Share Your Project

Guess who is back and ready to blog again?  To get back into the swing of things I am showing a project I made for a challenge sponsored by Scrapbookpal.com to use Spellbinders dies. I used Labels 4, Labels 4 Small, Gold Labels and Labels 17.

 

 

Other supplies used in this project are:

Paper, Ink, Butterfly Punch and stamp - StampinUp

All other stamps and dies - PapertreyInk

 

 

Til next time...

Loving My Hot Glue Gun

For the last year or so, I have been ignoring my hot glue gun in favor of my ATG gun and glue dots.  That all ended when I started making pleated medallions and rekindled my love of making flowers. A glue gun makes all the difference when making medallions and flowers especially if that glue gun has a fine nozzle tip and has loooonnnng glue sticks so you don't have to keep reloading. I have a small low temp gun that is easy to use but the nozzle just isn't small enough for those tiny, hard to reach places. I considered getting the Aleene's set but at $28.99 plus tax, it was a little too steep especially considering that I already have my little low temp gun as well as my big high temp one. Then I happened to spy a real gem at Walmart - Dual Temperature, fine nozzle, works cordless for up to 5 minutes and takes regular width, 10 inch long glue sticks all for a whopping $6.97. A bag of 2 dozen, 10 inch long sticks are $3.97. Ya can't beat that so into the cart it went. Oh yeah, and did I mention that Chris was paying cuz we were at Walmart to get him razor blades and a video?  Best deal yet! So what is all this leading up to? Today's card...

I combined VLV September's sketch challenge for Week 4 with this weeks PTI Make It Monday. The ribbon rose was a dream to make with the new hot glue gun and the combination of the rose, thick chipboard piece and ribbon loops never would have held with glue dots. With the hot glue it's not going anywhere! 

Stamps: Verve - Fancy Florals, Tag Time

Paper: Lilybee - Picket Fence; SU - Old Olive, Wisteria Wonder

Ink: SU - Old Olive, Wisteria Wonder; Versamark; Distress - Crushed Olive

Dies: Verve - Tiny Sweet Tags; Cuttlebug - Scallop Squares

Other: Stampendous - white embossing powder; Michaels - Grosgrain Ribbon; SU - Old Olive ribbon

Til next time...

Fall Fun

Fall is in the air. The leaves around here haven't started changing but the temperatures sure are getting pleasant. For the September VLV 3rd Week's sketch challenge I decided to go with a fall theme. I originally planned to use some Basicgrey DSP but once it was cut I just didn't like it so I had to go back to the drawing board. Ended up stamping my own paper but had fun doing it and it matched the ribbon I found in my stash. All in all it's not half bad even though it is so far removed from my original vision.

  Stamps: Verve - Autumn Splendor, Bountiful Harvest, Happy Fall, Sweet Treat, Ecclesiastes 3:11

Paper: SU - Very Vanilla, Chocolate Chip, Peach Parfait, Cajun Craze, Rich Razzleberry, Lucky Limeade

Ink: Chocolate Chip, Peach Parfait, Cajun Craze, Rich Razzleberry, Lucky Limeade

Dies: Verve - Sweet scallop Tag, Embossed Oval; Spellbinders - Circles, plain & large scallops

Other: Tim Holtz Embossing Folder, ribbon from stash

Til next time...

Monochrome Madness

Verve's Get Your Diva On challenge for September was to create a monochromatic card. I told Sankari that her challenge had me both stumped and intimidated at first. How do you even decide what color to go with? But then the light came on and I was off and running.

My first card (A) went together, zip, zap, zip once I had the color scheme figured out. I had been dying to use those loopy flowers from Verve's Making a Statement set as well as the leafy sprigs from Sunny Days and I love to antique things. Give me some Distress ink, a non-stick mat and one of Tim Holtz's blending tools and I could blend away for hours. I was quite pleased with the way it turned out but then it hit me - Why don't I try and take it up a notch or 2?


For the second card (B) I used the same color scheme (don't know why they came out different in the photos) and layout but used a different DSP, made lace flowers, sprayed some parts with Perfect Pearls Mist and added a lot more pearls. I honestly don't know which card I like better but I think I'll be doing more monochromatic cards in the future.

Stamps: Verve- Wishful Elegance, Sunny Days, Making a Statement (A); SU - Teahouse

Paper: SU - Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla (A), Bella Bleu DSP; Curious Iridescent Poison Ivory (B)

Ink: SU - Crumb Cake, Soft Suede; Ranger - Frayed Burlap Distress

Dies: Verve - Leafy Sprigs, Loopy Blooms; Spellbinders Ovals - Plain & beaded

Other: Michaels - Pearls; SU - lace; Ranger - Perfect Pearls Mist

Til next time...

Another Great Sketch from Verve!

Week 2's sketch for September's VLV Sketch Challenge is another good one. Like Week 1, this card just fell into place exactly the way I wanted. Hmmm... 2 weeks in a row... maybe I should worry. Normally, when I do a challenge, I try to use only stamps from the company hosting the challenge. This time, instead of limiting myself, I just grabbed whatever stamps I needed to get the effect I wanted regardless of which company made the stamp. Creating without limits is so much more fun!

Stamps: Verve - Hope Perches, Tag Time; SU - Silhouette Sentiments Hostess Set; PTI - Background Basics Newsprint.

Paper: Prima - Romantique; SU - Cajun Craze, So Saffron, Old Olive;

Ink: Ranger - Distress Old Paper; SU - Cajun Craze, Old Olive

Dies: Verve - Tiny Sweet Scallop; Spellbinders - flower, circles

Other: Martha Stewart Picket Fence punch; Twine from The Twinery; Antique Copper Brad from Making Memories.

Til next time...

Seeing Stars

Tripped in the hen house yesterday and landed flat on my face. Well, actually, it was more like a belly flop into the dirt. As I lay there, I looked over and there was Penny, with a worm hanging out of her mouth, bending over to see why I was down there. It was quite funny until about an hour later when the pain kicked in. A 200 pound woman makes a heck of an impact!

But that is not why I am seeing stars today.

I really liked the sketch for Week 1 of Viva La Verve's September Challenge. I like how this card came out even better. This was one of those times when everything just fell into place and my vision became a reality. Hope you like it too.

Stamps: Verve - Starstruck

Paper: Basicgrey - Out of Print; SU - Melon Mambo, Luck Limeade, Peach Parfait, Daffodil Delight, Whisper White

Ink: Ranger - Distress Black Soot

Dies: Verve - Tiny Sweet Scallop; Spellbinders - Stars; Quickutz - Star tag topper

Other: Ranger - Black Sparkle EP; SU - Daffodil Delight Taffeta Ribbon; PTI - Rustic Jute Button twine

Til next time...

Stamping Backgrounds

PTI's Make It Monday Challenge #31 was Creating Backgrounds With Non-background Stamps. Hmmm... wonder if someone told them how much I love stamping backgrounds? Had a great time making this card but I do have one complaint about the Spellbinders Fancy Tag die I used. I wanted to cut an oval to layer inside but the none of the Spellbinders oval dies are the right shape!!! I ended up using an SU punch.

Stamps: PTI - Fall Elegance, Simply Stationery, Embellishments

Paper: SU - Always Artichoke, Perfect Plum, Very Vanilla

Ink: SU - Cajun Craze, More Mustard, Always Artichoke, Perfect Plum; Ranger - Old Paper Distress

Dies: Spellbinders - Fancy Tags; PTI - Edgers #3

Til next time...

More Wild Colors for a Challenge

I have stepped soooo out of my box for this one! And I've used a few things that have been tucked away too long so at least that's a positive.  Had nothing planned for Labor Day and was recuperating from the previous day's Mountain Man Rondezvous in Wyoming so decided to tackle Waltzingmouse's Sketch Challenge #63.  This is what I ended up with.

Stamps: Waltzingmouse - Cameo To Go, Faux Fun Circles

Paper: Prima - 6x6 Madeline; StampinUp - Baja Breeze, Rose Red, Whisper White, Pink Pirouette

Ink: SU - Chocolate Chip, Rose Red

Dies: PTI - Lace Doily; Spellbinders - Fancy Label; Sizzix - 3D Flower, Branch with Leaves, Embosslits Butterflies for SU

Other: EKSuccess - Border Punch; Rangers Liquid Pearls

Til next time...

Kooky Kolors for a Baby

Not that I'm a little behind or anything, but this card was made for Waltzingmouse Sketch #61 found here. It's a bit of a mish mash of techniques including making my own custom ribbon with Copic Markers (a Make It Monday challenge), making a custom brad with stamps and Glossy Accents, and doing a Tim Holtz Distress ink thing. I don't know why I chose this color combo other than it appealed to me. I created the paper that the birds and brad piece were stamped on using the Wrinkle Free Distress technique with a bit of a twist but I may have used a bit too much water.

Over all I am rather please with this project even if it is a bit weird for a baby card.

Stamps: Waltzingmouse - Celtic Heritage, Faux Fun, Fauz Fun Circles, Fancy Flourishes, Vintage Circles

Ink: Distress - Tumbled Glass, Broken China, Black Soot; StampinUp - Tempting Turquoise, Basic Gray

Paper: StampinUp - Whisper White, Tempting Turquoise, Basic Gray, Basic Black

Other: Cuttlebug Embossing Folder, Spellbinders Circle Dies, Copic Markers, Grosgrain Ribbon from Michael's, Glossy Accents from Ranger



Til next time...

Sending Some Sunshine

That's the theme for Verve's August Diva Dare. The challenge is to make an uplifting and encouraging card AND send it to someone in need of a little pick-me-up!  I chose to use the sketch from Week 5 of the August Viva La Verve Challenge and I'm giving it to my friend, Tracey.  Tracey has undergone a double masectomy and has survived both radiation and chemo in spite of the complications caused by Lupus. To look at her, you would never know what she has been going through. She is vibrant and alive, dyeing her 1/2 inch new hair a bright blonde in celebration. She loves bright and bold and bling so this card is definitely hers.

Stamps: Verve- Let it Shine, Tag Time

Paper: SU Daffodil Delight, Riding Hood Red; Basicgrey Indian Summer 6x6
Ink: SU So Saffron, More Mustard, Cajun Craze, Bravo Burgundy; Distress Wild Honey, Rusty Hinge
Other: Verve - Tagged Rectangle Die; Spellbinders - Inverted Scallop Die; Stickles; Ribbon from stash

Til next time...

PTI August 2011 Blog Hop Challenge

WooHoo. Today is PTI's Blog Hop. You can find links to all the participants here. The challenge is to create something inspired by this photo. I knew what I wanted to do the instant I saw the photo. The challenge for me was to find the right paper and low and behold, it was hiding deep in my hoarded stash. The bow is my first attempt at wrinkled ribbon. I used SU taffeta ribbon to make a bow but it looked too formal so, knowing the ribbon was a synthetic, I used a heat gun on it.

Stamps: PTI - Vintage Picnic, Little Labels
Paper: SU - Cherry Cobbler, Confetti White; Chatterbox - Loft Bias Plaid;
Ink: SU - Cherry Cobbler, Bashful Blue; Memento Tuxedo Black
Dies: PTI - Mat Stack #5, Picnic Basket, Edgers #1; Spellbinders - Tag, Ribbon Slider
Other: SU Bashful Blue Taffeta Ribbon, twine from The Twinery

Copics Used:

Red Mat:

Til next time...

Another Week - Another Verve

Last week brought a wonderful sketch for Week 3 of the VLV August Challenges by Shannan Teubner. I had a lot of fun with this one, dragging out all kinds of dies, embossing folders, Copic Markers and even bling! Thank you Shannan for a fabulous sketch to work with.



Stamps: Verve Birthday Wishes Plain Jane

Paper: StampinUp -  Pool Party, Bermuda Bay, Groovy Guava, Whisper White; BoBunny - Gabrielle.

Ink:  StampinUp - Groovy Guava, Bermuda Bay; Memento Rich Cocoa; Ranger - Adirondack Snow Cap

Copics: E02, E95, BG11, BG15

Other: Cuttlebug Butterfly Cut & Emboss Set; Cheery Lane Doily Die, BoBunny Gabrielle Jewels

Til next time...

Looking For A Diva

The theme for Verve's August 2011 Get Your Diva On challenge was tags. Anything and everything to do with tags.  If there is a hint of Diva in me anywhere, its showing up is pretty hit and miss but I gave it a shot anyway. To be perfectly honest, I think I am too practical to be Diva material but I am happy with how this card turned out.

Stamps: Verve - Let It Shine

Paper: StampinUp - Bashful Blue, So Saffron, Whisper White, Delicate Dots DSP.

Ink: StampinUp - Bashful Blue, So Saffron, More Mustard

Misc: StampinUp Ribbon, Verve Charming Oval Die Set, Martha Stewart Border Punch, Assorted beads & jewelry findings from Michaels, Mini Envelope template from Hot Off The Press, old yellow brad recolored with a Copic Marker.

Til next time...

Glitter Die Borders

I hadn't planned on making a Sympathy card for this weeks Make It Monday technique. Then again, no one plans for a happy, healthy, loving and generous person to die without any warning. But someone special did die and I needed a very special card and this weeks technique fit the bill.

For Valerie Sorensen - August 15, 1952 to August 13, 2011

Stamps: StampinUp - Elizabeth, Simply Soft;  PTI - Half & Half, Round & Round

Paper: Bo Bunny - Gabrielle 6x6; StampinUp - Early Espresso, Bermuda Bay

Ink: StampinUp - Early Espresso, Groovy Guava; Versamark

Dies: PTI - Half & Half, Mat Stack #5

Misc: Stampendous Embossing Powder, Martha Stewart Border Punch, Ribbon, pearls & glitter from stash, Zig 2 Way Glue marker

Til next time...

Waltzingmouse Sketch #60

I had so many ideas running through my head for this weeks Waltzingmouse challenge but this is something I have wanted to try for a while.  It is a bit of a stretch but it fits. Hope you like it.

Hatbox Closed

Stamps: Waltzingmouse - Asian Gardens Additions, Eat Cake, Very Vintage Christmas, Very Vintage Labels #5, Fancy Phrases

Cardstock: StampinUp - Rose Red, Pink Pirouette, Whisper White

Ink: StampinUp - Rose Red, Basic Gray, Pink Pirouette

Misc: Spellbinders Die - Labels #5, Organdy Ribbon & Ribbon Roses from stash










Til next time...

Yaba Daba Do, It's VLV Week #2

I am a paper hoarder.  I buy all kinds of designer papers with the intent to make all kinds of gorgeous cards and scrapbook pages but then I put them away and never use them. Why?  Because if I use them I won't have them anymore. I do the same with ribbon, brads, pearls etc. so I end up just using ink, stamps, cardstock and die cuts. I guess I need some kind of 12 Step Program. 

Any who way...

I was so inspired by all the phenomenal work done by the Verve Divas this week I just had to step out of my little box. Stand back everyone. THIS is a biggie! For Verve's Viva La Verve Sketch Challenge for Week 2 of August, I broke down and used a whole 4 1/4 X 5 1/2 inch piece of some hoarded My Mind's Eye paper from 2006.  And I used a piece of my cherished Blush Blossom cardstock that StampinUp retired along with 2 treasured pearls from Michael's. I told you it was a biggie! So here is my "Diva Wanna Be" creation:

Stamps: Verve - Bloom & Grow, Sweet Treats, Grateful Elegance, Celebrating You
Dies: Verve - Classy Label, Embossed Oval, Floral Circles, Elegant Leaves; Spellbinders - Large Ovals, Small Ovals.
Ink: StampinUp - Always Artichoke, Blush Blossom
Cardstock: StampinUp- Always Artichoke, Blush Blossom, River Rock
Misc: Martha Stewart Iron Fence Border & Corner Punches, Micheal's Pearls, My Minds Eye DSP.

Til next time...

Viva La Verve August Week 1

I decided to give Verve's VLV Sketches for August a whirl and tackled Week 1's sketch yesturday.  I'm not sure what direction I was going or hoped to go but looking at the mess I'd say I had a darn good time getting there.

My list of supplies for this 5 x 5 card is rather large. Am I trying to become a Diva or something? Check it out!

Stamps: All Verve - Accent Notes, Celebrating You, Hearts Desire, Love's Flower and Bloom & Grow as well as the Floral Circles and Elegant Leaves Dies.
Inks: StampinUp - Riding Hood Red, Early Espresso, Pool Party; Ranger - Walnut Stain Distress; Tsukineko - Memento Tuxedo Black
Cardstock: StampinUp - Whisper White, Blushing Bride, Riding Hood Red, Early Espresso, Pool Party
Misc: Spellbinders Circle Die, EKSuccess Medallion Chain Punch, Cuttlebug Embossing Folder, Michael's Brads and Ribbon
Now to tackle Week 2's sketch!

Til next time...

WaltzingMouse Sketch 58

Have I mentioned how much I love making my own backgrounds?  For this weeks WM Sketch Challenge I made a background using Dainty Doilies and Cameo Maker that is just perfect for a baby card. And just in time too because my friend Jamie is having her baby girl today.

All stamps are from WaltzingMouse; Ink & cardstock is StampinUp; Offray Ribbon; Cuttlebug Embossing Folders; K&Company brads; Spellbinders dies.


Til next time...

Dry Brushing Make It Monday

Why is it that when the word Challenge is mentioned, things become harder than they really are? Or am I the only one who goes spastic over card challenges? Dry brushing (MIM technique found here)  is a very simple yet effective technique that should have taken me no time at all to do and here it is late Tuesday afternoon and I am just finishing up. Sheesh! My color scheme started out as Bravo Burgundy, More Mustard, Night of Navy and Very Vanilla but it ended up as Wild Wasabi, Rich Razzleberry, Pool Party, Island Indigo and Whisper White. I dry brushed white paint on the Indigo layer and then dry brushed the Pool Party layer with the matching Pool Party ink. I'm not sure if I like the paint but I think dry brushing with ink is a great alternative to sponging.

Cardstock, ribbon and ink from StampinUp

White paint from Making Memories

Snowcap White ink from Ranger

Stamps, basket and napkin die and Impression Plate from Papertrey Ink

Other dies from Spellbinders

White Lace and brad from stash

Til next time...

Waltzing with the Mouse Again

Did you ever have a project that just refused to cooperate? I decided to do this weeks Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge found here and had a card pictured in my mind but it fought me tooth and nail. I lost track of how much paper went into the recycle bin. It still isn't exactly what I planned but this is about as close as my ink and paper would allow.

I used several stamp sets, all by Waltzingmouse, cardstock and reinkers from StampinUp, Versamark, and glittery embossing powder from my extensive collection.  The sentiment was cut out using a cute little die set from Verve.

Til next time...