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Club projects

Club projects published on 5 Comments on Club projects

I had one of my Hostess Club meetings this morning and I finally get to post the projects.  I had such fun with these cards (and with my stampers)!  The first is a demonstration of the Cracked Glass technique using A Wish for Peace.  I love scenes like this with the antique look you get from cracked glass.  I sponged the horizon in So Saffron, Sahara Sand, Soft Suede and a touch of Chocolate Chip after stamping the main image in Soft Suede.  A little So Saffron was put in the church window and then I painted on Champagne Mist Shimmer Paint for the church.  The “snow” is Frost White Shimmer Paint applied with a slightly damp Aqua Painter.  Click on the picture to see all the details.  I embossed it, cracked it and applied a little more Soft Suede to help highlight the cracks.  The layout is last week’s sketch challenge from Splitcoast Stampers, SC301.  I used my new Victoria Crochet Trim and made just a little tab to add some interest.  The embossing on the Soft Suede comes from the Square Lattice Embossing Folder and my Big Shot.

The shimmer paints never photograph as pretty as they are but they are beautiful through the embossing.  I am also including my other project which is a shameless CASE of a card I saw at Baltimore Regionals.  I don’t know who the original designer is but thank you!  It uses my new Day of Gratitude set and I love the little bit of lace peeking out from the edge.  This big medallion is so wonderful and I’m in love with that little acorn!

It appears that I am fully into my fall color palette, now that I look at my last few cards!  I hope you enjoy these…thanks for stopping by!

Card 1:  Stamp:  A Wish for Peace; Paper:  Naturals Ivory, Soft Suede, Early Espresso; Ink:  Soft Suede, So Saffron, Sahara Sand, Chocolate Chip; Accessories:  Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, Big Shot, Square Lattice Embossing Folder, Shimmer Paints, Victoria Lace Trim, Dimensionals

Card 2:  Stamp:  Day of Gratitude; Paper:  Soft Suede, More Mustard, Early Espresso, Naturals Ivory; Ink:  Cajun Craze, Soft Suede, More Mustard; Accessories:  Victoria Lace Trim, Linen Thread, Dimensionals

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Fall thank you

Fall thank you published on 14 Comments on Fall thank you

Thanks to the SUO Challenge team for choosing this as Top 3 Winner!!

I mentioned yesterday how much I have to be thankful for and I continued on my thank you card trend today.  While I was at Regionals, my fabulous upline gave me some fun goodies to play with so I “had” to use them today.  Brandi knows that I can’t resist a pretty ribbon and she gave me a whole pack of samples to use (expect to keep seeing them).  One was the beautiful Victoria Crochet Trim.  How did I not already have this??  Rest assured, it has been ordered now!  She also included some Antique Brads which are particularly great with the Crochet Trim.  Of course I used the Day of Gratitude set again.  Here is the result:

The sketch comes from Stacey Schafer who is a guest designer at 2 Sketches 4 You this week.  I used her bonus sketch.  This card also meets the requirement for the Stampin’ Up Only Challenge #3 to use products from the Holiday Mini.  Finally, it is another card for Shelli’s October Challenge .

The leaves are stamped using a technique taught last weekend by the very talented Ilina Crouse from My Creations.  You ink up the image and then sponge another color on the edges using a sponge dauber.  Love the look!  I going to be playing with variations of color and this technique for a while. 

Hope your week is going well.  I’m going to be working on more fun stuff for my hostess clubs that meet next week so expect to see those soon. 

Stamp:  Day of Gratitude; Paper:  Cajun Craze, Soft Suede, Early Espresso, Very Vanilla; Ink:  Cajun Craze, Soft Suede, Versamark; Accessories:  Victoria Crochet Trim, Antique Brads, Dimensionals

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Day of Gratitude

Day of Gratitude published on 7 Comments on Day of Gratitude

This is, in fact, the name of a new stamp but the phrase means so much more.  Gratitude is an attitude!  I know that I run through my life so quickly sometimes that I forget to say thank you to the many people who bless my life.  Something about the change to fall weather reminds me of all the things for which I am thankful.  Today, I am infinitely thankful for my weekend.  I was so lucky to attend Stampin’ Up’s Regional in Baltimore on Saturday and have an entire day of stamping, fun, business training and swaps.  I know…that is a lot to be thankful for!  Now consider the fact that I got to be with my wonderful upline Brandi and I have even more to be happy about.  But the most amazing thing is what happened for me to have this opportunity.  My husband is in the Air National Guard and travel is the nature of his life.  Even with the best laid plans, many times he simply must be gone when we thought he could be home.  Last weekend was one of those times.  I had never been to an official Stampin’ Up function and could not miss the opportunity to go to a Regional so close to home.  I signed up knowing the risk that he wouldn’t be here.  Sure enough, that is what happened.  A dear friend and a wonderful sister-in-law stepped up to watch my boys so that I could take this time for myself.  How can I even express my gratitude to them??!!  Both boys had a fantastic weekend and I was able to enjoy my time knowing what good hands they were in.

Fortunately, part of the package of goodies for Regionals was the Day of Gratitude stamp set from the Holiday Mini.  The entire set is so beautiful and the projects on Saturday that used it were so much fun to create.  There is nothing more inspirational to my stamping than a new set so of course I needed to use it right away.  Even better is that the set expresses exactly how I am feeling.  Here is one of the cards for my gracious helpers this weekend:

This card uses a few challenges.  The first is the So Shelli Challenge (from Shelli Gardner) to create a project using Fabulous Fall as the motivation.  The Our Creative Corner challenge this week uses these colors:

They pretty much say Fabulous Fall, don’t you think?  The sketch is from the Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge and was so fun to use.

I hope you have a wonderful week and, just like the stamp says, your common days are transformed into Thanksgivings. 

Stamp:  Day of Gratitude (Holiday Mini); Paper:  Cajun Craze (smooth and textured), More Mustard, Old Olive, Early Espresso, Very Vanilla; Ink:  Cajun Craze, More Mustard, Old Olive, Early Espresso; Accessories:  Neutrals Designer Buttons, Dimensionals, Thread (dyed using Early Espresso marker)

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Regionals!!

Regionals!! published on 3 Comments on Regionals!!

Hi everyone!  Through the magic of technology, this is being posted while I am actually at the Stampin’ Up Regionals in Baltimore, MD.  I am here to show you my swap cards (as promised).  I wish I could say that they are finished as I sit here and type but I have great confidence that they will be done in plenty of time.  After all, most of the paper is cut…

I stuck to the same color palette for the simplicity of taking stuff with me (yes, I knew I wouldn’t get done!).  Without further discussion, here they are:

The Dasher card and the Rejoicing in Christmas card are variations of things I have posted before.  The Friends Never Fade card uses a layout from Operation Write Home’s Stars & Stamps Sketch Challenges.  Go take a look at all the lovely sketches to choose from (and don’t forget to make a card for a hero!).

I have lots of cutting left to do, so that is it for now.  Have a great weekend and I look forward to sharing fun new projects with the stamp set I will get this weekend.  See you soon!

Birthday Flowers

Birthday Flowers published on 6 Comments on Birthday Flowers

Yes, yes, I know…it looks like I have been neglecting my stamping, but I haven’t!  I have been busily working on swaps for this weekend’s Stampin’ Up Regional in Baltimore.  I’ll be posting those on Saturday (while I am busily swapping them).  Until then, I needed a little break from all the browns and Cherry Cobbler (hint, hint).  One of my dear sisters-in-law has a birthday soon so I made a card for her.  It will be a little late by the time it gets there but I only profess to be a card maker, not a card sender.  I found a great sketch over at Splitcoast today.  It is their Sketch Challenge 300!!  Go take a look because they have some prizes.  Cool! 

I used my Greenhouse Gala paper and stuck to the Chocolate Chip and Pear Pizzazz pairing.  The big flowers are cut out of the DSP and one is popped up on dimensionals.  The words come from Teeny Tiny Wishes and fit just perfectly.  Finally the ribbon is the Espresso Satin and I love that it coordinates with the browns in the paper.

This Pear color remains one of my new favorites.  I thought maybe it would move back on the list a bit during my fall color transition but I love how it pairs with the Chocolate Chip and still feels seasonal.

Thanks for stopping in today.  Back to the card front assembly line for me!!  Have a great week!

Stamp:  Teeny Tiny Wishes; Paper:  Greenhouse Gala DSP, Pear Pizzazz, Chocolate Chip; Ink:  Chocolate Chip; Accessories:  Early Espresso Satin Ribbon, Dimensionals, Stamp-a-ma-jig

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Seasonal thanks

Seasonal thanks published on 8 Comments on Seasonal thanks

One of my dear friends was over stamping on Tuesday and left a couple of sets accidentally.  I admit that “borrowed” stamps are almost as fun as new stamps and it could not go back to her house until I had put a little ink on the rubber.  Now add to it that one of the sets was Lovely as a Tree and you can understand why I couldn’t resist.  Yes, I know what you are going to say.  How is it that I don’t own this set??!!  Good question and no good answer!  Furthermore, I didn’t even use the trees.  Yes, I know…I SHOULD hang on to it for another couple of days just so the trees get some ink too!  But, she is a really, really good friend and I’m sure she’ll be missing this and what kind of demonstrator hijacks her friend’s stamp sets and…well, you get the point.  I’m just glad I got to play a little with the set!

I recently discovered a challenge that I love called the Stampin’ Sisters in Christ Challenge.  Their challenge this week is Ecclesiastes 3:1 “To everthing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven.”  With the changing of the seasons, you are to use fall colors and/or leaves.  Wait…I have leaves from the Lovely as a Tree set…hmmmm.  Pals Paper Arts posted their PPA61, a sketch challenge created by the wonderful Margaret Moody.  I always love her sketches (hop right over there to see it!). 

I originally intended for this to be a much more complicated card.  I have been playing around with the idea of doing cracked glass for my next club meeting and I thought this might the right card for it (maybe it still will be).  But when I held the stamped panel up to the layout, it just seemed done.  I think it is good to go with your gut feeling on that so I did.  I used the wonderful Watercolor Paper and my blender pen to put the color on the leaves.  Conveniently enough, some of my trees are starting to turn already so I looked at a fallen leaf for my color inspiration.  With the lack of rain we have had in VA, my leaf had a bit of brown on the edges and I incorporated that in.  My ribbon is the retired Chocolate Chip 1 1/4″ Striped Grosgrain Ribbon.  I have to admit this would be prettier with the current Early Espresso ribbon but I had to finish up this before I would allow myself to buy it.  I simply can’t encourage my own ribbon hoarding.  I’m sure you have your own little stashes and know what I mean!  In any case, here is my final result:

You can click on the picture to see more detail.  I have always loved this quote from the Inspired by Nature set and it really seemed to fit with the biblical quote for the challenge.  You see, I find that when challenges present themselves, good friends always step in and help you know that God is watching over you.  It also seems like those are the times when you don’t have a spare moment to make a meaningful card.  This one is going into my little box for one of those days.  I hope that you find some inspiration in the words from Ecclesiastes, too.  Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful day!

Stamps:  Inspired by Nature, Lovely as a Tree; Paper:  Early Espresso, Cajun Craze, Watercolor; Ink:  Early Espresso, River Rock, More Mustard, Cajun Craze, Soft Suede, Stazon; Accessories:  Wide Striped Ribbon, Neutrals Designer Buttons, Linen Thread

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Rejoicing in CAS

Rejoicing in CAS published on 11 Comments on Rejoicing in CAS

Now I have to admit that I almost didn’t post this card because it is similar to another I’ve already posted.  The reason I changed my mind is that I wanted to show you how the addition of a textured panel can really take the card up a notch.  My layout today is a slight modification of the OWH Sketch #35.  They post wonderful sketches every Sunday, most of which are the Clean and Simple style (all the better to make lots of cards for heroes).  I mentioned last week that there is a new challenge, SUO Challenges, and they have a new challenge up – SUOC2.  They are, in fact, the reason I decided to post this card.  While my little panel is a small example of how much the Big Shot can add to your stamping, I thought it important to show how this tool can help you add dimension.  When I am stamping in monochomatic or subdued tones, texture becomes very important.  I love how the Square Lattice Embossing Folder adds that certain something to this card.  On the stamped panel I used watercolor paper for its lovely blending qualities.  On both Mary and Joseph’s headpieces, I finished the watercoloring by adding shimmer paint.  Champagne Mist was used on Joseph and Frost White on Mary.

Here is a closeup of the shimmer paint.

I continue to love this set!  It lends itself to clean and simple cards that put the focus squarely on the Holy Family itself.  I got a bit behind on my own Christmas stamping with my OWH card drive so this one (and the ones I will make like it) will go a towards my little stash of personal cards.  I hope you have a great day…thanks for stopping by!

Stamp:  Rejoicing in Christmas; Paper:  Crumb Cake, Early Espresso, Watercolor; Ink:  Stazon, Early Espresso, Not Quite Navy, Always Artichoke, Crumb Cake; Accessories:  Shimmer Paints, Vanilla Satin Ribbon, Big Shot, Square Lattice Embossing Folder, Dimensionals

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Fall mushrooms

Fall mushrooms published on 15 Comments on Fall mushrooms

Ok, having mushrooms means that you have damp ground and goodness knows we can’t seem to get enough rain here in VA.  However, I can create little whimsical mushrooms!  While it was not my usual style of set, when I first saw Funky Four in the catalog I just had to smile.  Something about those little mushrooms (and the rest of the set, for that matter) are just really cute.  So I got it!  I didn’t think about it or rationalize it, I just bought the set.  I am so glad I did!

I saw the color challenge over at The Paper Players this week and knew that I had to play along.  Really, you must go look at the cards they made…gorgeous!!  The colors they chose were Old Olive, More Mustard, Cajun Craze and Early Espresso…oh so pretty together.  There is also a brand new challenge, S-U Only Challenges, and their first challenge is “Fall”.  So, my brain started crunching and realized how great those colors would be with my funny little mushrooms.  I had also found a great sketch over at Unscripted Sketches that would be perfect.  Ready with the three challenges, this card came together very quickly.  I colored onto the stamp with my markers and stamped the main image panel.  I then added the sentiment from Apple Blossoms (Hostess Level 2).  I liked the idea of color blocking for this layout but wanted to add a little more interest so I chose a piece of Play Date DSP for the side panel (it coordinates perfectly with the Funky Four set!).  This card is for my dear brother-in-law so I avoided the bow and put on a button instead.  Yes, I’m really glad I went with my impulse and got these mushrooms!

See, I bet they make you smile, too!  Nothing more for today…thanks for stopping in.  I hope you have a beautiful weekend!

Stamps:  Funky Four, Apple Blossoms (hostess); Paper:  Very Vanilla, Cajun Craze, More Mustard, Early Espresso, Play Date DSP; Ink:  Old Olive, Cajun Craze, More Mustard, Early Espresso; Accessories:  Espresso Satin Ribbon, Neutrals Designer Buttons, Thread

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OWH Birthday Bash Challenges

OWH Birthday Bash Challenges published on 8 Comments on OWH Birthday Bash Challenges

What a birthday celebration it has been for Operation Write Home!  The weekend held some serious challenges and there is still more to come.  Just check out this post for an idea of the fun.  Some stamping superstars have gotten in on the act too.  Karen over at The Sweetest Thing posted her Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge with the extra challenge to send the card to Operation Write Home.  Well mine will be included in this box:

It is almost ready.  My oldest son’s second grade teacher has agreed to have the class make some more Dear Hero letters so I’m making space for those priceless gems!  I must admit that I can’t wait to see them.

Karen’s sketch this week is great (make sure you make a card with it and send it on in):

My card today also uses Stacey’s Curtain Call: Act 47 colors.

 

Wonderful, masculine colors aren’t they?  Why yes they are and guess what?  Sharon at No Time to Stamp has a Let’s Hear It For The Guys challenge.  Her biggest stipulation is no bows.  If ribbon goes on, it goes on in a “manly” way.  Ok, well I think I did it within all the constraints.

If you click on the picture, you can see some more of the detail in the card.  One of my stampers this week is a wonderful “repurpose” fan and she brought over some tulle scraps she had and wanted to see what I would use them for.  I put it down and sponged over it to give some cool texture to a one-layer card (posted below).  I liked the effect enough to try it again here on the panels.  The way the texture mimics the Square Lattice Embossing Folder was something I wanted to see…and I think it works.  I stamped images from Le Jardin Botanique (retired) over the tulle as well.  I like how it took girly feel out of the florals.  The button was tied onto Early Espresso Satin Ribbon with the very manly Linen Thread.  With all those challenges in one card, this qualified for the Pile it On challenge site as well.  Wow, they put together some serious challenge combinations!

Here is the card where I first experimented with the tulle.  It may be my favorite one-layer card I have ever made.  Other sponging and stamping over the tulle, it is straight forward but that tulle adds so much.  Hope you like it too (it is already safely tucked into the OWH box).

Seems I have done quite a bit of typing yet again.  I guess the great cause over at Operation Write Home really has me inspired.  Food for thought:  As of September 13, 2010, Operation Write Home has sent 549,112 cards to our deployed heroes.  Think about making yours some of the next to be sent!

Card 1:  Stamp:  Le Jardin Botanique (ret); Paper:  Early Espresso, Always Artichoke, Crumb Cake, Whisper White; Ink:  Early Espresso, Always Artichoke; Accessories:  Early Espresso Satin Ribbon, Neutrals buttons, Linen Thread, Tulle, Big Shot, Square Lattice Embossing Folder

Card 2:  Stamp:  Le Jardin Botanique; Paper:  Naturals Ivory; Ink:  Soft Suede, Night of Navy; Accessories:  Sponges, Tulle

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Clean and simple fall colors

Clean and simple fall colors published on 10 Comments on Clean and simple fall colors

I’m still recovering a bit from my Operation Write Home extravaganza so this will be short.  This is one of the cards for my box being shipped to OWH later this week.  I’ll have a picture of the box all loaded up in tomorrow’s post.  The Clean&Simple layout 107 is a great one and I used it to create a card during my open house.  I also leaned on Stampin’ Celebration for some inspiration.  Believe me, with all that stamping, I needed the inspiration to keep the ideas moving!

I love the colors in this picture!  One of the things I did to help everyone maximize their stamping was to pull out all my sets (current and retired) and had people bring some of their stamping favorites.  You know the sets…the ones where every card is one you like.  One of my friends brought over her Watercolor Trio and I had to use it (I also used it in my previous post’s card).  I started with some Cherry Cobbler, added Soft Suede and Early Espresso, and then some Daffodil Delight as the yellow.  The card is pretty self explanatory so I’ll just show it to you.

I left off the sentiment because so that the recipient can use it for any purpose.  I found myself making more cards like this than usual to give our deployed heroes more options. 

Don’t forget to take a look at Operation Write Home to see if there is a stamping event near you this month!!  Have a great week.

Stamp:  Watercolor Trio; Paper:  Cherry Cobbler, Early Espresso, Soft Suede, Whisper White; Ink:  Cherry Cobbler, Soft Suede, Daffodil Delight; Accessories:  Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding (Holiday Mini), Scallop Trim Border Punch

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