Tuesday, February 23, 2010

DCBD #165 & Curtain Call Act 18

All supplies used are Stampin' Up! Here is my entry for two different challenges: the layout challenge - Diva Coffee Break Design challenge #165, and the color challenge - Curtain Call Color Challenge Act #18. I used a blender pen to 'color' the flowers (brocade blue), leaves (old olive) and flower pot (sahara sand). I matted the colored piece on a scrap piece of kraft card stock. The card base is the Night of Navy card stock. I used a scrap piece of blue grosgrain ribbon. The stamp set is 'Bloomin' Beautiful'. The stamps were inked with basic black classic ink. The card is clean and simple.
Thank you for looking.

Mojo Monday Challenge #127

Howdy All! I didn't realize that it has been almost a week since my last post. Sorry about that. The only excuse I have, is that I can't find enough hours in the day to get everything done that I need/want to get done. But, I think we are all in this boat.
So, here is the card I made for a few reasons. 1- one of my best friends S is also celebrating her birthday this month. Her favorite color combo is black and white. We are all meeting tomorrow for our dinner celebration! 2- mojo monday is having another layout challenge. 3- I saw a card while surfing the web, and loved their creation so much I wanted to try it. 'Mels Stampz', if you have a moment, check out her creation. She printed her digital image on vellum card stock, and while the ink was still wet from coming out of her inkjet printer, she poured embossing powder on her image. Pretty smart. :)
I used scraps of black and cream paper I have from several years ago. I treat it like gold. You know how that is. You find a paper that works so well that you buy several sheets of it. Then, when you need a page or two, you can't find it anymore :( (Now, I always buy 10-12 sheets of paper that I really fancy.) Most of the supplies I used are from Stampin' Up! The card stock is basic black, very vanilla and vellum card stock. The flower image is a Martha Stewart acrylic stamp. I stamped on the vellum card stock with a black pigment ink and used black embossing powder (SU). The 'happy birthday' is from a stamp that was offered in a mini note card set last SU catalog. I used SU markers to color the flower. I colored the back side of the vellum three different shades of pink (pretty in pink, regal rose, and pink passion). I stamped the 'HB' in basic black on the very vanilla card stock and layered the colored, heat embossed vellum card stock on top. I used zip glue to adhere the vellum to the very vanilla card stock. I used SU very vanilla satin ribbon and a scrap piece of a pink ribbon to my card. If you look at the layout challenge, the ribbon is over the diamond card stock. If I put my ribbon over the card stock, you wouldn't be able to read the 'HB', so I tucked it under the card stock. The black half pearls I purchased at one of those big craft stores last Christmas when they were on sale. To add a little sparkle to the center of the flower, I dipped the tip of a sewing needle into the shimmer paint (SU) and added little specks of shimmer paint to the center of the flower.
Thank you for looking! I hope my best friend S loves this card. She's a very special friend, that holds a special place in my heart. Please post a comment. It always makes me smile to see your words of encouragement and appreciation.

Friday, February 19, 2010

MoJo Monday Challenge #126

This is my entry for the MoJo Monday #126. The solid cardstock is Aqua Mist & Sweet Blush (PTI). The pattern paper I have no idea. I just have scraps left. I believe it came out 2-3yrs ago. But, I just love the colors. The brown card stock is actually textured Bazzil paper. The punches; scallop trim, large oval and scallop oval, are from Stampin' Up! The ink is Chocolate Chip classic ink (Stampin' Up!). The felt flowers are retired SU product. The clear rhinestones are left overs, I believe they were purchased from a large hobby store. The ribbon is Ofray. The stamp set is one of my new ones - Birds & Nest (Cavallini).
This card, is also my entry into the card contest at the Great Southwest Rubber Stamp Event held in Albuquerque during the last weekend of Feb. 2010.
Thank you for looking. I hope you all have a safe and relaxing weekend!

Thursday, February 18, 2010

Sasha week 15 1/2



I wanted to keep everyone up to date with the progress and growth of our 'girl' Sasha. She was the bargaining chip for me to get my craft cabinets. She is an English Mastiff. She is super sweet, but growing super fast. I posted a photo of her when we brought her home in December 2009. (If you have a moment, please go back and look at that post.) In that debut photo, she had this rawhide bone. She still has the rawhide bone. So, I had to take another photo of her with that bone. The first photo here, is her front paw in my hand. The next two photos are of her chewing a different rawhide. Sasha had another vet appointment and she weighted 29.4 pounds on Sunday.
I post some more photos of cards soon. Thank you for your patience.

Monday, February 15, 2010

Blog Candy Winners

Good Morning Everyone~
First let me apologize for selecting the winner of the Blog Candy Give-A-Way so late. I have come down with an awful cold, and the only motivation I had was to lay down. I went to Random Number Generator to have 2 random numbers selected. Either my brain is not working properly, or I just can't figure it out. But, I wanted to post the numbers selected by this handy little web tool. As of yesterday, I had a total of 41 followers. So, my number selection was from 1 to 41. The first Random Number was 8. And how I kept track of my followers when they signed up, that is Denise Kay Foor. The other number generated was 38. And that follower is L. Ann. So, CONGRATS to those two lucky winners! If you two winners can email me the address that you would like your blog candy sent to, I'll get that out in the mail this week. If you have any questions, please contact me.

Saturday, February 13, 2010

Happy Birthday & Happy Valentine's Day

Good Morning! I wanted to share the news! For my birthday, my husband got me a portable studio light tent! What is that you ask? Well, it is a tent that is small and portable, and you place objects inside and take photos of them. It allows the light to be refracted, so you don't get any glare. And you can change the color and texture of your backgrounds. How cool is that? So, I won't have too many excuses as to why the photos of my cards aren't the greatest. So, to 'try it out' I just had to take a photo of a Valentine's Day card that I made yesterday before I went to work (yes, it was 5:30a and no natural light). My husband had some flowers sent to me at work for my birthday, so I took one of the flowers to add to the photo. I'm really happy how it came out. (the photo and the card. )
I used the challenge sketch from paper trey ink, but I used my scraps. The pattern paper is left over from 2 valentin's days ago, the buttons I purchased at least 3/4 years ago. The cardstock is from Stampin' Up! The greeting is a mish mash of acrylics.
Thank you for looking! I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend! If you haven't posted a comment yet, please do! Remember, you need to post a comment and register as a follower to be eligible to win the blog candy!

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

DCBD sketch challenge #163

So here is my entry to the sketch challenge over at the Diva Coffee Break Designs sketch challenge #163. As I said in my earlier post, Valentine's Day is my favorite holiday. I don't know if its because I'm a 'softie' or if its because my birthday is in the same month, but I l o v e this holiday.
All supplies used for this card are made with Stampin' Up! For my card base I used Kraft card stock. I matted a scrap piece from the Sending Love DSP onto a scrap piece of Real Red card stock. I used a stamp from the Always stamp set. The greeting is in Real Red classic ink. I used a piece of the Very Vanilla 5/8" satin ribbon and a real red button from the Playground designer button set. I thought the button was missing a little something, so I cut a sliver of Pretty in Pink card stock, ran it through the button holes and secured it to the back of the button with some glue dots. I wrapped one end of the ribbon around the card stock (where the card opens) to help give the card a 'finished' look.
Thanks for looking. Have a wonderful day! And check out what some of the other ladies have done!

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Thank You Christine

So, as you all know, my birthday is approaching! Don't forget to register as a follower, so you are eligible to win some blog candy!
One of my girlfriends, Christina S., took me out to lunch one afternoon last week and then we went shopping. Mostly window shopping, but it was more the company and not so much the purchases. While we were strolling through this cute paper store, I saw this bird stamp set by Cavallini Papers & Co. I just had to get it. I wanted to send Christina a hand-made thank you card, to let her know that I really do enjoy both her company and her friendship.
To make this card, I used almost all Stampin' Up! supplies. I wanted to use some 'V-day' inspired colors, so I used Melon Mambo and Pretty in Pink card stock. The card base is Sahara Sand card stock. I wanted my Pretty in Pink Satin ribbon to go around the card, but I hate it when the ribbon is on the inside of the card. So, I matted a Sahara Sand card stock on top of a Sahara Sand card stock. Not very original, but I like how it turned out. The thank you stamp is from the back of the big idea catalog.
Well thank you for looking. This card sure does look better in person. Have a good day. I should be posting again (hopefully) tomorrow.

Sunday, February 7, 2010

baby shower card

One of my girl friends is making some baby shower cards for her friend. She needed some ideas, so I made her this card. The lady who is having the baby shower is having twins-one boy and one girl. So, it makes it a bit difficult to use boy and girl colors. The card base is Bermuda Bay. I ran the white cardstock through the big shot using the polka dot embossing folder. I thought the white polka dots on the ribbon help bring a softer look to the invite. I stamped the giraffe in four different 'baby' colors. They wanted Bermuda Bay and Melon Mambo, so those two giraffes are in the middle. I used the Crushed Curry classic ink and Old Olive classic ink to help tie all the 'baby colors' into the card.
Thanks for looking!

Stamping 411 Challenge #137

Here is my entry for the Stamping 411 Challenge. The design team (operators) for this site are Stampin' Up! demonstrators and so their entries are created with mostly Stampin' Up! products. And, I kinda like that. It encourages me use the stuff you have, and when you see something someone else has done, you probably already have the supplies on hand to CASE it! Pretty cool, huh? But check out all the entries. You never know what will inspire you! And you may see a product used in a way you wouldn't have thought of, or be encouraged to try a new technique!
Valentine's Day is my favorite holiday. But, even I have been overloaded with every shade of red and pink. I wanted to make a card so far from the cutie little hearts and the 'I love you' themes, that I came up with this card. I hope you like it. Don't get me wrong, my husband's card will have hearts and 'I Love You' on it. :)
I'm not sure the name for this technique. You color your stamp with the water color crayons, mist the stamp with water and then stamp your image. I used the Earth Elements water color crayons. I only used two stamp sets: Lovely as a Tree and Teeny Tiny Wishes. I used a scrap piece of Autumn Meadows DSP. The solid card stock: Not Quite Navy, Chocolate Chip, and Whisper White. I used the small oval punch and the 3/4" circle punch. I had a scrap of MasterPiece ribbon originals. I sponged some close to cocoa classic ink around my punched pieces. I also used the distressing tool (from the Cutter Kit) to rough the edges of my paper. To give the small circle some lift off the card, I used a dimensional.
Thanks for looking. If you have a few minutes, I always encourage people to try a challenge. As one of my girlfriends always says, 'You can't win if you don't enter!' And wouldn't it be cool to win? That would be some bragging rights. :)

Saturday, February 6, 2010

Note Card Holder

I am instructing a class today,where we will be making a note card holder and four note cards. I want these cards to have a clean and simple design. Because sometimes less is more!
All supplies used for this class are Stampin' Up!. This is the front of the note card holder. I ran my white card stock through the big shot in the polka dot embossing folder. I used the stamp set 'Bird on a Branch'. I really like this stamp set, don't ask why, it just calls me. I wanted the colors to be feminine and to compliment each other. But I really didn't want to use brown and pink. (I have had an overload of brown and pink.) I stamped the greeting and the branch in basic brown classic ink. I stamped the flowers in cameo coral. I stamped the bird in Bermuda bay. I used the same colors in the card stock. I used the polka dot Bermuda bay ribbon to help pull the polka dot theme throughout the project. I wanted a softer border, so I used the scallop edge punch on the larger mat.
The first three cards we are doing are posted on my blog under 'My 100th Post' and the valentines day themed card we are doing is posted on my blog under 'Sweet Little Valentine '.
Thank you for looking, and enjoy your weekend! I should be posting another card either later today or tomorrow!

Friday, February 5, 2010

Sweet Little Valentine

Happy Friday! So here is the Valentine's Day card you will make in the Note Card class tomorrow. I wanted this card to be simply sweet, and I think I have. I ran a piece of kraft card stock through the big shot in the polka dot embossing folder by Stampin' Up!. I then used the new scallop trim border punch along both horizontal edges of the card stock. I stamped happy valentine's day in Bravo Burgundy. Tied a piece of rose red 1/4" grosgrain ribbon around the white card stock. I used glue dots to hold the new felt flowers onto the card, and viola! Quick, easy, and I think sweet! Perfect for a friend, an aunt, or your sweetie!
Thanks for looking, and I hope that this jump starts a great weekend for you!

Thursday, February 4, 2010

MoJO Monday Challenge #124

Here is my entry to the MoJo Monday Challenge #124. I used products from various companies. The bird I stamped using the 'rock and roll' technique. I'm really happy how it came out. I had originally stamped the bird in both colors, and they both looked flat. The rock and roll, really gave the image some depth. I used felt flowers to help give the card some texture as well as soften it abit. Thanks for looking, recipe follows:
Card stock: solid- soft sky (SU) and ripe avocado (PTI). Pattern paper: Rockland (SRP).
Inks: Baja Breeze (SU) and Ripe Avocado (PTI). Ribbon: Rain (PTI). Flowers: Flower Fusion I & II (SU). Brad: blue (LI). Stamp set: Very Thankful (SU)

February Birthday Card

When I make a card, I typically make a minimum of two. However, if it is for an event, I typically make 12. I have two card clubs, with wonderfully talented women in them. So, on their birthday month, they receive a birthday card in the mail from me (because, come on, who doesn't like to get a little snail mail?) and in it, they receive a gift certificate for $10 for Stampin' Up! And each month, the b-day card changes. I also know three demonstrators who are celebrating birthdays this month, so I figured that I would just make half a dozen cards, and send them all out today!
Here is February's Birthday Card! All products used are from Stampin' Up! The card base is pumpkin pie card stock. I layered 'taken with teal' card stock on top of that. I used the new scallop trim border punch and the new Happy Moments stamp set (SAB). I cut a super thin piece of scrap of 'taken with teal' card stock and strung it through the button. I used pumpkin pie 1/4" grosgrain ribbon and did a 'baby shower' knot at the top of the birthday cake tag. My tags always look crazy. If anyone has a trick they would like to share on how to make nice looking tags, I'm all ears!
Thanks for looking! Enjoy your day, and have a wonderful weekend!

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Embellish Magazine - Ribbon/Color Challenge

This is my entry to the Embellish Magazine color/ribbon challenge. You need to use Chocolate, Turquoise, and Pink colors. Your entry also must have ribbon. For this entry I have only used Stampin' Up! products. I used chocolate chip card stock as my card base. I heat embossed the floral design, from the Bella Toile background stamp with chocolate chip craft ink, onto close to cocoa card stock. I had a scrap of tempting turquoise card stock that I used my new scallop border punch on. I stamped the flourish from Friends 24-7 in pretty in pink classic ink. I swiped randomly over the stamped image with my 2-way glue pen. I added some dazzling diamonds glitter to the flourish to give it a little sparkle. :) I added a strip of pretty in pink satin ribbon. I thought the ribbon needed a little something, so I tied a turquoise button to the knot with a scrap of silver cord left over from the holiday mini.
Thank you for looking!