Stamping for Sanity

Create with Connie & Mary - 186

2012-01-26T01:05:00.004-07:00

Stamps: Flight of the Butterfly, Texture Jumbo Wheel
Paper: Crumb Cake, Whisper White, Wild Wasabi
Ink: Marina Mist, Rich Razzleberry, Stazon™, Wild Wasabi
Accessories: Lucky Limeade Ruffled Ribbon, Adorning Accents Edgelits, Dimensionals®, Cupcake Punch, Butterfly Punch

This is my last post for a while ... it's also my last design as a member of the Create with Connie and Mary challenge ... but, onto today's challenge! Here's a new challenge from Create with Connie and Mary! This week, the sketch is rather interesting. All those elements on the side ... I'm a centered kind of girl so this was a bit difficult and I'm not entirely sure I love the result. I'd just gotten the Cupcake punch, something I thought I'd never do ... but I love the idea of making clouds! So, I punched out some clouds and then used them as a mask to sponge some blue ink over the white, added a few more clouds with dimensionals.

Hope you like it and are inspired to create! Please check out the challenge and play along with us over at Create with Connie and Mary.

Hello!

2012-01-25T02:00:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone!

I'm sure you've all noticed a serious lack of crafting goodness here ... so sorry about that! There is so much going on in my life right now that stamping has taken a major backseat to everything else. With my Mom's health so uncertain right now, my emotions are running high, my tolerance and patience (generally pretty low to begin with, LOL!) is running extremely low. Time flies by and I have no idea what I did with my time ... We've also been doing reno's in our home for the past 6 months. The basement flooring was put in, trim painted and installed. Our master bathroom is now almost complete and then we begin painting the entire upstairs. It's been a while since we've done that. Wait. We've never done it since we moved in. Imagine 5 kids and what they do to walls ... ugh. Lots and lots of drywall fixing in our future!

Over the past six months or more, all my posts have been prescheduled about 6 weeks in advance - I'd get as much as I could done in one or two days and then not stamp for a month. And I enjoyed that. I enjoyed the freedom from not "having" to stamp. That's when I realised that I'm not having fun anymore. I'm allowing other pressures like being a fabulous artist, being "known", trying to be a great demonstrator ... blah blah blah ... to be all that became no fun.

With that, I've resigned from two very fabulous design teams - Catered Crop and Create with Connie and Mary (at the end of January). Both these challenge sites are AMAZING and I totally encourage you to check them out and play along. The other design team members are absolutely wonderful! I've enjoyed being a part of both teams and am thankful that I was asked to be a part of their special families :) I've also asked to take a small break from ColourQ for the next little while. I really hope I can find the joy in stamping again.

Sooooooo, please forgive the sporadic posts over the next few months. Perhaps I'll find my groove again?

Renee

Create with Connie & Mary - 185

2012-01-19T01:05:00.003-07:00

Stamps: Mixed Bunch, Apothecary Art
Paper: Whisper White, Everyday Enchantment DSP (SAB), Lucky Limeade
Ink: Lucky Limeade, Peach Parfait, Calypso Coral, Early Espresso
Accessories: Labels Collection Framelits, Basic Pearls, Dimensionals®, Blossoms Punch

Good morning! It's time for a new Create with Connie and Mary challenge. These colours are interesting together! I don't think I'd ever have paired Peach Parfait and Calypso Coral on my own but I really like them together!

All the stamping is stamped off once first, to get a more soft look. The main sentiment panel image is one of the new stamps from the Apothecary set - I inked up the outline of one, and then die-cut it!

Hope you like it and are inspired to create! Please check out the challenge and play along with us over at Create with Connie and Mary.

Create with Connie & Mary - 184

2012-01-12T01:05:00.003-07:00

Stamps: Mixed Bunch, Three Little Words
Paper: Pear Pizzazz, Always Artichoke, Very Vanilla, Regal Rose
Ink: Pear Pizzazz, Crumb Cake, Regal Rose, Early Espresso
Accessories: Printed Designer Brads, Blossom Punch, Dimensionals®, Heart Border Punch, Designer Button, 1/8" Everday Enchantment Organdy Ribbon (SAB)

It's my mum's birthday today! I made this card as her birthday card. She loves green, so I thought I'd make something along those lines. I used another new stamp set called Mixed Bunch. I paired it with another small sneak peek of a Saleabration (SAB) item - the organdy ribbon. It comes together with the paper that I showed you on last week's CCMC card.

Today's sketch from Create with Connie and Mary helped me jump start this card. It's a cute and simple layout - all those flowers on the pic kind of threw me at first, though! I chose to interpret them with the 5 brads and then one large flower. I heated the organdy carefully to allow it to shrink and get a fun shape.

Hope you like it and are inspired to create! Please check out the challenge and play along with us over at Create with Connie and Mary.

Create with Connie & Mary - 183

2012-01-05T01:05:00.004-07:00

Stamps: Apothecary Art, Hello Doily
Paper: Everyday Enchantment DSP (SAB), Pool Party, Soft Suede, Very Vanilla
Ink: Soft Suede, Blushing Bride
Accessories: Labels Collection Framelits, 1" Circle Punch, Dimensionals®, Blushing Bride Pleated Satin, Color Spritzer Tool

Good morning! Welcome to a new challenge with Create with Connie & Mary! These colours are absolutely gorgeous, don't you think? I pulled out a new stamp set to use for this challenge as well as a few other new supplies from the new Occasions mini catalogue (just started yesterday!).

As you can see, on the left, I stamped the doily image a couple of times using Soft Suede ink and then I sponged a little blushing bride over top. I also used the Color Spritzer tool and a Blushing Bride marker to add a little extra texture. The Designer Series Paper is a bit of a sneak peek from the Saleabration mini that starts later this month. The paper is called Everyday Enchantment which you can earn for free with every $60 CDN ($50 US) spent on SU products. I added the new Blushing Bride pleated satin over the seam (isn't that ribbon fab? takes the guess work out of ribbon pleating!). I die cut a Soft Suede label using one of the new Labels Collection Framelits and then I stmaped the frame image with Blushing Bride and hand cut it out so that I could layer it.

Hope you like it and are inspired to create! Please check out the challenge and play along with us over at Create with Connie and Mary.

Follow the Recipe - Year in Review 6

2012-01-04T02:00:00.001-07:00

This month, the Follow the Recipe challenge is a year in review with themes each week! To play with this final installment of the year in review, all you need to do is link up your fav project in the theme of the week over that the Catered Crop. This week, the theme is "encouragement" projects.

This was a stamp club card that I'd made - yes, another yellow and black card! See, I told you I was loving this colour combination :) To see the original post click HERE. Hope you have a fabulous day!

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Felt Hair Accessories!

2012-01-02T02:00:00.002-07:00

Do you know how frustrating it is to type a post twice? Arg ... I had had this one all typed up and then it went missing into the ether ... annoying. Anyway, another thing I'd made for the girls this past Christmas was felt hairbands. As you can see, there are three different kinds - two die cut ones, and one rolled felt flower. Here's a few links to help you figure out how to make them:

Box Fold Flower
Rolled Felt flower
"S" Fold Flower

and of course, who could forget the pretty packaging!

I used the Cellophane bags again, found on page 181 of the current Stampin' Up! catalogue. The headbands were placed around the cardboard from the DSP packages and then I made a topper. The edges were made using the Adorning Accents Edgelits die and then I stamped and added elf shoes!

Hope you like them?!

Felt Hair Barrettes

2011-12-30T02:00:00.000-07:00

I made some hair barrettes for my 2 daughters and my 2 nieces for Christmas this year. My goal was not only to make something pretty for the girls but to also get some of those "must try" projects done! They're super simple to make and didn't take me long at all. For these ones, I had had a few bare barrettes. I added some looped silver organdy (by looped, I mean that I looped the ribbon) and then a couple of die cut felt (from a box store) butterflies using the Beautiful Butterflies Bigz die. The center of each butterfly was a brad - I used a couple of the fabric printed brads from a while ago and then my daughter wanted one of the Antique brads for the centre of hers!

I made some pretty packaging for the ones for my nieces too! One cannot gift a handcrafted gift without handcrafting the packaging, right? I made a cardboard backing (used the hardboard from the DSP packages) and cut out a couple of holes so the barrette could be secured to the cardboard. Then, I popped it in one of the bags that Stampin' Up sells - found on page 181 on the bottom right, called Cellophane Bags. I used the 4x6 size for these ones. The topper is made using the Top Note die, a few ciurcle punches, and then a heart punch for the nose.

Hope you like them?!

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Create with Connie & Mary - 182

2011-12-29T01:05:00.001-07:00

Stamps: Many Merry Messages
Paper: Crumb Cake, Baja Breeze, Silver Glimmer
Ink: Not Quite Navy
Accessories: Baja Breeze Seam Binding, Antique Brads, Movers & Shapers, Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder, Dimensionals®

Ahhh .... Christmas is over once again and we're waiting for New Year's! I still have a few more Christmas cards so you may see them pop in over the next while.

Today's Create with Connie and Mary challenge is a fun sketch. I kept it simple and easy. As you can see, I'm in love with Silver Glimmer Paper! I used it again for this week's challenge (for the past 3, really!).

Hope you like it and are inspired to create! Please check out the challenge and play along with us over at Create with Connie and Mary.

Follow the Recipe - Year in Review 5

2011-12-28T02:00:00.001-07:00

This month, the Follow the Recipe challenge is a year in review with themes each week! To play with this week's challenge, all you need to do is link up your fav project in the theme of the week over that the Catered Crop. This week, the theme is "Christmas" projects!

I loved this Christmas card. Loved, loved, loved it. It was a card I'd made for a Christmas class back in October and everyone who came really loved it as well. you can see the original post right HERE! I'd love to see what your fav Christmas projects were!

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Colour Q Challenge #117

2011-12-27T02:00:00.003-07:00

Stamps: Take it to Heart, Mixed Bunch, Word Play, I {love} Love wheel
Paper: Whisper White, Basic Black
Ink: Basic Black Craft ink, Stazon™, Blushing Bride
Accessories: Hearts Collection Framelits, Labels Collection Framelits, Blushing Bride Pleated Ribbon, Black Embossing Powder, White Organdy Ribbon, Basic Rhinestone, Dimensionals®

Good morning! Welcome to a new Colour Q challenge! I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and are looking forward to celebrating New Years :) This week, the challenge is really simple - just to keep you in the stamping mode. I chose to add Blushing Bride as my extra colour along with the black and white. I did use a few new products that will be coming to you in the next mini catalogue from Stampin' Up (Jan 4).

I heat embossed the Label shape using Black embossing powder and Black craft ink with the flower image from a new set called mixed Bunch and the the heart image from the Take it to Heart stamp set as well. The rest is pretty easy peasy, eh?

Hope you like my card and are inspired to create something this week! Please check out the Royal Court creations and play along with us over at Colour Q!

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Receive Her King & a Snowman!

2011-12-26T02:00:00.000-07:00

Stamps: The Sounding Joy, Medallion
Paper: Mellow Moss, Early Espresso, Very Vanilla, Cherry Cobbler
Ink: Always Artichoke, Cherry Cobbler
Accessories: Pennant Die, Dimensionals, 1-3/4" Circle Punch, Celery Ribbon, Designer Button, Linen Thread

I was asked to help out the girls club in our church for a craft night a while ago. Now, I had offered month's ago so it wasn't a surprise to be asked! They asked for some Christmassy type projects for the girls to make. I figured that two projects would be enough so I started out with this one. I've seen the idea online in several places and really really loved it. I used a lot of retired products on this card to help deplete that stash :)

Funnily enough, when I asked my 8 year old daughter what she thought, she was not so keen ... I loved it, but she was hoping for snowmen ... so, back to the drawing board I went.

sentiment from the "Word Play" stamp set

and came up with this! I had already pre-cut the card base, the espresso and vanilla layers so I wanted to use that. I figured a green and brown snowman card looks pretty good! My natural impulse is to use blues but hey, I liked the way this turned out. I changed the cherry cobbler layer to Ruby Red as well and the shape became a Scallop Circle instead of the die cut Pennant scalloped circle. I needed to keep it simple for the girls, though. I had pre-punched everything. I also made the bows with buttons up ahead of time as well. And, I think it was a good thing :)

To remake the snowman, you'll need these punches:

For the Hat:
1-3/8" square punch, Word Window Punch,
Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border, Small Heart Punch

For the Head:
Wide Oval Punch

For the Nose:
Small Heart Punch (cut in half)

Assemble and voila, a snowman.

Hope you like these projects! I know the girls were so happy making this card!!! I'll show you the other project later :)

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Jolly Surprises

2011-12-23T02:00:00.004-07:00

Stamps: Holiday Lineup, Many Merry Messages
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento), Early Espresso
Paper: Whisper White, Early Espresso, Designer Series Paper Stacks
Accessories: Copic Markers, Dimensionals®, Vanilla Seam Binding, Scallop Trim Punch

We still had had these colours for an Inkspirations challenge and so even though the challenges are done, I still ended up playing and making this one. Habits are hard to break! I was inspired by a card made by Torico. Loved the layout, loved the use of small elements and the colour combination. I used different ingredients, though! I chose to use the Holiday Lineup stamp set and stamped, coloured, and cut out one of each of the three figures - a snowman, an elf, and a reindeer. I just looked at the stam pand figured out which one I liked best, no science ... :) I coloured them in with Copic markers because I felt like using my neglected tools ... sad, eh? One invests so much into a hobby and then still only uses about 10% of what they own.

The rest, is pretty easy to figure out, I think. BUT, if you have questions, I'm only an email away!

and, in case I'm not around before the holidays, I just thought I'd wish you all a very merry Christmas! I hope your holidays are filled with family, friends, and loved ones. Enjoy every moment (and not just at this time of year), make memories to cherish for a lifetime.

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Create with Connie & Mary - 181

2011-12-22T01:05:00.002-07:00

Stamps: The Sounding Joy
Paper: Whisper White, Silver Glitter Paper
Ink: Versa Mark
Accessories: White Bakers Twine, Jingle Bell, Eyeley Border Punch, Dotted Ribbon Trim Punch, Snowflake Decorative Strip Die, Dimensionals®, Silver Embossing Powder, Iridescent Ice Embossing Powder

Good morning :) It's a new challenge over at Create with Connie and Mary and it's such a pretty one! White and Silver ... a perfect Christmas combo, don't you think?

I had used this combo for a Christmas card class I'd held a while ago and I absolutely adored it. So simple yet so elegant, eh?

Please check out the challenge over at Create with Connie and Mary! Can't wait to see what you create!

Follow the Recipe - Year in Review 4

2011-12-21T02:00:00.002-07:00

The fourth installment of the "Year in Review" is in full swing over at the Catered Crop. To play with this week's challenge, all you need to do is link up your fav project in the theme of the week over that the Catered Crop. This week, the theme is "Just Because" projects.

I can hardly believe that it's less than a week before Christmas ... time is flying! Again, I chose another yellow card. This must be my colour this year. I've made a lot more yellow cards in the past year than normal (and it's not like I made a lot of yellow cards) but I really feel drawn to the striking colour combination. Please check out the original post HERE! Have a fabulous day!

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Colour Q Challenge #116

2011-12-20T02:00:00.005-07:00

Stamps: Woodgrain, Pines & Poinsettias
Paper: Crumb Cake, Cherry Cobbler, Whisper White
Ink: Chocolate Chip
Accessories: Winter Wishes Stitched Felt, Mica Flakes, Itty Bitty Punch Pack, Basic Pearls, Lucky Limeade Ruffled Ribbon, Antique Brad, Dimensionals®; Hot Glue Gun

I should've shown a birthday card seeing as it's my birthday today, but I was in the mood to make a Christmas card instead! I've had this stitched felt from the Holiday Mini for a little while and wasn't quite sure what to do with the wreath ... but, the Colour Q challenge was perfect for using it!

Now, the idea of making a door is not unique, it's been done before but I really really loved that look! I decided to make a "door" and then add interesting bits to the wreath itself. Originally, the wreath is a simple green holly leaf shape. I added hot glue over the top of the wreath and then dipped it into the Mica Flakes (I have mine in a bigger tub). It's messy stuff, but worth it, in my opinion! I let the glue set for a bit and while that was setting, I made the little flowers. I punched out 5 of the flower shape from the Itty Bitty Punch pack. Then, I pushed each one in the centre with a stylus to pop up the sides and give them more dimension. A pearl was placed in the centre of each one, then I re-pushed the pearl in (it always flattens a little when adding the pearl!). Each flower was hot glued to the wreath. I tied a quick bow with the Lucky Limeade ribbon and hot glued that to the bottom of the wreath. Voila, a finished wreath!!! I hot glued the wreath to the door. The reason I used hot glue is because it really is the best glue for felt. Felt doesn't seem to like glue - glue dots do work, though, but I had my glue gun out - it's quick enough :)

Hope you like this card! Please check out the Royal Court's creations and play along with us over at Colour Q!

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merry Christmas

2011-12-19T02:00:00.001-07:00

Stamps from Verve Stamps and PaperTrey Ink
Paper: Pool Party, Whisper White, Silver Glimmer, Always Artichoke, Lucky Limeade
Ink: Melon Mambo, Pool Party, Poppy Parade
Accessories: Basic Rhinestones, Wonderful Words: Holiday Collection dies (from PaperTrey Ink)

I had saved a card from someone, somewhere - there was no watermark and I cannot find it ... the layout is cased but I changed up the stamps and papers.

Hope you like it! Thanks for stopping by my blog today :)

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Inkspirations Challenge!

2011-12-16T02:00:00.001-07:00

Stamps: Tags Til Christmas
Paper: Real Red, Whisper White, Silver Glimmer Paper, Blush Blossom
Ink: Real Red, Regal Rose, Bashful Blue
Accessories: tons of punches, Mini brads, Winter Wishes Stitched Felt, Dimensionals®, Elegant Lines Embossing Folder, Cuttlebug Alphabet Embossing Folder, Top Note die, Red Striped Grosgrain, Jingle Bell, Bakers Twine, White Gel Pen

It's our final Inkspirations challenge! Not just for the year, but forever ... wow. I've been a part of Inkspirations for a loooooooooooong time - my first Inkspirations post was back in 2009! If you want a peek through memory lane, you can stroll through all of my Inkspirations posts (over 125!) by clicking right HERE. I won't know what to do with my Friday's for a while ... it's going to be weird! BUT, as much as I'll miss stamping for Inkspirations, I have to say that this is a welcome break. It's time for something new and fresh, maybe make room once again for all those other challenge blogs I used to play in!

This week at Inkspirations, we're doing something a little different. Instead of a sketch or a colour combination, we're inviting you to join us in making something other than a card focussing on Christmas!

I chose to make this quick little box. Okay, the box is quick; the punch art is not ... the punch art took me forever but then, I don't make it very often so it takes a little longer to figure out which punches to use :)

The box itself is simple. I can't remember the dimensions, but basically the box is a non topped box sandwiched between two embossed top not die pieces. The handle was made using a strip of striped grosgrain that was strengthened with a narrower (leftover from the box) piece of real red card stock - just to keep the handle round rather than floppy ... :)

The punch art, well, like I said in the recipe above, it uses tons of punches. I have all of them so it's not an issue :) One thing to note, Blush Blossom is a colour that is retired so it is unavailable. Possible suggestions could be Pink Pirouette for a more pink face, or River Rock, or Crumb Cake ... Here's a list of what I used:

Ornament Punch - it's upside down for the hat in real red and right side up and embossed for the beard.

Wide Oval Punch - once in Blush Blossom for the face and once for the silver cuff on his hat (punch a half oval out first, discard what was punched, punch again to create the cuff shape).

Bird punch - two wings were punched out of Whisper White for the mustache.

Owl Punch - two basic black eyes were punched (I liked this size circle:)). - I added detail with the white gel pen.

1/2" Circle Punch - once out of Blush Blossom for the nose.

Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack - three of the flower shape were punched out of the silver glimmer paper, layered to create a pom pom for the end of his hat.

See, tons of punches ... I added cheeks with a sponge dauber and Regal Rose ink. Also, the bashful blue was used for sponging around the white pieces.

His mitts are from the Winter Wishes stitched felt (available in the Holiday Mini until January 3rd), and then I added a jingle bells with bakers twine to the pom pom - did you know that a dental floss threader works wonders for threading those bells? They aren't so horrible to thread when you've got an easy and inexpensive tool to use! I picked them up at a local drug store - 50 for less than $4.

Then, I added the sentimen which I punched out with the Scalloped Square Punch. Now how many punches did I end up using ... 7. Not bad, LOL!

Please check out what the rest of the Inkspirations Crew came up with and share your projects with us too over at Inkspirations!

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Create with Connie & Mary - 180

2011-12-15T01:05:00.001-07:00

Stamps: The Sounding Joy
Paper: Whisper White, Silver Glimmer Paper, Patterns Designer Series Paper Stack
Ink: Baja Breeze, Not Quite Navy, Versa Mark®
Accessories: Iridescent Ice Embossing Powder, Snowflake Embossing Folder, Winter Wishes Stitched Felt, Jingle Bells, Baja Breeze Seam Binding, Dimensionals®, Bakers Twine, Sanding Block

I'm really enjoying my pack of Silver Glimmer paper and I really really really hope it will be in the next catalogue. It's so sparkly in real life - it's hard to reproduce this level of sparkly even with glitter. Plus, glitter is messy; this paper isn't.

Anyway, I made this for a new sketch over at Create with Connie and Mary! The one thing I really love about this card is the double embossed snowflake panel. You know why it's double embossed? heat and dry. The other thing that's really kinda cool is that the patterned paper has a white core so when it's sanded, the white pops out! The way I made this is:

Ink up the debossed side of the embossing folder with Versa Mark ink - you can find this by running your fingers over the insed of the embossing folder. If you feel bumps going up, you're on the embossing side. When the lines bend into the plastic, that's the debossing side.
Place your paper right side up onto the embossed side so that when you close the folder, the inked side is going to close on top of the face-up side of your paper.
Run the folder through the Big Shot.
Immediately heat emboss with the iridescent ice embossing powder. The powder will only stick to where the versa mark went - in this case, it won't stick to the raised snowflakes.
Then, once cooled, take your sanding block and lightly sand the raised snowflakes to all the snowflakes to pop out a little more.

For a reverse effect, try inking up the other side :) or, try inking with a coloured ink.

Hope you like my project!!! Please check out the challenge over at Create with Connie and Mary! Can't wait to see what you create :)

Follow the Recipe - Year in Review 3

2011-12-14T02:00:00.000-07:00

As you know, this month the Follow the Recipe challenge is a doing year in review challenge with themes each week! To play with this week's challenge, all you need to do is link up your fav project in the theme of the week over that the Catered Crop. This week, the theme is "Birthday" projects!

There are so many cards to choose from the past year ... over 200! Can you believe that? 200 projects in one year and where did they all go???? Most are still here, LOL! That should be my New Year's resolution - to send more of those cards out in the mail, eh?

Anywho, you can see the orginal post right HERE! Have a great day!

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Colour Q Challenge #115

2011-12-13T02:00:00.000-07:00

Stamps: Pennant Parade, Elementary Alphabet Builder Wheel, Sentiment from Bella Stamps
Paper: (top card) Whisper White, Real Red, Regal Rose, Love Impressions DSP; (bottom card) Whisper White, Garden Green, Lucky Limeade, Pocketful of Posies DSP
Ink: Stazon™, Real Red, Garden Green, Lucky Limeade, Regal Rose
Accessories: Pink Taffeta, Dimensionals®, Pennant Punch, Celery Taffeta (retired), Rhinestones

Good morning! The colour combination is a bright one this week. I needed birthday invitations for two of my children who celebrated their birthday's earlier this month so this was the perfect combo for them too :) Not so Christmassy, but certainly perfect, eh? As you can see, I made two versions of the same card. Well, they are actually all different because I reversed their layouts. It always amazes me that something so simple as using different colours or slightly moving around the elements can get you a variety of cards. 1 Colour combo, 1 layout = 4 cards!

I had to switch out the greens for different ones as I didn't have those same two greens anymore so I chose Garden Green and Lucky Limeade. They're different, but give that same amount of contrast, IMO.

I also used an image that I hadn't used since I bought it back in July ... I had ordered one of those Builder Wheels from Stampin' Up. Now, I did not get the spindle thing to attach it to a wheel. I actually peeled the stamp off, used some cling mount foam instead. I'd rather use it unmounted anyway - easier to use a stamp positioner or frankly in this case, I eyeballed them.

Anywho, hope you like my cards and are inspired to try something creative! Please check out the Royal Court's creations and play along with us :)

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dec 25 Tag

2011-12-12T02:00:00.002-07:00

Stamps: Tags Til Christmas, Stitched Stockings
Paper: Whisper White, retired patterned Paper, Real Red
Ink: Real Red
Accessories: Dimensionals®, Stocking Punch, Rhinestone, Mica Flakes, Tag Die (Paper Trey Ink)

And here's the last tag of three made for a class in November :) This one uses the other tag die in the set that I'd gotten from Paper Trey Ink. Simple and small, this tag is really easy to make and perfect for any gift, eh? Wow, that sounded like an advert ...

Hope you have a great day!

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Inkspirations Challenge #99

2011-12-09T02:00:00.002-07:00

Stamps: Come to Bethlehem, Music Notes Wheel
Paper: Crumb Cake, Cherry Cobbler, Very Vanilla
Ink: Crumb Cake, Soft Suede, VersaMark®, Chocolate Chip
Accessories: Glassy Glaze Embossing Powder, Dimensionals®, Striped Chocolate Grosgrain, Antique Brads, Gold Microbeads, Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder

Time for a new Inkspirations challenge! The sketch is pretty straighforward although I did change it a little. For one, I don't make square cards, and I didn't really make those three square panels on the bottom. I was going to but somehow it didn't happen :)

Anywho, the main panel uses a technique called "Cracked Glass". It's really easy to create. All you do is stamp what you want on your paper (in this case, I rolled the wheel in Crumb Cake and the stamped the Wisemen image with Soft Suede). Then, you cover the panel with VersaMark and heat emboss. I used Glassy Glaze which is a thicker version of clear embossing powder. You can also use UTEE (ultra thick embossing powder), or just use the clear embossing powder. You'll need more layers of the clear embossing powder, though. So, yes, heat emboss. Repeat the process three times with the thicker embossing powder or 5 times with the regular clear embossing powder. Then, freeze it for about 30 minutes. After its frozen, crack the glaze by bending the paper! I sponged a darker brown over top to get a little added effect.

Now, one thing different that I added was the microbeads. I added them during the embossing process. After the first heat embossing, I put on the versa mark, dropped some of the beads on, added the powder, and heated. Then, I did another layer of embossing powder to finish.

Hope you like my card and are inspired to try something different out! Please check out the challenge and play along with us over at Inkspirations!

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Create with Connie & Mary - 179

2011-12-08T01:05:00.003-07:00

Stamps: Elements of Style, Come to Bethlehem
Paper: Basic Grey, Whisper White, Lucky Limeade, Poppy Parade
Ink: Basic Grey, Versa Mark®
Accessories: Basic Pearls, Dimensionals®, Iridescent Ice Embossing Powder

We just finished celebrating two of my children's birthday's ... wow, SO busy with TWO birthdays parties within TWO days. Wow, was that ever busy!! I can't believe how big they are getting ,though ... our daughter turned 7 and our son turned 6.

Anyway, here's my card for today's colour challenge from Create with Connie and Mary. Interesting colour combo. As you can see, a great Christmas combination which I could not ignore this week :)I'd seen a card a while ago with this kind of layout and I really loved the idea. Of course, it wasn't with SU product but I made it work with what I had - this is my favorite thing to do!!

Please check out the challenge over at Create with Connie and Mary! Can't wait to see what you create!

Follow the Recipe - Year in Review 2

2011-12-07T02:00:00.000-07:00

This month, the Follow the Recipe challenge is a year in review with themes each week! To play with the second year in review challenge, all you need to do is link up your fav project in the theme of the week over that the Catered Crop. This week, the theme is "Get Well" projects.

I had made this card for my parents when my Mum was first diagnosed with cancer back in April. The verse, from Paper Trey Ink, has been an apt one for our family over the past months. When I think back on how I felt at the first diagnosis and then through to today where it is now terminal, wow ...

Please check out the original post HERE! Can't wait to see what your fav get well card has been!

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Colour Q Challenge #114

2011-12-06T02:00:00.002-07:00

Stamps: Snow Much Fun, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Paper: Crumb Cake, Poppy Parade, retired patterned paper, Whisper White
Ink: Stazon™, Markers
Accessories: Dimensionals®, Tag Die (Paper Trey Ink)

This week over at Colour Q, we've been challenge to use the colour combo as a non-card project! So, I chose to make a tag as I'd needed one for a class a few weeks ago. I had just gotten these tag dies from Paper Trey Ink and decided to use that as my basic tag shape. Die cutting is far easier than trying to figure out the measurements myself plus you get a different shape.

It irks me that the sentiment was crooked but at the time, I was a little rushed to get the tags made - the class was the next day and it was close to 1am ... It's a really simple tag but sometimes, simple is best, don't you think?

Please check out the challenge over at Colour Q and see what the Royal Court made! Have a great day! I'm off to celebrate my little girl's birthday! Maria turns 7 already, how time flies!

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"Diana-Inspired" Christmas Tag

2011-12-05T02:00:00.002-07:00

Stamps: Pines & Pointsettias
Paper: Whisper White, retired patterned paper
Ink: Espresso Marker, Garden Green Marker, Cherry Cobbler Marker, Espresso Ink
Accessories: Dazzling Diamonds glitter, Snowflake die, Sticky Pages, 1-3/8” Circle Punch

I was inspired by Di Gibbs when I need help most :) I needed to design three tags for a class a while ago and when I saw this one of hers, I wanted to recreated it! I changed very little - why try to top perfection?! I didn't use the silver glimmer paper as I'd already used what I'd had on another project. So, and you can't tell in the photo, I used sticky pages and then it was dipped in Dazzling Diamonds glitter after it was die cut. I used different patterned paper and a different size accordion flower - I think I scored this one every 1/2" and I have to say, I love the smaller score lines better. If I were to do this one again, I'd score the 1" strip of paper every 1/4" instead.

Have a fabulous day! I've got my in-laws over for the next few days for two of my children's birthdays and a choir concert this evening (I'm in a local choir singing and playing piano & flute). Busy busy, eh?

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Inkspirations Challenge #98

2011-12-02T02:00:00.000-07:00

Stamps: Winter Post, French Foliage, Music Notes Wheel
Paper: Wild Wasabi, Paisley Petals DSP, Whisper White
Ink: Wild Wasabi, Crumb Cake, Rose Red, Soft Suede, So Saffron
Accessories: White Organdy, Antique Brads, Glitter, Dimensionals®, Top Note Die

Good morning! Welcome back to a new challenge from Inkspirations. This colour combo is a little interesting for this time of year but I love non-traditional Christmas cards right along with the traditional ones. There are all kinds of people and each one needs something different, don't you think?

I pulled out a set that I haven't used much this season - Winter Post. Normally I use it tons but for some reason, it hasn't been out much ... Anyway, the skaters were a perfect choice to add the pink and yellow to and the rest of the card could be the green and white. I did add brown, but I consider brown a neutral, don't you?

Anywho, hope you like it and are inspired to create something :) Please check out the challenge and play along with us over at Inkspirations!

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Create with Connie & Mary - 178

2011-12-01T01:05:00.003-07:00

Stamps: Simply Soft, Three Little Words
Paper: Very Vanilla, Soft Suede, DSP Patterns Stack
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Baja Breeze
Accessories: Trio Punch, Designer Frames Embossing Folder, Basic Pearls, Vanilla Seam Binding, Dimensionals®, Stripes Embossing Folder

Good morning! Welcome back to another Create with Connie and Mary challenge. Happy first of December!!! Again, I did NOT make a Christmas card! With birthday's still happening, I can't always focus solely on Christmas. Sooooooo, this time, I used my fav colour combination - Baja Breeze, Soft Suede, and Vanilla. Totally love this combo.

Hope you like it, even though it isn't a Christmas card! Please check out the challenge over at Create with Connie and Mary! Can't wait to see what you create!

Follow the Recipe - Year in Review

2011-11-30T02:00:00.001-07:00

This was my fav thank you card from the past year. I lvoed the colours, I loved the layout, everything. I remember making it and actually being really really happy with how it turned out. Often times, I am okay with most cards but somehow I always feel the need to do better next time. I win some, I lose some. This one, I won :) To see the original post, please check it out right HERE!

Have a fabulous day!

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Colour Q Challenge #113

2011-11-29T02:00:00.002-07:00

Stamps: Lovely As a Tree, Tags til Christmas
Paper: Marina Mist, Whisper White, Night of Navy
Ink: VersaMark®, Night of Navy, Marina mist, Bashful Blue
Accessories: Clear Embossing Powder, Scallop Ribbon Border Punch, Vanilla Seam Binding, Rhinestones

Good morning! Welcome back to another Colour Q challenge! I'd missed last week due to being away at my Mum's for a week. I took my youngest son with me and left my hubby to fend for himself with the other 4 while I spent some much needed time with my Mum and Dad. It was a great week! I was originally going to come home a couple of days earlier but the weather transpired against me so I stayed. Not a hardship!! We accomplished a lot of things as well, so it was a busy week too. Anyway, that's why I neglected to play last week. BUT, I'm back for this week!

I had needed another Christmas card for the class I'd held last week Friday evening and this was one of them. I love the soft look of all those blues for a snowy scene, don't you? It was snowing like crazy the day I'd made this so that must have been my inspiration. It snowed again on Sunday and it's supposed to snow again today but we'll see ... Evidently, I'm feeling fairly chatty today! hmm ...

Anyway, there's very little Sahara Sand on this card. You probably can't see it but I DID use it. I used the color spritzer tool to spray Sahara Sand flecks all over the card base for a little added texture and fun. The main panel was created using the emboss resist technique (clear embossed images will resist ink going over them), and then I sponged all three colours over top beginning with the lightest and working my way to darkest.

Hope you like it and are inspired to join us over at the Colour Q! Please check out what the Royal Court made using these colours too. Have a great day!

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for baby

2011-11-28T08:17:00.007-07:00

Stamps: Stitched Stockings, A Eord for You, Full of life (inside)
Paper: Pink Pirouette, Regal Rose, Pretty in Pink, Whisper White, Love Impressions DSP, Rose Red
Ink: Pretty in Pink, Chocolate Chip
Accessories: Pennants Die, Dimensionals®, Stocking Punch, White Bakers Twine, Elegant Lines Embossing Folder, Pink Grosgrain (retired)

I'm a little later in posting today than I normally am but I just had to share this card with you!! A good friend just had a baby girl last week and I needed to make a card for her. I wanted something special, not just your average easy peesy baby card so I came up with this one. I was inspired by a card Carrie Gaskin had made with the Best Friends Forever stamp set framing an item, thanks Carrie! I just noticed that I used the same sentiment too :) Totally unplanned but a happy coincidence, eh?

I combined it with a new-to-me challenge that I've wanted to play in forever but hadn't found the time. I haven't found time to play in many challenges beyond what I'm designing for so this felt really really good! Definitely will make more time in the future, I think :) Anyway, the challenge is for Freshly Made. I did move it around a little bit, not much, just a little! The basic sketch is still there.

I used the stockings and shortened them by cutting off the top 1/4" (?) and then added the cuff. The two were glued together and then I punched a teeny hole to thread the Baker's Twine through. The two scallop circle shapes were die cut from the Pennants die and then I threaded grosgrain ribbon through the holes of the top one.

Hope you like my card! Have a fabulous day!!!

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Inkspirations Challenge #97

2011-11-25T02:00:00.001-07:00

Stamps: Scenic Season, Tags til Christmas
Paper: Marina Mist, Whisper White, Night of Navy
Ink: VersaMark®, Night of Navy, Marina mist, Bashful Blue
Accessories: Clear Embossing Powder, Scallop Ribbon Border Punch, Vanilla Seam Binding, Rhinestones

Good morning! I returned to a new Christmas card for this week's Inkspirations challenge. I needed another one for the class I'm holding this evening so this is one that the class attendees will make. I kind of omitted that piece that's behind the oval in the sketch and I changed the oval to a piece of Top Note die. What do you think?

Please check out the challenge and the rest of the DT's cards on the Inkspirations blog. Hope you have a great day!

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Create with Connie & Mary - 177

2011-11-24T01:05:00.003-07:00

Stamps: Three Little Words, God's Blessings, Fabulous Florets, Just Believe
Paper: River Rock, Whisper White
Ink: River Rock, Lucky Limeade, Night of Navy
Accessories: Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder, Vanilla Grosgrain, Dimensionals®

Good morning! I can hardly believe that November is almost over! Before we know it, Christmas will be here ... in the mean time, for today's Create with Connie and Mary challenge, I decided to make something non-Christmas. I know, I know ... we're all looking for inspiration for those last minute Christmas cards! BUT, I had to escape from the for a bit!!

I started out by inking up my embossing folder with a brayer and the River Rock ink (still hate this colour - looks like throw-up) and then embossed the white background. Creates a really fun background effect. I learned this technique from Di Gibbs, thanks Di!!!!!

Then, I stamped the leaves in the background of the smaller white piece and added a flower on top. I'd stamped the words first and then stamped the flower over top. Then, I just sponged a bit and cut out :)

Anywho, hope you like my card today!!! Please check out the challenge over at Create with Connie and Mary! Can't wait to see what you create!

New Tutorial!

2011-11-21T02:00:00.003-07:00

Before I get into today's project, I wanted to let you know about the AMAZING deal that Stampin' Up! has going on right now! Online Extravaganza, our annual sale to kick off the holiday shopping season, will begin Monday, November 21, 2011, and run through Wednesday, November 30, 2011!!! Log in to my ONLINE STORE (www.reneevs.stampinup.net) on Monday, November 21 to take advantage of these wonderful savings such as:

FREE digital downloads valued at $40 when you buy My Digital Studio Express
60% off select Designer Fabrics
30% off an exclusive ribbon bundle!
PLUS...two items, on sale for 24 hours only (Nov 21, 12:01am - 11:59pm)

Check them out early so you don't miss out!

Good morning! I've finally gotten a new tutorial put together! This time, I chose to make a video tutorial as it's SO much easier to show how to put something together rather than try and figure out the best way to say something.

This is a cute little purse that I made for each of my daughters. They have put their chap sticks and a few other things in there but really, you could put quite a few things in there! You can purchase this tutorial from me for $2.99 CDN. Just click on the Paypal link below :) Once purchased, I will email you the link to the video as well as the password!

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Inkspirations Challenge #96

2011-11-18T02:00:00.005-07:00

Stamps: Stitched Stockings, Friends Never Fade, Four the Holidays
Ink: Bashful Blue, Real Red, Not Quite Navy, Chocolate Chip
Paper: Bashful Blue, Very Vanilla, Crumb Cake, Real Red
Accessories: Whisper White Embossing Powder, Dimensionals®, Jingle Bell, Organdy Ribbon, Vanilla Satin ribbon, Edgers die (Paper Trey Ink), Linen Thread

I haven't played much with this stamp set. I love it but for some reason or other, I cannot figure out what to do with it. Odd ... I've seen fabulous ideas using it, though!

Anywho, this one is really simple, overall :) Hope you like it and are inspired to play along with us over at Inkspirations!

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Create with Connie & Mary - 176

2011-11-17T01:05:00.003-07:00

Stamps: Finest Flourish, Pursuit of Happiness
Paper: Soft Suede, Sahara Sand, Cherry Cobbler, First Edition DSP, Patterns DSP Stack, Vanilla
Ink: Chocolate Chip
Accessories: Dimensionals®, Glimmer Brad, Scallop Circle punch, Little Leaves Sizzlit

Good morning! Welcome to a new Create with Connie and Mary challenge! This week, Connie and Mary have come up with an interesting sketch. I flipped it to fit with what I felt like doing :)

This card has oodles and oodles of sponging. Took me a little while, but I love the result. Don't you?

Please check out the challenge over at Create with Connie and Mary! Can't wait to see what you create!

Colour Q Challenge #111

2011-11-15T02:00:00.002-07:00

Stamps: French Foliage, Pursuit of Happiness, Established Elegance
Paper: Crumb Cake, Basic Black, DSP Stacks, Very Vanilla, Pear Pizzazz, Pumpkin Pie
Ink: Stazon™, Rich Razzleberry, Crumb Cake
Accessories: Basic Pearls, Lace Ribbon Border punch, Dimensionals®, Crochet Trim, Bird Punch

I have seen this stamp set used by some of my very favorite stamping artists and so I just had to get it! So, I played around with it for the Colour Q challenge this week. As you can see, I added black and used an infinitesimal amount of pumpkin but I think overall it works, don't you?

Hope you like it, anyway :) Please check out the challenge over at ColourQ and see what the Royal Court has come up with for these colours!

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Merry Christmas

2011-11-14T02:00:00.003-07:00

Stamps: Serene Snowflakes, Tags ‘Til Christmas, Hand Penned, Baroque Motifs
Paper: Crumb Cake, Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla
Ink: Crumb Cake, VersaMark, Cherry Cobbler, Stazon™
Accessories: Rhinestone, Dimensionals®, Ornament Punch, Cherry Cobbler Embossing Powder, Cherry Cobbler/White Baker’s Twine

Here's another sample for an upcoming class! I'm hosting a card making class at my children's school as part of a fundraising crop at the end of November. So, I'm trying to keep them all different. Do you know how hard that can be when all I feel like using is Crumb Cake as a card base?! Not easy at all!

Hope you like my card! Have a great day :)

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Inkspirations Challenge #95

2011-11-11T02:00:00.008-07:00

Stamps: Snow Much Fun, Snow Swirled
Ink: Stazon™, Whisper White, various for colouring
Paper: Real Red, Basic Black, Newsprint DSP, Crumb Cake
Accessories: Fabric, Black Satin, Northern Frost Decorative Strip die, Watercolour Crayons, Dimensionals®

Okay, we're back with a Christmas card after last week's bright, non-Christmassy colours! Before I get into the card, do you see what I see? I saw it right away and howled with laughter! This card will definitely have to have a carefully chosen recipient.

I decided to play with fabric for my stamp club this past month. I don't play with fabric to sew but I'll put it on a card or a scrapbook page! The snowman was coloured in with ink, watercolour crayons, and an AquaPainter.

Hope you like my card! Please check out the challenge over at Inkspirations and play along with us?!

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Create with Connie & Mary - 175

2011-11-10T01:05:00.005-07:00

Stamps: Gently Falling, Thoughts and Prayer
Paper: Cherry Cobbler, Basic Black, Very Vanilla, Spice Cake Designer Series Paper
Ink: Basic Black, Cherry Cobbler, More Mustard
Accessories: Basic Pearls, Basic Black Taffeta, Dimensionals®, Top Note Die, Color Spritzer Tool

Good morning! Welcome to a new Create with Connie and Mary challenge! This week, Connie and Mary have come up with a nice colour combination. I'm not really "into" fall anymore, but with the American Thanksgiving coming up, I suppose I could make a fall card :)

I haven't played with my Colour Spritzer tool in a while so I figured it would make a neat background in and amongst those leaves - breaks up the vanilla a little more, don't you think?

Please check out the challenge over at Create with Connie and Mary! Can't wait to see what you create!

Colour Q Challenge #110

2011-11-08T02:00:00.003-07:00

Stamps: Doily, Inspired by Nature, Hand Penned
Paper: Pool Party, Soft Suede, Whisper White
Ink: Pool Party, Soft Suede, Peach Parfait, Cajun Craze, Chocolate Chip
Accessories: Dimensionals®, AquaPainter, Sponge Daubers, Basic Pearls

Good morning! I've got a new card today for the ColourQ challenge! I actually made myself sit down and stamp the other day when a friend came over to do something crafty. I really had no desire to stamp but in the end, I enjoyed the process and came up with this beauty!

I got the Doily background stamp finally so I had to play with it. .I stamped it with Pool Party ink (stamped off once first) and then I added the flowers. To ink up those flowers, I used daubers and the three colours of ink. After I stamped it, I added a bit more ink with an Aquapainter.

Check out the challenge on the ColourQ blog and see what the Royal Court has come up with!

Talk to you later,

Renée

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"back into the swing of things" card

2011-11-07T02:00:00.002-07:00

Stamps: Button Buddies, Snow Much Fun
Paper: Whisper White, Lucky Limeade
Ink: Stazon™, Cherry Cobbler
Accessories: Designer Folders Embossing Folder, Cherry Cobbler/White Bakers Twine, Corner Rounder, Dimensionals®, Designer Button

Ahhh ... Monday's are now "free"posting days! No more display stamper stuff or anything! LOL :) Way back when, when I was struggling with getting my mojo back, I made myself start with something very simple. The simpler, the better. This was it. And you know what? I LOVE it! I loved it so much that it really did get me back into stamping! It's so incredibly simple, but those embossing folder frames are to-die-for - totally worth getting, IMO.

Anywho, hope you like my "back into the swing of things" card! Have a great day :)

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Inkspirations Challenge #94

2011-11-04T02:00:00.009-06:00

Stamps: Raining Flowers, Friendly Phrases
Ink: Melon Mambo, Stazon™
Paper: Elegant Eggplant, Whisper White, Old Olive
Accessories: Lattice Die, Pink Button, Little Leaves Sizzlit, Dimensionals®, Lucky Limeade Ruffled Ribbon, Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border punch

Good morning! I was inspired for this week's Inkspirations colour challenge by Nancy Riley. A looooooooooong time ago, she had made a card using the Lattice die as a part of the background and I just LOVED that! I cased the layout too, although I played around with it a little so it's not a complete "case" :)

Anyway, again we are using purple. I'm seriously learning to like using purple so thanks, Keesh, for constantly challenging me! Love it!!!

Anywho, hope you like my card! It's not a Christmas card but as a December baby myself, I'm always sensitive to receiving Christmas cads on my birthday ... ugh, it does happen seeing as how my birthday is so very close to Christmas!

In other news, I think I'd mentioned a while back that my mum had been diagnosed with cancer back in April, right? Either way, she was. She went through her treatments and then at her latest checkup, she has been told that it spread throughout her abdomen, chest, and neck. Treatment is not possible, only palliative care ... we're praying for a miracle. She's only 56 ... way too young, IMO. We don't know what any of this means, she will have other appointments to discuss what happens next. Will you pray for her?

Check out the inspiration over at Inkspirations and play along with us!

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Create with Connie & Mary - 174

2011-11-03T01:05:00.007-06:00

Stamps: Dasher, Heard From the Heart, Medallion
Paper: Elegant Eggplant, Whisper White
Ink: Elegant Eggplant, VersaMark, Whisper White
Accessories: 2 1/2" Circle Punch, Scallop Edge Punch. Clear Embossing Powder, Sponges, Dimensionals®

Good morning! Welcome to a new Create with Connie and Mary challenge! This week, Connie and Mary have come up with this amazing sketch. It took me a bit to figure out how to play with those three vertical strips, but once I had that figured out, the rest came together really quickly.

This is a card for an upcoming class so you'll have to forgive me if I'm short on the how-to's :)

Please check out the challenge over at Create with Connie and Mary! Can't wait to see what you create!

Colour Q Challenge #109

2011-11-01T02:00:00.003-06:00

Stamps: Holiday Lineup, Four the Holidays, Serene Snowflakes
Paper: Cherry Cobbler, Soft Suede, Whisper White
Ink: Stazon™, Whisper White, various for colouring
Accessories: Dimensionals®, Pennant Die, Red Striped Grosgrain, Circle Die, Corner Rounder

Wow, these are different colours. I like the lamp - don't love it - it's a bit 70's to me and I'm not a fan of the 70's décor ... was happy to see it stay in the past! But, alas, I had to create something with these colours even though they didn't scream at me to use them ... LOL! ach, drama, eh?

Well, after playing around for a while, I managed to put something together that I really liked! What do you think?

Check out the challenge and the Royal Court's creations over at ColourQ and play along with us?!

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Stamps aren't just for paper ...

2011-10-31T02:00:00.000-06:00

Stamps aren't simply for paper! I have a couple of friends that throw pottery and love doing different designs. The one who made this little dish is very creative with colour and design. She had come to my garage sale this past summer and had purchased this now retired wheel (I'd cut it apart). She stamped it into the pottery to create something new and unique!

Very cool, eh?

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Inkspirations Challenge #93

2011-10-28T02:00:00.006-06:00

Stamps: Easy Events, Wonderfully Worn
Ink: Crumb Cake, Chocolate Chip, Wild Wasabi, Real Red
Paper: Crumb Cake, Chocolate Chip, Patterns DSP Stack, Wild Wasabi, Whisper White
Accessories: Petals a Plenty Embossing Folder, Real Red Grosgrain, Dimensionals®, Mat Pack & Piercer

This week, over at Inkspirations, we have a fun sketch for you! I made a Christmas card for yet another upcoming class. I have a ton of Christmas classes at this time of year so I end up making LOTS of cards for both me and you :) LOL!

Wasabi is not a colour I use often so I pulled it out to play with this week. I love the softness of it against the Real Red - you get a nice contrast, don't you think?

Well, let me know what you think, good or bad, hee hee!! Check out the inspiration over at Inkspirations and play along with us!

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Create with Connie & Mary - 173

2011-10-27T01:05:00.000-06:00

Stamps: Snow Much Fun, Four the Holidays
Paper: Baja Breeze, Island Indigo, Whisper White
Ink: Stazon™, various markers for colouring
Accessories: White Organza Ribbon, 1/2" Circle Punch, Northern Flurries Embossing Folder

I LOVE these colours together, don't you? I can't wait to see what you guys come up with for this new Create with Connie and Mary challenge!!!

I made another Christmas card for this week's challenge - I love Christmas! Like last time, this is another card for a class coming up in November. I haven't played too much with this snow man set even though I got it a while ago.

Please check out the challenge on the CCMC blog and see what the rest of the team has created! Have a great day :)

Colour Q Challenge #108

2011-10-25T02:00:00.002-06:00

Stamps: French Foliage, Tiny Tags
Paper: Whisper White, Basic Black, Patterns DSP Stack, So Saffron
Ink: So Saffron, Daffodil Delight, Peach Parfait, Stazon™, Versa Mark®
Accessories: Black Grosgrain, Dimensionals®, Clear Embossing Powder, White Embossing Powder, Jewelry Tag Punch, Linen Thread

Good morning! Welcome to another colour challenge from Colour Q! This week, the colours are very halloweenish and you know me, I don't do halloween so it was quite a challenge to use these colours in a different way! Anyway, I used my fav set - French Foliage, and did some simple sponging of all the colours on to a smaller piece of white card stock after stamping it with the leaves and clear embossing them.

Hope you like my card and are inspired to join us at the ColourQ!! Check out what the Royal Court made!!!

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Christmas Keepsakes Box

2011-10-24T02:00:00.000-06:00

I was given this box from Stampin' Up! when a new demonstrator signed up under me! Yay Karen - thanks for joining me!!! I sat down and finally created this box - it was pretty easy thanks to Stampin Up - they had pre cut all the pieces :) It's quite detailed and I really really enjoyed putting it together.

It uses a new set that came wit the kit from the current Holiday Mini catalogue. It's not one I would have purchased but I am so glad I received it because I think I will use it a fair bit - especially the pine cone image!

Thanks for stopping by!

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Inkspirations Challenge #92

2011-10-21T02:00:00.003-06:00

Stamps: Snow Much Fun, Serene Snowflakes
Paper: Sahara Sand, Neutrals DSP Stack, Whisper White, Watercolour Paper
Ink: Not Quite Navy, Cherry Cobbler, Sahara Sand, VersaMark, Stazon™
Accessories: Crumb Cake Taffeta, Iridescent Ice Embossing Powder, Top Note Die, AquaPainter™

I'd seen a card a while ago using this layout with these snowmen and had filed the idea away in my brain for future use! I can't remember where I saw it but I did change it up a bit to make it a little more my own :)

These colours were rather interesting - I can't stand Sahara Sand - almost as much as i like River Rock - two colours that are blah. Don't you agree? However, I must say, these colours pull together beautifully! The Sahara Sand helps ground the other two bolder colours.

This will be a class project tonight so I hope they like it as much as I do!!! Please check out the challenge on the Inkspirations blog and see what the rest of the team created :)

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Create with Connie & Mary - 172

2011-10-20T01:05:00.002-06:00

Stamps: Four the Holidays, Music Notes Standard Wheel, Pines & Poinsettias
Paper: Crumb Cake, Pink pirouette, Very Vanilla, Pretty in Pink
Ink: Pink Pirouette, Chocolate Chip, Crumb Cake
Accessories: Vanilla Seam Binding, Cherry Cobbler Bakers Twine, Snowflake Punch, Red Designer Button, Scallop Trim Punch

Good morning!

Time for a new Create with Connie and Mary challenge. This week it's a fun sketch :) I've made it a Christmas card as I've prepping for some Christmas classes in the near future.

I hope you like my card and are inspired to create something today! Please check out the challenge on the CCMC blog :)

Follow the Recipe #23

2011-10-19T02:00:00.006-06:00

Stamps: Snow Swirled, Texture Jumbo Wheel, The Sounding Joy
Paper: Crumb Cake, Basic Black, Very Vanilla, First Edition DSP
Ink: Stazon™, Basic Grey, Crumb Cake
Accessories: Rhinestones, White Button, Linen Thread, Black Grosgrain, Dimensionals®

Well, I haven't had a chance to play with Follow the Recipe challenge for a little while! With finally getting back into the swing of things, namely enjoying my newly finished basement, I am getting back into my patterns of stamping - which is to basically ignore everything and just stamp! Ha ha, just kidding - I work ahead a lot :)

Anyway, blathering over. This card. Simple, really. For the recipe, I used embellishments - ribbon and buttons! Please check out the challenge on the Catered Crop site and see what the rest of the designers came up with :)

And it you want more yada yada on the card ... well ... I am offering this one as part of a class coming up on Friday night!

Talk to you later :)

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Colour Q Challenge #107

2011-10-18T02:00:00.000-06:00

Stamps: Raining Flowers, Tagtastic (hostess set), Textured Jumbo Wheel
Paper: Whisper White, Lucky Limeade
Ink: Early Espresso, Pumpkin Pie, Rich Razzleberry, Lucky Limeade, Chocolate Chip Craft ink, Crumb Cake ink
Accessories: Houndstooth Embossing Folder, Wide Oval Punch, Clear Embossing Powder, Dimensionals®, Chocolate Grosgrain

Wow, it's been a while since I played with a Colour Q challenge! I've gotten a little caught up so I'm happy to be able to play with the rest of the oh-so-fab CQC team! Anyway, this was a card I'd made with my stamp club earlier this month. Even though the colours look "halloween", I don't do halloween here, so I chose florals :) I love collage stamping, or creating my own patterned paper which is what I did here.

Sooooooo, hope you like my card and are inspired to play along with us at the ColourQ!

Have a great day :)

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Display Stamper - Raining Flowers (3D)

2011-10-17T02:00:00.003-06:00

Stamps: Raining Flowers
Paper: Marina Mist
Ink: Whisper White, Marina Mist
Accessories: Oval Punch, White Organdy Ribbon, White Embossing Powder

I'd seen this really cute tissue travel case on Vicky's blog when I was searching for idea's to make for a display stamper project. Now, her measurements were all in metric and the scoring tools that I have are not metric ... they're imperial ... so, I went out, bought myself some tissues, and measured as I went, following the basic premise of her design. I created a template for you in imperial measurements.

Hope you like this project? It's the LAST of all the display stamper projects!! Whoo hoo, you made it through them all :) LOL! Have a great day!

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Sketches 4 Cards -- Congratulations 2

2011-10-15T02:00:00.000-06:00

Stamps: Baby Steps
Paper: Crumb Cake, Chocolate Chip, Pink Pirouette, Subtles DSP Stack, Whisper White
Ink: Early Espresso
Accessories: Paper Flowers (CC Designs), Corduroy Buttons & Brad (retired), Circle Nestabilities, Square Lattice Textured Embossing Folder, Crimper, Dimensionals™

This is the last of three sketches. I had fun playing with this little elephant, another image I rarely play with. I have issues with solid stamps sometimes ... odd, I know.

Anywho, hope you like the card!

Thanks for looking!

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Inkspirations Challenge #91

2011-10-14T02:00:00.004-06:00

Stamps: Gently Falling (’11 Holiday Mini), Oval All
Paper: Soft Suede, Spice Cake DSP (’11 Holiday Mini), Pear Pizzazz, Very Vanilla
Ink: Soft Suede, Chocolate Chip, Pear Pizzazz
Accessories: Chocolate Chip Grosgrain (retired), Bird Punch, Scallop Trim Punch, Corner Rounder, Dimensionals®, Oval Punch

oooh, a new sketch challenge! I LOVE sketches, don't you? This one from Inkspirations has a circle but I changed that to more of a tag shape.

Please check out the challenge on the Inkspirations blog and see what the rest of the team has made! Have a great day :)

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Create with Connie & Mary - 171

2011-10-13T01:05:00.000-06:00

Stamps: Come to Bethlehem
Paper: Baja Breeze, Bravo Burgundy, River Rock
Ink: Bravo Burgundy Craft & Classic
Accessories: Cherry Cobbler Quilted Ribbon, Basic Rhinestones, Iridescent Ice Embossing Powder, Square Lattice Embossing Folder, Dimensionals®

Good morning!!! I'm finally getting back into the groove of stamping again after a loooooooooooooooong hiatus of not stamping (I haven't really stamped since August). I was even considering quitting stamping all together -- that's how much I wasn't "into" it. BUT, life settled down and I found my joy in stamping again for a while :)

Anyway, Create with Connie and Mary have another fun colour challenge for us. I would NEVER have paired these colours together. I have had an unopened packaged of River Rock card stock since it was an In Colour way back when ... that shows how little I use it. But, I have to say, I love how these colours pair up together, don't you? Please check out the challenge on the CCMC blog and see what the rest of the team made!

Talk to you later :)

Display Stamper - Easy Events (3D)

2011-10-10T02:00:00.003-06:00

Stamps: Easy Events, Good Grid
Paper: Crumb Cake, Certainly Celery, Watercolour Paper, Pink Pirouette, Designer Series Paper Stack
Ink: Stazon™, Certainly Celery, Chocolate Chip, various for colouring
Accessories: AquaPainter™, Ovals #2 die, Scallop Trim Punch, Basic Pearls, Dimensionals®, Vanilla HodgePodge Hardware, Vanilla Seam Binding

Happy Thanksgiving to my Canadian friends!!!

I'd seen this cute box from a fellow demonstrator named Angie Juda (the link takes you to her video; she did not have a downloadable version of this one). Very simple box to make! Hope you like it!

Thanks for visiting :)

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Sketches 4 Cards -- God's Opinion on Babies ...

2011-10-08T02:00:00.000-06:00

Stamps: Full of Life, Butterfly Prints
Paper: Whisper White
Ink: Soft Suede, Sahara Sand
Accessories: Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder, Vanilla Seam Binding, Labels Nestabilities, Dimensionals™

There's another set of sketches released by Anam through ITunes for the Sketches 4 Cards app! This time, the theme is "Baby" cards. I love making baby cards although I don't have as much need for them lately ... most of my friends are out of the baby stage or in between babies!

This is the second card I'd designed with the second sketch. It's another challenging one. I find that Anam's sketches remind me a lot of Laura and Kazan's sketches (from 2 Sketches 4 You). They're a sketch site I miss terribly ... but I am so happy to have found Anam!

I kept this card monochromatic and simple. What do you think? Hope you like it and are inspired to create something new and beautiful :)

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Inkspirations Challenge #90

2011-10-07T02:00:00.004-06:00

Stamps: Fabulous Florets, Just Believe
Paper: Pink Pirouette, Pretty in Pink, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White, Watercolour Paper
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Pretty in Pink, Stazon™, Rich Razzleberry
Accessories: Dimensionals®, AquaPainter™, Scallop Trim Punch, Chocolate Chip Taffeta

Good morning! It's time for a new challenge from Inkspirations and this week we have a fun colour combo for you :) Again, purple ... I don't know what it is about any purple but they totally stump me ... I like how this one turned out though! Hope you like it too?

Have a great day!

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Create with Connie & Mary - 170

2011-10-06T01:05:00.001-06:00

Stamps: Medallion, Petite Pairs
Paper: Crumb Cake, Basic Black, First Edition DSP, DSP Stack, Very Vanilla, Paisley Petals DSP
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Crumb Cake, Early Espresso, Stazon™
Accessories: Iridescent Ice Embossing Powder, punches, Button, Crochet Trim

Good morning! This is the first card I've made in my revamped stamp room! LOVE my new space although I think right now I'm spending more time just simply enjoying the space rather than creating in it, LOL!

Anywho, Create with Connie and Mary has a new challenge for you today :) a fab sketch challenge. I stayed pretty close to the sketch this time, even using the medallion image! I did a bit of emboss resist and then lots of sponging.

Hope you like what I've shared today! Please check out the challenge on the Create with Connie and Mary blog and see what the rest of the DT made too!!

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Craft Room Reno's

2011-10-05T02:00:00.001-06:00

*groan* I know, I know ... you've seen these kinds of posts from me in the past. I constantly redo things, reorganise, etc. But, this really is the last time, I promise! You've all probably seen what my craft room looks like, right? If not, check out THIS link to see what it was before! We've done some minor renovations that have major impact :) I got FLOORS! Whoo hoo!!!! No more weird red paint that sucks all the light ... check it out:

I actually removed one of the desks and shifted my things a little to have a little less room. I discovered that I really had too much desk space (I know, sounds weird). It just ended up getting cluttered and messy plus, I was forever rolling back and forth. This will keep things together and compact :) Yes, I'm a bit of an odd one when it comes to this craft - I know there are MANY out there that find creativity in chaos. I'm more one that finds creativity in orderliness :)

Anywho, I'm super in love with the floor and how it pulls everything together. I chose the wall colours with this floor colour in mind :) And, if you really want to know, that flooring is called Rustic Maple by a company called Kraus!

I've now got to get caught up on all that I've missed and get ahead once again, so I'm busy once more in my stamp room! Hope you have a fab day!

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Display Stamper - Best Friends Forever (3D)

2011-10-03T02:00:00.005-06:00

Stamps: Best Friends Forever, Dotted Lines Jumbo Wheel (retired), Good Grid
Paper: Rose Red, Whisper White, Basic Black, First Edition DSP, Lucky Limeade, Tangerine Tango
Ink: Lucky Limeade, Basic Black, Rose Red
Accessories: Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border Punch, Black Grosgrain, Timeless Type Alphabet die, Corner Rounder

Here's another 3D project I created for the display stamper set. This is a fun monogrammed notecard set with holder! It was pretty simple to create. I've got a template for you at the bottom of this post so if you feel so inclined, you can recreate it!

Hope you like it? Have a great day!

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Wow!

2011-10-02T02:00:00.000-06:00

Wow! I don't think I've ever seen Stampin' Up! offer such a sweet deal for signing up as a demonstrator! During October, you'll get a FREE Big Shot (or up to $125 free product) when you join Stampin' Up! Isn't that awesome?! Of course, the starter kit ($215) already includes over $425 worth of stamp sets, card stock, ink, accessories, and business supplies--everything you need to start your new business. Visit my demonstrator website (www.reneevs.stampinup.net) to sign up or contact me today to learn how you can take advantage of this great opportunity and get your FREE Big Shot!

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Sketches 4 Cards -- Congratulations

2011-10-01T02:00:00.000-06:00

Stamps: Baby Tee's Jumbo Wheel, Something to Celebrate
Paper: Whisper White, Early Espresso, Vellum Card stock, Subtles DSP Stack, Watercolour Paper
Ink: Stazon™, Baja Breeze, Not Quite Navy, Crumb Cake
Accessories: Scallop Trim Punch, Bashful Blue Ribbon (retired), Basic Pearls, Scallop Circle Nestablities, AquaPainter™, Dimensionals™

There's another set of sketches released by Anam through ITunes for the Sketches 4 Cards app! This time, the theme is "Baby" cards. I love making baby cards although I don't have as much need for them lately ... most of my friends are out of the baby stage or in between babies!

This card was made with a rather interesting sketch. It totally took me out of my comfort zone for some reason or other. But, that's the great part about sketches, eh?

I used my Baby Tee's jumbo wheel that I hadn't used in a while. I had cut it apart eons ago, used it for a card or two, and then put it in one of those clear cases from Stampin' Up and promptly forgot about it ... isn't that bad?!

Anywho, hope you like the card and are inspired to create something new and beautiful today!

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Inkspirations Challenge #89

2011-09-30T02:00:00.002-06:00

Stamps: Pursuit of Happiness
Paper: Basic Grey, Sahara Sand, Whisper White
Ink: Stazon™
Accessories: White Felt (PaperTrey Ink), Butterflies Die, Rhinestones, Basic Grey Satin and Taffeta, Hounds-tooth Embossing Folder, Dimensionals®, Corner Rounder

This sketch was rather interesting - three panels. I don't really like three same-size panels so I avoided it :) I just added a couple strips of ribbon after rotating the sketch. I die cut some felt with the butterfly die and added larger rhinestones (not from Stampin' Up!) to the centre and the sentiment.

Please check out the rest of the DT's work either by clicking the links below or checking out the Inkspirations blog! Thanks for stopping by today, I hope you've enjoyed seeing what I've shared with you :)

Cindy
Kirsty
Makeesha
Renée
Brandi

Carrie
Helen
Ilina
Lee-Anne
Marisa

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Create with Connie & Mary - 169

2011-09-29T01:05:00.003-06:00

Stamps: Elements of Style
Paper: Sahara Sand, Basic Black, First Edition DSP
Ink: Sahara Sand Marker, Pool Party Marker, Stazon™
Accessories: Basic Black Taffeta, Neutrals Brads, Dimensionals®

Ahhh, this colour combo was a breath of fresh air ... doesn't it just remind you of a summer day, or a sea breeze? Now, I didn't use any of those images, but one easily could if they had them!! These are the latest colours for a colour challenge from Create with Connie and Mary.

I pulled out my beloved First Edition DSP (love love love this paper, can't you tell?) and stamped the Elements of Style floral image on it. I coloured it in with markers, sponged it up and then added the remaining elements. It's actually a very simple card!

I hope you've enjoyed stopping by my blog! Please check out the challenge on the Create with Connie and Mary blog and see what the rest of the DT made too!!

Have a great day :)

Display Stamper - Raining Flowers (card)

2011-09-28T02:00:00.000-06:00

Stamps: Raining Flowers, Petite Pairs
Paper: Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Crumb Cake
Accessories: Neutrals Brad, Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder, Linen Thread, Bird Punch

and this brings us to the final card for all the display stamper samples! I've certainly drawn this one out long, eh?! Gotta say that I love these kinds of projects because I can prepost faaaaaaaaaaaar into the future and know that I've got something pretty to share and show you all! I hope you like this card. Thanks for visiting!

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CQC 104

2011-09-27T14:16:00.004-06:00

Arielle's got something fun cooked up for you this week with the latest ColourQ challenge! It's not simply a colour challenge :) Unfortunately, I was unable to play along this week ... you wanna know why? This is my craft room:

Yep, it's empty. All my stuff is stacked in one other room, inaccessible :(. BUT, it's all because I'm finally getting a floor! It won't be red, it won't be cement. I so can't wait!

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Display Stamper - Easy Events (Card)

2011-09-26T02:00:00.000-06:00

Stamps: Easy Events, Woodgrain
Paper: Chocolate Chip, Designer Series Paper Stack, Whisper White
Ink: Chocolate Chip, various for colouring, Stazon™
Accessories: Designer Button, Linen Thread, Dimensionals®, Espresso Grosgrain

I had tried to use all of the images from this set when I was creating all of my projects. I think I only missed one stamp? I'll have to double check later or you can if you want! Just click on the tag below that says "Easy Events" and it'll show you all the projects I'd made using this set.

Hope you like this project! Thanks for stopping by :)

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Sketches 4 Cards!

2011-09-24T02:00:00.000-06:00

Stamps: Fifth Avenue Floral, A Word for You
Paper: Cherry Cobbler, Very Vanilla, Old Olive, Watercolour Paper
Ink: Syazon™, Cherry Cobbler, Tangerine Tango, Baja Breeze
Accessories: Old Olive Staon Ribbon, Circle Die, AquaPainter™, Little Leaves Sizzlit, Dimensionals®

I played with a sketch from Sketches 4 Cards and this is what I'd come up with. I love this floral set! The flowers were all watercoloured and then cut out. I popped them up with dimensionals and added a few other things to finish the card :)

Hope you like it as much as I do!!! Have a fab day :)

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Inkspirations Challenge #88

2011-09-23T02:00:00.001-06:00

Stamps: Pursuit of Happiness, Four Frames
Paper: Whisper White, Pacific Point, Melon Mambo, Pumpkin Pie
Ink: Pacific Point, Stazon™
Accessories: Decorative Label Punch, Beautiful Wings Embosslit, Eyelet Border Punch

I was inspired by a card Clare had created. I loved her layout, use of frames, and the layering effect of the bottom edge. So, I recreated it using different stamps, different colours, everything but it's still mainly her idea :) I made it using the colours of today's Inkspirations challenge - fun bright, and cheerful colours!

Cindy
Kirsty
Makeesha
Renée
Brandi

Carrie
Helen
Ilina
Lee-Anne
Marisa

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Create with Connie & Mary - 168

2011-09-22T01:05:00.003-06:00

Stamps: Butterfly Prints, Best Friends Forever, Petite Pairs
Paper: Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla, Brights DSP Stack, Basic Black, First Edition DSP
Ink: Stazon™
Accessories: Mini Brads, Dimensionals®, White Gel Pen, Mat Pack & Piercer

I know, I know ... yellow and black again??? Well, I told you before, I really like this colour combo! This new sketch from Create with Connie and Mary was really interesting and I wanted to create something striking. Plus, I had these DSP packs on my desk ... :) Have you seen those little brads??!! LOVE them! They're a new addition to this year's catalogue and I absolutely adore them. Super cute and small!!!

Anywho, please check out the challenge on the Create with Connie and Mary blog and see what the rest of the DT made too!! I hope you like what you've seen here!!

Have a great day :)

Colour Q Challenge #103

2011-09-20T02:00:00.001-06:00

Stamps: Flower Fancy, Hand Penned
Paper: Whisper White, Poppy Parade
Ink: Poppy Parade, Calypso Coral, Wisteria Wonder, Pear Pizzazz, Stazon™
Accessories: Basic Rhinestones, Dimensionals®

Look at those plates! LOVE them! I was inspired to recreate the wildflower feel and the Flower Fancy set seemed to even look like the flowers on the plates, eh?

Anywho, have to jet ... please check out the challenge on the ColourQ blog and see what the Royal Court has come up with!!

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Display Stamper - Best Friends Forever (Card)

2011-09-19T02:00:00.000-06:00

Stamps: Best Friends Forever, Friendly Phrases
Paper: Whisper White, Pool Party, Island Indigo
Ink: Pool Party, Island Indigo
Accessories: Scallop Trim Punch, Dimensionals®

For some reason, this card was really hard to photograph. I'd tried different background papers too but it made little to no difference. Now, I know my hubby had played around with the settings so who knows if that made a difference. Either way, it's far too late to correct it now! Stampin' Up! has had this card since June!

Hope you like this card! Have a fabulous day :)

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Sketches 4 Cards :)

2011-09-17T02:00:00.001-06:00

Stamps: Grunge Rock
Paper: Marina Mist, Whisper White, Newsprint Designer Series Paper
Ink: Basic Black, Real Red, Old Olive, Marina Mist, Stazon™
Accessories: Basic Black Grosgrain, Curves Ahead Sizzlit, Dimensionals®, 1-3/4" Circle Punch

Here's a fun card I'd made a while ago for a sketch that was designed for Sketches 4 Cards. I played with a set I rarely play with but would never part with - it's perfect for certain occasions!

Hope you like it to and are inspired to create something new and interesting!!!

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Inkspirations Challenge #87

2011-09-16T02:00:00.002-06:00

Stamps: Thoughts and Prayers, French Foliage, Friends Never Fade
Paper: Sahara Sand, Soft Suede, Very Vanilla, Beau Château DSP
Ink: Bravo Burgundy, Regal Rose, Sahara Sand
Accessories: Bravo Burgundy Wide Grosgrain (retired), Circle Die, Dimensionals®

Good morning! It's time for a new Inkspirations challenge. This week, it's an interesting sketch - uses a circle ... :) I haven't used Burgundy in forever so I figured it was time to pull it out. Also, the Bella Château DSP matches perfectly with it, eh?

Cindy
Kirsty
Makeesha
Renée
Brandi

Carrie
Helen
Ilina
Lee-Anne
Marisa

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Create with Connie & Mary - 167

2011-09-15T01:05:00.004-06:00

Stamps: Just Believe, French Foliage
Paper: Cajun Craze, Very Vanilla
Ink: Cajun Craze, Old Olive, Basic Grey
Accessories: Old Olive Satin, Dimensionals®, Decorative Label Punch, Mat Pack & Piercer, White Gel Pen

I am so in love with how this card turned out! I know, one isn't supposed to say that about their own stuff as one comes across as an egomaniac but still ... I love this card! I made it for this week's Create with Connie and Mary colour challenge. At first, this colour combo stumped me. Grey with those two colours??? really??? yep. but, then I had a brain wave and started playing ;)

I started out by creating a collage piece using the French Foliage set and all three ink colours on a piece of Vanilla card stock. Sponged it up with both Cajun Craze and Basic Grey. Then a little bit of ruffled ribbon and the layers were added behind it. I glued it to the card base and then set to creating the focal image. I stamped the floral image from the Just Believe stamp set using markers and once it was stamped, I added a bit of detail using markers, an aquapainter, and the White Gel pen. Added some stitching, the words image from French Foliage, ripped the bottom, added a sentiment using a punch, and then attached it to the card.

Please check out the challenge on the Create with Connie and Mary blog and see what the rest of the DT made too!! Don't forget, it's almost time for the start of Create with Connie and Mary Holiday Edition 2011! Right now we are offering our early bird special -- save $5 and subscribe for only $29.95 - that is for 6 weeks of exclusive ideas! Less than $1 a project with a full tutorial for each never-been-seen-before project).

Have a great day :)

Display Stamper - Easy Events (Card)

2011-09-14T02:00:00.000-06:00

Stamps: Easy Events
Paper: Pink Pirouette, Designer Paper Stack, Whisper White, Pear Pizzazz, Watercolour Paper
Ink: Stazon™, Regal Rose, Pear Pizzazz
Accessories: Square Lattice Embossing Folder, Bird Punch, Corner Rounder, Dimensionals®, Pink Grosgrain

This is a 6x3 card. I don't know why I did an odd shaped card, but I did. It's really simple! Hope you like it!

Have a great day!

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Colour Q Challenge #102

2011-09-13T02:00:00.001-06:00

Stamps: Button Buddies, Friendly Phrases
Paper: Whisper White, Poppy Parade
Ink: Basic Grey
Accessories: Pinking Hearts Border Punch, Dimensionals®, Real Red Grosgrain, Designer Buttons

I use flowers a lot ... I know that so once in a while I try to push myself outside that bubble and play with something different. This time, I'm playing with the Button Buddies set and I used the snail. Pretty simple, pretty striking, don't you think?

Please check out the challenge and the Royal Court's creations on the ColourQ blog!! Thanks for stopping by!

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Display Stamper - Best Friends Forever (Card)

2011-09-12T02:00:00.000-06:00

Stamps: Best Friends Forever, Four Frames
Paper: Not Quite Navy, Crumb Cake, Whisper White
Ink: Not Quite Navy, Crumb Cake, Old Olive, Stazon™
Accessories: Old Olive Satin, Decorative Label Punch, Dimensionals®

This was the second project I'd made out of 24. I'd started with this set as I quickly identified that it would be the most challenging to work with - I always do that - start with the hardest and work my way to easier! Hope you like this project. Have a fantastic day!

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Sketches 4 Cards -- Happy Birthday

2011-09-10T02:00:00.000-06:00

Stamps: Flight of the Butterfly, Teeny Tiny Wishes, Sanded
Paper: Crumb Cake, Early Espresso, Whisper White, Vellum, Playdate Designer Series Paper
Ink: Pink Pirouette, Regal Rose, Poppy Parade, Early Espresso
Accessories: Dimensionals, Real Red Grosgrain, Basic Pearls, Scribbles Swirls Sizzlit, Twill Ribbon, Lots of Tags Sizzlits

Did you know that I'm designing for a new team? 2 Sketches 2 Scrapbook had a DT call a while ago and I knew it fit well with my love of sketches as well as being a demonstrator for a fabulous company! Anam creates an app for the iPhone, iPod touch and the iPad. The sketches available in the app give you the opportunity to think creatively and on the go :)

Here's the first sample that I made for one of the sketches. You can see the sketches themselves when you purchase and download the app. As you can tell, I'm into ribbon flowers :) This one is a different kind - one that I placed a strong adhesive on a circle and the wrapped and rolled and folded the ribbon around and around, starting in the middle and working my way out. For the final go around, I did use a glue gun to keep it all nice and tidy :)

Thanks for stopping by today! I hope I've inspired you to create something different :and try something new :) Have a great day!

all Stampin' Up! supplies available 24/7!

Inkspirations Challenge #86

2011-09-09T02:00:00.003-06:00

Stamps: Flower Fancy, Pursuit of Happiness, Wonderfully Worn, French Foliage
Paper: Marina Mist, Very Vanilla
Ink: Marina Mist, Old Olive, Stazon™
Accessories: Lace Border Punch, Red and Green felt (PaperTrey Ink), Vanilla Satin Ribbon, Hemp Twine, Dies (PTI & Nestabilites), White Button (PaperTrey Ink)

Welcome to a new colour challenge from Inkspirations! I've had this felt from PTI for a while and decided it was high time I used it ... It cuts really nicely so I was quite happy to use it with the wafer thin dies. I started out by creating a background with the Flower Fancy set and the word image from French Foliage (my new fav set - you'll see it used a LOT by me!). The red felt flower is simply a scallop circle that was basted in the center and then gathered to create a more flower-like effect. I added a large white button in the centre and die cut green leaves to finish it off!

I hope you like my card and are inspired to create something new and interesting :) Please check out the rest of the DT's work either by clicking the links below or checking out the Inkspirations blog!

Thanks for stopping by today :)

Cindy
Kirsty
Makeesha
Renée
Brandi

Carrie
Helen
Ilina
Lee-Anne
Marisa

all Stampin' Up! supplies available 24/7!

Create with Connie & Mary - 166

2011-09-08T01:05:00.003-06:00

Stamps: Button Buddies, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Paper: Very Vanilla, Early Espresso, Pocket Full of Posies DSP
Ink: Early Espresso Marker, Old Olive Marker, Daffodil Delight Marker, Versa Mark
Accessories: Chocolate Scalloped Ribbon, Chocolate Satin, Antique Brad, Corner Rounder, Clear Embossing Powder, Dimensionals®, Basic Pearls

This week, Create with Connie and Mary have a fabulous sketch for you to play with! It's simple, it's fun, and it's great for you to try ;)

I started out picking my papers. Normally, I'll pick colours first, not necessarily paper. But, I'd gotten a new paper pack that I really wanted to play with - Pocket Full of Posies. I'd gotten it last month with that buy 3 get one free promo. Anyway, picked my papers, cut them up and glued them, added some ribbon (I used the backside of the dotted chocolate scalloped ribbon) and then I set to looking for an image. I chose to play with the Button Buddies stamp set but didn't use any buttons. I inked up the stamp with markers, stamped it using a stamp a ma jig, and made sure not to move the SAMJ. Then, I re-stamped the image with versa mark so I could clear emboss it.

Have a great day :)

Colour Q Challenge #101

2011-09-06T02:00:00.001-06:00

Stamps: Fabulous Florets, Raining Flowers, Pursuit of Happiness
Paper: Whisper White, Rich Razzleberry, Pocketful of Posies DSP
Ink: Pool Party, Wisteria Wonder, Lucky Limeade, Stazon™
Accessories: Lucky Limeade Ruffled Ribbon, Dimensionals®, Scallop Edge Punch, Basic Pearls

Good morning! Today's the first day of school for my kiddoes after a wonderful summer break. I have to be honest, I was looking forward to school ... I really think the kids loved their break but they were looking forward to school too! This means I'll have more time to myself at home during the day as I'll only have one little guy to keep me company :(.

Anywho, you didn't come to read my blather but see the project I'm sharing for today's Colour Q challenge! I substituted Wisteria Wonder for the Orchid as the closest purple I had ... Not too much to tell but check out what the Royal Court made on the ColourQ site! Thanks for stopping in :)

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Display Stamper - Raining Flowers (Scrapbook)

2011-09-05T02:00:00.000-06:00

Stamps: Raining Flowers
Paper: Pool Party, Tempting Turquoise, Tangerine Tango, Peach Parfait, Whisper White, Crumb Cake
Ink: Daffodil Delight, Tangerine Tango, Pool Party, Crumb Cake, Chocolate Chip
Accessories: Designer Buttons, Dimensionals®, Timeless Type Alphabet Die, Simple Letters Alphabet Dies, Tasteful Trim die, Linen Thread

One has to have a favorite of everything, right? When I had gathered up all of the projects I'd made for the display stamper thing, I'd kind of picked a fav project from each type. I honestly loved them all, but there were some that just jumped out at me. This was one of them. I don't know if it's the colours, or that cute little girl! This is our daughter, Hannah. She was only 2 at the time. My mum had bought her the bathing suit as it reminded her of one she'd bought for me when I was that age!

Hope you like this page! It's the last one that I'd made :) Thanks for poppin' in!

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Drawer Box!

2011-09-03T02:00:00.000-06:00

Elaine emailed me pics of her Drawer Boxes that she'd made! I thought I'd share them with you. They turned out SO beautifully!!! Thanks for sharing your pics Elaine :) If you'd like to see the original post on the Drawer Box or purchase the tutorial, please check out this link:

Drawer Box Tutorial

Have a great day!

all Stampin' Up! supplies available 24/7!

Inkspirations Challenge #85

2011-09-02T02:00:00.001-06:00

Stamps: Gently Falling ('11 Holiday Mini), Woodgrain, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Paper: Crumb Cake, Soft Suede, Very Vanilla
Ink: Crumb Cake, Soft Suede. Chocolate Chip
Accessories: Eyelet Border Punch, Twill Tape, Dimensionals®, Basic Pearls, 1-3/4" Circle Punch

Time for another Inkspirations challenge! This week, Keesh has a fab sketch for you. I chose to play with a new set called "Gently Falling" from the new mini that just came out yesterday. I love two step stamps nd this set is absolutely perfect for fall!! I kept the colours monochromatic. Please check out the rest of the DT's work either by clicking the links below or checking out the Inkspirations blog! Thanks for stopping by today, I hope you've enjoyed seeing what I've shared with you :)

Cindy
Kirsty
Makeesha
Renée
Brandi

Carrie
Helen
Ilina
Lee-Anne
Marisa

all Stampin' Up! supplies available 24/7!

Create with Connie & Mary - 165

2011-09-01T01:05:00.007-06:00

Stamps: Friends Never Fade, Extreme Elements
Paper: Whisper White, Basic Black, Lucky Limeade
Ink: Rich Razzleberry, Lucky Limeade, Pumpkin Pie, VersaMark
Accessories: Corner Rounder, Linen Thread, Antique Brads, Clear Embossing Powder, Shimmer Paint (made into a spray), Dimensionals®, Hemp Twine

Good morning! When I set out to play with this new colour challenge from Create with Connie and Mary, I started with a bit of inspiration by a fellow blogger - Andrea G. I loved the layout of one of her cards using a different set and colours. So, I cased the layout but changed the colours and the stamp sets and modified the layout to make it a bit more of my own.

I always struggle with purples but this card flowed really easily! I don't know why, though ... Just a few deets that I'm not sure come through on the photo - the main part is sprayed with a shimmer spray that I'd made with the Shimmer Paint and rubbing alcohol. Also, the pumpkin image/sentiment is clear embossed.

Please check out the challenge on the Create with Connie and Mary blog and see what the rest of the DT made too!! Don't forget, it's almost time for the start of Create with Connie and Mary Holiday Edition 2011! Right now we are offering our early bird special -- save $5 and subscribe for only $29.95 - that is for 6 weeks of exclusive ideas! Less than $1 a project with a full tutorial for each never-been-seen-before project).

Have a great day :)

Display Stamper - Easy Events (Scrapbook)

2011-08-31T02:00:00.002-06:00

Stamps: Easy Events
Paper: Crumb Cake, Pink Pirouette, Whisper White, Cherry Cobbler, Designer Paper, Tangerine Tango
Ink: Stazon™
Accessories: Timeless Type Alphabet Dies, Dimensionals®, Regal Rose Grosgrain, Eyelet Border Punch

This is an 8x8 scrapbook page that I'd created for the Easy Events stamp set. The pic is of my gorgeous little girl, Maria. She was only 6 months old and the happiest baby ever (well, at least then :)) ! The ducks were all paper pieced using different pieces of patterned paper (except the beak - it was out of Tangerine Tango card stock).

I hope you like this page! Thanks for visiting :)

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Colour Q Challenge #100

2011-08-30T02:00:00.001-06:00

Stamps: Simply Soft (Hostess), Pursuit of Happiness
Paper: Basic Grey, Basic Black, Subtles DSP Stack, Whisper White
Ink: Stazon™, Basic Grey, Pink Pirouette Marker, Old Olive Marker
Accessories: Basic Grey Taffeta, Basic Pearls, Designer Buttons

This week, Arielle has something special cooked up! It's the 100th ColourQ challenge and we're hooking up with the "Clean and Simple" gals!! We're pairing up our fav colour combination with this week's Fall-to-Layout.

I chose to play with CQC#1. The very first challenge. I love pink, green, and grey! So of course, it wasn't very difficult to pick, eh?! There;s not much to tell stamping wise, but I did want to mention one thing. A few have asked how on earth the ribbon stays that way?! I only use Sticky strip and while once in a while it may not stay well, most of the time it does. I've learned that if you put the ribbon down once and really press it into the tape, you'll never have issues. If you put your ribbon on the tape and then pull it off, and repeat that several times, well, then you'll run into problems. If you want to avoid that, then I recommend the Sticky Pages from Stampin Up. You'll find them in your catties near the Big Shot stuff (vinyl sheets, wood, magnet, etc). THAT stuff will stay stuck forever!

Thanks for stopping by today! I hope you enjoyed what you've seen!!! Please check out the ColourQ blog and see what the Royal Court has come up with :)

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Display Stamper - Best Friends Forever (Scrapbook)

2011-08-29T02:00:00.000-06:00

Stamps: Best Friends Forever
Paper: Sahara Sand, Basic Grey, Basic Black, Whisper White, So Saffron
Ink: Basic Grey, Basic Black
Accessories: Timeless Type die, Large Tag Punch, Black Grosgrain, Linen Thread, Dimensionals®, Mat Pack & Piercer

And here's the first of several scrapbook pages that I can share with you! You know I don't scrap much so it's very intimidating being told to create pages although I'm getting more and more comfortable with them since I do scrapping with my club every month! I love these pics of my two girls. They posed for me because I knew what I wanted to do for this stamp set!

Hope you like my page as much as I do :) Thanks for visiting!

all Stampin' Up! supplies available 24/7!

Display Stamper - Easy Events (3D)

2011-08-27T02:00:00.001-06:00

Stamps: Full of Life, Easy Events
Paper: Baja Breeze, Crumb Cake, Designer Series Paper Stack, Whisper White
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Versa Mark®, Baja Breeze
Accessories: Basic Rhinestones, Scallop Circle Punch, Dimensionals®, 1-3/8" Circle Punch, Scallop Edge Punch, Eyelet Border Punch, Iridescent Ice Embossing Powder, Olive Grosgrain

Here's another 3D object that I made for the display stamper gig :) I LOVE this one - out of all of them, this is the one I loved best. I'm not a huge fan of making 3D things, hence why you see them so little ... but I have to say that having to make them this time, I really enjoyed them! Anyway, I found this idea on Julie's Stamping Spot - thanks Julie! The cupcake on the front was paper pieced and embossed in parts. The rest is pretty self explanatory, right?

Hope you like this project! Thanks for visiting :)

all Stampin' Up! supplies available 24/7!

Inkspirations Challenge #84

2011-08-26T02:00:00.006-06:00

Stamps: Raining Flowers, Hand Penned ('11 Holiday Mini)
Paper: Crumb Cake, Basic Black, Concord Crush, Whisper White, In Colour DSP Stack
Ink: Stazon™, Daffodil Delight, Tangerine Tango, Wild Wasabi
Accessories: Scallop Trim Punch, Dimensionals®, White Taffeta, White Gel Pen

All right, a confession first - I could NOT handle making another purple colour challenge without green. So I added it. Just a teensy bit! Another confession - I "lifted" this layout from Tessa Wise. She had created something sorta similar and I borrowed some elements!

The sentiment is another new one that's coming in the upcoming Holiday Mini catalogue called "Hand Penned". There are four sentiments in this set and I absolutely adore the font. What do you think?

Cindy
Kirsty
Makeesha
Renée
Brandi

Carrie
Helen
Ilina
Lee-Anne
Marisa

all Stampin' Up! supplies available 24/7!

Create with Connie & Mary - 164

2011-08-25T01:05:00.003-06:00

Stamps: Dasher, Winter Post, Bells and Boughs, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Paper: Early Espresso, Very Vanilla, Old Olive, First Edition DSP, Brights DSP Stack
Ink: Early Espresso, Chocolate Chip, Crumb Cake, Chocolate Chip Craft
Accessories: Iridescent Ice Embossing Powder, Dimensionals®, Decorative Label Punch, Scallop Border Punch, Petals a Plenty Embossing Folder

Good morning! Another new Create with Connie and Mary challenge today! Another sketch and this time I used it once again for another Christmas card. I know it's odd to see Christmas cards in Augst but honestly, if I didn't start now I'd be SO sick of them because that's all I could do in November ...

I made this for a class I'd held last week. Again, it's mailable for a single stamp even though there is tons of depth. Hope you like my card today and are inspired to create something new and interesting! Please check out the challenge on the Create with Connie and Mary blog and see what the rest of the DT made too!!

Have a great day :)