simon says... joy's photo inspiration (white on white)

Hello, stampers! Time for another challenge over at the Simon Says Stamp challenge blog...

This week, we have a fabulous photo inspiration board, created by the ever-inspiring Joy Taylor. And the theme of the board is "White on White"... take a look!

Fabulous, right? The team was also asked to use Cuttlebug products on your projects as well. If you have Cuttlebug items, we'd certainly love to see them featured on your creations, too. But if not, no sweat... you can still enter. :) Personally, I took inspiration from two photos in the collage...

...and here's what I came up with:

I was inspired by the flowery branches in the top right, so I used my Forest Branches embossing folder. I was also inspired by the diecut '5', as well as the color of the text in the middle left photo. So, I cut away a section of the embossed and matted area, and stamped the sentiment there (directly on to the card base) with Hero's Wet Cement ink. These white-on-white cards are a bear to photograph! I had to play around with lighting for a while to get some shadows for contrast and definition, without the card looking too dark. Still had to do a ton of post processing. My hat's off to the girls who make it look effortless!

Anyway, it's your turn! Use Joy's photo board as your inspiration while creating, and link up your project HERE by 8am EST US next Wednesday (the 20th), and you'll be in the drawing for a very generous gift voucher to spend at Simon Says Stamp!

And please be sure to go HERE to see what my fellow team members have also done for this challenge. It's a gorgeous white-out, I tell ya! :)

Thank you for reading, today. See you soon!

simon says... sporty or patriotic

Hi, friends! Just a quick mention... I've only heard from two of the three winners from my drawing last weekend. Please check this post HERE to see if you're the third! :)

And now, it's time again for another great challenge from the Simon Says Stamp challenge blog!


The theme this week is sporty or patriotic, with a focus on Cuttlebug products. I decided to go with a patriotic theme, and therefore the STARS embossing folder, as well:


The red and blue background are strips that were cut and adhered to the sentiment strip, then trimmed on top and bottom to all be even. It's similar to a card I did HERE. I used the Tuly Grateful set from Hero Arts, because this particular sentiment seemed to fit with the theme of my card.

I hope you'll play along with us this week! Just link up your sporty/patriotic/Cuttlebug creations HERE by next Wednesday morning, and you could win a very generous voucher to the wonderful Simon Says Stamp Store! :D


And please go HERE to see what the rest of the fabulous design team has done for the challenge!

Well, I'm still entertaining family... they decided to extend their stay a little bit longer. We're having a great time, while I show them around town. Yesterday it was the zoo! Anyway, thanks for reading... see you soon! :)

go green and have a great day

Here's my card from last week's "go green" challenge over on the Hero Arts blog. I had a tough time coming up with something for this challenge! I was seeing what everyone else was doing over at the Hero Flickr group and really wanted to try to do something that no one had done yet. (I'm like that with just about every card I make anyway... always tryin' to reinvent the wheel, ya know? :P I need to work on that... it tends to kill the muse.)

So, I was putting the umpteenth empty milk jug of the week over on the counter for my son to take out to the trash when it hit me - the plastic the milk jug was comprised of looked surprisingly similar to the plastic used for the Maya Road Sheer White Blossoms. Ding! I had my idea. :)



Now, I gotta say... I'm not all that pleased with how the card (in its entirety) came out. I did the flower, and was totally excited about THAT result, but figuring out a way to use it on a card really threw me. So, the design ended up being, "forced"... and I'm just not all that fond of it. In fact, I don't even think I like it. :P But like I said, I'm MORE than pleased with the flower! LOL The plastic diecut, stamped, and embossed BEAUTIFULLY. I don't own any of the Maya Road Sheer Blossoms, but from what I've seen, I think the milk jug plastic is pretty comparable - thick but still flexible, translucent..... Anyway, after stamping and embossing the Hero Arts Designer Woodgrain on there, it kinda gave it a sort of zebra-ish look to it. Of course, first thing to mind was to use some hot pink! LOL The rest, as they say, is history.

Thanks again for reading today. Tomorrow, I have another pub'ed card to share. See ya soon! :)

SUPPLIES: OLD Sizzix's Original flower die, plastic from a one gallon milk jug, stamps are Hero Arts (Designer Woodgrain and Friends set) and SU! (small pink flower), card stocks are SU! (black, Pink Passion), inks are SU! (black craft and P.Passion classic) and Memories (black), black embossing powder, Cuttlebug Swiss Dots folder, Hero Arts button, SU ribbon, and pop dots... WHEW!

dotty hello

Hello again! :) Here's my card for last week's "Dots" challenge over at the Hero Arts blog. Who doesn't LOVE dots?! :)



I used a classic Hero set - Box of Dots (of course!) - to make the flower petals by stamping repeatedly in a circle. The background was first stamped with the dots, then with the clouds. I L-O-V-E this cloud stamp, can you tell?! LOL ;) The white dots on the card base are actually embossed from a Cuttlebug embossing strip and then rubbed with a sanding block to reveal the card's white core underneath. I love this color combo, too, don't you?! This was such a fun challenge! :)

Thanks for the peek. It's almost the weekend, YAY!

SUPPLIES: all images (except Dotted background, which is SU!) are Hero Arts (LL890, CL223, CL291, S5215), card base is DCWV, inks are Colorbox chalk inks, Cuttlebug "Just My Type" embossing folder strip set, and LOTS of pop dots. :)

hero arts blog birthday challenge

Hello. :) Here's a card I did way back in December during my blogging hiatus... one of, I think, maybe two total. LOL I didn't stamp much because it was still too painful. But, it was right after Christmas and I needed a couple of really special thank you cards.

I love this little Hero Arts thank you tree. Lots of possibilities with it, such as masking/reverse masking and punches, etc. Here, I did some reverse masking:



Please excuse the poor photo quality. I don't have the time, strength, or patience anymore to stress about it too much. :/ The heart is a punch that was covered with red glitter and popped up on dimensionals, everything else is pretty self explanatory.

This week, the Hero Arts Blog is celebrating its first birthday with a one layer card challenge. I decided to just replicate the above card, but modify it to fit the challenge:



This time, for the heart, I used the negative of the punched out heart as a template to draw a red heart directly on to the tree, which was then traced with a glue pen and covered with red glitter. On the first card, the tree was semi-grounded by the red ribbon. Here, I just used a row of irregular polka dots from the Sparkle Clear "Just Wanted" set as the ground. This card has such a simple, clean feel to it that I really love. :) It's been a long time since I've participated in a Hero Arts challenge, but this week's seemed right up my alley. I'm looking forward to participating in them again.

In an effort to save time and strain, I have to start making my supply lists as short and sweet as possible. I'm just going on the assumption that everyone can pretty much tell what products I've used, but if there's ever anything that you'd like to know more about, by all means, please feel free to email me. :)

Oh, and thank you for your input regarding my pub'ed cards. I'll be posting those as soon as I can get them re-photographed.

Thanks for stopping by today. Stay tuned for a give-away soon! ;)

SUPPLIES:
Card 1 - stamp is Hero Arts, inks and card stock are SU!, Cuttlebug embossing folder, EK Success heart punch, May Arts ribbon, Art Institute glitter, and pop dots.
Card 2 - stamps are Hero Arts, inks are SU!, glitter is Art Insitute.

photo inspiration from the Spring Fling crop

We've got a blizzard warning in effect until 6AM tomorrow morning. It's really coming down (sideways) out there! Up to 16 inches expected in the next 12-24 hours... yikes. Perfect day to stay in, sip hot tea, and play with my new SU! toys that Brown brought me yesterday. :D

Here's a sample from just one of the Spring Fling Crop challenges I hosted over at SNR. It was a photo inspiration challenge, with an Easter/spring theme.

Since a lovely new dress for Easter is tradition, I decided to use this one from Janie & Jack (LOVE that store!)as the inspiration for the challenge:

And here's my sample piece:



The crop was a HUGE success. My most heartfelt appreciation to those of you who stopped by in support - it absolutely means the world to me. XO

I have a lot of old cards that were pub'ed back in Oct. and Nov., but they are mostly holiday cards (Halloween, Thanksgiving, my Thanksgiving table scape, etc.). Is anyone interested in seeing those at this point? I'd like to put them on my blog, simply to chronicle them, but I'm not sure if I should do it now or wait until it's more seasonally appropriate...? Just wondering what you thought.

Off to play with my new goodies. Thanks for reading! Have a lovely day. :)

SUPPLIES:
All stamps, ink, corner punch, and card stock: Stampin' Up!, Cuttlebug embossing folder, Coluzzle cutting system, Hero Arts pearls (colored red with Copics), and pop dots.

simple thank you

Hey, there! How's your week going? Here's a real quick thank you card for a lovely lady named Pam from over at SplitCoast Stampers (click to see larger):


Pam is such a sweet lady... not only was she extremely helpful, but she even sent me a beautiful hand made card on top of it! So this card is my thank you to her. :)

Real easy one, here. With the exception of my new Cuttlebug folder (dotted strip) and Fiskars circle cutter (black mat), I used all Stampin' Up! products on this card . I love the way everything just coordinates so well together. Makes for great cards without too much time or effort. This card took less than five minutes! Gotta love that. ;) A set of these - all in different colors - would make a fabulous gift for someone, and take no time at all!

Speaking of SU!, my new sets were just delivered late last week! Woohooo! It's been a while since my last order. I've missed that distinct aroma of fresh, brand new rubbah... ahh. (I'm weird, I know... it's OK. ;) Hee!) I love the fact that SU! has now started die cutting their images, so you can just pop out, peel, and stick on the block. Super quick. The neatly pre-trimmed images really appeal to the Type A in me, LOL - they look so clean and professional once mounted on the block! And I bet this will help the overall resale value of SU! stamps, too.

And although it wasn't unanimous, it still looks like the Dandelion #1 card is quite clearly the winner. Thanks to everyone who voted! :) See you soon.






PS - Yes, the comment section has been re-enabled. I was getting a few emails and comments (on other sites) about the fact that they were disabled, so I decided to put them back up. I hope everyone knows that I really appreciate that and will do my best to reciprocate! :)

I also put up a FeedBlitz subscription button. I know a lot of people use either Google Reader or Bloglines these days, but I wanted to provide other options as well. ;) Please know that I am opting NOT to receive any tracking info from your subscription... so all of your info (except for your email address, of course) will remain completely private. ;) Thanks! :)

SUPPLIES
paper - SU! Certainly Celery, Whisper White, and Basic Black
stamps - SU! 'So Many Scallops' ('o8 Sale-A-Bration)
inks - SU! Certainly Celery Classic pad and Basic Black marker
misc - SU! scallop punch, Fiskars circle cutter, Cuttlebug 'Just My Type' dotted embossing strip, Scor-Pal, black brad, and pop dots

look, ma! no stamps!

Here's one of the cards I made last weekend that I haven't had the chance to photograph until today. Man... busy, busy!

Real simple one here... maybe took 10 minutes, total (click to see larger):

I've had this 'Spots & Dots' Cuttlebug folder forever, but I think this is the first time I've ever used it. I really need to get better at using stuff before buying more! LOL ;) Anyway, pretty easy... two shades of pink card stock, embossing, some wonderful silk ribbon, and a cute, little thank you charm, given to me by my sweet friend, Tami. :) And not one stamp was used on this card. That's weird for me.....

As for my "news", I promise... as soon as I'm allowed to spill, I will. ;) Thanks for peekin'! Have a great weekend!





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SUPPLIES
paper - SU! Rose Red & Pretty In Pink, Basic Black
misc. - Cuttlebug 'Spots & Dots' embossing folder, May Arts black silk ribbon, 'Thank You' charm (source unknown), and pop dots

masculine birthday

It seems I never have enough masculine cards on hand when I need them... florals and feminine designs are just easier for me. ;) I've had this idea in my head for a while now, and finally decided to try it out (click to see larger):

I love how it came out. I like the rustic, natural colors and textures. Nothing too froofy or frilly, it's simple enough for any guy. The best part - it took me all of about 10 minutes to make.

Maybe it's just me, but the green Cuttlebugged panel reminds me of the side of a saguaro cactus. LOL (Can you tell I've lived in the desert pretty much all of my life?)

As a side note, this picture was taken with my camera completely on MANUAL. No tweaking in Photoshop, scout's honor. Wheeee! I am so proud... :D

Thanks for peekin'. Have a great weekend!





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SUPPLIES:
paper - Paperbilities kraft notecard, Bazzill card stock
stamps - Inkadinkado ('Chelsea sentiments')
ink - StazOn Timber Brown
accessories - 'Distressed Stripes' embossing folder, Stampin' Up! Linen Thread, Autumn Leaves buttons (Thanks, Jennifer!), pop dots

WSW Door and Cuttlebug Challenge

I printed off a few of my favorite Two Peas WSW challenges last week. Not sure if I'll actually participate, since I am trying to stay off the internet. But the DOOR challenge really appealed to me since I already had this stamp set and knew it would be perfect for it. ETA: Turns out, this card also qualifies for the Cuttlebug challenge as well (click to see larger):


And here's a picture with the door OPEN (click to see larger):


I cut out the door's window with my X-Acto knife and added a piece of stamped acetate to the back to make it look like a real window. I cut the door and folded it back in order to expose the heart inside. I used mini scalloped scissors to make the roof, which was inspired by Shari Carroll's adorable card seen here. I also sponged the roof for a little dimension. The sky is DCWV white core card stock, Cuttlebug embossed and sanded, and the grass was made with my paper snips.

Like I said, not sure if this would actually qualify for the DOOR challenge, since most of the focus is on the scene and the house, but maybe the fact that I actually cut the door to open will help. I decided to go ahead and enter both challenges. Thanks for peeking in today. :)

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SUPPLIES
paper - SU! Whisper White, Kraft, Choclate Chip, and So Saffron... DVWV Blue #3... green is unknown
stamps - all Hero Arts (CL186 and CL176)
ink - Memories black and SU! markers in Real Red, Gable Green, and Sahara Sand
misc - acetate, X-Acto knife, paper snips, mini scallop scissors, Cuttlebug 'Divine Swirls' embossing folder, sanding block, circle punch, yellow Prismacolor pencil, machine stitching, and pop dots

another unsubmitted flower card

Here's another card that I had originally intended to submit to the Hero Arts flower challenge, but never photographed in time (click to see larger):


Nothing special about this card... it was one of those ideas that I just couldn't translate to paper. :P I have been experimenting with adding glitter to Cuttlebugged papers, and I'm really pleased with the results I got with it here (you may have to click the picture to see the glitter better), but that would be the only redeeming quality of this card. Ha! The sentiment was stamped with VersaMark and then masked off, with only part of it showing for a little embossing with some white EP.

Have a wonderful day! Thanks for peeking. :)





SUPPLIES
paper - SU! Whisper White, Regal Rose, Barely Banana, and Old Olive
stamps - Hero Arts 'Swirl Flower' and Clear Design 'Thank You Messages' set
ink - VersaMark and SU! Regal Rose, Barely Banana, and Old Olive markers
misc - Cuttlebug and 'Divine Swirls' embossing folder, Sakura Quickie glue pen, Art Institute glitter in 'Flax', wavy deco scissors, circle punch, white EP, heat tool, paper piercer, Unibal Signo gel pen, and pop dots

Sassy Thank You

Thank you for your kind and empathetic comments on my last post. I'm glad I'm not the only one who goes through that every once in a while. I don't get a lot of time to myself, but when I do, I like to sit and stamp. :) And I'd also like that precious time to be productive! LOL It actually made me sad that I had sat down for over two hours with nothing to show for it.

But, the hiccup was short lived, as early the very next morning I cranked out this card (a thank you for my mother-in-law) in no time flat while eating breakfast:

Click to see larger.

That great flower image is from the Sassy Stems set by Stampin' Up!. I stamped it in black and then used my markers (SU and Marvy) to trace over the image to give it color. It was matted it on black card stock and adhered to the card with popdots. I used SU's Paisley background on the base and tried inking it with the marvy marker to match the flower, but obviously it didn't work too well. LOL I think that marker is about dried out. ;) Anyway, I've officially jumped on the Cuttlebug bandwagon and am loving the results! The turquoise panel was embossed with the D'vine Swirl embossing folder and also matted with black card stock which was pierced and faux stitched with my white Signo gel pen (also SU). That pen is amazing! It has an almost paint-like quality - fantastic coverage. In keeping with the swirly theme (the flower image and embossed panel), I added a spiral clip, and in order to round out my use of black, I used some black organdy ribbon and stamped the sentiment (from SU's old Small Script hostess set) in black as well.

Thank you for looking. Hope your week is off to a great start! :)