Noel Faith

Happy Friday! Today I have a Sarah Kay image to share with you - Noel Faith. Isn't she a sweet one? The Sarah Kay stamps are always so much fun to color. Don't let the detail on the artwork intimidate you - it actually makes the coloring easier because a lot of the shadowing and highlighting are already there for you. I used Copics for most of my coloring, then then went back in and touched up with Prismacolor pencils. I first envisioned this image in soft pinks, so I don't know for sure how I got from there to here {grin}, except that these gorgeous papers from Graphic 45 were calling my name. Love the vintage look, and they seemed to fit the image so perfectly. I did a lot of sponging with my Ranger Distress inks and added in a lot of stitching to enhance the old-fashioned charm of the image. The lace trim mimics the ruffle along the bottom of the skirt, and buttons are placed at each scallop point for added interest.



Thanks for stopping by, and have a wonderful weekend! I'll see you tomorrow with my sample for a brand-new Sketch For You To Try. Until then, toodle-oo!



Stamps: Noel Faith (Sarah Kay from Stampavie)
Paper: Prismatics Brown Suede Dark card stock, Prismatics Simply Smooth Ivory, Neenah Classic Crest Solar White, Graphic 45 dp
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Ranger Antique Linen Distress, Ranger Vintage Photo Distress
Accessories: Copic markers, Prismacolor pencils, Gamsol, and blending stumps, petite oval Nesties, foam adhesive, lace trim, PTI buttons, May Arts ivory burlap string, sewing machine, paper piercer, Offray ivory satin ribbon
Size: 5 1/2 x 6 (a very odd size, indeed)

Honey Do Corkboard

Welcome to the My Favorite Things "Who's That Girl" Hop & Shop. If you've arrived here from Kim's blog, you're in the right place. If not, then jump right in! To catch up, you only have to go back one space, to Kim.

We're excited to announce the return of the popular VIP Bundle! Once again, MFT fans have the chance to get the newest "Who's That Girl" stamp set, plus an assortment of other new products, before they are released. And not just a week early like it used to be. Now it's a whole two weeks early! But remember, the VIP Bundle is available for ONE DAY ONLY (November 18) and quantities are limited.

What are we playing with this month? Maid For WTG? Such a fun set - and perfect for a honey do list project.



Do you have a honey do list for a guy in your life? I sure do! I love this Urban Dictionary example: "Nah, dude. I can't. I've got a honey do list long enough to keep me home for the whole summer and into deer hunting season." I guess mine isn't long enough, because it's all about deer season around here right now!

I started out with an 8x10-inch framed corkboard from my stash of alterables. It looks like something that might have come from the Target $1 spot, but I don't remember for sure. I did the honey do title in chipboard letters, then added a fun twist by surrounding the word "do" with the sentiment "Real men do housework." (By the way, the sentiments in this set are the BEST!) Along the bottom, I added the stamped image and a designer paper and ribbon border. For the image, I paper pieced the chair, popping up the arm for dimension, and the rest is colored with Prismacolor pencils and Copic markers.



That's it for me! I now have the pleasure of sending you over to the mega-talented Barbara Anders! While you're working your way through the hop, I think I'll add some more things to my honey do list and then give this corkboard a special place of prominence somewhere in my home. For after deer season ... of course ;)

Thanks for visiting!

Birthday Girl

Shame on me! My darling little {new} 6-year-old ever so sweetly and gently reminded me that I hadn't yet made her birthday card, as I had promised way back at the beginning of the month. It's just like the cobbler's kids having no shoes :)

My Balloon from the new Pure Innocence line by My Favorite Things was perfect for her card. (No surprise, those darling Pure Innocence images have sold like hotcakes. Two are still in stock, including this one, and those that are out of stock will be back soon!) I stamped in Versafine Onyx Black, clear embossed, and colored with Copic markers. I stamped the image a second time, and popped up part of it to add some dimension. Okay, who am I kidding? I stamped the second image because I needed a do-over on her face, but I didn't want to color the whole thing again and sponge the background again :) While I was attaching the popped up layer, I thought it would be cute to add a little hand-drawn ruffle at the bottom. The layout is this week's Sketch For You To Try.




Stamps: Pure Innocence - My Balloon (My Favorite Things)
Paper: Papertrey Vintage Cream, Stampin' Up Dusty Durango, My Mind's Eye Be-Loved dp
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, SU Sage Shadow
Accessories: Copic markers, clear glitter, SU ribbon, Papertrey button, May Arts ivory burlap string, dimensionals, EK Success border punch

SFYTT - Your Next Stamp!

I'm quite late with my sample for this week's Sketch For You To Try, but here it is finally! This week, some of the SFYTT sisters have showcased images from a new stamp company called Your Next Stamp. How clever is that name?? Learn more about how the company got started HERE, and check out all their cute images HERE. It's hard to find a snowman I don't love, but even so, some sure are cuter than others, and this one definitely goes in the cuter category :)




The snowman is just one of several images and sentiments in YNS's Christmas Digital Package. I printed him onto Papertrey's white card stock with my HP inkjet printer and colored with Copic markers. I thought the sketch lent itself well to a more clean look, so I kept the extras to a minimum: Polar White Flower Soft for the ground and the top of the hat, clear glitter along the outer edges of the snowman's face and body, and some clear crystals in the centers of the snowflakes. I included the sentiment (also from the Christmas Digital Package) on the inside. It's hard to see in the photo, but there are two scored lines along the bottom, just above the punched wavy border.



If you haven't already, I hope you'll take a moment to check out everyone else's creations:

Jen del Muro (with the sketch, her sample and guest designer Amy's sample)
Amy Rohl
Kelly Lunceford
Leigh O'Brien
Susan Liles

... and then play along. Just upload to Jen's post and remember to use keyword: SFYTT in online galleries.

Thanks for popping in today!



Stamps: Christmas Digital Package (Your Next Stamp)
Paper: Papertrey White and Hibiscus Burst card stock, Cosmo Cricket Jolly By Golly dp
Ink: printer ink, SU Soft Sky (sponged around image)
Accessories: Copic markers, clear crystals, Polar White Flower Soft, Sakura quickie glue pen, clear glitter, button from stash, Martha Stewart snowflake punch, Frosted Lace Stickles, SU Crushed Curry ribbon, EK Success dotted wavy border punch, dimensionals, Spellbinders rectangle Nestabilities

Penny Black Week - Day 5

Happy Friday, friends! Today I get to help conclude Penny Black week at Stamper's Dream. Also posting today are Tosh and Michelle. And in case you missed anything along the way, here are the rest of the week's links:

Monday - Michelle, Denise , and me
Tuesday - Michelle, Becca , Tosh
Wednesday - Michelle, Laurie, Denise
Thursday - Michelle, Laurie, Silke

The stamp I'm featuring is a wood-mount sentiment stamp called Star Noel, and what a gem it is! I've had a hard time putting it down this week! A zillion different ideas have been swimming in my head and filling my idea and inspiration notebook. I'll share two of them:



First is a decorative treat tin. On a recent grocery trip, I picked up a Gooseberry Patch Christmas 2009 idea book. Among many, many, many other inspiring holiday ideas was a project showing this very tin, dressed and filled with Peppermint Bark. I recognized the tin as one in my stash of alterables, and was so inspired I got busy right away making my own version. Here are a few additional shots:





Stamps: Star Noel (Penny Black)
Paper: Prismatics Simply Smooth white cardstock, 7Gypsies Gypsy Market dp (black stripe pattern)
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, Stampin Up Real Red
Accessories: mini planter tin (Michael's, I think?), Spellbinders Labels 5 Nestabilites, Kaiser black self-adhesive pearls, SU red ribbon and gusseted cello back, Offray narrow black ribbon, Papertrey button, foam adhesive

~ ~ ~

For this next project, I went with a completely different look:



Some beautiful 7Gypsies Gypsy Market papers, my Ranger Distress Inks, and my distressing tool, and I was good to go. It's not a traditional holiday look, but I thought the papers were kind of "We Three Kings"-ish - earthtones for the dusty, arid terrain the kings traveled across, and fancy, elegant patterns for the opulent gifts they carried. Anybody else with me on that, or am I overthinking again? {grin}

Stamps: Star Noel (Penny Black)
Paper: Papertrey Dark Chocolate, Prismatics Simply Smooth Ivory, 7Gypsies Gypsy Market dp
Ink: Ranger Vintage Photo and Walnut Stain Distress
Accessories: Labels 5 Nestabilities, Stampin' Up ribbon and brads, May Arts brown burlap string, distressing tool, foam adhesive

In other Stamper's Dream news, check this out - all JustRite Christmas sets are on sale - 20% off!

Have a great weekend!

Ain't Too Proud To Beg

Tomorrow, my husband and I will celebrate our sixteenth wedding anniversary! Poor guy, he doesn't know this, but I have no card for him yet. There's still time, right? As I was thinking about what I might make this year, I remembered this card that I made him last year. It was for the Splitcoast Dirty Dozen gallery, so it never appeared here on my blog, but I can show it now. This is totally my kind of anniversary card. Not too sappy, but sweet and thoughtful just the same, and a little playful, too.

The Dirty Dozen theme was "For A Song," and my musical inspiration was "Ain't Too Proud To Beg." The images, from Anna Wight's Good Dog by Whipper Snapper Designs, were way too perfect, and I have to confess I ordered the stamp set just for this card. Anybody else do that? (I'm certain I'll use the set again - it's way too cute not to!) How fun to look back at my older work and see where my style has changed. Maybe I've simplified, or maybe I was trying too hard for the DD gallery, but this looks overdone to me now. Hope you enjoy it anyway :)


Earlier this week, my blog friend Kathy Jones gave me this award. What a nice surprise! If by chance you're not already familiar with Kathy's elegant, classy style, be sure to pay her a visit at her blog, Inspired to Stamp. Thank you, Kathy, I'm honored!

These are the rules to play along: Pass this award on to 5 people, post on their blog to let them know they won, and then answer the following questions in ONE word:

1. Where is your cell phone? Purse?
2. Your hair? Unruly
3. Your mother? Giving
4. Your father? Intelligent
5. Your favorite food? Chocolate
6. Your dream last night? Odd
7. Your favorite drink? Latte
8. Your dream/goal? Travel
9. What room are you in? Study
10. Your hobby? Papercrafting
11. Your fear? Loss
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? Here
13. Where were you last night? Home
14. Something that you aren't? Patient
15. Muffins? Poppyseed
16. Wish list item? Silhouette
17. Where did you grow up? Virginia
18. Last thing you did? Blog
19. What are you wearing? Jeans
20. Your TV? Off
21. Your Pets? None
22. Friends? Cherished
23. Your life? Full
24. Your mood? Restless
25. Missing Someone? Yes
26. Vehicle? SUV
27. Something you're not wearing? BRACES!!
28. Your favorite store? Antique
29. Your favorite color? Red
30. When was the last time you laughed? Today
31. Last time you cried? Unsure
32. Your best friend? Laura
33. One place that I go to over and over? School
34. Facebook? Some
35. Favorite place to eat? Out

Hmmm, the hard part ... passing this on to only five other bloggers when hundreds inspire me so much!

Meahni
Gretchen
Judy
Niki
Jami
... and anyone else who wants to play!

Happy thoughts,





Stamps: Good Dog (Whipper Snapper Designs)
Paper: Mellow Moss and Chocolate Chip (SU!); Ivory (Papertrey); Archaic dp (Basic Grey)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko); Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa, Soft Sky (SU!)
Accessories: loopy brads (Karen Foster Designs); ivory natural twill (source unknown); dark brown twill (Offray); natural hemp, sponges, paper piercer, linen thread, dimensionals (SU!); Tiny Bubbles Cuttlebug folder (Provo Craft); Copic markers

A First and A Last

It was a big day in the Sheffer house yesterday - my youngest started preschool! An exciting first for him, and a bittersweet last for mom. He's my baby, and now he's already in school! They grow up far too fast, and on some days that's more evident than on others. Of course, I was a Nervous Nellie the whole time he was gone, but he had a great day, and I wish every single one of you could have seen the strut in his step at pick-up time. This kid was seriously full of himself! It took most of the afternoon to get him back down to earth, and I enjoyed every last second sharing in his pride.

Here's my little guy getting ready to leave for school. Not a great picture, but the look on his face is priceless.



Congratulations, Gabriel!

I've been working on a few different projects, but nothing is ready to share yet. Hopefully tomorrow, but definitely Friday, when I'll have a fun Penny Black project or two (or three?). If you haven't been following along with Penny Black Week at Stamper's Dream, here are some catch-up links:

Monday: Denise, Michelle, and me
Yesterday: Becca, Michelle, and Tosh
Today: Laurie, Denise, and Michelle

Thanks for stopping by today!