Cardabilities Reveal Day for Oct 30

October 30, 2011 By

Good morning readers,

Today is another Cardabilities Reveal Day – 2nd one for October.

Here is sketch for this reveal:

This sketch was a tough one for me. I toyed with the idea of a patterned paper as background but it kinda made the card too busy with the layers as the focal point in the sketch. Then I rotated the image around and it looked a bit bottom heavy and blah in the middle. So I decided to keep it clean and simple and stick to the sketch as is – I mean, why change a good thing.

So here is my take on the sketch:

I can’t wait to see what you do with this sketch. So head on over to Cardabilities to play along.

Challenges entered:

Flourishes Timeless Tuesday

Simon Says Stamp Challenge

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Card for boys …

October 29, 2011 By

Hi everyone …

It’s another challenge today at Color Me Creative Classroom. Suzanne has challenged us to make a boy inspired card! Cards for men are tough for me to make; boy cards, not so bad – hey, I have a almost 6 year old boy who bombards me daily with his trucks, cars, superheros, dinosaurs, boats, trains, worms – ewww.

Guess who is our sponsor today!! I love love LOVE her stamps – can’t get enough. Want a clue – Jack and Ginger, Sprout, Mummu, Birthday Fairy Lee, Baby Fairy Flora …. Yes yes yes, that’s right. It’s Mo Manning!! Did you know she is also a children’s book illustrator … such a talented lady.

Well, here is my card with her image:

Come play along – that’s what you could win!! Oh and don’t forget when you play along, you are also entered into the monthly drawing for the shopping spree at Oozak. How can you beat two prize opportunities – head on over to be inspired and get to coloring.

 Challenges entered:

Simon Says Stamp Challenge

Whimsy Inspiration Challenge

Mark’s Finest

Pile it on

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Halloween is almost here …

October 28, 2011 By

Welcome everyone!

I’m so excited today because today is my 1st post with Wags ‘n Whiskers (WnW)!! As I am working on these stamps – I discovered how versatile all the images are for any ocassion. (look at my card and you will understand) And as greeting card business owner, that is the kind of images I look for – images I can use on many types of cards.

Anyhow, the challenge this week at WnW is to use the color black, ribbon &/or pearls. One random participant will win a Free Wags ‘n Whiskers Rubber stamp!

You don’t need to use a WnW image on your project to enter the challenge, but if you do, you will be entered into a 2nd drawing for a another Free Wags ‘n Whiskers Digital Stamp!! Two chances to win!!

If you are in need of a WnW design, click here for Rubber stamps, and here for Digis!

Here is my card:

With this color combo, I can use it as a Halloween card. With a different color combo and a different sentiment, it can be a Christmas card or a birthday or new baby card. How cool is that! The designer papers on this card are from Teresa Collins (green) and Crate Paper (stripes). I love that the Damask on the green paper matches the Moxie Fab World print on the dress.

It’s your turn – let’s see your black + ribbon/pearls creations.

Challenges entered:

The Pink Elephant

Moxie Fab World

Simon Says Stamp Challenge

Sentimental Sundays

7 Kids College Fund challenge

Fussy and Fancy

Flourishes Bring Back Beautiful

Inspiration Emporium

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Halloween Display Ideas

October 26, 2011 By

Hi folks …

Fall is officially here with the weather being consistently cooler now. I’ve been in such a Halloweeny card making mood, I thought I’d decorate my indoor mantle as well.

Here is what it looks like (pardon the reflection of the ceiling fan on the ship picture – but I do like how the ship looks like a ghost ship coming in).

And here is my favorite corner.

This is what I made for lunch for the kids … (yup, I am in a Halloweeny mood).

And this is my kid talking to her lunch.

Happy Halloween everyone!!

Linky parties:

Somewhat SimpleHome Stories A2Z

 

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Primary Colors

October 25, 2011 By

I wonder why every time I make a primary colored card, it always turn out looking like a kids card.

That’s this week’s challenge at Tuesday Throwdown – no, not to make a kids card – but to make a card using primary colors.

The sponsor for this week’s prizes and design team images is my favorite, MY GRAFICO.

My card this week is:

 

I sure hope some kid likes it.

 

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Travel-themed papers for Halloween?

October 23, 2011 By

Hello everyone,

I’m so into the Halloween mood these days – making so many Halloween themed cards. That’s what happens when all the design team I’m on are requesting Halloween cards.

Here is another Halloween Card I made for Color Me Creative Classroom.

I love how easy to color this one is – I only colored the pumpkins and the floor. Image is from Stampendous and paper is from Teresa Collins World Traveller Collection. Who would have thought to use traveling-themed papers for Halloween.

I’m also using this for the Papertrey Ink Blog Hop. Always color on PTI Stampers Select White – best paper for me to use with Copic.

Have a happy Halloween.

Challenges entered:

Flourishes

Creative Inspiration Paint

Really Reasonable Ribbon

Stampendous

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Operation Write Home Blog Hop

October 20, 2011 By

Good morning friends!!

Operation Write Home (OWH) is having a fundraiser. They are a not-for-profit organization that collects and sends handmade greeting cards to American soldiers so they can stay in touch with their families. They need to raise $13,000 to cover holiday shipping costs.

Two stamp illustrators, Katlyn from K ‘n K Stamps and my friend Deedee Anderson, have kindly designed 7 new digi sets exclusively for this cause. Each “set” includes an image and some greetings, in both JPEG and PEG file formats, all in a zip file.

100% of the proceeds from the sales of these stamp will go to OWH. These sets are available for just $2 each or get all for just $10. You can buy them at the K ‘n K blog (not the store) and all purchases will be emailed out within 24 hours of payment clearance.

Here is a sneak peek of some of the digis for sale:

Not a card maker? Donate to help with shipping! You can sponsor a box for $13, or any amount you choose – click on the yellow PayPal button on the Operation Write Home site to make a gift directly right now, or send in a gift with your box of cards!

For more sneak peeks, join in the hop and visit these other talented ladies. The hop starts here. If you have come from Michelle’s blog, you are in the right place. Your next stop is Deedee’s blog.

Two lucky hoppers who comment along the way will win 2 digi prize pack from K ‘n K Designs! (Be sure to check Deedee’s blog on Monday to see if you have won!) Blog hop ends this Sunday 10/23, at 8pm PST.

These soldiers and their families have given their lives to make our home safe. Now is the opportunity for you to support them. What are you waiting for? Do something meaningful today!

Challenges entered:

4 Crafty Chicks – marker it up

AI Factory Graphics – anything goes

For your inspiration – photo

Create with Connie and Mary – sketch

Forever Friends – anything goes

Shelley’s Images – anything goes

The Corrosive Challenge – flying things

Robyn’s Fetish – Animals

Karen Doodles – Animals

Scrappy Frogs – Things that Flies

Ruby’s Rainbow – Cute and Cuddly

Catch The Bug – Animals

The Stamping Boutique – Someone Special

Fairy Tale Challenge – Sympathy Card

Peachy Keen Stamps – Sketch

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Tutorial – Making A Handmade Flower

October 20, 2011 By

Good morning everyone,

For today’s Creative Vision post, I am sharing a tutorial on how to make a handmade flower. You know those shabby chic cards you see with handmade flowers, I love them and have always wanted to learn how to make it. When browsing the web, I found this lady who makes these really nice scalloped flowers. Her site is here. Her flower is gorgeous but since I have 2 left foot, I adapted her flower and made it foolproof for me.

Here is my flower – easy enough for a beginner so anyone can do it really. All you need are some basic crafting supplies:

  • Scalloped punch (or scalloped die) – size of scallop determines size of flower.
  • Tissue paper
  • Twine

Directions:

1. Fold tissue paper in half and continuing folding it in half until you get about 12-15 layers.

(doesn’t have to be accurate and tissue doesn’t have to be new and uncreased – you are going to be scrunching it up anyways – yup I’m lazy like that)

 

2. Punch out a scallop from your folded tissue paper.

 

3.Punch two small holes in the center and thread twine through the holes and tie a knot.

 

4. Flip the knotted scalloped circle over and start gathering each layer of tissue towards the center.

 

5. Once all the layers are gathered, start pulling layers down one by one (starting from the outer layer) to form a flower.

Tada!!! You have your handmade flower. See I told you, couldn’t be easier than that. And very cheap too – a flower that looks like you actually bought it.

Here is the card I made with this flower.

I used the “CV0087 Wishing You” stamp set from Creative Clear Stamps.

Have a fun and creative rest of the week! I sure felt creative after making a flower from some bits of tissue paper I had laying around.

Challenges entered:

Stampendous

 

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Anything but Square and Rectangle

October 18, 2011 By

Hello everyone,

Shaped cards are unique and fun to make. Usually, I use a rectangle card base and cut out a bordered edge. But lately, I’ve been shaping all edges of the card – circle, triangle, cupcake shape. It’s feels fun and adventurous to make but it’s really a pain to photograph – it just wouldn’t stand!! Have you tried making a circle card stand without it rolling away?

Well, here is the challenge at Tuesday Throwdown – make a shaped card! I was determined to make a “real” shaped card – cut on all sides not just a shaped bottom edge.

Here is my card:

 

The onesie shape is actually a die from Papertrey Ink and the cute lil’ giraffe is from Imaginisce. I look at this little baby shaped onsie and I feel very nostalgic because my little Emma wouldn’t be in her onsie much longer.

The winner of this week’s shaped card challenge will get a prize from Catherine Pooler Stampin’ Up.

Have a great week and if you have a tip for me to photograph a circle card, please let me know.

Challenges entered:

Whimsy Stamps

Meljen Challenge

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For my little Pumpkin …

October 17, 2011 By

Thank goodness I didn’t forget Halloween!! The candies and costumes are bought and the house decorated – lest my kids would not have let me live to tell …

Obviously, my house is not the only household that enjoys Halloween. From now till Oct 31, we have our Halloween Challenge going on at Through The Craftroom Door too.

The challenge: you have to create a project that is Halloween Themed and include the color orange.

The prize: $12 gift certificate for Stamp Fairy. (that’s a lot of digital stamps or paper you can buy)

Without further delay, here is my Halloween card with lots of orange.

Have a Happy Halloween and stay warm!

Challenge entered:

Inspiration Emporium

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The Pixie Cottage Design Team

October 16, 2011 By

I am pleased to announced that Michelle Offenberger has invited me to join her design team at The Pixie Cottage.

Michelle also runs Michelle’s Scrapbooking and More store where she carries some of the most desirable stamps in the industry. She also manufactures and are the sole distributor for The Pixie Cottage Stamps. You will be seeing some of those stamps on my cards over the next 6 months.

I am also thrilled to be designing along side these talented ladies:

Senior Design Team

Kate Tate - Design Team Leader

Tanya Rudd-Design Team Tutorial Specialist

Davi Long Reid

Nancy Holland

Tanya Johnson

Sharon Harding

Heidi Steinhebel

Audrey

Junior Design Team

Francy-Tutorial Specialist

Denise Cayce

Wendy

Kobie Fouche

Stephanie Lee (That’s me)

Denise Gwalter

Tina Keller

Mary Lou Schroeder

I can’t wait to get my stamps and start in November.

 

 

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Cardabilities Reveal Day for Oct 15

October 15, 2011 By

Hello everyone,

I’m so excited that today is my 1st post with Cardabilities. Twice a month, Cardabilities reveals a new sketch and a team of international designers showcase their cards in hopes of inspiring you to create.

Here is the first sketch for October:

Here is my card, inspired by the sketch:

Papers are from DCWV and stamps are from Flourishes and flower is from BoBunny.

I thoroughly enjoyed working with this sketch and I hope I have inspired you to create.

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BOO!!!

October 14, 2011 By

Gotcha there!!!

Well hello and welcome to today’s challenge at Color Me Creative Classroom.

Today is my 1st post with the CMC challenge group and I’m feeling excited and somewhat intimidated by the quality of work my other team mates have been producing. So I decided to be creative instead with my card making and make a shaped card of the stamped image.

This week’s design team images are generously provided by Glitterbabe digital stamps, who will also be providing the prizes for our challenge winners.

Anyhow, the challenge this week is Halloween themed projects and colors. You can use any image you want as long as they are colored with Copic markers or ProMarkers. Here is my oh so scary, some what cute, Halloween card:

The card was airbrushed with T grey Copic Markers and sentiment was colored using YR04, YR07, YR09. Ghost was pop-up with 3D foam tape.

Come play with us because you are also entered into the monthly drawing for the shopping spree at Oozak. How can you beat two prize opportunities – head on over to be inspired and get to coloring.

Challenges entered:

Stamping Scrapping Central

Simon Says Stamp Challenge

7 Kids College Fund Challenge

Fussy and Fancy Challenge

Through The Craftroom Door

Stampendous

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Breast Cancer Awareness month

October 11, 2011 By

Hello everyone,

This month is Breast Cancer Awareness month! Don’t forget to do your monthly checks. It could save your life.

Sweet and Sassy stamps is kind enough to provide the prizes for this week’s USE PINK challenge at Tuesday Throwdown. The image and sentiment I used for my card is also provided by Sweet and Sassy stamps. Thank you so very much Kori and Dan.

Here is my pink and white card:

 

Background was embossed using Spellbinders Impressabilities. Patterened paper frame is from Authentique Paper Collection. Butterfly was colored using Copic Markers RV02 and RV04.

I enjoy making these white on white cards – for some reason, they make me feel very relaxed. Have a relaxing rest of the week.

Challenges entered:

Copic Creations

Link Up for Pink

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Wags ‘n Whiskers Design Team

October 10, 2011 By

I have a happy announcement to make – I’m on the Wags ‘n Whiskers Design team!!

Wags ‘n Whiskers manufactures these adorable digital and rubber stamps. I first found out about Wags ‘n Whiskers because I was on the hunt for Crissy Armstrong’s adorable stamps and this is one of the places I found her stamps. I also recently learnt that the company is owned by Nikki Fairbairn and Lacey Stephens. Their images are based on their wonderful children and their furry pets! Zoe and Danni are Nikki’s daughters with their pets Gemma (the “fat” older cat in the logo) and Bella (Danni’s little kitten). Ansley is Lacey’s daughter with her little Yorkshire Terrior named Princess. And Ryan is Lacey’s son with his trusty doggie blanket named BoBo! These stamp images of their children are brought to life by the super talented Crissy Armstrong! How adorable is that and what a great way to leave a legacy! I love to be a part of the company with that much heart!

Come take a closer look at these cute stamps – Crissy’s work is unmistakeable. And the talented ladies I design with – they are on my sidebar – take a look at their blogs. Amazing work!

Last but definately not least, I also have a shout out for one of Suzanne Dean’s On The Road Copic classes. If you are going to be in the in the San Jose, CA area on Oct 22nd & 23rd, you are not going to want to miss taking a class from Suzanne in person!! No videos, print outs – but her in the flesh giving you personal pointers!! Here is a link for more info on the class – www.cmcroad.com. What an invaluable experience – I only wish she was coming to MN.

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Stamp Out Thieves …

October 9, 2011 By

I wanted to share a letter I read on Digital Pencil Too. All too sad and very real – it certainly helps people understand where artists are coming from.

Here it is: A letter to a Crafter by Mo Manning.

Let everyone know you support our artists right to living too by being a watchdog for them and displaying this badge on your blog.

They have my support.

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Cute Cute Ghost

October 7, 2011 By

Good morning everyone,

One of the perks on of being on a design team is that the manufacturer I work for or the sponsor for a challenge would provide products/stamps for me to use. For my October project with Through the Craftroom Door, I had already completed my card before I found out there was a sponsored image by Stamp Fairy.

The images they sent over for us to use was so adorable, I had to make an extra card just so I can use the image.

Here is my card with the cutest little ghost I have ever seen and he is coming to this house for trick or treating:

 

Enjoy your Halloween!

p/s: My 5 year old son loves the ghost too!!

Challenges entered:

One Crazy Stamper

The Pink Elephant

Flourishes Timeless Tuesday

Mark’s Finest Speedy Cat Challenge

Meljen Challenge

Fussy and Fancy

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Halloween Tuesday Throwdown

October 4, 2011 By

Welcome to another Tuesday Throwdown Challenge!!

Today’s theme is Halloween! How could it not be – we’re all waiting for the day to come … at least my kids are! Time to load up on candy for the year …

You can win something too in time for Halloween if you play. No, not candy but stamps from Robyn’s Fetish Digital Stamps! What are you waiting for?

Here is my Halloween card:

 

I opted for a fairly clean and simple white (for the most part) Halloween card for this challenge. By this time, I had done a couple of Halloween cards for several DT assignments and they are all loaded with busy patterned paper of the orange, green, purple variety … so I thought I might try something different this time. What do you think – is this different repeatable?

Challenges entered:

Simon Says Stamp Challenge

7 Kids College Fund Challenge

Cute Card Thursdays

One Crazy Stamper

Meljen Challenge

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Creative Vision Blog Hop #2

October 2, 2011 By

Welcome to another Creative Vision Team Themed Blog Hop.

Today, we are sharing projects made with “My Favorite Things”. As you hop hop hop your way around, make sure to become a Creative Vision Blog follower if you are not already, then leave me some love for a chance to WIN a Shopping Spree to the Creative Clear Stamp Store!

I love all kinds of little embellishment, tools you can use and pretty things you can put on a card. So many to choose from – it’s like asking me to choose my favorite paper manufacturer. Impossible!

I like pearls very much (so elegant); I like the color ivory; I like my white space (so clean); I like dry embossing; but my all time favorite has got to be die cuts. I think almost all (if not all) of my cards have some die cuts on it – can’t live without them. I mean, I could use a trimmer or a scissors but nah, I’m too lazy.

So here is my card with all my favorite things on it.

Enjoy my wedding non-traditional Christmas card.

As a little thank you for hopping with me today, here is a gift for you! $5.00 off any $15.00 or more purchase at the Creative Clear Stamp Store.

Just use this code at the checkout so Laura knows I sent you! It is not valid towards shipping, it cannot be combined with any other offer or discount, and it expires October 4th, 2011 at midnight.

Steph’s Discount Code : BH10S

Here is the order of the blog hop.

Laura – Creative Vision Blog – http://www.creativeclearstamps.blogspot.com/ (start here)

Kendra – http://www.luv2scrapnmakecards.blogspot.com/

Stephanie – http://blog.artycarty.com/ (you’re here)

Christy-  http://www.mycreativejourneys.blogspot.com/

Mary - http://mbryt1.blogspot.com/

Allison - http://www.allisonsstampincreations.blogspot.com/

Lauren - http://lem-photography.blogspot.com/

Chelsea -  http://scraptasticvoyage.blogspot.com/

On with the hop … but don’t forget to become a follower of Creative Vision’s blog and leave me some comment love. It could make you a winner!!

Challenges entered:

Simon Says Stamps challenge

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Color Challenge – Breast Cancer Awareness

October 1, 2011 By

Good morning everyone,

Today’s challenge at Through The Craftroom Door (TTCRD) is a color challenge – Pink and White in honor of Breast Cancer awareness month. I love the challenges at TTCRD because it is a REAL challenge for me – no shortcuts or what haves you. Besides being pink and white, it’s got to be a shaped card too (no rectangles of squares) and use pearls or blings.

What can you win??

A gift certificate worth $10 from our sponsor, Pizzazz Aplenty. They have the coolest resin embellishments (cameos, butterflies, flowers etc) – love it, love it, love it.

Alright then, enough drooling over what YOU can win… here is my pink and white, pennant shaped card with lots of pearls:

What are you waiting for?? Come and play and have a great day …

Challenges entered:

Simon Says Stamp challenge

Link up for pink

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