Merry & Bright

This card is for SCS sketch challenge SC204. I wanted to use my newly trimmed Dress Up Lily set, and decided to use a few images from Limitless Limbs as well!

I stamped the two snowflakes from Limitless Limbs, and then used my Swiss Dots embossing folder to add texture. I coloured Lily with my SU markers, except for her skin, for which I used a Watercolor Wonder Crayon and my blender pen.

I stamped her gift once on the main image, and then again on a scrap of white. I also stamped the hat on the scrap of white. I cut both out, but cut the ribbon off of the gift (I'm crazy enough to try to cut it out!). They're popped up on the image - you can see how I lined it up so the ribbon from the gift underneath shows up.

Lots of glitter and Stickles (including on her flower belt), of course, as well as some tiny gemstones for her earrings!

To get the dots of Stickles around the oval fairly even, I first dotted at 12, 3, 6, and 9 o'clock. Then I just dotted the middle between each of those points, and then the middle of those as well. I find this technique works quite well to evenly space borders.

Stamps: Dress Up Lily, Limitless Limbs (Pink Cat Studio)
Paper: Old Olive, Real Red, Whisper White cardstock (SU)
Ink: Old Olive, Real Red (SU)
Accessories: Old Olive, Real Red, Barely Banana, black journalling markers, Real Red, Old Olive ribbon, Wide Oval punch, Dazzling Diamonds, Pretty in Pink Watercolor Wonder crayon, blender pen (SU), Swiss Dots embossing folder, Cuttlebug (Provocraft), Stickles (Ranger), rhinestone (Hero Arts), rub-on (Deja Views)

Some yummy blog candy

Check out Tamiko's blog - she's celebrating her 1000th hit!

No card today

But I was busy in the crafts room! Remember how I was waiting for the magical Kai scissors to arrive? Well they did. And I'm happy to report, it is true. They do cut like butta! And they made short work of my Dress Up Lily set, from Pink Cat Studio. I was planning on making a quick card with my new stamps (aren't they adorable?):

Unfortunately, I decided to put on a movie as I worked, and chose The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, and I kept stopping to watch the funny bits. Which for me, is just about the entire movie. So here it is, 1:05am, and I haven't started the card!

So, I hope to do at least two cards tomorrow, to make up for it ;)

And even more blog candy...

Check out The Lucky Clucker (hah, love the name!) for some super sweet blog candy. Bonnie is celebrating her blogaversary, even though she's a wee bit late in doing so ;)

ps. This is my third post today, so if you're here to see some actual crafts, skip down a couple posts, or just click here.

Shimmerz Paints blog candy!!!

Wanna win five jars of Shimmerz/Blingz? Well too bad, cause I'm gonna win 'em! ;)

Haha. Seriously though, be sure to check out the Shimmerz blog for details. Good luck!

Wishing You Peace (and a tip)

I made this card based off of the sketch for TCP Tuesday (TCPTues35), which is hosted by Leigh O'Brien this week (check out her adorable card for the challenge!).

I started by choosing the square scalloped punch, as I wanted this to be a quick card (wishful thinking). Then I chose the stamp, which is the cute dove from Elegant Christmas. I decided to use the polka dot ribbon, which helped me choose my colours. Not a combination I'd normally go with, but I kinda like it! (By the way, I really like how Green Galore and Tempting Turquoise look together - nice, hey?)

I made my own background paper using the flourish/snowflakes stamps from the same set, stamping each image twice, without reinking in between, to get a variation in the colours.

For the green panel, I inked the sentiment first with Versamark, then with Green Galore ink. I used just Versamark for the snowflakes, and embossed them all with clear EP.

Here's another angle, to see all the embossing.Stamps: Elegant Christmas (The Cat's Pajamas)
Paper: Real Red, Green Galore, Temping Turquoise, Whisper White (SU)
Ink: Green Galore, Tempting Turquoise (SU), Versamark
Accessories: scalloped edge punch (SU), Stickles, clear embossing powder (Ranger) square scalloped punch (Marvy), corner rounder punch (EK Success), ribbon (Michael's), brad

And here's my tip for the day. If you make a card, and add lots of Stickles, don't leave it on your desk, right where your arm will brush up against it, and smear half of the Stickles. Yes, I am speaking from experience. The ONLY thing that saved me from a major meltdown was the fact that when wet, Stickles can be wiped off, without leaving a trace behind. I managed to wipe off all the smeared dots, and replace them. Whew!

Happy Winter

Another quick card. I used Sheryl's layout from this card.

I decided to add the scalloped border, just because I can. I finally caved and ordered the SU scalloped edge punch (about which I was complaining in yesterday's post). A big thanks to Carley for pointing out this tutorial on SCS, which I obviously couldn't find the other night :p

Stamps: Happy Winter
Paper: Old Olive, Real Red, Very Vanilla cardstock, River Rock textured cardstock, Dashing DSP (SU)
Ink: Old Olive, Real Red, River Rock (SU)
Accessories: Old Olive, Real Red markers, Real Red ribbon, 1 1/4 & 1 3/8" circle punches, scalloped edge punch (SU)

Don't wanna grow up!

I made this card with The Cat's Pajamas stamps I won on PCP. When I received them, I couldn't wait to play with them, so I wanted to make a quick card. I thought I'd try TCPTUES34, which is a challenge by Toni, but I messed up. It was supposed to be a CAKE image, and I used a cupcake. Um. They're like mini-cakes, right? ;)

I say wanted, because it took me an hour to realize that I have no way to create a scalloped rectangle. I have a small scalloped square punch, and I have the SU scalloped edge punch, and even scalloped decorative scissors, but no way to make a large mat for my stamped image. So after I post this, I'm off to search for the best price on Nesties!

Stamps: Smells Like Cake (The Cat's Pajamas)
Paper: Bashful Blue, Brilliant Blue, Pumpkin Pie, Whisper White, Jersey Shore DSP (SU)
Ink: Basic Black, Pumpkin Pie, Wild Wasabi, Brilliant Blue (SU)
Accessories: Wide oval punch, blender pen, Pumpkin Pie ribbon (SU), Stickles (Ranger)

Oh, and here's the participants in JJSC04:
Emily Kate
Carrie

Leanne says she's going to try it, but so far...nothing...Get to it girlie!

Wanna win some Copics?

Check out Debbie's blog for a chance to win some sweet blog candy, including SEVENTEEN Copic markers!!!!! She's celebrating over 10,000 hits to her blog. Congrats Debbie!

A sketch and a card

Have you noticed all the dry embossed lines on cards lately? Usually done with a ScorPal, but easily replicated with a scoring blade on a paper trimmer.

I was thinking of how to use them, and came up with this sketch, which is JJSC04. The lighter grey is for the layers. The darkest grey is the card base. The two skinny lines are meant to be score lines, but don't have to be.So taking that sketch, and wanting to use my new brayer, I came up with this:
Of course, I couldn't easily capture the score lines. Click on the photo to see them close-up.

I created the main image using glossy paper. I stamped on it with the circle/dot stamps using Versamark, and then brayered my ink (from my spectrum pad) right on top. I let it sit for a few seconds, then buffed with a paper towel. The ink doesn't stick to the Versamark!

I found the funky blue pom-pom fibre in my stash, and decided I HAD to use it. See Leanne, I am using stuff, instead of hoarding it!

I'd love for you to give the sketch a try. If you do, please leave me a comment with a link to it!

Stamps: Polkadots and Paisley (SU), Circle and Dots (Inkadinkado)
Paper: glossy paper (Ranger), white and blue cardstock (unknown)
Ink: Soft Sky (SU), Blue Lagoon Fluid Chalk (ColorBox), Hydrangea spectrum pad (Ranger Big & Juicy)
Accessories: Wide oval punch (SU), corner punch (EK Success), trimmer (Fiskars), fibre (unknown)

Trying to get back into it...

Yes, I'm still not feeling crafty. Instead I've been working on finishing my crafts room (almost done!) and of course I'll take a bunch of photos to show it off :)

Meanwhile, I thought some retail therapy would help find my mojo. I recently purchased Limitless Limbs and Dress up Lily from Pink Cat Studio. The stamps arrived TWO days after I ordered, so I mounted them on EZMount, but quickly discovered that my knock-off Kai scissors just won't cut it (literally). So I found a local online store that stocks Kai. I also ended up with some other goodies in my shopping card. Shhh.....

The store also carries Nestabilities, and I was SO tempted to buy some! I can't quite decided which ones to get, so I held off...for now...

I'm trying to decide between Labels Two, Curved Rectangle, and the full set of ovals.

So, do you have any nesties? If so, which? What do you think of them?

If you don't have any, which ones would you like to get (if any)?

Searching for my mojo

I seem to have lost my mojo. Have you seen it? I sat at my desk tonight, searching for some inspiration. It came in the form of a sweet little card, which I found on Debbie's blog, Thinking Inking. I decided to make a couple Christmas cards, as I'm planning on making a bunch of different ones this year, instead of mass-producing a bunch of the same. Oh, and I'm way behind.

Apparently my Real Red ink pad (which is a Stampin' Spot) decided to turn into a craft pad. Because it would NOT dry. I ruined two stamped images before I realized the issue. Even this image has a little tiny smear, if you look closely. So don't! ;)

Are you surprised I didn't use the Cuttlebug smoosh technique on this card? I was SO tempted, but decided it didn't fit with my clean design.

Oh, FYI, most DSP will show up behind Very Vanilla ribbon. So I added a strip of Very Vanilla paper underneath the ribbon, to hide it.

Stamps: Hung Up on the Holidays, Cute Converse (SU)
Paper: Old Olive, Real Red, Very Vanilla, River Rock cardstock, River Rock textured cardstock, Dashing DSP (SU)
Ink: River Rock, Real Red, Old Olive (SU)
Accessories: Very Vanilla ribbon, Word Window punch (SU), Christmas Ornaments embossing folder, CB (Provocraft), scalloped punch (Marvy)

On this card I inked the image with River Rock, and then used a baby wipe to clean the words and dotted border. I inked those with markers, and then huffed to get the ink moist again. I couldn't decide whether to add to a rhinestone brad to the middle. What do you think?

Stamps: So Many Scallops
Paper: Old Olive, Real Red, Very Vanilla cardstock, River Rock textured cardstock, Dashing DSP (SU)
Ink: River Rock (SU)
Accessories: Old Olive, Real Red markers, River Rock ribbon (SU), scalloped punch (Marvy)

Sweet Holiday Memories

Here's a card for Jen's sketch for you to try (SFYTT). I used the paper, ribbon, and glitter from Taylor at the Stamp a Sweet Impression blog.

I wanted to make a card using the goodies from Taylor, and I thought that was fitting as part of Heather's challenge, which was to make a card that incorporates something about stamping and blogging. I thought it was fitting to use a candy image, in this case because the paper, ribbon, and glitter were blog candy from Taylor! While it's fun to win some goodies, I don't think I would be nearly as craft if it weren't for the blogging world, and sites like SCS and PCP.

Make sure you visit Heather's blog and enter to win her blog candy, celebrating 5K hits in less than two months!!!

I watercoloured the image with my ink pads and blender pen, and then added loads of glitter and Crystal Effects. Do the gumdrops look like they're covered in sugar? Oh, and notice how I drew in the ground line with my black pen, so the Gingerbread Man wasn't floating in the air ;)

To get the two colours on the sentiment, I first stamped it in Close to Cocoa, then used my blender pen to remove the ink from the word "sweet". I then coloured it with my Pink Passion marker. I couldn't resist edging that in glitter too!

I used SU's watercolor paper for the image. It's great for watercolouring, but because it has a texture, the glitter likes to stick to it, even without glue!

Don't you love that patterned paper? I had to force myself to use it (Leanne, you know what I mean. Oh, and I haven't seen any blog posts from you lately. Hint, hint...)

Here's a close-up so you can see all the glitter and Crystal Effects.
Stamps: Sweet Holidays
Paper: Watercolor paper (SU), blue cardstock and patterned paper (Taylored Expressions)
Ink: Soft Sky, Wild Wasabi, River Rock, Pixie Pink, Close to Cocoa (SU), Jet Black Staz-On (Tsukineko)
Accessories: Dazzling Diamonds, Crystal Effects, Pink Passion & black journalling markers, wide oval punch, blender pen (SU), green ribbon, Fire Engine Red Glitter (Taylored Expressions)

Blog candy over at Inspiration Blooms

Michelle over at Inspiration Blooms is celebrating 20,000 hits on her blog with a bunch of blog candy. Check it out!

Altered Clock

I found this clock at Ikea. It was $2.99. Of course I couldn't resist it, given that I need a clock for my crafts room (it's so easy to lose track of time in there!) and I felt the need to alter something.

It wasn't too difficult to take it apart. If you want to try this particular clock, look for the little tabs at the back, which hold in the clear front piece.

My crafts room is pink, brown, and white, so I used that colour combo as my starting point.

I used the clock face as a template for my patterned paper, and then just added lots of embellishments. I finally found a use for the "rubber stamper" stamp from SU's Circle of Friendship! It's a perfect image for the 12 spot.

The big pink butterfly and shiny crown are from Making Memories Flocking and Foiling kit. Of course I had to add some bling, namely the 11, with pink Hero Arts gemstones. I had one extra, so I added it to the 'o' in love.

You may have noticed that the second hand is missing. That is because after putting it all together, I decided the red clashed, so I wanted to paint it (and was seriously considering using Stickles!). Unfortunately I had pushed it on too tightly, so when I went to pull it off, it broke! Even more unfortunately, the clock doesn't work without the second hand. So I'll be buying another clock from Ikea. Sigh.

I'll use this one without the clock pieces as a funky photo frame.

Stamps: Brushstroke numbers, Circle of Friendship (SU)
Paper: Berry Bliss DSP, Purely Pomegranate, Close to Cocoa (SU)
Ink: Purely Pomegranate, Close to Cocoa (SU)
Accessories: 1", 1 1/4" circle punches, Love & Happiness rub-ons (SU), rub-ons (Kaiser), gemstones (Hero Arts), Flocking & Foiling kit, number stickers (Making Memories), laughter sticker (Sweetwater)

ps. I'm playing around with the layout of my blog. What do you think about the three-column layout? I know I need to modify the header now as well. Is it too soon for a Christmas theme? ;)

Halloween magnets

Some simple wooden shapes (most are from Michael's), acrylic paint, sparkles, and Mod Podge. Oh, and google eyes for the bat. I hot glued magnets to the back. We put these up on our door for Halloween.

Chloe did most of them, obviously ;)

Whee!

Have you checked out Paper Craft Planet yet? If not, you must. It's awesome, just like a Facebook, but for craftsters! And how awesome is it?

Well, Alma over at The Cat's Pajamas had a contest to count all the beads on her bracelet (from the Stamping Cruise). I guessed 103, and there were 108 beads.

So I won THREE, yes, THREE stamps sets from The Cat's Pajamas. Can you believe it? Oh my, I'm so excited!!!

Any suggestions on what to pick?

ps. If you want to win some TCP stamps, check out Lara's blog, You Want the Cookie? She's giving away two TCP stamps sets, PLUS a stamp storage starter kit from Little Monkeys!!!

pps. Once you join Paper Craft Planet, be sure to add me as a friend :)

Looking back

Allison over at Stampin' When I Can has a challenge every Sunday. This week's challenge, AFSS43, is to post some of your first cards, to show how far you've come. There's even a chance at a bit of blog candy for playing along!

So here's a few of my first cards. I don't mind some of them, but they're a bit simple. Heck, only the last one uses any stamping (and it's the worst of the bunch!).

Buried in ribbon

I'm still here. Just can't find my mojo lately. I think it's lost in this pile of ribbon.
Yes, that's ALL my ribbon. I unrolled all those short (4ft) Michael's ribbons, and am going to try something different to organize them. I've got another idea for the SU ribbon (top dowel) and the long stuff (bottom dowel). Then I have to figure out my embroidery thread and few fibres. And maybe actually create something, one of these days. Oh, and finish the last few things in my crafts room, so I can show it off!

Not really craft related...

But you should really check out Ecochick. A friend started this blog to share all sorts of environmentally friendly products and practices. Even if you try just a few things, you'll be making a difference!

ps. As more incentive, she has just announced Giveaway Tuesdays! The first one is for a book called Green Christmas: How to Have a Joyous, Eco-Friendly Holiday Season, by Jennifer Basye Sander, Peter Sander and Anne Basye.

It's Halloween - do you want some blog candy?

Michelle over at Twisted Chick Creations (Chelle, dontcha love the name?) is giving away a bunch of goodies from Paper Addiction. Be sure to check it out!

Twisted Chick Creations Flaxychick: Chocolate Covered Snowflakes