to as "Harley Hobbyists".  We ride only in the sunshine...never at night...and never in the rain!  We don't own chaps or leathers or any of that stuff!  We just like to ride when the weather is great and there are no storms on the horizon -- yep, we check the weather before we ride and we always ride the backroads.  Love riding!

I started with a base card of Really Red.  I texturized the Black cardstock with the Distressed Texturz plates in the Big Shot and then cut the piece into three pieces for my card.  I wanted to simulate the road so I added yellow lines in YoYo Yellow.  And the best part:  Thom got it and loved it!  I stamped the motorcyle in Versamark Ink and then embossed using Black Embossing Powder.  Next, I used my Going Gray marker to add the color where the chrome would be and then added Really Red and Black where they are on our bike.  I purposefully used Red because this bike looks like ours.  And the best part:  This is one of the fabulously priced single stamps and is under $10!

The word "journey" is stamped in White Craft Ink and embossed with clear embossing powder.  This is also from the new mini and if you stamp it in regular ink, it is made to color the "our" in a different color so it appears to say "our journey".  Really, all the words in this set are very cute and I use it in the clear mounts.

Got a huge day planned and an even bigger weekend.  I hope your weekend is safe and relaxing, and that you are richly blessed!  I'm off to check out the other gal's creations!

Blogger's Challenge - Moss, Blue and Orange Color Challenge

Hmmmmm....  What can I do with Moss, Blue and Orange?  What shade of blue and what shade of orange?  In my zeal to use my "Fond Farewell" colors, I chose Mellow Moss (it was required), Bordering Blue and Pumpkin Pie (that's orange, right?).  And I have to admit that I added in some Apricot Appeal (I think I'm starting to worry that this color is going bye-bye, even though it wasn't one of my favorite colors before the color renovation was announced -- what do they say:  You always want what you can't have?).

So here it is:

I chose a card base of Bordering Blue Textured Paper and overstamped it with Bordering Blue ink using En Francais.  If they take that stamp away from me, I would seriously have to consider hurting someone...a bunch!  I used my Coluzzle to cut an oval from my card base (I love my Coluzzle and have only one blade left -- what will I do if I can't find anymore blades?  I'd better stock up on these too!).

On Whisper White cardstock, I stamped the floral image from For All You Do using Mellow Moss for the stem and then using Apricot Appeal and rocking and rolling in Pumpkin Pie for the flowers.  I have TONS (did I say TONS!) of the Fire and Ice Circle brads so I cut the butts off of them and used a glue dot to adhere them to the flower centers.  (Wouldn't it be great if we could cut some of our own butts off?  Hmmmm.......I digress....). 

Next, using Mellow Moss, I die cut two of the Little Leaves stems with my Big Shot.  I adhered them to the card and they very closely follow the oval line.  I stamped the flowers from the Vintage Vogue set onto Apricot Appeal cardstock using Pumpkin Pie ink and then cut these out.  I folded the petals to give them some dimension and added the bling brads to make them pretty.  I love how these flowers from the Vintage Vogue set have the writing through them and how this matches my card.  It was nice of Stampin' Up! to do that for me so I didn't have to kiss the stamps to get the look.  I adhered the flowers to the basecard with glue dots.

Now, I will admit that I really like this color combo and I like this card.  I have to figure to whom I will send this card.  (Great use of grammer, eh?)  I know it will cost me more than regular postage because the brads stick up too far and I've got five of them on this card!  Doesn't matter -- can you say "WORTH IT!"?

I'm putting the finishing touches on my class for Saturday at the college.  We're doing alternative scrapbooks and I'm stoked and ready.  I do hope my participants like the projects, as well as my style.  As with all things, I'll pray about this one too!

I wish you all the best over this weekend, including God's blessing at the worship service of your choice!

God Bless You!

The Daisies are Blooming Everywhere!

All over this card, that is!  Today is Blogger's Challenge and it's one of my favorites:  Sketch Challenge.  Here is the sketch:

When you look at it, what do you think of?  Well, I immediately thought of all my "Fond Farewell" colors that are retiring.  I love Bermuda Bay but haven't reached for it very much at all.  And there is a piece of paper in the Thoroughly Modern Designer Series Pack that I adore.  I pulled it out and thought, "Mmmmm.....Daisies!"  So, quick was the word of the day.  Here's my card.

I used a basecard of Bermuda Bay.  I pulled out the gorgeous Summer Sun and then I layered on the Thoroughly Modern DSP.  Love those flowers and that crisp combination of Bermuda Bay and White!

Next thought?  Big Shot Daisies!  So, I used Whisper White to cut the daisies.  I used a Kraft Corduroy button and colored it by rolling it all over the Summer Sun inkpad (yeah, I had to smash it in there, but the results were worth it!).  I attached the button (it really isn't falling off, but the picture sure makes it seem like it is).  

Using the Round Tab punch, I punched out of Whisper White and then stamped my sentiment in Bermuda Bay.  The sentiment is small so think Teeny Tiny Wishes.  I'm happy with this one. 

I'm making lots of cards with the retiring colors and so far, so good.  I've got one for you Monday that kind of had an evil mind of its own.  But I went with it -- totally not my style, but you'll see for yourself.  Think Taken with Teal and Always Artichoke...no, really, I'm not kidding!  Add in some Creamy Caramel and Chocolate Chip and you've got one really strange card!

Have a fabulous weekend!  I'm off to see what the other Blogger's Challenge Gals have created -- these ladies are da bomb!

God Bless!

Blogger's Challenge - Alter It!

It's Friday and that means Blogger's Challenge.  This one was a hard one for me because it is to alter something.  Now, if you know me at all, you know that I'm not that creative and altering is something that doesn't come easy.  So, here's one for the masses!

I needed something to collect my ribbon snips and pieces.  Because my hubby loves pickles (yep, luvs 'em!), I have several pickle jars around.  I find myself collecting things to alter since I know they come up pretty routinely for Blogger's Challenge.  So, I grabbed a pickle jar and embellished it with rub ons -- Old Olive ones at that!

I used white craft paint and my Old Olive Craft Reinker to mix paint to paint the lid.  At some point, I will offer these ribbon scraps up and I know I'll have some takers.  Or, I'll use them when I do a Stamp-A-Stack with some of the retiring colors.  At any rate, it is perfect to collect the little pieces I don't want to throw away, but I need to keep them together and off my desk.

Here's a picture of the current jar (I have more than one -- did I mention I'm a ribbon ho too?).

Sorry this isn't something awe inspiring, but I've been under the weather.  If I was smart, I'd start planning my next alterable project now!

Have a fabulous day and God Bless!  I'm off to be inspired by all that the other gals have altered!