Paper Cuts

Time for today’s WT challenge at Splitcoast!  Julia asked me to fill in for her this week so…let’s think of different ways to use jewels.  We like sparkly things, right?  If you don’t have any jewels, maybe you have some other embellishment you can use in a “different” way?

Season’s Greetings

I have a crazy amount of these Doodlebug jewels left over from a big project I worked on last fall.  I thought they’d be cute to use for decoration in The Kissable Tree from Cornish Heritage Farms.  The little deer is from the Christmas Critters set and in the background I used the new Aged Sheet Music Scrapblock™ that was just released on Tuesday.

I colored the deer with Copic markers, cut him out and adhered him to the card with thin strips of foam adhesive, and I paper-pieced the hat using the stripes from the patterned paper.

Thanks so much for stopping by!  Have a great day and I hope you’ll play!  (Challenge details here.)

Cardstock:  Prism Suede Brown Dark, Natural Smooth   Patterned Paper:  Imaginisce “Candy Cane Lane”   Stamps:  Cornish Heritage Farms “Kissable Tree,” “Christmas Critters” and “Aged Sheet Music” Scrapblock™   Ink:  Colorbox Dark Brown Fluid Chalk, Ranger Adirondack Pitch Black   Accessories:  Doodlebug Ladybug and Pastel jewels, jumbo eyelet (We R Memory Keepers), foam tape.  Card size 5 ½” x 5 ½”.

It’s only Wednesday?  Why do I feel like it should be at least Thursday…even Friday.  Don’t you hate weeks like that?  The ones where the weekend seems so far away?   **sigh**  Anyway… 

Hello Kissable Tree

Here’s a fun new image!   It’s the “Kissable Tree” designed by Kim Hughes and it’s the Stamp of the Month at Cornish Heritage Farms.  I’ve been having some fun with this tree, but I haven’t tried any kissing yet. ;)  Maybe tomorrow.

I used Colorbox Fluid Chalk ink to stamp the tree.  I seem to get much better coverage with that one (and it still dries quickly so I like that too). 

The little bird in the tree is from Kim’s Pretty Birds set but the other bird and the sentiment are from Mocha Chica, a new mini-set to be released August 15th (along with matching patterned paper–can’t wait for that)!  I outlined the tree a bit with a gray  marker and stitched around the border, switching to a zig-zag stitch in spots.  My friend, Julia, did that on one of her cards and now I can’t stop.   I love that look!

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a great day!  (Eventually it will be Friday, right?)

Cardstock:  Prism Frosted Kiwi, Super Smooth White   Patterned Paper:  Rubber Soul “Meadows Edge” 8 x 8    Ink:  Colorbox Lime Pastel Fluid Chalk, Ranger Adirondack Pitch Black   Stamps:  Cornish Heritage Farms “Kissable Tree,” “Mocha Chica” and “Pretty Birds”   Accessories:  Copic markers, buttons (Autumn Leaves), white string, ribbon scraps.  Card size: 5 ½” x 5 ½”.

This week’s challenge at Cornish Heritage Farms is to create a card or project using one of the techniques found in the CHF forums.  (You can find the list here.)  I’m not a fan of most techniques.  There are a few I really like but for the most part, I don’t like creating anything that takes a lot of time or a lot of (unusual) supplies.  But I wanted to participate this week so I clicked over into the technique forum and poked around a bit.  Guess what I found?  My favorite new way to color detailed images.  This technique is perfect for images such as this one, The Light of Peace by Thomas Kinkade.

Thinking of You

I have been so intimidated by coloring these images, but I could not believe how much easier it was using the Vintage Vellum technique.  There are more detailed instructions in the forum, but basically I used Adirondack Espresso ink to stamp the image, let it dry (patience, patience…not always there so I carefully zapped it with the heat gun), then I colored the image on the back of the vellum with Copic markers.  Wow, I love the results!  I had a hard time getting a nice photo of this card…the image is so soft and actually stands out a bit more here than to look at it in person.  I just love this technique and since I don’t need furniture polish or marbles to do it, I’ll be doing it again.  (This card is on its way to my uncle who was just released from the hospital after almost dehydrating himself to death.  Scary!)

Be sure to check out these other CHF designers to see which techniques they used:  Julia, Lisa Silver, Dawn, Kim, Kristine and Sherrie.  You never know, you might find a new favorite!

Also, tomorrow, August 5th, kicks off Julia’s Clear Holiday Gift Tags class at CHF.  Click on the photo below for more details! 

Thanks for looking!  Have a great day!  (And remember to drink lots of water in this nasty heat!)

Cardstock:   Prism Vanilla Cream (base) and Birchtone Dark, vellum   Patterned Paper:  My Mind’s Eye Wild Asparagus “Dad/Lime” paper    Stamps:  Cornish Heritage Farms “The Light of Peace” by Thomas Kinkade, CHF “Classic Essential Expressions”   Ink:  Adirondack Espresso by Ranger   Accessories:  Copic markers, linen thread, piercing template/needle.  Card size 7” x 5”.

Time for another fun challenge with Carole!  This time she sent me the paper and I actually chose a stamp with a Cardinal on it.  (I must really like this image…I’ll explain later.)  I finally had the chance to meet Carole in person at CHA.  She’s so sweet and just as quick-witted in person as she appears online.  I wish we’d had more time to sit and chat.   {{{Carole}}} 

Just a Note

Inkdadinkado has had some fantastic new stamps lately.  I love this one called Duet.  It’s so…wispy.  (Sidenote:  If you like Halloween, you must check out the new Inka stamps and sets at Jacksonbelle Embellishments.  Lots of cute stuff!)

I used Copics to color my images, outlined in gray, then added a few little yellow gemstones to the branches and flower center.

I first painted my chipboard flourish white then decided it didn’t look quite right so I sponged over the paint with Ranger Peeled Paint Distress ink.  It still looks kind of plain to me but definately better than white.

I was happy to color this Cardinal a bright shade of orange as opposed to it’s true color of red.  I am not a fan of Cardinals (even though they are our state bird) and so when I see red, I cringe. I’ve had one of those blasted beasts stalking my house and trying to peck its way inside for two summers now.  If I’m in the kitchen, it will sit on the back of one of my deck chairs, staring into the house and leaving me a present, then about every thirty seconds it flies up to peck on my back door.  If I’m in the dining room, it pecks on the living room window across from me.  It will peck on the long window over my front door, and when it wants to be especially annoying, it will peck on the front door kickplate.  I’ve tried leaving the blinds closed…peck, peck, peck.  I’ve hung post-it notes and paper on the window and kickplate…peck, peck, peck.  This bird is insane and it’s trying it’s best to make me that way as well.  (And I will tell you I am close.  Very, very close.)  I’ve tried talking nicely to this crazy creature and more often than that, not so nice.  I’ll admit it.  I yell at the bird.  It just will not go away.  Maybe I need to surround my house with those big plastic owls with the bobbing heads.  So while Carole is skipping around her yard whistling and making wishes, I’m thinking of ways to get rid of the darn thing.  And, by the way, I forgive Carole for liking Cardinals since she also likes Orioles…Baltimore Orioles, that is. 

Thanks so much for stopping by!  Be sure to check out Carole’s blog to see what she did with this same paper and image.  (…Or maybe you saw it yesterday. lol)

Cardstock:  Papertrey Ink (white base), Prism Super Smooth White, Intense Orange, Intense Kiwi   Patterned Paper:  Scenic Route Ashville/Patton Avenue   Stamps:   Inkadinkado “Duet”; Cornish Heritage Farms “Classic Essential Expressions”   Ink:  Adirondack Pitch Black, Ranger Peeled Paint Distress   Accessories:  Copic markers, Making Memories Flourish (Jigsaw), Hero Arts gemstones, May Arts velour ric rac, EK Success fiber, CHF Perfectly Clear ep (sentiment), sponge, pop dots.  Card size 5” x 5”.

ETA:  According to my dear friend, Carole (a.k.a. TruCarMa) today is Friday so she has already posted our challenge which was scheduled for tomorrow.  Tomorrow is Friday here in Virginia, Carole, not today, so you’ll have to wait until then to see my card.  lol.   {{{{Carole}}}}

It’s been a while since I’ve been able to participate in Julia’s Thursday WT Challenge at Splitcoast Stampers but I had to play this week…the challenge is to use scraps!   Good grief, I have a TON of them.  (I have tried to be better about tossing the smaller pieces.)

Happy Birthday

I used some patterned paper scraps (I this Wild Asparagus paper), a cardstock scrap and some ribbon and lace scraps.

The sentiment is part of The Art of Framing from the Rummage Bin line at Cornish Heritage Farms and the Aged Sheet Music stamp is a new Scrapblock™ to be released August 5th. 

I decided to add the distressing after everything was already assembled so I used my fingernail to bend some of the corners and edges and to add little tears here and there.   (Good thing I didn’t apply my glue right up to the edges.  I use Tombo Multi and once something is glued down, it’s pretty much there to stay.)

I hope the flower looks ok.  (It looks ok, doesn’t it? Eek.)  I just love what other people do with them, but when I use them, I tend to think they look stupid.

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a great day!  :)  

Cardstock:  Prism Vanilla Cream (base), Natural Smooth   Patterned Paper:  My Mind’s Eye Wild Asparagus “Baby Girl Floral/Coral” and “Dots”   Stamps:  Cornish Heritage Farms “The Art of Framing” and “Aged Sheet Music” Scrapblock™    Ink:  Adirondack Slate   Accessories:  Prima flowers, We R Memory Keepers buckle and brads, Making Memories ribbon and lace, sewing machine.  Card size 5” x 5”.

Ahhhh…Sunday. And I got to sleep in.  After a tremendously long day yesterday (up at 4:30 for the last swim meet of the season, home for a few hours, then a big end-of-season swim party), I was SO ready for the extra snoozing.  Sadly, our team came in second…second by only 80 points!!! How painful.  It was such a close meet.  We still have the team banquet tonight then that’s it until next summer. It’s such an intense couple of months.  In a way, it’s a relief to be done, but we also will feel like something is missing from our days.  I’m certain we’ll still be at the pool, but it will be nice to not have to be there at 8:30 every morning. 

Friends No Matter What

What is it about these Stampendous Changito monkeys????  I don’t know why, but lately, I’m just drawn to them.  I think they’re adorable.  I got mine here and I see that they already have a bunch of the new ones!

I’ve always liked this image.  It just cracks me up.   I used Copics for coloring and I added a bit of clear gel pen on the spit (that sounds so bad) and tongue.  I scribbled in the grass with a black marker, outlined the monkeys with a gray Copic and added some wonky stitching around three sides of the lighter patterned paper.

We’re off on a hunt for the newly released Star Wars figures (whatever they are) and there’s a scrapbook store scheduled into the itinerary for me!  YAY!  Maybe I’ll find some fun new stuff!  Have a great day and thanks for stopping by!

Cardstock:  Prism Vanilla Cream (base), Natural Smooth, Desert Coral Dark   Patterned Paper:  Basic Grey Mellow paper pad   Stamps:  Stampendous Changito “Amigos” and “Friends…What”   Ink:  Adirondack Pitch Black   Accessories:  We R Memory Keepers brads and buckle, Copic markers, Sakura clear and black gel pens, black marker, sewing machine, pop dots.  Card size: 5 ½” x 4 ¼”.

Sorry about the delay in posting but thanks so much for checking back!   I had a GREAT time in Chicago…site-seeing, CHA, visiting family …it was a week packed FULL of fun.  It was so great to meet my friends, face-to-face.  Some I’d seen before but many I had not.  Lots and lots of laughs and good times, that’s for sure!  Ahhh…memories. 

Tiny Miracle

There are DTGD (Dare to Get Dirty) Challenges going on over at Splitcoast Stampers this week hosted by past and present Dirty Girls.  (Info and links here.) 

My friend, Julia, asked me to make a sample for her challenge today.  I’m sure it will come as no shock to those who know her (and who doesn’t?) that her challenge is to stitch on a card.  I thought I’d make a little patchwork-ish baby card using Baby Love from the Kim Hughes Collection at Cornish Heritage Farms (one of my favorite of Kim’s sets). 

I like using non-traditional papers for different themes.  Here I used Basic Grey’s new Euphoria. (I got mine from Jacksonbelle Embellishments but it looks like she’s currently out of stock.  The pink ribbon is from JBE as well.)  I used Copic markers to color the images, stitched around all the patterned paper edges and added lavender Stickles to the butterfly.  I also bent the one little wing up a bit to add some dimension.

Cardstock:  Prism White (base), Super Smooth White, Razzleberry Light   Patterned Paper:  Basic Grey Euphoria paper pad   Stamps:  Cornish Heritage Farms “Baby Love”   Ink:  Adirondack Pitch Black   Accessories:  Copic markers, ribbon, Ranger Lavender Stickles, sewing machine, pop dots.  Card size 5” x 5”.

MY CHA Favorites (click on the thumbnails to see bigger pics)

My favorite new paper: October Afternoon Night Light.  I *ADORE* these monsters and can’t wait to get this paper (and some of the coordinating accessories)!

Basic Grey:  New Chocolate Chip Albums & Alphas!!  Can’t wait to get these too!

A new project I *have* to try:  Karen Foster 3-d Countdown Calendar.  How fun would this be to count down to a special occasion, vacation or other event?

My favorite decorated bra:  Melissa Frances booth  (AMAZING)

My favorite metal/altered book:  Tim Holtz idea-ology.  I think a lot of what’s used on this book is from the Winter release but it’s all new to me.  I *love* the metal pieces and fragments.   

Fabulous displays:  Sizzix (I don’t even have a Sizzix but I thought the display was adorable.)

And my pictures didn’t turn out for these (and I couldn’t find online links to some…I don’t think they’re up yet) but my favorite new stamps are:

• Stampendous Changito monkeys (for Halloween and Christmas/winter)
• Hero Arts Clear Designs Jolly Christmas and Owl-oween sets
• Unity Stamp Company’s Distressed Dots and Create Yourself.

And who wouldn’t LOVE all those new Spellbinders dies. I really need to just stop thinking about them and buy them!

Thanks so much for stopping by!! (I’ll be back soon with that other monkey card and my “Just for Fun” challenge with Carole (whom I *finally* met)!!!!   Have a great day!   :)

Hi everyone! I’ve been frantically trying to get ready for our trip…lots of laundry, lists, piles of stuff here and there to bring along.  I know I’ll forget something.  I’m just so excited!  I’ll be at CHA while my husband has the kids.  (Hmmm…maybe he too will walk into a store with a post-it note on his butt that says “Buy me toys.”  And maybe he’ll get to answer questions like “Mom, can you lick your armpit?” Yes, our children are very “entertaining.”  I’m sure they’ll have a great time!  I know I will!)

Hang in There

I’ve been eyeing these Stampendous Changito images for a while and finally decided to get a couple.  I think they’re so cute! 

For this one, I stamped the image onto the white cardstock, then paper-pieced the tire using textured paper from SEI’s new Poppy paper pad.  Some shading was added using a Copic marker.  I stamped the monkey again onto white cardstock, colored him and cut out the head/body piece, adhering it over the tire and stamped image.  You can’t tell from the photo, but I used a glossy black 3-d pen on his eyes.

I have another monkey card to show you soon.  Thanks for stopping by!  I’ll try to pop in if I can while I’m gone!  Have a great day!

Cardstock:  Prism White (base), Super Smooth White, Suede Brown Dark   Patterned Paper:  SEI Poppy 6×6 paper pad   Stamps: Stampendous “Changito Tire Swing,” “Hang in There” and “Palm Fronds”   Ink:  Adirondack Pitch Black   Accessories:  Copic markers, Copper clip (We R Memory Keepers), Chocolate Organdy (Offray), Sakura black 3-d gel pen, sewing machine.  Card size 5” x 5”.

Time for the Monday challenge at Cornish Heritage Farms!  Today we’re making cards for the men.   While most of our cards are on the feminine side, it’s a nice change to make one for the guys.  (And some really DO appreciate it!)  My brother’s birthday is right around the corner so I thought I’d take this opportunity to get his card done on time. 

Let’s Celebrate

You know how much I love this owl from Kim’s U R A Hoot set.  I thought I’d give him a little ball cap this time, and he’s wearing it backwards because he’s just a cool dude.  I drew the cap and then colored it, like the rest of the owl, with Copic markers.  When I adhered him to the distressed patterned paper, I didn’t glue down his wings but bent them forward a bit to add some dimension. 

The balloons were punched, adhering the white string between the layers and attached to the branch using a screw brad.

Be sure to check out these other CHF designer blogs to see their masculine creations: Kristine, Dawn, Julia, Lori, Val, Kim, Lisa Silver, Sherrie. 

If you didn’t see yesterday’s CHF sneak peek, click here.  (Did someone say “Saturday Evening Post?”)  And check out Becky’s blog to see today’s peek…Scrapblock™ Layers. 

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a great day!

Cardstock:  Prism Vanilla Cream (base), Herbal Garden Dark   Patterned Paper:  Basic Grey Archaic 6 x 6 paper pad   Stamps:  Cornish Heritage Farms “U R A Hoot” and “Tag! You’re It!” (Kim Hughes collection)   Ink:  Adirondack Pitch Black and Pesto    Accessories:  Copic markers, 1 ¼” and 1 3/8” circle punches (EK Success), Screw brad (Karen Foster), white string, sewing machine, pop dots (under top balloon).  Card size 5” x 5”.

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Do the letters GM mean anything to you?   Check out Lisa’s blog here for a BIG announcement!