Saturday, March 24, 2012

Mosaic II + Colour Throwdown 184



I'm trying a new challenge this weekend with Colour Throwdown.  The sun is shining and the snow is melting, so this combo was perfect to match the spring mood.  I don't use the subtles all that much, so using so many of them here was certainly a challenge for me.









Yesterday I discovered the mosaic technique, and this morning I made a HUGE mosaic.  It's got to be 5" X 6".  This might not seem very big, but cutting and gluing all of those little pieces in place was no small task.  It took me the better part of an hour to do it, but I'm happy that I've got one now.  I think that I will be using it a lot.  Next week I'm going to try using different inks on it to make backgrounds.



In keeping with the spring mood, I chose Simply Soft for my stamping.  The flowers are lovely, and they lend themselves nicely to messy colouring.  I stamped the images in Certainly Celery, and then used my So Saffron and Marina Mist markers to fill in the petals.  Elegant Eggplant was used to make the mosaic.

It took a little bit of playing, but I finally ended up with Four Frames and a nice button to cap it all off.  The sentiment that I've used comes from Petite Pairs.  If you don't have that set yet, you should add it to your wish list.  There are a variety of great little sayings in there, and the layout of them allows you to use with a variety of shapes of punches.

Friday, March 23, 2012

Mosaic Technique + Hand Stamped Sentiments 110




You know how Stampin' Up's stamps come in that piece of rubber that you have to punch your stamps out of?  Well, I always feel guilty throwing the pieces away because I feel like I can use them for something, so I've saved a few of them.  I saw this technique ages ago, but completely forgot about it until I was looking through Splitcoast stampers and saw it again.  So out to the craftroom this morning to give it a whirl!





I am in L.O.V.E.!  I love the emboss resist technique, but this adds a whole new element to it.  I originally pulled out this set for a Hand Stamped Sentiments challenge sine the image lends itself nicely to water colouring.  It had been sitting on my desk waiting to be coloured, I just wasn't sure what colours I was going to use.  Yesterday I received an order that contained some Always Artichoke cardstock and seam binding ribbon (my absolute fave ribbon).  After using my ink pads and blender pen, I used my newly made mosaic stamp to cover the image with Versamark.  I then used clear embossing podwer and heat set it, creating the little tiles.  The final step here is the brayered ink in Soft Suede and Always Artichoke.  The dark ink really makes the image look like a mosaic.



If you aren't familiar with the mosaic stamp, check out the page on Splitcoast Stampers.  It's really simple and chances are you've got what you need to make it!



Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Colour Q #129


Being on spring break means I have more spare time on my hands than I know what to do with.  So what do I do with it?  Spend hours looking at challenge blogs and making cards - that's what.  I love the Colour Q site when I need inspiration, but I've never played along with their challenges.  Of course the week I choose to do so, one of the colours I like least shows up.



Don't get me wrong, Tempting Turquoise is a nice colour, but I rarely find myself using the brights.  (However, I did make 2 cards with brights this week...)  It was especially challenging to use these colours together.



I knew that I wanted to have white butterflies, so I added a few in Rich Razzleberry as well.  I think they look whimsical.  I really like the layout that I did for this card, so I think I'll repeat it in neutrals for a wedding card.




I'm not in love with this one, but I like it well enough.  I should have left the bottom corner alone and I would have liked it more, but, being a challenge and all, I tried something that I don't usually do, and stamped the sentiment right on the DSP.  Big mistake.  It looked horrible.  I had to cover it up with something, so this is what I ended up with.

Why am I posting this card if I don't like it?  Because I did something outside of my comfort zone, and though I don't love the colours, I do love the layout.

Freshly Made Sketches 27



I am attempting to do three challenges a week.  This means that I needed to find challenges for each day of the week, and today Freshly Made Sketches came out with this one.



I like distressing.  Change that - love distressing.  This week I decided to change things up and try a "clean"challenge.  I'm not sure if it really cuts the mustard when it comes to being "clean", but here's my attempt!



Tool Shed is a great masculine set.  I've only got two other sets that are manly, but one has a ship on it (not every man is a sailor) and the other one has a plane (less specific, but still...), so I find that I run out of masculine cards to make.  This was a good sketch for this set, using it in a different way than I usually do.



I love this combination of colours, and I'd be lying if I said I haven't used it on quite a few man cards.

Monday, March 19, 2012

Mojo Monday 233 - Everybunny



Mojo Monday on time 2 weeks in a row!  I hosted a card buffet this afternoon and I wasn't sure if I was going to get to this sketch on time, but I did!  Usually I just hang out and help or demonstrate techniques during a card buffet, but today I actually got to do a bit of stamping.




 That consisted of stamping and colouring this image only, but it's more than I usually do.  I am pretty much in love with this cute little guy (whom I have named Belvedere).  After I stamped and coloured the images I put them on my desk and did my clean up after the ladies were all gone.  I came back into the house, downloaded this week's sketch and knew I could use my newly stamped image!



I chose some pretty traditional Easter colours and swapped out the strip of scalloped paper for the decadent pleated satin.  I don't usually make card that have all of the paper and images flat, so the ribbon and flower gave me some much needed dimension.  Tomorrow I think I'll play with this set a little more and see what else I can come up with.

Sunday, March 18, 2012

Up, Up and Away!



Why on Earth did I wait so long to get this set!  I am in L.O.V.E.  It's just so stinkin' cute!  It arrived on Friday but I've been busily cleaning out my garage and getting ready for an event tomorrow so I haven't had time to pull it out yet.  However, tonight I snuck out for a bit and came up with this cutie for the Stamping 411 challenge from last week.




Though I must admit that I don't care much for the brights family compared to the others, these images just begged to be set in Tempting Turquoise and Daffodil Delight.  A little Old Olive gives it just the right amount of extra punch.

Pals Paper Arts 131




This week's sketch over at PPA seemed like it was made especially for showing off DSP.  My dear friend Carmelle is finishing her Masters degree next month so I wanted to make her a card to tell her how happy I am for her.  I was looking through my stash when I came across Timeless Portrait.  




I originally had the card set up for a River Rock base, but I love the pop that Island Indigo gives it.



The final touch on the inside was a little embossed strip of Vintage wall paper.  I don't really have any stamps that I wanted to pair with the DSP, but I needed something in there.  I used the de-bossed side for something a little different.

Saturday, March 17, 2012

A La Card Monkey #100




I've been wanting to make a giant cupcake for sometime now, so when I saw this sketch I knew it was fate!  Just looking at this card makes my teeth hurt, thinking of the ooey, gooey icing applied in copious amounts to any respectable cupcake.




I chose a sweet colour scheme to build my card on.  Calypso Coral, Blushing Bride, and Chocolate Chip (of course!).  The whimsy swirls of Curly Cute seemed the perfect match.  Some Vanilla Smooth and Dazzling Diamonds add a little glitz to this sugary number.  Now all it needs is a big glass of milk.

Happy 100th sketch Card Monkey!

Friday, March 16, 2012

Twitterpated Part III



On Monday I am hosting a card buffet so today I was bust preparing everything.  This one includes 8 different designs ranging from simple to elaborate.  I tried to include a few cards that showcased paper more than stamping to change things up a little.

I still have a bunch of this paper left over and since the mini's over next month I want to use it up while it's still current.  I love the gate fold design of this card, and the belly band offers one more place to show another of the patterns.



I am not really a huge fan of Riding Hood Red, but thus DSP is certainly doing a good job of changing my mind in it. Maybe I'll play with it a little tomorrow and see what I can come up with.

Thursday, March 15, 2012

Happiest Birthday





It's my favourite Aunt's birthday today.  I was on a mission.  Continuing on with my love of rolled flowers, I spent ages making this card this morning.  I had an idea of what I wanted it to look like, but it certainly took some playing around before I could get it just how I wanted it.




After about an hour and a half, I was finally happy and glued it all together.  I have a card buffet coming up next week and I'm thinking about using this card as one of the selections.  I just love it so much that I'm convinced everyone else will too.  I'd need to balance it out with a really simple card to follow it with to make up some time, but I think it's a must.




I know there's a lot going on here, but I say - Go Big or Go Home!

Test Drive Stampin' Up




Only 15 days left of this unbeatable deal.  Sale-a-bration is the perfect time to test drive Stampin Up.  For $150 (INCLUDING tax & shipping) you will receive the following products.  There is NO REQUIREMENT TO PURCHASE ANYTHING FURTHER!  I mean it!  There really isn't.


The Starter Kit gives you the following products:

4 stamp sets of your choice worth:  $11.95 or less, $27.95 or less, $30.95 or less, and $35.95 or less, as well as a standard Stampin Wheel $7.95 or less.  That means you're getting $114.75 worth of stamps.

4 Classic Ink Pads of your choice $29.00

Versamark Pad $9.95 (or Classic pad of your choice)

Ribbon of choice $12.25 or less

Assorted Cardstock of choice $8.50

Cardstock of choice $8.50

Punch of choice $30.95 or less

Clear Block $8.95 or less

Envelopes $7.95 or less


Patterned Designer Series Paper Stack $26.95

2 Stampin' Write Markers $9.00

Adhesive of choice $9.95 or less

Stampin Mist or Staz On Cleaner $6.25

Stampin' Scrub $20.95

Blender Pen $4.50

Stampin' Around Standard Handle $4.95

Uninked Stampin' Around Cartridge $6.50

Classic Ink Refill $3.75

Stampin' Dimensionals $5.35


I've done the math for you.  The total amount of products you get to choose is a whopping $329.85.  In other words, $179.85 FREE.

On top of this great deal, you'll also get 30% off of your first demonstrator order, and 20% off of all orders after that.

AND each month after signing up, you will get to choose a package of Designer Series Paper for FREE with your first demonstrator order of the month for the first year as a demo.



Not interested in pursuing the selling aspect?  Ok.  No problem.  You are NEVER required to purchase anything at all after you sign up for this amazing deal.  Really.  I promise.  If you want to, great.  You'll get a fabulous deal, awesome incentives, and sneak peeks at new items as they come out.  One of the many amazing things about Stampin' Up is their desire to share their passion for stamping with everyone.  Many hobby stampers sign up just to get the deal on products and then don't purchase anything further.  They don't call you or hound you through email.  You'll get an email once your first 6 months are over asking you if you want to continue or not, but nothing after that.

If you decide that you do want to keep your "demo status" (20% discount), you merely place $400 in orders every 3 months.  That can come from orders for yourself, friends, family, or from workshops or clubs that you hold.  If this is something you want to pursue, I'm more than happy to help you get started.

So if this sounds like the way to go for you, please start your order now and receive your package 8 days from now!



Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Trying Something New


So I was out in my new craft room this afternoon (pics coming tomorrow) and I tried out a new technique.  Basically I stamped the image in Daffodil Delight and then sponged some Old Olive onto the outer part of the image.  Then I used my Night of Navy marker to tap some colour on top of that.  I saw this on one of my favourite blogs (Sandi Mac Iver) and wanted to give it a try, however, I could see at once that I wasn't going to like it.  I think on a different background I would like it more.  She used Parlour Print and it looked amazing.  In this image however, it just wasn't quite right, so I sponged it in.  I like how it ended up, I just wish that I would have added a little more Navy.  Now I know for next time.




And here's my helper, Lily.  She traipsed back and forth across the ice patch that used to be our backyard and kept me company while I moved everything over from the house.  Tomorrow I'll post a better pic of my space.

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Needed More Mojo


For the Mojo Monday challenge yesterday I used Twitterpated.  I was not terribly in love with the card, but I convinced myself that I liked it well enough.  However, upon entering my craftroom this morning, I realized that I still felt it was lacking something, so I pulled the paper out again and began playing.



I have a binder on my desk with old sketches on it that I wanted to get to, but never did.  I flipped through this morning and found this layout.  It gave me a few options for displaying the different patterns, so I went for it.  Mother's Day isn't right around the corner, but I figured it would be a good time to make my cards up now so I am not scrambling later on.


I'm MUCH happier with this card.  I recently purchased the Textured Impressions pads and pulled them out to have a little play.  I just wanted something subtle in the background, and the Damask print was perfect for this DSP.  I added a few of the coordinating buttons to finish it off, and voila!  1 mum's day card down, 1 to go.

Monday, March 12, 2012

Mojo Monday 232


It's the first Monday of SPRING BREAK!  This means that I get to stay in bed until I feel like getting up (which, incidentally, was 5:50am this morning so I could take a colleague to the bus to Vancouver en route to Italy).



So after I crawled out of my cocoon the second time I meandered into my craft room and started my morning surfing.   I've had a package of Twitterpated sitting around that I haven't used yet, and this sketch practically yelled it out.

I'm a big fan of Very Vanilla, and hardly ever use white.  It's just so...bright.  Glaring.  Stark.  White.  That said, this was quite a challenge for me.  However much I dislike that palest of shades, I'm pretty happy with this one overall.  I haven't added a sentiment yet, but I feel like it would be nice for Mother's Day.

Sunday, March 11, 2012

Fox and Friends


A few weeks ago a friend of mine hosted a stamping party.  Card making parties are always fun, but this one was especially great because I met a new friend there.  I live in a small town, so many times it's the same group of us that gets together.  Not many opportunities for expanding your friend base.  This was an exception however.  So my new friend, Juliana, decided that she wanted to take on stamping.  She's been down a couple of times to play a little, and last time she was here she mentioned that she was throwing a baby shower for one of the girls she works with.  I immediately offered to help her figure out some invites.  After looking at a few different sets, here's what we came up with.

This has got to be my favourite kid set.  The images are just darling, and I love the non-traditional pallette.    A new mini clothes pins with some baker's twine finishes it all off.  It wasn't quite done however until I used the Broadsheet Alphabet in background.  Without it, the white seemed a little stark.

Saturday, March 10, 2012

A La Card Monkey #99



Buttons.  Hmm.  I have mixed feelings about these little embellishments.  My style doesn't usually include buttons; however, last summer I ran a couple of button shares so that I could get large quantities of a few colours.  I ended up with more colours left over than I wanted, so into the embellishment drawer they went.




When I saw this sketch this morning it was the perfect time to pull those suckers out and dust them off.  Their turn in the spotlight.  It took me a bit of playing around to get this card exactly how I wanted it, but I'm happy with the end result.





Hand Stamped Sentiments #108


I seem to have a penchant for reading really, really sad books.  I just finished Those Who Save Us this morning (by Jenna Blum), and it certainly fell under this genre.  It jumps back and forth between a woman forced to endure WWII in Germany, and her daughter in the present.  Very well written.  Very sad.  Worth reading.  However, after finishing it I needed something to cheer me up.

I surfed around for a while and then came to the Hand Stamped Sentiments page.  Theirs is a colour challenge this week featuring Real Red, Daffodil Delight, Soft Suede, and Crumb Cake.  Sounds good to me!  I played around for a bit and ended up making a nice little masculine card.  I never seem to have a man card on hand when I need one, so this should do quite nicely.

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Lovely Card for a Lovely Girl



 I made this card ages ago for my dear cousin's birthday.  I've been wanting to post it since mid-February but only got to deliver it this past weekend, so now I can finally share it.  I made my first easel card at Christmas and fell in love with the style.  It's so different from most of the cards you receive, and stands out even among other hand-made beauties.

Both my cousin and I love this paper so I knew it had to take centre stage.  The flower and Victoria Crochet trip really give it the polished look.  I had to play around with the layers before I was completely happy, but I was pleased with the final result.



It's hard to believe that this mini is coming to an end next month.  Attic Boutique won't be available after April 30th, so get your orders in while you can!

Monday, March 5, 2012

Mojo Monday 231



What's this?!  A card before work?!  How unusual!  I am an early-riser.  Even when I don't have to be.  So even though I don't have to be at work until almost 9:00, I was still up at 6:00.  That left me time to make a card!  I never have time during the week to play with Mojo Monday while it's still current, so I was VERY excited this morning when I have the chance.

SAB is coming to an end this month so I am trying to use up the paper while it's still current, and this layout was perfect for showcasing all of the coordinating patterns.  I'm also in love with rolled roses right now, so I got two birds with one stone on this one.



Sunday, March 4, 2012

Delicate Doilies


I had an awesome workshop this weekend!  The ladies were so much fun and made some really beautiful cards.  This is one of the cards that I demo'd.  I love Delicate Doilies.  It's super versatile and can serve any number of purposes depending on the color pallet that you use.

This time I went ultra-girly with Wisteria Wonder, Melon Mambo, Pink Pirouette, and Pretty in Pink.  The Basic Grey base gave it some nice punch, and the white embossed image added that extra little bit of detail.


On a totally unrelated note, this gal was on my porch Friday morning!  The distance between her and the front door is less than six feet.  She was happily munching away on the bag of bird seed that was sitting there.  We watched her for about 10 minutes before my dog finally ran outside and barked at her from behind the fence, scaring her, and her friend that was hanging about in the yard, bouncing off across the street into the woods.  I was disappointed that she ran off, but she was back a few minutes later finishing her snack.








Thursday, March 1, 2012

Grateful



I went to make a thank you card this weekend and realized that there's a "So Grateful" sentiment in Apothecary Art!  I can't believe it missed it!  I bought the set and used one of the flower images, but it's been neglected for a while.  Too bad for me!  I forgot how beautiful that set is.

Mixed Bunch is really the star here, but I love the simple sentiment.  I CASED this card out in blog land, the design is not entirely mine.  Just wanted to put that out there in case it was your layout originally.  :)