Let me explain...

I am NOT responsible for this card!


Okay, it was the inspiration challenge that made me do this! We were supposed to find something in our home to inspire a card.

I am sure she meant home decor--but our home does not have a great deal of *decor*. So I was about to head to my daughters' closets to find some inspiration (they have some neat colors and patterns in their clothes.). WHEN, as if on cue, my little dd came out and said, "Look what I put on!!" She is so proud of this outfit. and I do admit--I smile when I look at it.



You have to admit, it IS colorful! Let's see, a lime zip front hoodie (with pastel floral applique); a raspberry shirt, a pink and brown cow print velour skirt; patchwork tights, and white patent shoes.
I should mention that she is four and thinks this is BEAUTIFUL!!!

So, now I have inspiration. Next is layout, stamps, and embellishments. WELL--there are more challenges to conquer.

Beate covered the layout with WSC41. Thanks Beate!

Next came the stamp choices. I saw Sharon's Challenge: Paper Piecing. Hmmmmmm. So I went rooting in my stamp collection for a stamp that could be pieced. I came up with Rupert from Doodle Factory--in fact, it reminds me of my dd!!!

Now embellishments! The limited supply challenge was to use embellishments we have never used and wondered why we ever bought. Enter really huge flower that I got in the silk flower dept. at our local $ store.

I rummaged around in my patterned paper archives. (BTW--I noticed when I was done, all the papers were from the same manufacturer--ColorBok) And came up with some bright and FUN papers. And so the card evolved.


So this card is not my fault!! Blame it on Stef, Joy, Beate, Sharon and Jen!!!

Bible Verse Challenge

I finally got around to it!


I have a little break between my DT assignments and holidays, so I finally got around to participating in the Bible Verse Challenge. Ever since I first saw the idea back in January Lori Craig's blog (Make a Difference) I have wanted to participate. But as often happens--the URGENT nosed out the important.


This verse spoke to my heart last night--I need to do more quiet meditating and less listening to the stresses of the world.

I created the verse in MS Word. Perhaps (if you are interested) I can give some tips on doing this. I used to scrapbook A LOT--I was a page a day addict!! I did almost all of my journaling on the computer--so I got good at manipulating text and such. And, like Shelly says, I am a geek.

The cardstock is leftover from yesterday's Spray Challenge. So--I have the same color scheme as yesterday. Sorry about that. I will try something different tomorrow!!! (well, maybe ;) )

Materials Used:

• Stamps: Silhouette Daisies; Small Freak Butterfly; Swirls by Rhonna Ferrer
• Paper: White, Basic Grey (SU!), Taken with Teal, vellum
• Ink: Taken with Teal, Basic and Going Grey, Cool Caribbean
• Accessories: spray from yesterday; ribbon; computer printer/fonts; foam tape

Thanks again for stopping by!


With Inky Fingered Hugs,

Dreams....

Julia has the most fun challenge today on the Way to Use it Challenge today!! Using SPRAYS!


Glimmer mist is pretty hot out there right now--but of course I don't have any. BUT I combined hairspray, dye ink, and Pearl Ex powder to create my own. Is it the same as the Glimmer mist that you purchase???--I haven't a CLUE!

BUT, it sure was fun to use!!

I sprayed multiple sheets---you will be seeing more of it as the days go by. It is most dramatic on vellum and white cardstock.

However, today I have sprayed some Cool Caribbean Cardstock with my magical mixture. It is a dreamy sparkly in real life.

Materials Used:

• Stamps: Silhouette Asters; Happy Harmony;
• Paper: Black, white, Sahara Sand, Cool Caribbean
  Ink: Taken with Teal craft/pigment; Brilliance Graphite;
• Accessories: pin, beads, ribbon, foam tape, hairspray, reinker, Micropearl Pearl Ex, spray bottle

Thanks for stopping by--sorry for the long time in between posts.
With Inky Fingered Hugs,

I wish I had a fresh Easter Card or project for you today, but I don't. So this painting will have to do for today.

He is RISEN!

Inchie Horse

I was just playing around with a couple of techniques yesterday.

I am still discovering the wonders of the inked Cuttlebug folder technique. With this folder (textile) it reminds me of tin ceilings and old wallpaper. (one of the houses I lived in as a child had flocked wall paper almost exactly in this pattern). I love the instantly aged look this technique gives--and the irony of "instantly aged"-hee hee.

The inchies are from two different horse stamps--Galloping Horse and Horse looks back. I stamped the images with Chestnut Roan Fluid Chalk ink (Clearsnap), and watercolored them with dye ink re-inkers.

Materials Used:

• Stamps: Horse Looks Back, Galloping Horse
• Paper: Chocolate Chip, Bordering Blue, Kraft, Sahara Sand (SU!), White
• Ink: Brocade Blue Craft (pigment), Chestnut Roan Fluid Chalk Ink, various re-inkers for watercoloring
• Accessories: Cuttlebug embossing folder, metal charm, brads, twill tape, ribbon, foam tape

I hope you have a Blessed Easter!!! Thanks for *Popping* in!

Authentic Grace

For this card I combined a couple of challenges from the Challenge Forum at SplitCoast Stampers.

The background is craft (pigment) ink applied to the inside of a Cuttlebug embossing folder and then run through the machine to print and emboss on the paper. This was fun for me--especially since I like to get messy every once in a while--it wasn't TOO messy though.

The butterfly image is an *Inchie*, which seems to be a current trend. I admit, at first I was skeptical, but I think it is fun. I will definitely try working with this size again.

Materials Used:

• Stamps: Small Freak butterfly, Mini Positive Words, Silhouette Asters (Large), Grace Girls (Sentiment)
• Paper: Whisper White, Black, Sahara Sand & Taken with Teal (SU!), light turquoise dp (My Mind's Eye)
• Ink: Taken with Teal (both Craft/pigment and Classic/dye), Sahara Sand, Old Olive, and StazOn Jet Black
• Accessories: jewels, foam tape, embossing folder, rectangle hand punch, ribbon, prismacolor pencils and LOMS

Easter Treats!

My youngest daughter is in preschool and today was their Easter celebration. I just couldn't resist the opportunity to make a little something special for her and her classmates (after all there are only 8 in the class).

The quickest easiest favor/treat box to make is a 2-4-6-8 box. HERE are some instructions for them (see post #3). WARNING--once you start making them --you may not be able to stop. They are so adaptable to any occasion.

I stamped the eggs with Verve Visual's Easter Elegance.

When I make these boxes I staple the first three flaps together and then glue the last flap as the bottom. I also don't glue the 1/2" flap. I have found it stays together just fine without glue or adhesive. I made the Lavender Lace tops with a 2" x 2" square that I trimmed with decorative scissors and folded down the middle. I stapled the top and ribbon on with one staple.





Here is a close up picture.

Yes, they had candy in them. Just enough to be fun--but not so much to create WILD CHILDREN!

Thanks for stopping by!


With Inky Fingered Hugs,

Faith

Easter is coming way too fast this year. I am having a hard time getting ready. Thankfully, stamping helps.

I love this dp--It came in one of those HUGE packs of patterned papers for a good price--I was suckered in by the coordinating patterns. Once I got home I realized that this was one of the few patterns I really LOVED. I now no longer see those huge packs as a good deal.

The cross is embossed with clear ep and then sponged with C. Celery and O. Olive ink (SU!). The edges are sponged with C. Caribbean and T. with Teal ink. This is probably my FAVORITE color combination. These colors with a touch of red, or orange, or brown, or deep purple are WONDERFUL to me. I love deep rich color.

The cross and the dp are embellished with Stickles. The word "faith" is embossed with white embossing powder.

Materials Used:

• Stamps: Easter Elegance, Mini Positive Words
• Paper: Dp; Taken with Teal, Certainly Celery & Old Olive (SU!)
• Ink: VersaMark, Taken with Teal, Cool Caribbean, Old Olive, Certainly Celery
• Accessories: CB Embossing Folder; Clear and White EP, Stickles, Jewel, Felt Flower (THANKS SHELLY!!), 3/4" circle punch
  

Thanks for stopping by!!

Are you Stressed??

Okay, I am not sure if this will make up for yesterday's "less than quality" card (the more I looked at it the more I didn't like--does that happen to anybody else???)--Anyway this is a test to see where on the stress scale you are. (which I am guessing is DIRECTLY proportional to the amount of snow in your front yard).

NOTE: Read carefully and scroll down SLOWLY!!

I am not sure exactly how this works, but this is amazingly accurate.





The picture below has 2 identical dolphins in it. It was used in a case study on stress levels at the Mayo Clinic and later at Fletcher Medical Center in Burlington







Look at both dolphins jumping out of the water.







The dolphins are identical.







A closely monitored, scientific study revealed that, in spite of the fact that the dolphins are identical, a person under stress will find many differences between the two dolphins.







The more differences a person finds, the more stress that person is experiencing.









Look at the photograph and if you find more than one or two differences you may need to take a vacation.

I don't know about you--but I am outta here!!! ;)

Just Because

This is the first card in a LONG time I have made--just because. I don't need this card for any purpose--I just enjoyed making it.

It came about because my son wanted company while he completed his homework (and at age 11--I know he won't be asking for my company much longer). So I stamped this image (which is a pretty intensive coloring image), grabbed my pencils, and enjoyed being in the presence of fifth grade math.

I do love to color, and I enjoy both colored pencils and watercoloring. I have been quite tempted by alcohol markers--but the expense just isn't in the budget. So, rather than feel like the world is passing me by--I just remember how much I enjoy using my pencils.

Though, the way I have gone from watercolors, to pencils--and now look at alcohol markers--I am reminded of Robert Munch's Brigid in the book Purple, Green and Yellow--a family favorite. If you have never read the book--follow the link and Robert will read it to you. Tell me if parts of it reminds you of your kids (or yourself).

I was also particularly proud of my self for using up some of my old paper. The plum papers are from Keeping Memories Alive that I purchased YEARS ago--when their coordinating papers were all the rage. (two more sheets of paper I don't have to pack!)

This stamp is from Cornish Heritage Farms. It is called Mushroom Lane #9.

I am a cup of coffee!

Awarded by
StampingQueenJAR to Juliana

My friend Judy knows how much I LOVE coffee (and you may have guessed by the little coffee cup curser that floats around).

THANKS JUDY!!

So everybody--pull up a chair and let me fill your cup! Let's chat and stamp over a good cup o' joe!!

He is Risen!

I sincerely hope to get some Easter cards out this year. With it coming so early--we will not be celebrating with any family.





I was very excited when I saw the set Easter Elegance from Verve Visual!! It is just what I wanted for an Easter set!



The layout is from a sketch from Sweet Miss Daisy. It was perfect for the papers I set out last night after I cleaned my desk. The designer papers are from K & Co. The main image is on Pearlized Cream paper I got from Verve.



I stamped the image and the sentiment with Chestnut Roan Fluid Chalk ink by Clearsnap. (it is one of my favorites). Then I simply used my colored pencils to highlight the cross, and inked the edges of the main image with Close to Cocoa Classic ink.



It was such an easy sketch for this set--the card came together cleanly and easily!



Now--the next challenge is to get this puppy in the mail (I really stink at that!!)

Silhouettes

I am really enjoying these silhouette flowers from Starving Artistamps and I have long admired the work of Michelle Zindorf. I was looking at the tutorials on her blog and decided to try some of the techniques.

On this first card I used SU!'s Almost Amethyst paper for the base of the main image. I stamped and embossed the flowers first. I sponged SU! Lavender Lace & Elegant Eggplant Craft Ink from the top and bottom. I sponged Palette Noir from the bottom. I love the ease in the way the craft ink sponges.

I sponged the moon using the scrap from a Nestabilities cut (from another project). I had to use a damp q-tip to get the craft ink off of the embossed flowers. If I had to do it all again--I would work differently--creating the background first (and heat setting along the way) and then stamping the flowers.

The last thing I stamped was the grass along the bottom.

The snail was stamped and colored separately and then adhered to the main image. The snail's colors are MUCH brighter in person. I used yellow greens and oranges to color the little guy.

This next card was inspired by the Color Challenge on Splitcoast. The colors were Purely Pomegranate, Basic Grey and Black.

I only have the ink to Purely Pomegranate--so I wanted to use it to with impact.

I embossed the flower in black like the first card and then sponged the Pomegranate on the flowers, then Going Grey and Basic Grey on the edges of the oval (cut using Coluzzle).

The background was great fun! I stamped the Circle Background, then I took a pencil eraser and stamped the centers of every other circle with Palette Noir.

I used glitter dots to embellish the card.

Did you notice anything different about my blog??
I thought it was time for a change. It is BlogWear from the Shabby Princess. I wish I could do it on my own--but since my photo editing program is rather rinky dink--I have to buy it. Maybe Santa will bring PSE this year (doubt it--it has been on the list for about 5 or 6 years).

Thanks for stopping by!

Mojo Revisited

Though I truly enjoyed making my other Mojo27 card. I was dissatisfied with the end result. So I tried again.

I actually got out of the house last night (we traveled to the middle of nowhere to hear Lost and Found--one of our family's favorite bands.). So I am slightly more refreshed today--even though there is even MORE snow falling outside.

Okay--I have typed up a description to this three times and they are ALL lost in cyber space.

So the Readers' Digest condensed version is:

Materials
Stamp Set: Serenity (Verve Visual)
Ink: So Saffron and Rose Red Craft Ink (SU!), Cadmium Yellow Fluid Chalk Ink (Clearsnap)
Paper: Perhaps (Basic Grey), More Mustard, Rose Red and Spring Showers (SU!), Pearlized Cream (Verve Visual)
Accessories: Gold cord, Ribbon, Foam Tape, Plastic Key

Thanks--lets see what happens when I hit *publish post* this time!

Coffee, Friendship & Mojo

Once again--to get some mojo going--I turn to Julee Tilman's Mojo Monday sketches. This time it is Mojo Monday #27.

One of my favorite things besides stamping is coffee (perhaps you have noticed my cursor). So I also LOVE coffee stamp sets. My good friend Shelly had stamped all she could with this set--so she sent it to me. It has GREAT sentiments to go with it.

Most of this is pretty straight forward. One of the fun parts of this was to stamp the coffee beans with white and emboss with white. When it cooled--I used a Q-tip inked with creamy caramel dye ink and shaded the beans a bit (you may have to click on the picture to enlarge it to see this detail).

Materials :

• Stamps- Espress Yourself (SU!--retired)
• Ink-Creamy Brown Fluid Chalk Ink, Taken with Teal craft ink, White Pigment Ink
• Paper-Lt. Grey paper, Pink textured cardstock (Bazzill), Cool Caribbean, Taken with Teal & Pretty in Pink cardstock (SU!), Pearlized Cream (Verve Visual)
• Accessories-ribbon, brads, cloud scissors, scallop square punch, rectangle punch, colored pencils + LOMS,

I really need to get out more...

Okay--these two cards are not what I normally do. But I have been battling the winter blues--and this is just what came out. I am sure there is more than one person out there--(if there is more than one person actually READING this)--that wants me to put it back!
The first one was from the sketch challenge over on Splitcoast. You will REALLY have to take my word on this--that is looks better IRL. ;)

The blue and purple papers are Bazzill Bling paper, and they are quite shiny. The cream paper is from Verve Visual and it is sparkly, too.

The chipboard letters, the *happens* sentiment, the sluggish parts of the snails and the snail trail all use Judikins Diamond Glaze. The snail trails are colored with a bit of olive dye ink.

Materials:
Stamps: Snail Set (Starving Artistamps), Rough Edges Alpha (SU!),
Ink: Brilliance Graphite Black, Olive Pastel Fluid Chalk Ink,
Papers: See above + Certainly Celery (SU!)
Accessories: Chipboard Alpha (Heidi Swapp), Judikins Diamond Glaze, Flower punch, foam tape, Colored Pencils + LOMS, Old Olive Classic Ink Re-Inker,

This second card was inspired by the Way to Use it Challenge at Splitcoast. We were challenged to use our computers as a design element. (THANKS DH--For getting me new ink cartridges!!!!)

I had done the Slime Happens the day before as I was brainstorming about Snail Slime (SEE--I told you I REALLY need to get out more!!). The *slime* is colored with colored pencils, but the *happens* is computer colored.

I also used the computer to make the conversation bubble for the pathetic little snail. The font is "marker j low" from one of the font CD's from SU!.

The extent of the slime trail was an accident--I just intended it to be on the green panel--but I left it to dry on a very slight incline. Well, my mom always said "Accidents make people!" (yeah--the snail cards are a little more understandable now--AREN'T THEY)--Well in this case--"Accidents make Design Elements!!" So the snail trail is extended.

Materials:
Stamps: Snail Set (Starving Artistamps)
Paper: White (GP) and patterned paper from Joann's $ area,
Ink: Brilliance Graphite Black
Accessories: Diamond Glaze, Computer + Printer, Colored Pencils + LOMS, googlie eyes, foam tape,

Okay--I am guessing that I am going to get quite a few people cancelling their e-mail subscription to this blog because of this post. Can't really say that I blame them.

Someone please tell me that Spring is really coming!! (LOL!)

A couple of projects

Tracey the owner of Starving Artistamps challenged the design team members to come up with some projects featuring the background stamp, Ornate Tooled Leather.

It is an awesome stamp--and I find it to be QUITE versitile.

This first project uses the stamp twice. Once as a simple background stamping tone on tone. The second time I stamped the background on Watercolor paper with StazOn Jet Black. I watercolored the pattern with dye ink--reinkers. I cut a large circle using my circle nestablilities, and a smaller circle with a circle punch.

The green flourish is a die from Sizzix. The Orange flower is a silk flower. I used some Crystal Effects (dimensional adhesive) on the flower center.

For this next project I used a technique called Faux Silk.

I stamped Warm Violet Fluid Chalk Ink on the tissue (I made sure it was not an ink that would run when wet). I watercolored the "background" space with my old olive watercolor crayon. Following the tutorial directions I adhered it with Mod Podge to celery cardstock. Once dry, I trimmed and mounted it on olive cardstock.

The card is trimmed with beads, silk flowers, and purple cardstock. The flower is mounted on the ribbon and keeps the card shut with a Velcro closure.

These were fun projects!! I hope you enjoy them, too!

If you want to see the other projects that some of the Starving Artists Design Team have made, click HERE.

Flowers on Vellum

This has to be the most interrupted card in history! LOL!



This was inspired by the Techniques Lovers' Challenge over on Splitcoast Stampers. This week's technique was vellum de-bossing. Basically involves stamping on the front (some sort of outline image) and then rubbing on the back to make the velum go white [or perhaps you were supposed to rub on the front--I wasn't too clear on that).

I used an embossing stylus for the flower petals and a pointy leather tool for the leaves. I worked on a mouse pad that was flipped over and I sandwiched my vellum with waxed paper.

I colored my flowers on the back with teal dye ink and a blender pen (I don't like to use too much water with vellum--as it has a tendency to warp) and then highlighted them on the front. I did the same with the leaves and olive ink and the flower centers with yellow.

I backed the whole image with a light celery cardstock that I had in my stash and die cut the shape. (NOTE: I did not use adhesive in the middle of the image--only on the edges where it would not be seen). I made the frame layers by cutting the outsides then the insides.

Materials:

• Stamps: Flower Bunch by Starving Artistamps
• Ink: Brilliance Graphite Black; Old Olive, Taken with Teal, So Saffron--SU!;
• Paper: lt. celery (unknown); Taken with Teal, Cool Caribbean DP, Old Olive, and Certainly Celery cardstock--SU! ; White cardstock-GP; Vellum Cardstock--SU
• Accessories: waxed paper, mouse pad, embossing stylus, pointy tool (sorry about that highly technical term!), blender pen, Nestablilites, sm. corner rounder, deco scissors, ribbon

Well, if life is in the interruptions (which my dh says it is) I am FULL of life!! :D I was also interrupted numerous times while composing this post. I guess that is the way it goes.

Spring Serenity

Am I the only one in need of Spring AND a bit of Serenity??!!??

The irony is that I designed my card while my cabin-feverish-children were running amok around me. Should I have waited till Monday, when they were gone to stamp?? Probably, but I just wanted to do something that would not be immediately UN-done.

I just love how the silhouette style stamps go with the shadows of the paper. (Basic Grey~Perhaps 6 x 6) The colors are goldy greens and greys (much like early spring around here--though we won't see it for WEEKS yet.

The butterfly was stamped with white pigment ink onto water color paper and embossed with white embossing powder. I wet the paper with a water brush and used very diluted ink to watercolor the wings--so as not to overpower the card.

The word Serenity is from the Mini-Positive Words Set.

Enjoy your day--I hope it is Serene--with hopes of Spring!!