Chillin' with Speedystamper

Wow, I've been MIA from my blog longer than I realized! It's just like with exercise, you take a day off, which turns into two, which turns into three, and before you know it, a week has passed! Only one key difference: I like blogging. So you know I won't ever be gone for long. Did ya miss me {wink}?

I've actually been stamping a ton since my last post. This first card I'm showing tonight is one that I made for Tuesday's SCS Color Challenge. I posted it in my SCS gallery, but forgot to put it up here. What a scary combo for me! Pixie Pink (ick!!), Tangerine Tango, and Kiwi Kiss (I substituted Old Olive). I opted to minimize the Tangerine Tango, but I promise it's in there on some of the flowers in the tub. The image is from My Favorite Things - love that polka-dot bathtub! I colored it with a combination of Copic markers and SU markers, then added some Stickles to the flowers and colored over the ball feet and shower head with a silver Spica pen.

This card also fits with Sunday's Featured Stamper Challenge. This week, we're CASEing SpeedyStamper (Kay Kalthoff). What an awesome gallery!! You'll see that I've CASE'd the layout from this card of Kay's. Isn't it a cool one with the torn edges and the circle that looks like it's suspended from that ribbon?

This was actually my second attempt at CASEing this layout of Kay's. Here's the first:



The sentiment circle is created with a border from the Special Occasions DIY Monogram Stamper Kit and the Brayton Font Ensemble, both from JustRite Stampers.

Hope you've had a wonderful week so far! Happy Hump Day!



Chill Out:
Stamps: Chill Out (My Favorite Things)
Paper: Papertrey White, Basic Black, Pixie Pink, Green Tea dp (SU!)
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black
Accessories: Copic markers, Pixie Pink SU marker, Stardust Stickles, Silver Spica, oval Nestabilities, black satin ribbon, D'Vine Swirls Cuttlebug folder, paper piercer, dimensionals

Stamps: Brayton Font Ensemble and Special Occasions DIY Monogram Stamper Kit (JustRite Stampers)
Paper: Brocade Blue, Night of Navy, Whisper White, vellum card stock (SU!); Green Tea dp (SU!)
Ink: Night of Navy and Certainly Celery craft inks
Accessories: navy wide grosgrain (Offray), JustRite wooden stampers, classic and circle Nestabilities, paper piercer, sponge daubers, filigree and rhinestone brads (SU!); Textile Cuttlebug folder

Here I Come A-Wassailing

My new "Wassail" Basic Grey paper pack has arrived, and I love it even more than I thought I would! (Thank you, Michelle, at Stamper's Dream, for the super fast shipping, as always.)

This is my sample for Jen's Sketch For You To Try - another fun one (how DOES she do it?)! As always, you'll find the sketch, Jen's sample, and guest designer Nancy Riley's sample at i{heart}2stamp. More inspiration awaits over at Amy's, Carole's, Shannan's, and Susan's blogs. We hope you'll play along, too. If you upload to SCS, remember to use keyword: SFYTT.

The image, Wreathabella, is colored with Copic markers. I added a little liquid applique to the fuzzy parts. The "Joy" chipboard is by Scrapworks and came already red and glittery (in a box with a bunch of other glittery Christmas chipboard, too).

One thing I learned while coloring this image is that I need more red Copics! I have a bright pinkish red and then two really deep, dark reds, but a huge gap in the middle. It so happens that just the other day, while ordering some ribbon and brads from Heidi at Pink Hedgehog Paper Crafts, I saw that she's doing a Copic pre-order right now. I also saw five of my favorite words: "Prices too low to advertise." LOL! If you're in the market for some Copics, anything from a few singles to full sets, you may want to pay her a visit. And check out her ribbon, brads, and other embellishments, too.

While I had my Wassail paper pack out, I thought I'd whip up a little something for this week's challenge at Our Creative Corner. Lynda Benden, our October host, has challenged us to create a gift item. Check out the blog for wonderful samples by the rest of the OCC team,Cindy Haffner,
Dawn Easton, Denise Marzec, Jennifer Meyer, Julee Tilman, Laurie Schmidlin and Lynda Benden. You'll also see amazing projects from guest designer Lindsey Botkin of Jacksonbelle Embellishments, as well as a fabulous giveaway. We'd love for you to play along!

Here's my project - a Christmas countdown calendar:



I made something similar last year, but wanted to do a "new and improved" version. The calendar is made from two 4" coasters held together with some spiral binding that I pilfered from an old Stampin' Up catalog that Staples once bound for me. I used a Crop-A-Dile to punch the holes. The numbers, as well as all the words, were created with the Brayton Font Ensemble from JustRite Stampers. Have I mentioned before how much I LOVE the JustRite products?!

Note: Now that I'm looking at this on screen, it seems so obvious to me that the "until Christmas" should have started on the bottom of the circle instead of the top. Visually, you'd read "days" first and then "until Christmas." This way is confusing, I think? Your eye wants to read "until" before "days." It'll probably bug me enough that I'll change it, but for now, you get the idea! [UPDATE: I tried it the other way, and surprise, it did not look good! So it's staying this way :)]

To make the calendar a little more stable (i.e., to make sure it doesn't fall down), I added a little crosspiece to the inside. It's a strip of card stock, approximately 2 1/2" x 1/2", scored 1/2" in on both sides to make two flaps. One flap is adhered to the back coaster. The other "flap" slips behind the ribbon that's tied around the front coaster. The end that tucks behind the ribbon is not secured with any adhesive, so you can fold this flat again for storage. Pictures might help you make sense of my babble:



Have you noticed how often I use Cranberry Crisp card stock? And ribbon, too, for that matter? Whatever am I going to do when I run out?!

Thanks for stopping by, and I hope you have a wonderful weekend!




Wreathabella:
Stamps: Wreathabella (Stamping Bella)
Paper: Always Artichoke, Cranberry Crisp (retired), Whisper White card stock (SU); Stamper's Select White (Papertrey); Wassail dp (Basic Grey)
Ink: Brilliance Graphite Black; Always Artichoke, Cranberry Crisp
Accessories: Copic markers, liquid applique, "Joy" chipboard (ShimmerShapes Holiday Cheer Assortment by Scrapworks), paper piercer, Martha Stewart lace punch, Cranberry Crisp stitched ribbon (SU)
Size: 5 1/4" square

Christmas Countdown Calendar:
Stamps: JustRite circle stamper, Brayton Font Ensemble (JustRite)
Paper: Mellow Moss, Always Artichoke, Cranberry Crisp, White Naturals card stock (SU!); Wassail dp (Basic Grey)
Ink: Always Artichoke craft, Always Artichoke marker
Accessories: Harmony Classic Circle Stamper I (JustRite Stampers), Crop-A-Dile, Staples binding, 4" coaster, vintage brads, 1/4" circle punch, classic and scalloped Nestabilities, paper piercer, scallop border punch, Cranberry Crisp stitched ribbon

Think Pink Sale at Verve

The sale runs through the end of this month!

That's What Friends Are For

You know I had to take a do-over with this Scarf for Three set by My Favorite Things, since I wasn't crazy about the card I made with it on Saturday. This one is much more "me" with the layers and embellishments. I found this fun dp from Kaiser Craft at my local stamp store. The two patterns are the front and back of the same sheet. The image is stamped on watercolor paper and colored with a combination of SU markers and an aqua painter with reinkers. I added some liquid applique to the earmuffs and the pompom on the middle hat, and applied Crystal Effects to the multicolored, tiled frame. Some snowflake brads, ribbon, and faux stitching finish it off.

Oh, and here's a peek at the inside:



Thanks for visiting!



Stamps: Scarf for Three (My Favorite Things)
Paper: Real Red, Certainly Celery, Whisper White card stock (SU!); watercolor paper (Canson); dp (Kaiser Craft)
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black (Tsukineko); Real Red, Old Olive, Certainly Celery, Ballet Blue, Bashful Blue, Always Artichoke reinkers and/or markers
Accessories: snowflake brads (Oriental Trading Company); blue grosgrain (retired SU!); Real Red striped grosgrain, scalloped border punch, dimensionals, aqua painter, crystal effects, liquid applique, paper piercer (SU!)
Size: 5 1/4" square

The {Leaves} They Are A-Changin'

Gotta love a little Bob Dylan, right?

I set out to make thank-you cards last night (always behind on those!), but I gotta tell you my brain it's not a-workin'. See that beautiful sentiment? It's one of the quotes from Verve's Beautiful You set. (That was the one-year anniversary commemorative set where each of the Verve designers contributed a meaningful quote. SUCH a fabulous set, by the way, and totally worth checking out if you missed it back in August!) I digress, though. Back to the card. I wasn't thinking when I grabbed the sentiment that there aren't any blossoms on here, just leaves. Does that create a disconnect for you? (Can you see the sentiment? It looks a little fuzzy in the photo ... it reads "Gratitude is the fairest blossom which springs from the soul" - Henry Ward Beecher.)

The card itself is deceptive in its simplicity. Believe it or not, this took me forever! I can't really say why, except that all my projects are taking forever these days. Must be an "advanced age" thing ... it's steadily been getting worse and worse ever since I turned 40 last month {giggle}. True story!

Check out this alternate version (which I like much better):



Here I've just mounted the branch and leaf panel onto a 4 1/4" x 3" Old Olive card base. Wouldn't this be a great little note to tuck in with a small gift? I could have used a slew of these a few years ago when I was returning dishes to families who had provided my family with meals after my daughter was born. I could also see this version working well as Thanksgiving place settings, with the person's name in place of the sentiment.

My oldest two are in school at the moment and the littlest is napping, so my hope is these hands they'll be a-stampin' very soon! But before I go, let me direct your attention to a mid-week challenge that posted today on the Our Creative Corner blog. Julee Tilman is hosting this one, and it's a technique challenge using "Vintage Values." All the how-to's are on the blog. It looks really fun and the samples so far are to die for. Best part for you is the free Verve set you could win if you participate. Head on over if you're interested! I know I'm still planning to try out this fun technique. Hope you will too!

One last thing ... a funny story that maybe you can all relate to? I picked up my daughter from a birthday party Friday night. One of the other mothers, a friend I hadn't seen in a while, actually suggested that I come out of my craft room and "get a life" (her words, really!!)! Well it didn't take much consideration to conclude I like my life - why do I want a different one? To each her own, huh? I supposed I could be spending my time on more valuable pursuits, like updating my Facebook status or giving away pieces of flair or even completing online jigsaw puzzles! (Oooooo, snarky, but she's gonna love it! Off to send her an email telling her I just posted about her on my blog. Better yet? I'll write it on her Facebook wall. Snort!!)

Thanks for stopping by, and do come back. I'm a nice person most of the time - really! LOL!



Stamps: Out on a Limb (Papertrey); Beautiful You (Verve)
Paper: Old Olive, Chocolate Chip, More Mustard, Very Vanilla
Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa, Chocolate Chip craft
Accessories: brown twill (Offray); acorn charm (Karen Foster); distressing tool, paper piercer, clear embossing powder, and scallop border punch (Stampin' Up); Copic markers

Eyes Without A Face

Every month on the 20th, the current Dirty Dozen and the Dirty Dozen Alumni have a little fun participating in a group challenge. This month's challenge is hosted by Emily Gunnell (aka WaterPixie on SCS). It goes like this:

Challenge Focus: Create a Halloween card or treat holder.

Required Element: Googlie Eyes! We want to see those eyes jiggle!

Restricted Element: No pumpkins! You'll have to use a different image associated with Halloween!

Hope you like it, and thanks for stopping by!



Stamps: All Holidays (SU!)
Paper: Basic Black, Certainly Celery, Whisper White, Tangerine Tango, Lavender Lace (SU!)
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black
Accessories: Tangerine Tango double-striped ribbon, scalloped border punch, paper piercer, curvy label punch (SU!); brads (Close to My Heart); D'Vine Swirls and Forest Branches Cuttlebug folders (Provo Craft); googlie eyes

Two-Sketch Saturday

I have two cards to share today. This first is for this week's challenge at Our Creative Corner. Lynda has put together a great sketch for us this week, along with an awesome giveaway from Lindsey at Jacksonbelle Embellishments. Be sure to check it out! You'll also see gorgeous samples from some of the Jacksonbelle Embellishments design team, along with samples from each of the OCC designers:

Cindy Haffner
Dawn Easton
Denise Marzec
Jennifer Meyer
Julee Tilman
Laurie Schmidlin
Lynda Benden

I've been itching to ink up Poppy Patch by Flourishes since before I even had it - I just LOVE these images! I stamped one of the poppy images onto watercolor paper first, then masked it and stamped one of the leaf images twice. I colored with an aqua painter and Stampin' Up reinkers, then trimmed out parts of the image to extend beyond the frame. The framed image panel is popped up on dimensionals. Except for the Riding Hood Red scalloped border along the bottom, all the papers are from Close to My Heart's Simple Pleasures pack. I adore this paper!!

Last, can I just chuck modesty aside for a minute and tell you I love this card??!!

While I'm being honest, I'll also tell you I'm not so wild about my sample for Jen's Sketch for You to Try. I can't really put my finger on it - maybe it's just not "me." Maybe it's missing about 7 or 8 layers (there are only THREE!)? LOL! Here it is:



Again, I stamped on watercolor paper and colored with a water brush and Stampin' Up reinkers. I embellished with some Riding Hood Red ribbon, paper piercing, and two white snowflake brads. Pretty straightforward.

Be sure to visit Jen at i{heart}2stamp, where you'll find the sketch, her sample, and guest designer Nancy Riley's sample. Then, as usual, more eye candy awaits! Check out what Amy, Carole, Shannan, and Susan have done with the sketch. When you're ready to play, link your creation in a comment on Jen's blog, and if you upload to SCS, remember to use keyword: SFYTT. We hope you play!!

Thanks for stopping by, and have a wonderful weekend!



Poppy:
Stamps: Poppy Patch (Flourishes)
Paper: Riding Hood Red (SU!); watercolor paper (Canson); Simple Pleasures designer paper pack (Close to My Heart)
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black (Tsukineko); Riding Hood Red, Tangerine Tango, Bravo Burgundy, Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa, Always Artichoke, Old Olive, Garden Green, Bashful Blue (SU)
Accessories: classic square Nestabilities (Spellbinders); aqua painter, scallop border punch, sponge daubers, linen thread, paper piercer (SU!); "Vintage" die and "Floral Screen embossing folder for Cuttlebug (Provo Craft); ribbon (Michael's); brad (K&Co); sewing machine

Snowmen:
Stamps: Scarf for Three (My Favorite Things)
Paper: Night of Navy card stock (SU), watercolor paper (Canson), designer paper (Carolee's Creations)
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black (Tsukineko); Kiwi Kiss, Old Olive, Riding Hood Red, Tangerine Tango, Going Gray, Night of Navy, Bashful Blue, Brocade Blue reinkers (SU)
Accessories: aqua painter, Riding Hood Red double-striped ribbon, dimensionals, paper piercer (SU!); snowflake brads (Oriental Trading Co, I think)
Size: 5" square