Altered Composition Book

My daughter requested a journal and some colored pens (other than blue or black), so my hubby went to the store last night and bought two journals and a pack of pens that were green, pink, purple, and turquoise. One of the journals was black and the other was brown. They were pretty nice, too. They looked like real leather. I covered the black one. There's no stamping here. I just used Flowers For You Designer Paper (retired), some plain white card stock to glue the letters on, and my Sizzix Round About Alphabet set with my Big Shot Machine. I hope she likes this! Thanks again for stopping by!

• Stamps: None
• Papers: Flowers For You DSP (retired), GP White
• Ink: None
• Accessories: Sizzix Round About Alphabet Set, Big Shot Machine, 1-1/4" and 1-3/8" Square Punches

Bloom (CC186) (SC195)

I didn't post anything yesterday because I was so busy all day with other things. I didn't do the Technique Lover's Challenge which was a color washed Batik. I had to get testing done for pre-admission to the hospital for my surgery next Monday. I was exhausted by the time I got home last night! I did the challenge for today though! I used last week's sketch to create today's Color Challenge card. We were to use Really Rust, Baha Breeze, and Chocolate Chip. The base card is Baha Breeze; then, there's a layer of Really Rust that has been stamped with a small background stamp and sponged with Chocolate Chip. The next panel has sponged designer paper matted on Baha Breeze and Chocolate Chip. The middle panel is Really Rust that has been embossed using Sizzix Texturz and the Big Shot Machine and then sponged and matted. Finally, the main image was colored with a Blender Pen and ink pads, and this panel was sponged and matted, too. I dyed the flower with Really Rust, but I got it a bit too dark. It has punched branches punched from Chocolate Chip with the Martha Stewart Branches Punch behind it and a button from Button Bouquet on top. Thanks for stopping by today!!!

• Stamps: Bloomin' Beautiful, Itty Bitty Backgrounds
• Papers: Baha Breeze, Really Rust, Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla, Grean Tea DSP
• Ink: Stazon Jet Black, Chocolate Chip, Really Rust, Baja Breeze, Old Olive
• Accessories: Big Shot Machine, Sizzix Texturz Embossing Plate, Blender Pen, Sponge, Flower, Button, MS Branches Punch, Glue Dots

Joy for Terry (FS86)

Well, we're back to the Sunday Featured Stamper Challenge. This week's featured stamper is Terry (aka Terrore3). She has an extensive gallery, so it's hard to choose which card to CASE. The beautiful yellow and blue card shown at left is the one I settled on.

I changed the theme to a Christmas card by changing the colors (including card stock, ink, and designer paper). Of course I changed the stamp set as well. My scallops are a bit smaller because she used the slit punch method of making the scallops, and I used the new Scallop Edge Border Punch. The other change that I made was that I added the little Christmas lights tied into the ribbon knot. Thanks so much for visiting my blog today!

• Stamps: Season of Joy
• Papers: Whisper White, Ruby Red, Holiday Treasures DSP
• Ink: Ruby Red
• Accessories: Scallop Edge Border Punch, 5/8" Sheer Ribbon, Plastic Christmas Lights, Jump Ring, Dimensionals

Inspired Thanks (IC147)

I haven't done an Inspiration Challenge in such a long time! Today, we were to be inspired by one of many photos of painted rooms. It was called, "Domino Paint Palette." I think Domino is a magazine about home decor, etc. They have a whole gallery of painted rooms. The room I chose is shown at the right. Originally, I thought the room was a dark purple, but when I clicked on the image, it said it was Chocolate Brown.

I finished with my final session of my stamp camp for the weekend and had some laundry to fold. I had mentioned this to my ladies. Now, I'm using a walker because of an arthritic hip, so it's harder for me to get around and do things, and I was getting tired from working on my stamp camp too. I will be having hip replacement surgery in a little over a week. One of my ladies asked me if I'd like her to bring the laundry in from the dryer so that I could fold it. I told her where the basket was and she went straight away out to the garage where my washer and dryer are. I was still talking to one of the other ladies and figuring out her order, so I didn't realize how long my friend had been gone. She came in with the basket of clothes (whites, which I hate to deal with because of all those socks to match!) and she told me she even started the next load for me!!! While I was figuring out the other lady's order, she sat down on my couch and folded all those clothes, matching socks and everything!! Well, I was inspired to make her a Thank You card! The base card is Chocolate Chip, of course. I stamped the flowers on white and matted on white representing the bedspread and night tables. I added the brads to represent the bit of lime green in the room from the lamps.

• Stamps: Upsy Daisy
• Papers: Chocolate Chip, GP White
• Ink: Chocolate Chip
• Accessories: Chocolate Chip Wide Satin Ribbon, Word Window Punch, Brads, Dimensionals

Friend (ssnotime54)

Sharon (aka notimetostamp) has Stamp Simply Challenges every weekend. Lately, she's been honoring the Stamp Simply Design Team by challenging us to make cards in the particular style of one of the DT members. This week's challenge was to make a card like Janine Orchard. Details on the challenge may be found here. One of the other DT members decided to CASE one of Janine's cards, and I did the same. The card I CASEd is shown at the right.

I changed the card from a square to an A2 size with vertical orientation. I didn't have the same ribbon, so I used a wire ribbon that is orange and black with purple dots. I changed from a witch to Frankie with the sentiment from SU!'s Smarty Pants. I've wanted to use this 2/$1 stamp from Mike's with this sentiment for a while. I added the three purple brads to kind of match the dots on the ribbon. I'm sorry this photo is kind of washed out. The Green Galore is a much brighter green than it shows, and the yellow water coloring I did on the sentiment panel doesn't show up at all! This is just not my day for photography, I guess. Thanks for stopping by!

• Stamps: Smarty Pants, 2/$1 Halloween Stamp from Mike's
• Papers: Green Galore, WW, Basic Black, Pumpkin Pie
• Ink: Basic Black
• Accessories: Wired Ribbon, Purple Brads, Piercer, Mat Pack, 1", 1-1/4", and 1-3/8" Square Punches

Mice Gifts (LSC187)

Today's Limited Supplies Challenge was called, "Holly Jolly Critters." We were supposed to make Christmas cards with animals on them. Also, the ONLY embellishment we were allowed to use was ribbon. The base card here is Old Olive with a layer of Holiday Treasures designer paper that I ran through the Big Shot Machine with Diagonal Lines Texturz plate. You can't really see the embossing in the photo, but it looks cool in real life. I don't have this stamp, but I borrowed some House Mouse stamps from a friend and stamped several of each image. I like this one a lot, so a stamped a lot of these! I water colored the main image and matted it on Old Olive. All three layers are punched with the Ticket Corner Punch. The sentiment from "To You & Yours" was stamped on white with Old Olive ink, punched out with the Small Oval Punch, and matted on Old Olive that was punched with the Large Oval Punch. It's popped up on Dimensionals. The ribbon is Old Olive 1/4" grosgrain ribbon. Thanks for visiting my blog today!

• Stamps: House Mouse, To You & Yours
• Papers: Old Olive, White, Holiday Treasures DSP
• Ink: Stazon Jet Black, Old Olive
• Accessories: WCW Crayons, Aqua Painter, Ticket Corner Punch, Small and Large Oval Punches, Old Olive GG Ribbon, Sizzix Texturz Diagonal Lines, Big Shot Machine

Flowers Because I Care (WT185)

This week's Ways To Use It Challenge was to use a charm on a project. I chose this little flower in the pot charm. I think I'm getting tired of all the orange, yellow, and brown that I've been using lately on all the fall cards, so I went with a color combo that is new to me! I used Sage Shadow, Pink Passion, and Whisper White. That combination was dictated by the striped patterned paper which also has something close to More Mustard in it. The striped paper was designed to coordinate with the print background paper. They came from a large tablet of 12" X 12" papers by DCWV. I only embossed the top portion of the patterned paper and used the striped paper to separate the embossed part from the non-embossed part. The main image is matted and popped up. The sentiment was punched out, sponged, and popped up. I think I like these colors together; it kind of grows on you! Thanks for stopping by!!!

• Stamps: Pocket Silhouettes, Best Yet (Level 1 Hostess)
• Papers: Sage Shadow, Pink Passion, Whisper White, DCWV DP (two patterns)
• Ink: Pink Passion
• Accessories: Ticket Corner Punch, Brads, Dimensionals, Sponge, Large Oval Punch, Satin Ribbon, Flower Charm

Fall (SC195)

Another Wednesday, another great sketch! At left, you can see the sketch layout. It's just three 3" squares that are overlapped. It's pretty easy; I like that!

The base card is Chocolate Chip with a layer of Pumpkin Pie that is stamped with "Itty Bitty Backgrounds" stamp, sponged, and stitched to the card. I used both sides of one of the Pumpkin Pie Patterns DSP for the two background squares. Those are sponged and stitched as well. The main image is from "Happy Fall Y'all" which is a 2005 SU! set. I don't actually have the set, but an online friend from SCS sent me some scarecrow images from it. I don't do stitching very often on cards as you can probably tell. I'm getting better though, and I like the affect. Thanks for visiting my blog today!

• Happy Fall Y'all (2005), Itty Bitty Backgrounds, Mike's 2/$1 Sentiment Stamp
• Papers: Chocolate Chip, Pumpkin Pie, Whisper White, Pumpkin Pie Patterns DSP
• Ink: Stazon Black, Chocolate Chip
• Accessories: Sponge, Sewing Machine, Water Color Wonder Crayons, Aqua Painter, Flowers, 3/4" Circle Punch, Martha Stewart Branches Punch

Merry Christmas Part 1 Stamp Camp

My Stamp Camps for September, October, and November are all Christmas card designs. Now, I haven't been feeling all that well, so I'm a bit shaky, and some of my samples are disasters, but you will get the general idea! Project #1 is a gift card holder. There will be some changes made for the actual card we will be doing. First of all, we will mat the main image panel on red; no Zig-Painty! What a mess I made!! Also, we will not have the top embossed like the sample. I think we will stamp with Itty Bitty Background with Whisper White Craft. I'm kind of designing as I go right now! This gift card holder is like the one we did last year. Next month, we will do the stand-up style. The base card is Glorious Green; it folds up and is glued to hold the gift card and the top folds down over it.

• Stamps: Big on Christmas
• Papers: Glorious Green, GP White (to be changed to Real Red)
• Ink: Stazon Jet Black, Real Red and Glorious Green Markers, Zig-Painty
• Accessories: Sizzix Texturz Plate (to be changed to BG stamp)

Project #2 is all about ornaments. The base card is Naturals White and the Real Red layer is embossed with the Cuttlebug Christmas Ornaments embossing folder. The main image is stamped with Encore Gold and embossed with Clear Embossing Powder, then it's matted on Real Red and Basic Black. The ribbon is Black Gingham and the bow is tied separately and attached with a glue dot. "Warm Wishes" is stamped on the inside.

• Stamps: Heritage Holiday
• Papers: Naturals White, Real Red, Basic Black
• Ink: Encore Gold
• Accessories: Clear EP, Cuttlebug Christmas Ornaments EF, Black Gingham Ribbon, Glue Dot

Project #3 is this fun snowman card. The base card is Night of Navy with a layer of GP White that has been embossed with the Snowflakes embossing folder from last year. The main image was stamped twice; it's matted on Night of Navy and the snowman is cut out from the second stamping and popped up on Dimensionals. The ribbon is Night of Navy grosgrain ribbon.

• Stamps: Two Cool Dudes
• Papers: Night of Navy, GP White
• Ink: Night of Navy
• Accessories: Cuttlebug Snowflakes EF, Dimensionals, Snips, Night of Navy 1/4" GG Ribbon

Project #4 has these cool reindeer! I don't know whether those guys are mad or shocked about Rudy's huge red nose! LOL! Do you think Rudy has had too much holiday cheer and might be suffering from the W.C. Fields big red nose syndrome? I like to have at least one humorous card for every stamp camp, and this is it this time! The base card is Ruby Red with a panel of Holiday Treasures Designer Paper. The main image and sentiment are both matted on Old Olive. The main image was stamped with Stazon Jet Black and water colored. The sentiment was stamped with Real Red, punched out with the Small Oval Punch and matted using the Large Oval Punch. The main image panel is popped up.

• Stamps: Holiday Lineup, Pictograms
• Papers: Ruby Red, Old Olive, Very Vanilla, Holiday Treasures DSP
• Ink: Stazon Jet Black, Real Red
• Accessories: WCW Crayons, Aqua Painter, Small and Large Oval Punches

Last but not least is Project #5. This is my favorite because I love angels. I have a collection of angels, in fact. The base card is Elegant Eggplant. The main image is stamped with Versamark and embossed with Silver Embossing Powder, then it's colored with markers. It's matted on Eggplant and Brushed Silver. The sentiment is stamped on white with Eggplant, punched with the Wide Oval Punch and sponged with Eggplant. The star is just a silver sequin. There's silver metallic ribbon at the top.

• Stamps: Holy Triptych, All Holidays
• Papers: Elegant Eggplant, GP White, Brushed Silver
• Ink: Versamark, Elegant Eggplant; Markers: Pale Plum, Barely Banana, Bashful Blue
• Accessories: Silver EP, Silver Metallic Ribbon, Wide Oval Punch, Sponge, Silver Sequin

Thanks for visiting my blog today!

Embrace (CC185)

The Color Challenge for today was to use Very Vanilla, Baha Breeze and Kiwi Kiss. I like this color combo! It just so happens the the new Green Tea designer paper is the same as the old Ginger Blossoms except for the colors. It also coordinates with the "Embrace Life" stamp set. This card has a Very Vanilla base card, then there's a strip of the designer paper matted on Kiwi Kiss. There's another narrow strip of the paper that has been punched with the Scallop Edge Border Punch and adhered beneath the bottom of the matted panel. I stamped the flowers on Baha Breeze with Versamark and embossed with White Embossing Powder. That panel is matted on Kiwi Kiss as well. The main image panel is popped up on Dimensionals, and I added the punched butterfly that was sponged with Kiwi Kiss. The ribbon is Very Vanilla Taffeta Ribbon. Thanks for visiting my blog today!!!

• Stamps: Embrace Life
• Papers: Very Vanilla, Kiwi Kiss, Baha Breeze, Garden Tea DSP
• Ink: Versamark, Baha Breeze
• Accessories: White EP, Scallop Edge Border Punch, Martha Stewart Butterfly Punch, Sponge, Very Vanilla Taffeta Ribbon, Dimensionals, Stamp-a-ma-jig

Bookmark and Card (TLC187)

The Technique Lover's Challenge was to make these neat little bookmarks that fit on the corner of a page. I made mine with a matching card so that I could give it as a gift.

This photo shows the bookmark removed from the card. The bookmark is made with Going Gray with a Basic Black triangle adhered to the back. It's punched with the Scallop Edge Punch and embossed with red embossing powder. SU! doesn't carry all the colors of embossing powders anymore. I made dots with a white gel pen. For the card, the base card is Going Gray with a plain panel of Real Red. A strip of Basic Black was punched on both sides with the Scallop Edge Punch and then Black Gingham Ribbon was added before adhering the strip to the red panel. The red panel is embossed with the red EP and then doodled with white gel pen. Rhinestones were added to the flourish where the little flowers are. Thanks for visiting my blog!!!

• Stamps: Priceless
• Papers: Going Gray, Real Red, Basic Black
• Ink: Versamark, White Gel Pen
• Accessories: Scallop Edge Border Punch, Red EP, Black Gingham Ribbon, Rhinestones

I have been asked for dimensions, but the person who asked did not leave an email or any kind of contact info, so I couldn't reply. The dimensions of mine were 3-1/8" X 3-1/2" before punching the scallops. You fold in the top two corners to meet and adhere a triangle over the seam. This can be decorated too. Some people add ribbons even. The back of mine has a black triangle that just has a couple of flowers stamped in white. I hope the person who asked can find this info!!

CASEing Shannon (FS85)

Shannon (E3stamper) is this week's Featured Stamper. Her adorable card that I chose to CASE is shown at left. She called the card, "Raggedy Ann's Horse" which might be the name of the stamp from H & M Stamps. I'm a Stampin' Up! demonstrator, so I don't have many stamps from other companies (I spend my money on SU! stamps and supplies). I do have a few images that were stamped and sent to me by some friends at SCS. I'd like to have this one!

I used the rhino from "Zoofari" for my main image. I reversed the sketch because I wanted my critter to be facing away from the buttons just like Shannon's. I paper pieced the rhino and popped up the head on Dimensionals. I did use marker on the toe nails though and gel pen on the teeth. I received a baggie full of Nesties in trade for some embossed card fronts from a fellow SCSer, so that's kind of where I started with this card. The scalloped rectangle was Pink Passion, so I went from there. The patterned paper is from Paperbilities which I got for my birthday. It comes in a large 12" X 12" tablet of papers and is available at WalMart. The next layer is Pink Passion which is scalloped on one end with the new Scallop Edge Punch. Finally, the base card is Certainly Celery on which I did some faux stitching just like Shannon.

• Stamps: Zoofari
• Papers: Certainly Celery, Pink Passion, Paperbilities DP, Pink Passion and Whisper White Nestabilities, Celery Prints DSP (retired)
• Ink: Stazon Jet Black, White Gel Pen, Pretty In Pink Marker
• Accessories: Scallop Edge Punch, Celery GG Ribbon, Pretty In Pink GG Ribbon, Pink Buttons, Double Rectangle Punch, Dimensionals

Thanks for stopping by. I hope to be back to post my Stamp Camp Christmas cards later.

Mindy's Workshop Projects

Project #1 for Mindy's workshop is a fairly simple card. It's amazing what you can do with a little bit of patterned paper! The base card is Baha Breeze and the designer paper is Green Tea. There's a strip of Whisper White that has been punched with the Scallop Edge Border Punch attached to the bottom of the designer paper. The Baha Breeze Striped Ribbon covers the seam. One of the flowers from "Pocket Silhouettes" was stamped on white, punched out with the Wide Oval Punch, and sponged with Kiwi Kiss. The sentiment was stamped with Kiwi Kiss on white and punched out with the Word Window Punch, then it was matted on Kiwi Kiss.

• Stamps: Pocket Silhouettes
• Papers: Baha Breeze, Whisper White, Kiwi Kiss, Green Tea DSP
• Ink: Kiwi Kiss
• Accessories: Baha Breeze Striped Ribbon, Wide Oval Punch, Scallop Edge Punch, Word Window Punch

Project #2 is a bit more complicated due to the cutting. The pumpkins, gourd, leaves, and acorn were all stamped with Basic Black on Pumpkin Pie, More Mustard, Chocolate Chip, Kiwi Kiss, and Yoyo Yellow. The branches were punched with the Martha Stewart Branches Punch from Chocolate Chip and Old Olive. The card on the left says, "Happy Thanksgiving" and the one on the right says, "Happy Halloween". To make the change, I rearranged the the cut pieces and added the jack-o-lantern face to the large pumpkin. The base card is Kiwi Kiss and a couple of leaves were stamped directly in order to give some added dimension. Many of the cut pieces are popped up on Dimensionals. The Double Rectangle Punch was used on the left end of the ribbon, and the ribbon was wrapped around to the inside of the card on the right side. The card was lined with white after the ribbon treatment was done. The sentiment tags were made by stamping with Pumpkin Pie on white, punching out with the Word Window Punch, adhering the punched pieces to 1/2" strips of Pumpkin Pie card stock, and finally just trimming around the ends. The completed tags were punched with a 1/8" Circle Punch and Natural Hemp Twine was threaded through. The hemp twine and a piece of the grosgrain ribbon were then tied in a knot around around the horizontal strip of ribbon. The hemp was tied one more time to complete the knot.

• Stamps: Autumn Harvest, Occasions Collection
• Papers: Kiwi Kiss, Pumpkin Pie, Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, More Mustard, Yoyo Yellow, GP White
• Ink: Basic Black, Pumpkin Pie
• Accessories: Snips, Word Window Punch, Pumpkin Pie GG Ribbon, Natural Hemp Twine, Double Rectangle Punch

Thanks for visiting my blog today! I didn't post yesterday because I had Mindy's workshop to do and I've had lots of trouble with my hip. I'm on a walker now and will be having hip replacement surgery on October 6th. I'll keep you posted as to how I'm doing through all of this. I'll be like the bionic woman when they get done with me!!! LOL! In the meantime, I want to do today's challenge and then get busy with my Stamp Camp cards, so I'll be back to post more later!!!

Birthday Flowers (LSC186)

Wendy was tough on us today! Following are the rules for the Limited Supplies Challenge:

• 1. White/Vanilla as main color
• 2. Second color MUST be either black, brown (any shade) or gray
• 3. Add a third color to accent the first two colors
• 4. Use ONLY ink that matches the card stock colors you have chosen – no extra colors here!
• 5. NO patterned paper or background stamps
• 6. Stamp only ONE image, ONE time, somewhere on the white piece of card stock. Remember that you are LIMITED to only THREE colors – TOTAL!! No cheating by adding extra colors to a line art image that has to be colored in!
• 7. If you use punches or a Nestabilties-type die, please stamp the image on white or vanilla there as well, keeping your top background layer white/vanilla, too!
• 8. Stamp a sentiment and add to your card (this step is optional) – only use it once
• 9. Embellish as you like (ribbons, brads, Cuttlebug embossing folders)
• 10. NO “distressing” the white card stock – (that would be sponging!) – we want to keep these layers “clean”

I think I followed all those rules, don't you agree? I inked up the main image stamp with Going Gray and removed most of the gray from the flowers, then I colored the flowers with Pretty In Pink Marker, huffed and stamped. I used white gel pen for the flower centers. Thanks for visiting my blog today!

• Stamps: Eastern Blooms, Occasions Collection (Level 1 Hostess set)
• Papers: White, Pretty In Pink, Going Gray
• Ink: Going Gray, Pretty In Pink Marker, White Gel Pen
• Accessories: Cuttlebug Stylized Flowers EF, Big Shot Machine, Pink Gingham Ribbon, Word Window Punch, 1/8" Circle Punch, Glue Dots

Sunny Daisies (WT184)

Today's Ways To Use It Challenge was to use our silhouette stamps. I just love the new "Upsy Daisy" set! On Summer Sun card stock, I sponged with More Mustard, Pumpkin Pie, and Ruby Red using a 1" punched circle as a mask for the sun. I stamped the main image with Basic Black, but didn't feel it was dark enough, so I went over it with a Basic Black Marker. Next time, I'll heat emboss the image with Black Embossing Powder. I matted the main image on Summer Sun and the Basic Black. I ran a piece of More Mustard card stock through my Sizzix Big Shot with a Sizzix "Diagonal Lines" Texturz Plate. I spritzed the card stock first. I matted the embossed piece on Basic Black and added Vintage Brads before adhering to the Ruby Red base card. The sentiment panel is Summer Sun sponged with Pumpkin Pie, matted on Summer Sun and Basic Black, and stamped with Basic Black. I adhered it with Dimensionals to bring it up to the same level as the main image panel. Thanks for visiting my blog today!!!

• Stamps: Upsy Daisy
• Papers: Ruby Red, Basic Black, More Mustard, Summer Sun
• Ink: More Mustard, Pumpkin Pie, Ruby Red, Basic Black, and Basic Black Marker
• Accessories: Big Shot Machine with Diagonal Lines Texturz Plate, Vintage Brads, Sponge, Dimensionals, Mat Pack and Piercer (for setting brads)

Enjoy (SC194)

Roxie said that today's sketch was a good one for using up scraps, and it sure is! The sketch (shown at right) shows the different panels in pink, blue, yellow, and green. I went with that and even used the black background.

I used scraps of some retired designer papers. The striped piece is from Petals & Paisley, and the other pieces are all from Baja Breeze. I heat embossed "Enjoy" with Black Embossing Powder. I punched the flower from Taken With Teal and embossed it with my stylus and Mat Pack mat. I used my Signo White Gel Pen to make the flower center so that it would look like the flowers on the blue panel. I adhered it with a glue dot. Both the large panel and smaller sentiment panel are popped up on Dimensionals. The ribbon is Basic Black grosgrain ribbon. I like the quilt look of this sketch! This card was made with all Stampin' Up! supplies (SUO). Thanks for visiting my blog today!

• Stamps: Enjoy Every Moment
• Papers: Whisper White, Basic Black, Baha Breeze DSP (retired), Petals & Paisley DSP (retired), Taken With Teal (for flower)
• Ink: Versamark, Stazon Jet Black
• Accessories: Black EP, Flower Trio Punch, Word Window Punch, Snips, Basic Black 1/4" GG Ribbon, Glue Dot, Dimensionals

Holly Jolly Christmas (CC184)

The Color Challenge today was to use Riding Hood Red, Basic Gray, and Always Artichoke. The only gray I have on this card is the ribbon. The base card is Always Artichoke with a layer of white that has been run through my Big Shot machine on a Sizzix Texturz plate. It's called, "Polka Daisy", but I think it looks more like snowflakes. Santa is stamped with Riding Hood Red, and the panel is sponged with the same ink and matted on the same color card stock. The trees were stamped with Always Artichoke and cut out. The sentiment was stamped with the red and punched out with the Wide Oval Punch and sponged. I used a Double Rectangle Punch on the sentiment panel to pull the Basic Gray Taffeta Ribbon through and tie the knot. I finished it off by adding silver glitter glue (or stickles) to the dots on the trees. Thanks for visiting!!!

• Stamps: Holly Jolly Christmas
• Papers: Always Artichoke, GP White, Riding Hood Red
• Ink: Riding Hood Red, Always Artichoke
• Accessories: Big Shot Machine with Sizzix Texturz Polka Daisies, Snips, Wide Oval Punch, Double Rectangle Punch, Sponge, Basic Gray Taffeta Ribbon, Silver Glitter Glue, Dimensionals

Fall CASE (FS84, ssnotime52)

Today's featured stamper was Liz (aka LazyLizard). I wasn't going to do the Featured Stamper Challenge today until I found out it was Liz! I did want to do Sharon's (aka notimetostamp) challenge which was called "Cuddle up With Tammy". Tammy's style always has that down home feel. She uses a lot of patterned papers and stitching. Well, when I looked through Liz's gallery, I found the card that SHE did for Sharon's challenge! So, by CASEing Liz, I also did Sharon's challenge at the same time!

I changed the colors and papers as well as the stamp set. Liz used "A Flower for All Seasons", and I used "A Tree for All Seasons." Her base card is Pumpkin Pie, and mine is Kiwi Kiss. My plaid paper is from DCWV Fall Pack and my striped paper is My Mind's Eye. Her stitching was done with stamps, and I actually got out my sewing machine for this! I even made a bobbin with the orange thread! LOL! I distressed the main image panel and sponged it, too. I left off the ribbon slider, but I added buttons. Liz's ribbon is Pumpkin and mine is More Mustard. This was a fun challenge. I think I should do more stitching on cards, but it's just so much trouble to get out the sewing machine, and I have no place for it in my craft room! Thanks for visiting my blog today!!!

• Stamps: A Tree for All Seasons
• Papers: Kiwi Kiss, More Mustard, GP White, DCWV Fall Pack DP, MME DP
• Ink: Basic Brown; Markers: Summer Sun, More Mustard, Pumpkin Pie, Close to Cocoa, Chocolate Chip, Old Olive
• Accessories: Sewing Machine, Orange Thread, More Mustard GG Ribbon, Fresh Favorites 1 Buttons

Fall ATC's

These are ATC's (Artist Trading Cards) that I'm working on for the Ladies' Night Out Club challenge. Everyone is supposed to make eleven ATC's; one to keep and ten to trade. We will vote on every one's cards except mine. The winner will get my convention bag. I stamped the pumpkins by inking with Versamark and then with Basic Black, then I embossed with Clear Embossing Powder and water colored them. I did the same for the leaves except I used Versamark and Basic Brown. The base is Kiwi Kiss, then there's a layer of Pumpkin Pie Designer Paper. The pumpkins and leaves are layered with Dimensionals. I used the Word Window Punch on Pumpkin Pie card stock, adhered the punched piece to a 1/2" wide strip of Kiwi Kiss, trimmed around the ends to create the mat, and then cut the piece in half. I adhered the cut piece to the ATC and added the brad.

• Stamps: Autumn Harvest
• Papers: Kiwi Kiss, Pumpkin Pie DSP, Whisper White, Pumpkin Pie
• Ink: Versamark, Basic Black, Basic Brown
• Accessories: Clear EP, Heat Tool, WCW Crayons, Aqua Painter, Dimensionals, Word Window Punch, Brad

Thanks for visiting my blog today!!!

Birthday Gift Card Holder

Today is my youngest daughter's 17th birthday. I made this card to match the gift bag we made at convention. I have a gift in the bag, but we're also giving her a gift card. The base card is Whisper White, then there's a layer of Tangerine Tango. The grass from "Inspired by Nature" is stamped tone on tone, the the flowers from the same set are stamped with Whisper White Craft ink. The flower embellishment was made with two different sizes of white flowers with a Rhinestone brad in the center, then I cut out leaves and sponged them with the Tangerine. I also added grosgrain ribbon to make a kind of corsage. The sentiment from "Elegant Cheer" was stamped with Tangerine and punched with the Key Tag Punch, then it was matted on So Saffron card stock. The inside has orange designer paper and is made just like the gift card holder in my previous post.

• Stamps: Inspired by Nature, Elegant Cheer
• Papers: Whisper White, Tangerine Tango, Orange DP (inside)
• Ink: Tangerine Tango, Whisper White Craft
• Accessories: Key Tag Punch, White Flowers, Rhinestone Brad, 1/4" GG Ribbon, Word Window Punch and Small Oval Punch for inside slot, Pop-up Glue Dot

Baby Boy Gift Card Holder

My second oldest daughter had her baby on September 9th. He was 8 lbs., 4 oz., and his name is Logan. As soon as I get a photo, I'll post it. I think this makes grandchild number 10 for us! This card started out as an ATC example for a challenge I gave to my Ladies' Night Out Club. I ended up using two different Cuttlebug embossing folders on this: the Argyle on the ATC part and Swiss Dots on the main white layer. Of course the base card and matting are Bashful Blue! I used a 2008 Sale-A-Bration set for the main image, stamping it twice in order to pop up "Sweet One". The matted scalloped circle is also popped up. The baby feet charm came from WalMart.

Since my daughter and her family are in Washington state, I thought it would be easier to send a gift card instead of wasting part of our baby gift budget on shipping. With 10 grandchildren, you have to have a budget! Anyway, this photo shows the inside so you can see how the gift card holder works. You just slide the gift card into the punched slot. This is my favorite style of gift card holder.

• Stamps: So Many Scallops (SAB 2008)
• Papers: Bashful Blue, GP White, WalMart dp
• Ink: Bashful Blue
• Accessories: Cuttlebug Argyle and Swiss Dots EFs, Scallop Circle Punch, 1-3/4" Circle Punch, Light Blue Gingham Ribbon, Baby Feet Charm, Dimensionals, Word Window Punch and Small Oval Punch (gift card slot)

Thanks for visiting my blog today!

Happy Scarecrow (WT183)

Today's Ways To Use It Challenge was to use our white gel pens. Now, there's one lady on SCS who puts dots on everything! She uses gel pens, markers, sharpies, anything that will make a dot. Her name is Faith (aka markie's mom) and her gallery may be found here. So, I call these dots, "Faith Dots." For this card, I started with nesties that I received from a fellow SCSer in trade for some Cuttlebugged card fronts. The embossed oval and the scalloped oval are the nesties (Nestabilities). The white is shimmery, so I think it's SU!'s Shimmery White, an the scalloped oval is made from Kraft card stock. The scarecrow is from "Happy Blessings" which will be available October 1st in the 2008 Holiday Mini Catalog. The base card is More Mustard because that what was laying on my craft table. The next layer is Pumpkin Pie that is embossed with the Distressed Stripes embossing folder which I ran through my Big Shot machine. The layered flower is a Prima, a punched flower, and a flower brad. The ribbon is More Mustard grosgrain. I also used the Martha Stewart "Branches" Punch on three colors of card stock and placed them beneath the layered flower. Thanks for stopping by today!

• Stamps: Happy Blessings
• Papers: More Mustard, Pumpkin Pie, Kraft, Shimmery White
• Ink: Stazon Timber Brown
• Accessories: WCW Crayons, Aqua Painter, Cuttlebug Distressed Stripes EF, Oval Nestabilities (a gift), Prima flower, Spring Bouquet Flower Punch (retired), Flower Brad, Martha Steward Branches Punch, More Mustard GG Ribbon

Snow Gang (SC193)

For today's Sketch Challenge (the sketch is shown at right), we had the option of flipping the sketch, changing the panel sizes, or using a flower in the location of the optional circle. It's a good sketch for using up some of those 1/2" wide scraps because of the three strips behind the main image panel. The other, wider strip is perfect for using up a scrap of designer paper.

The base card is Bashful Blue with a white panel over that which has been embossed with the new Cuttlebug "Snow Dots" embossing folder using the Sizzix Big Shot machine (available now through Stampin' Up!). The designer paper is from Paperbilities and it was a scrap piece. I used strips of Bashful Blue and white stamped with "Itty Bitty Backgrounds" using Bashful Blue ink. The snowflake was punched with the Martha Stewart Snowflake Punch and adhered to a 1-1/4" punched circle. I used Stazon Jet Black to stamp the main image and water colored with Water Color Wonder Crayons (Bold Brights) and an Aqua Painter. Thanks for stopping by!!!

• Stamps: Holiday Lineup, Itty Bitty Backgrounds
• Papers: Bashful Blue, GP White, Paperbilities DSP
• Ink: Stazon Jet Black, Bashful Blue
• Accessories: Cuttlebug Snow Dots EF, Big Shot Machine, Dimensionals, 1-1/4" Circle Punch, Martha Stewart Snowflake Punch, Water Color Wonder Crayons, Aqua Painter

Ladies' Night Out September Projects

Project #1 is the same card as the Tuesday Nighters Club is doing except that this one has a foam sticker spider instead of the paper sticker on the punched circle. I've also bought some plastic spiders in several different colors so that the ladies can choose which they want to use as an embellishment (if any). For more info on this card, go to this post.

Project #2 is actually a CASE of this card by Connie (aka cmc2stamp). Connie did such a great layout for the color challenge today that I decided to use that to make a fall card for next week's Ladies' Night Out Club. I changed the colors and changed from dew drops to square brads. I also stamped my image differently. First I stamped with More Mustard, then I used a dauber to sponge Chocolate Chip on the flower tips. I "huffed" on the stamp before stamping. I like how this technique works on the silhouette stamps. I also used a different Cuttlebug embossing folder; instead of Diamonds in the Rough, I used Forest Branches. I think my ladies will like making this one! Thanks for visiting today!

• Stamps: Upsy Daisy (on sale (15% off) until September 30th)
• Papers: Chocolate Chip, More Mustard, Summer Sun, White
• Ink: More Mustard, Chocolate Chip
• Accessories: Cuttlebug Forest Branches EF, Sizzix Big Shot Machine, Sponge Dauber, Square Brads, Mini Brad with Photo Anchor, Dimensionals, Chocolate Chip Taffeta Ribbon

Happy Holidays (CC183)

Today's Color Challenge on SCS was to use Going Gray, Riding Hood Red, and Green Galore. I decided to emphasize the red and green and make it a Christmas card. The base card is Green Galore, and I embossed the Riding Hood Red panel with the new Cuttlebug Christmas Ornaments embossing folder by running it through my Sizzix Big Shot. I matted the main image panel tightly on the Going Gray. I used a blender pen and the ink pads to color the image and used silver glitter glue (or stickles) on the star. I finished it off with the silver metallic ribbon, attaching the bow separately with a glue dot. Thanks for stopping by today!

• Stamps: Big On Christmas
• Papers: Green Galore, Riding Hood Red, Going Gray, GP White
• Ink: Black Stazon, Green Galore, Riding Hood Red
• Accessories: Blender Pen, Cuttlebug Christmas Ornaments EF, Silver Metallic Ribbon, Silver Glitter Glue

Tuesday Nighters September Projects

Project #1 for my Tuesday Nighters' Club will be this punched owl which we did for my Thursday Nighters' Club last Thursday. More information on how to punch out the pieces for this card may be found here. My Thursday Nighters enjoyed making this cute little guy. He actually started out to be an ATC example for my Ladies' Night Out Club!






Project #2 will be this Halloween card. I love the spooky characters from the "Tableau of Terror" set. The base card is Basic Black, but the inside is lined with GP White so that we can stamp the sentiment, "Have a Spooktacular Halloween!" The green on the top is Green Gable and the DSP at the bottom is Ghostly Greetings DSP. The main image was colored with Water Color Wonder Crayons and Aqua Painters. I used the fat Aqua Painter for the purple background and the fine one for the rest. The spider in the upper right corner is actually a sticker that I put on a piece of Basic Black that was punched with the 1-1/4" Circle Punch. I have an assortment of stickers for my ladies to choose. I'm going to go to the store today to see if I can find some little spiders or bats to use as embellishments, too. Thanks for stopping by!

Halloween CASE (FS83)

Denise (Card Crazy) was today's Featured Stamper on SCS. Her card that I chose to CASE (Copy And Show Elsewhere) is shown at left. I'm into Halloween cards lately, and her jack-o-lantern card caught my eye. I especially liked how she placed the brad at the lower right of the main image panel. This can be done either by using the Slit Punch on the patterned paper and sliding the main image panel behind it after the brad has been inserted, or punch out a piece with a circle punch and insert the brad in that space which is how I did it.

I changed the colors, papers, and stamp sets. I also eliminated the wire, and I cut out the pumpkin and leaves, popping up the pumpkin and one leaf. I really like Denise's layout on this one!

• Stamps: Autumn Harvest, All Holidays
• Papers: Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie, Kiwi Kiss, Pumpkin Pie DSP (scraps)
• Ink: Basic Black, Pumpkin Pie
• Accessories: Snips, 1/2" Circle Punch, Earth Elements Brad, Sponge

Thanks for visiting my blog today! Have a great week!!!

Moose You (SC192, CFC01)

The Sketch Challenge layout for yesterday is shown at the right. I didn't get around to it yesterday because life just got in the way, so I did it this morning. It looks simple, but it's sometimes hard to find the right size image to go into those larger rectangles.

Now, there's a new challenge at Splitcoaststampers.com which is a monthly challenge. It's called, "Cards For A Cause." For September, we are to make cards for the troops to send home to their families and friends. I felt this moose from the "Moose You" set would be perfect for the sketch and make a fine card for one of our troops to send home. I'm not really just into oranges lately, but I did make use of some scraps that I had from my most recent projects!

• Stamps: Moose You
• Papers: Naturals White, Only Orange, White, Pumpkin Pie DSP
• Ink: Chocolate Chip, Pumpkin Pie
• Accessories: Pumpkin Pie Striped GG Ribbon, Sponge

Now, I'm going to go do today's challenge and then come back and post it!

Thursday Nighters September Projects

At Stamp Camp, I was showing some examples of ATC's that I had made, and one of the ladies from my Thursday Nighters Club was there. She really liked the owl made from punches and asked if we could do a card with the owl on it. I just went ahead and adhered my ATC to an Only Orange base card after stamping some leaves on it with the leaf from "Autumn Harvest". It makes a fun card. I used googly eyes, but you're really supposed to use the 1/4" and 1/8" Circle Punches for the eyes. Here's a list of the rest of the punches:

• Round Tab Punch - for the head (Chocolate Chip)
• 3/4" Circle Punch - for the circles behind the eyes (Naturals Ivory)
• 1-3/4" Circle Punch - for the body (Naturals Ivory)
• Scallop Circle and Large Oval Punches - for the wings (Chocolate Chip)
• Five Petal Punch - for the beak (Only Orange)
• Boho Blossoms Punch - for the feet (Only Orange

The Basic Black panel was embossed with the Cuttlebug Forest Branches folder on my Sizzix Big Shot, and I added a bow made from Pumpkin Pie 1/4" grosgrain ribbon.

Our other project is this Two-Way card that I've wanted to do for a club for some time. I just had to remember to order the square envelopes. I used this card for today's Color Challenge which was to make a monochromatic card, and it's also for a new monthly challenge called, "Cards for a Cause." After Thursday night's club, I will send this card along with several others to the address that was given. The Challenge hostess will then send all of this month's cards to the troops to send home. What a great idea! Anyway, you can see the envelope is stamped to coordinate with the Autumn/Thanksgiving theme of the card. The set used was "Harvest Home". I stamped the main image with Stazon Timber Brown and water colored with Water Color Wonder Crayons (Earth Elements) and an Aqua Painter. I sponged the panel with Pumpkin Pie, matted it on Pumpkin Pie card stock, and adhered it to the folded part of the patterned paper layer. I used Pumpkin Pie DSP. The ladies will get different patterns though.

The next layer down is Apricot Appeal that is stamped with Timber Brown but not colored. The little "Happy Thanksgiving" sentiment is one of those two for $1.00 stamps I got from Michael's a couple of years ago. Here you can really see both sides of the designer paper. I don't cut the triangular piece; I fold it down which gives it more strength.

As you can see in this photo, I lined the Apricot Appeal inside with white and stamped the holiday greeting with Pumpkin Pie. This piece is adhered to the center of the patterned paper, then the whole thing is adhered to a 5-3/8" square piece of Only Orange (12" X 12" CS). I love this particular design and hope the ladies in the Thursday Nighters Club like it too!

Thanks for visiting my blog today!