Sunday, September 28, 2008
Soft Sweet Silhouettes
Friday, September 26, 2008
Paint Palettes Inspiration
Here's the inspiration room I chose.
And I put together a quick card with the new set Eastern Blooms that hadn't seen ink yet.
I stamped the main branch of flowers with Chocolate Chip to mimic the photo on the wall. I added extra flowers in Sahara Sand and Baja Breeze and pierced some of the chocolate chip flowers. I wanted to get the feel of the geometric bedspread so I added the DP in Urban Garden and also stamped the flowers on the Sahara Sand layer in a geometric pattern. Some pretty ribbon, a felt flower and piercing. To give the feel of another layer on the sentiment (from Fresh Cuts), I ran the Sahara oval through the CC ink pad. At night it's so much harder for me to get a good picture so I took one from each side.
Here's a closeup:
Alright...sore back again, time for a new position not sitting at the computer!
Thanks for stopping by!
Recipe: Stamps: Eastern Blooms, Fresh Cuts Ink: Chocolate Chip, Sahara Sand, Baja Breeze Paper: Baja Breeze, Sahara Sand, Whisper White, Chocolate Chip, Urban Garden DSP Accessories: Oval Punches, Felt Flower, Vintage Brads, Piercer, Dimensionals, Scallop Edge Punch, CC Ribbon, Baja Breeze DS Wide Grosgrain
Thursday, September 25, 2008
My New Teams!
The 1/2 inch sections at the edges of the "left and right sides of the cross" are the folded in lid which does not get sticky strip on it, and the folded in section that makes the bottom of the box that does get attached with sticky strip.
I'm a Great Swaps Girl!
In January when the amazing JulieHRR asked me to be on the Dirty Dozen I was overjoyed. It was like the floodgates opened and two other great Swap teams also contacted me about joining their very amazing groups, that are a real honor to be a part of. I knew I couldn't juggle it all, so I had to say - thank you but no. The tough part is that you have to keep being chosen for the Dirty Dozen team a secret for a month before your reveal...so I couldn't even honestly explain why!
So after my DD term was over, I went back to one of those teams and said, remember way back when you asked me to join the swap group? Do you still have room? Well, these sweet girls had saved a spot for me. So, I'm a new Great Swaps Girl. Such fabulous women! Here's a link to the Great Swaps Girls blog too.
Here's a swap I did for the new Catalogue. It's always nerve wracking for me when I do a swap with a group...especially like this one, for the first time, I second guess myself all the time thinking....is this good enough???? So hopefully it was :)
I really think that Bella's Bloom is one of the under appreciated sets of the new catalogue. Not only is it inexpensive but very versatile and classy and it goes really well with Bella Rose paper. But here I paired it with my favourite Urban Garden in rich shades of Kiwi Kiss and Not Quite Navy and White for some crisp contrast.
I inked up the flower in Not Quite Navy SW Marker and Old Olive on the horizontal (the shade is a deeper tone of Kiwi Kiss so it works here). Then I added the sentiment and it just fits inside our new large oval punch. I added a little piercing on the sentiment and then started layering the paper and scallops and ribbon. On some swaps I used White Taffeta ribbon, but ran out about half way through so I used the Kiwi Kiss Satin ribbon just on the green side (because that Vanilla side really would not work here). And I really love the rich look it gives. I did a lot of sponging on each layer that you can never really see unless its in front of you, but it gives the paper edges rich color. I added the simple floral circle in a 1/2 inch circle punch with brads as accent.
Next week I'll show you my Christmas Mini swap once the girls are starting to receive them. And if you're in my stamping clubs you'll get to see all the Great Swaps Girls Swaps in person! What I love about something like this is getting a card in person from another designer that you really respect. Such a cool thing!
Recipe: Stamps: Bella's Bloom Ink: Not Quite Navy, Kiwi Kiss Paper: Not Quite Navy, Kiwi Kiss, Whisper White, Urban Garden DSP Accessories: Large Oval Punch, Scallop Edge Punch, 1/2 inch Circle Punch, Earth Elements Brads, Piercer, Dimensionals, White Taffeta Ribbon, Kiwi Kiss Satin Ribbon, SW Markers, Sponge
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Toonie Tuesday - Totally Terrific Projects
Here I've used the reverse image of the letters for Joy, just adding the center of the O too.
Sorry this picture is a little blurry I was playing with the size....I'll try and fix it later!
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Where Did all the Layers Go Dirty Girls?
So here is my submission for our challenge today. I find no layer cards to be extremely challenging. I'm just not a Clean and Simple kind of girl....I like the look of CAS, and I so appreciate those designers that can create a stunning look without layers....but I'm not one of them!
But I had an idea pop into my head, and when Jami issues a challenge you just have to play, that's what a challenge is for right? To stretch you!
On this base of Whisper White Cardstock (it really is white...not pink - honest!) I masked an open large rectangle with large Post-It notes. (I cut a rectangle out of the center of the Post-It note and stuck it to the card). I also cut out a Word Window Punch piece of Post-It note and placed that in the lower right as a 2nd mask. Then I took my new Winter Post snowflake and with VersaMark stamped all over the open masked area and over top of the masked Word Window punch area. Then I carefully took off the masks and embossed with Irridescent Ice EP for some really pretty sparkle (but it's really difficult to photograph, especially because it's white on white). Imagine really sparkly and shimmery. And the card isn't bent as it might appear...it's just the shadow of the ribbon behind the card.
This left me with a *window* mask to stamp the sentiment in from Warm Words in Riding Hood Red. I added the gorgeous new Riding Hood Red striped ribbon from the Winter Mini (it has really nice texture and softness), added scoring lines on the opposite set to mimic the striped feel and some piercing to frame it. Here you can see the white and detail a little more closely. Hmm, now that I think about it, I really seem to be on a Red kick lately.
Here's some other RED we've been enjoying this weekend.
This rose is from one of my graduated girls, she wanted to give it to me to encourage me. She is the most thoughtful and rare young woman. And she's getting married to one of our graduated guys in less that a month...our first youth kids to get married. This rose is one of the most perfect ones I've ever seen and it opened so beautifully!
And here are are Strawberries from our backyard. I picked them last night and honestly the kids and I ate the whole bowl within a few minutes! The are SO sweet. They are everbearing so they don't ever get really large....but oh the yummy taste!
Be sure to check out all the other Dirty Girls/Alumni submissions HERE or by searching the Keyword: DCNL908 at SCS. Thanks for stopping by!
Recipe: Stamps: Winter Post Ink: VersaMark, Riding Hood Red Paper: Whisper White Accessories: Riding Hood Red Striped Grosgrain, Piercer, Scoring Blade, Irridescent Ice EP
Friday, September 19, 2008
Inspired Christmas Dishes
So here is what I came up with. I love the combination of soft brown, bright greens and the bluey hues, with the gold added. So I pulled out Kiwi Kiss, Close to Cocoa, Baja Breeze DP from the new Winter Mini Christmas Paper and some Kraft.
The Sketch is from Beate's Weekend Sketch Challenge, which I haven't been able to do in FOREVER...and it's a cool sketch too (as always).
Card size is 4.25 x 4.25. I basically pieced it all together based on the sketch deciding how I wanted the colors to look, then added the stamping. That's the nice thing about a set like this...lots of versitility. A little scalloping...some overstamping...and little sponging, some gold brads, some really pretty Kiwi Kiss Satin Ribbon and new Snow Flurries Felt Snowflake. A very different but unique Christmas card.
Stay tuned, I'll be back tomorrow morning with our Dirty Dozen monthly challenge.
Recipe: Stamps: Winter Post Ink: Kiwi Kiss, Close to Cocoa, Baja Breeze Paper: Kiwi Kiss, Close to Cocoa, Kraft, Ski Slope DSP Accessories: Gold Brads, Dimensionals, Kiwi Kiss Satin Ribbon, Snow Flurries Felt Snowflakes (small), Piercer, Sponge
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Silvery Season
A million places - much like you I would guess.
- Staining a new fence before the fall rain (which looks SO good now)
- Cleaning some of my flower beds, planting poppies and 60 tulips...can't wait to see you in spring!
- Trying to finish swaps (note to self - do not choose to do a watercolor image for next swap...1/2 hour minimum watercoloring x15 swaps + construction time = too much to do!....but I look forward to showing them to you next week)
- Making some decisions about our fall ministry with our youth groups
- Juggling kids and school and homework and piano lessons and blah blah blah
- Trying to take care of me
- And maybe needing a little break from stamping. Anyone else ever feel that way? It's my greatest creative love...but sometimes you just need to take a step back and breathe. So thanks for your patience.
Well, here's my combination sketch challenge card and color challenge card for today. I really love how it came together...and it actually was a very quick card to make. What I love most about it is that it's very eye catching and has warmth and shimmer all rolled up together with the combination of really warm colors and also the silver embossing.
The sketch called for smaller pieces patched together in essence. So I went for my patterned paper (new Riding Hood Red DP) and old Artichoke Prints. Once cut to the right sizes I added embossed sections on the green with the stamps from the set or the wheel. When I see this set, I think crisp embossing.
Just color on color stamping on the red sections so it isn't too overpowering and the main image is embossed on Whisper White and lightly watercolored with reinkers. New felt snowflakes combined with Filigree brads for a pretty accent. I really love it.
Recipe: Stamps: Scandanavian Season and Wheel; Ink: VersaMark, Riding Hood Red, Always Artichoke; Paper: Riding Hood Red, Basic Gray, Always Artichoke Prints, Riding Hood Red DSP, Whisper White; Accessories: Silver EP, Felt Snowflakes, Filigree Brads, Reinkers, Aqua Painter, Riding Hood Red Grosgrain, Dimensionals, Rectangle Punch, 1/16 punch
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Toonie Tuesday - To Grandmother's House We Go
Here is a closeup where you can see more of the ribbon detailing and the gold shimmer. Lost more detail on this one, and more time invested...it's for those really special occasions. Thanks for looking today!
Recipes: Sample One - Grandmother's House: Stamps: Pocket Silhouettes, Inspired by Nature, Canvas Bk Paper: Riding Hood Red, Basic Gray, Vellum, Whisper White, Ginger Blossom DP Ink: Riding Hood Red, Basic Gray, White Craft Accessories: Silver Brads, Large Oval Punch, Word Window Punch, Riding Hood Red Wide Striped Grosgrain, Dimensionals, Piercer
Sample Two - Golden Autumn: Stamps: With Gratitude, Weathered, Sincere Salutations Ink: Bravo Burgundy Craft, VersaMark Paper: Bravo Burgundy, Kraft, Chocolate Chip Accessories: Gold Brads, Taffeta Ribbon, Grosgrain Ribbon, Embossing Powder, Oval Punches, Circle Punches, Bleach
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Death by Forms
And this is our family photo.....let me tell you that we took about 20 shots to even get one that looked half way normal.
I hope to be back later this weekend with some thing creative for you. I'm working on some swaps this week that have to be mailed out by Monday.
Thanks for stopping by!
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Toonie Tuesday - Monochromatic
This lovely blue card is for my daughter. I have a new journal and Teen devotion book for her for when she gets home today and I want her to grow and enjoy these next three years, even when they will mean tough times, or tough adjustments. She's a blessing and I'm so proud of her.
The flowers are watercolored on watercolor paper and cut out. Each layer is sponged and the blossom saying is stamped behind the flowers. The bee is cut out and popped up. Ribbon is colored with a SW Marker. I hardly ever use blues like this but you can never go wrong with a blue monochromatic.
Recipe: Stamps: Bloomin Beautiful Ink: Bashful Blue, Brocade Blue, Ballet Blue Paper: Old SU DP, Bashful Blue, Brocade Blue, Watercolor paper Accessories: Blue Brads, Dimensionals, Sponge, Taffeta Ribbon, Blue Striped Ribbon, SW Markers, Aqua Painter
Sample Two: A Beautiful Life
This sample has a very organic botanical feel to me. I love the look of different greens together. It's totally how our Maker created it. So here is a blend of Mellow Moss, Old Olive and Always Artichoke.
Lots of overstamping here on the DP, and layering of stamps and color on the main image. The dragonflies are stamped popped up and glitter added. I freehand cut around the main circle and added lots of piercing for pretty accent. *beautiful* is handwritten.
Stamps: Enjoy Life Organic Grace Ink: Mellow Moss, Always Artichoke, Old Olive Paper: Always Artichoke, Old Olive DSP, Mellow Moss Accessories: Circle Punches, Piercer, Dimensionals, Glitter, 2 way Glue Pen, Brads, SW Marker
Monday, September 1, 2008
Life Shared with a Friend
So these Flourishes coffee mugs are stamped in white craft and then the colors are dipped into the odorless mineral spirits and added to the black being careful not to color over the white stamped areas.
For my sentiment I changed the first word from *Coffee shared with a friend* to *Life shared with a friend*. Life is hand written with a fine point marker and I tried to get it to look like the fonted script on the lower part of the sentiment.
I'm trying to create the right card for my very good friend's 40th birthday. So this is one possibility. She and I met each other at camp in Junior High, became friends, did some things together in junior high and then lost touch. We both grew up and started our careers and began raising a family. 10 years ago we moved back to Canada from the States and started looking for a church. One of our first Sunday's after we had said the church we call home now was really *HOME*, we sat behind this couple; she looked at me and I looked at her...and we realized who the other was. It was so funny. We joined a small group with them as our leaders, each had two of our three kids within months of the other and have shared much of life together. So, turning 40 together (I'm just about 8 weeks behind her in the end of October)...is pretty special. We've walked through a lot of life together in these 10 years in particular. I'm blessed to call her my friend.
I also added a little scalloping on the edge of the red layer of the large oval punched piece to distinguish it from the white and to give it a little pop. Pretty layered ribbons and rhinestone brads for some pizzazz.
Recipe: Stamps: Flourishes - Coffee With Friends, SU Polka dot Background Ink: White Craft, Basic Black Paper: Whisper White, Real Red, Basic Black Accessories: Organdy Ribbon, Wide Grosgrain Ribbon, Black Gingham Ribbon, Scallop Edge Punch, Wide Oval Punch, Ticket Corner Punch, Fire Rhinestone Ribbons, Dimensionals, White Gel Pen, SW Marker, Prismacolor Pencils, Odorless Mineral Spirits.