Takin' It To The Top Challenge

This was a fun challenge suggested by Stamping 411 HERE.

To start, I pulled a simple birthday card from my stash and looked at it with new eyes. It was okay, but not really that special.






For Step 2, I decided to add some contrast with the purple strip from a scrap which happened to match the ink I used for the flower. Using a Martha Stewart punch complemented the scallops around the image. The embroidery floss "tied" the two colors together and added some texture.






For Step 3, I rounded the corners and added a double vellum butterfly. I'm much happier with this card now!

Stamp Storage/Organizing

Here's how I have organized my stamps so I can find what I need quickly:

On the closet shelf are seasonal, less frequently used stamp sets. The drawers on the left contain Fall stamps, Spring stamps and JustRite stamps and handles. The Fall and Spring drawers are swapped out as the seasons change. On the right are quilling supplies, House Mouse stamps and Lettering sets. (Not shown is a file drawer underneath my table where I keep evertyhing Christmas, stamps in the top drawer and file folders below with assorted Christmas designer papers.)

Behind closed doors in the cabinet behind where I sit are all the stamps I currently am using. Stacked on the top shelf are all word stamps, with Bible verses on the far right. The containers below are labeled: Birthday (words), Misc. (year-round words and images, such as music notes, all-purpose phrases, backgrounds), Bible verses. The bottom shelf holds All-purpose images, Spring trees and flowers and finally, Cats. Next month, I'll swap out the Spring container and switch to summer flowers.

On the shelf above the doors (not shown) are two plastic containers, one for SU clear mount sets and the other for all my clear stamp sets divided into birthday, nature and florals. Two other containers house my small punches. The larger punches are stored on top of the adjoining cabinet.

Also not shown is a bookcase in the hallway just outside my "tower" door which holds all my older SU sets arranged seasonally and swapped out every now and then according to what I'm currently working on. Magazine holders on the bottom shelf house old catalogs and magazines for inspiration.

I hope this little "tour" helps with ideas for your own stamping supplies!

Stair Step Card

At Mothers Class last Wednesday, we made these Stair Step cards. What fun!

Although they're not too difficult to cut and fold (see SplitCoast Stampers for tutorial,) I purchased a couple of packs of these pre-cut cards for use in the class so that all we'd have to do is add the embellishments.

The daffodils were stamped on white cs first, then restamped on white scraps to pop up the two main blossoms over the first image. After rounding the corners, it was taped over the "grass" on the front layer. Next, the "sky" was mounted on the back step after rounding the top corners. Clouds were cut from a die with the Cuttlebug, added to the sky and outlined with Stickles.

Butterflies were cut from a SU die, in metallic paper and vellum. The large one is layered with vellum over gold metallic with TomBow liquid glue in the crease and yellow Stickles down the center (which hides the glue.) The two smaller ones were done, one in gold and the other in vellum and attached with the same glue. (The TomBow glue holds really well!)

After tying yellow embroidery floss around the center step and adding the greeting in front, the cards were ready for mailing in the envelopes that were included. They also fit in regular A2 envelopes if you make your own.

I used this card for a thankyou note, which I wrote separately and added to the envelope. You could also use the back for a note and signature. Give it a try--it's not as difficult as it looks!

LESS IS MORE--Off Center

The Less Is More challenge this time was to stamp off center. I'm not sure I'm completely satisfied with this one, but it was fun trying.

First I stamped the bird (Hero Arts), then masked it and stamped the roses over it. After coloring with markers, I added the greeting and embroidery floss.

Yes, it is finally Spring here in Northwest New Jersey, and the birds are returning. The daffodils are in full bloom and the buds are swelling on the trees. It has been an unusually long and snowy winter and cold, wet Spring so far.

MFP Challenge--Collage

One of the things I learned at the Allentown Stamp Show last week was how to do a collage; so when Mark's Finest Papers (HERE) issued this week's challenge, I was up for it!

First, I started with a Hero Arts clear design "T" set for the large letter, greeting, swirl and tulips. Then I added some other images from stamps I had on hand. I find it easiest to start with a color scheme and stamps of various sizes. The dots stamp is a nice long one to use across the cardstock (even though most of it is hidden under the T.) The tulips worked nicely over them. I then filled in the open spaces with butterflies and flowers--very Spring-y!

After gluing the "T" to purple metallic cs and carefully cutting around it, I mounted it to the card with dimensionals. Crystal Stickles add some glimmer for the final touch.

ODBD Challenge--No Coloring

How refreshing to just use stamps and dsp on a card without having to color anything. That was the challenge this week HERE at Our Daily Bread Designs.

After applying dsp to a green card base, I added a coordinating strip to run vertically. I then used another piece of dsp with a muted design for the Bible verse. After adding extra blossoms on the corners, I used some Crystal Stickles for the centers and assembled all the pieces onto the card.

Of course, ODBD Bible verse collections are beautifully lettered--an art in itself!

God's Timing

Since I'm still down with Bronchitis (all week!) and finally taking antibiotics, I was reminded by the verse on this card I made today that God's timing is perfect. I'm thankful that this illness came before Easter so that I wouldn't have to cancel our family celebration next weekend.

You'd think that with being housebound all week I'd have tons of cards made, but it doesn't work that way. I finally made two cards today that took me all afternoon. Lack of creative energy is the problem. Oh well... (sigh)

Back in the Tower Again

After being clobbered with a nasty head cold and bronchitis this week, I'm finally recovered enough to do some stamping.

Using a window card I purchased at the Stamp Show, I "filled" a sticker vase with a bouquet of flowers sitting on a "table" inside the window. Leaves and flowers were stamped using peg stamps and various inks directly on the "wallpaper" behind.

Enjoy!

Allentown Stamp Show

What a smashing success! We had such a good time at the show, and even got to meet one of my favorite bloggers, LeAnne Pugliese of Wee Inklings! Here she is with me and one of my Mothers Class "alumni," Jackie O.

We came home with lots of new "toys" to use and post on our blogs, so stop in again soon.

Only 363 days until the next Show!

...PRESENTING:

...the "I'm too cute to be square" Kitty! (Especially following a mouse card. *wink*)

The OLW challenge this week was to use the sketch of a square card with a border around the center square. I balked at first because I don't usually make square cards; but this one turned out much better than I expected. It also gave me another excuse to use my peg stamps.

For a look at other cards using this sketch, click HERE.

UPDATE: I just realized that I not only matted this image ( a no-no for OLW cards) but double-matted it besides! ...duh... How could I have forgotten that OLW cards have to be one layer??? Don't answer that...

Spotlight Challenge

Speedy the Cat has challenged us to highlight an animal image, so what could be better than a House Mouse scene. Here are the infamous mice "wrapping" swiss cheese squares for gifts...too cute!

For a little sparkle, I used a Sakura clear star pen over the purple ribbon. (Thank you Gina K. for recommending these pens--they're great!) The large circle was then attached with a SU dimensional, the smaller one with ds tape. (Click for a closer view.)

TIP: Highlighting is a great technique for those intricate detail stamps that otherwise would require a lot of coloring. Not only does it go faster, but it also emphasizes the central image beautifully. For more examples of this technique, visit Mark's Finest Papers HERE.

Gate Fold Birthday Card

While I don't usually think of black for a birthday card, especially a balloon, this one really works. Using the tiny butterfly that was left over from another card, I mounted it on a scrap piece of black after adding the silver cord.

For the front, I used a black embroidery cord simply knotted to echo the antennae on the butterfly. On the lower right, I added a metal charm that says "Celebrate."

For the inside, I stamped a Hero Arts dotted balloon in the center, also as an echo of the dots on the butterfly. The birthday greeting was mounted on the left to balance my signature and note hand-written on the right (hidden here.)

For a finishing touch, I added clear glaze over the balloon to make it shine. I must confess, I had to add the bow under the balloon with long strings to cover an unwanted line from the edge of the rubber. Don't you just hate when a stamp does that!

LESS IS MORE--Red

The challenge on Less Is More is to use red, so the first thing I thought of (non-Christmas, that is) was poppies.

First, I embossed the scalloped circle with one of my Nestabilities dies. This was a new learning experience for me, and it took a couple of tries to finally get it right. I then cut another piece of cs with the same die to make a mask so I could sponge some light green around the edge. I also used the mask to stamp the flower, stem and leaf.

The poppy is colored with a Cherry Cobbler SU marker with a black center and some chunky gold glitter. After removing the mask, I stamped the vertical birthday greeting; but it came out crooked--and I mean really crooked! So I had to stamp it again, cut the strip, sponge the edges with green, tie some gold cord around it and mount it over the crooked greeting. Whew!

Check out the other entries for this challenge HERE.

Where Is Spring???

The only place where there's some Spring around here is on this card!

Using soft colors and airy flowers, I stamped while it was getting ready to snow again today. As I post this, the snow has begun to fall.

For the background, I created a very subtle chevron design and mounted the flower on it with dimensionals. The colors are muted to reflect the softness of Spring, which will get here someday...

LESS IS MORE--Sketch

I knew I'd find a use for that brown Flower Soft someday!

The sketch for this challenge can be found HERE.




NOTE: I've added a new feature to my blog so you can get email updates whenever a new post is added!

CIC24--Sketch

Using the "Clearly Inspired Challenge" sketch, here is yet another daffodil card (see previous post.)








This challenge can be found on the Clear Dollar Stamps website HERE at the March 18th post.

Three of a Kind--Daffodils

This was a bit of a challenge to come up with three ways to use such a delicate stamp without overpowering it. All three were stamped with India Ink Black and colored with SU markers.

The first one was stamped twice on white so that the two main blossoms could be cut out and popped up with dimensionals over the full image. After mounting on green cs at an angle, I placed it on the sun dsp and stamped "Happy Easter" in the lower right corner. A tiny bit of orange Stickles was added to the rim of the daffodil trumpets.

The second card was first stamped with Versamark on Crumb Cake, then stamped again with black ink on a neutral piece and colored with yellow, orange and green SU markers. I trimmed it down to a narrow rectangle and mounted it with dimensionals toward the left side of the card, leaving room for the oval greeting.

For the last card, the image was stamped on another piece of neutral cardstock and colored with a SU yellow marker, then white lines were added to the petals with a Pen-touch white fine-point marker. (I've just about given up on using white roller ball pens--they dry out too fast.) I used an oval cutting set from Creative Memories to cut the image and underlying dsp, then mounted both on a green card. After adding some sparkle to the blossoms with a gold Spica pen, a gold metallic cord was the final touch.

LESS IS MORE--Masculine

This card started out with the Hero Arts woodgrain background stamp over which I stamped the tool box. The tools were colored with SU markers and Spica glitter pens. The top edge of the paper was torn, a red cardstock piece was added and torn, the greeting was stamped and the brads "screwed on." *wink*

The link for this challenge is HERE.

ONE LAYER WEDNESDAY--Eggs

I hope you can see the glitter from the Stickles on these Easter eggs--they really make the card! (Click for a closer view.)

The colorful strip was made by masking off the top and bottom white space and sponging Easter colors in the area. I then removed the masks and stamped the eggs and the greeting. After applying the Stickles, the card was done.

This was soooo easy! Check out the other OLW entries HERE.

...and on the Third Day of Spring...

...another view from the tower!
Plant boxes, tomato cages
and deer fencing ready to go.
Meanwhile, it's good stamping weather.

FIRST DAY OF SPRING????

A Winter Wonderland this morning!

SIMPLE SATURDAY #21

SPRING FLING 2011!

Click HERE for photos and descriptions of the Spring Fling at my house today. The theme was ladybugs, and a good time was had by all!

LESS IS MORE--Off the Edge

I've been living on the edge for so long myself, I wasn't sure I could do this! *wink* (The link for Less Is More is HERE.)

The Hero Arts flower and stem were first stamped with Versamark on SU Crumb Cake cs, then colored with chalks. The greeting was stamped in black, and the card was done--soooo easy!

Here's a Photoshop tip: When I went to photograph the card, it kept flipping up the wrong way to get a clear shot. So I turned it upside down, took the photo, then flipped the image 180 degrees when I cropped it...much easier that way!

THREE OF A KIND--Crocus

All three pre-stamped images were in my file folder from ages ago, and I recently re-discovered them.

The first one is a gate card accented with yellow Stickles in the crocus centers, a silver cord bow and some purple gems. The blooms were colored with a purple marker, and the edges of the scalloped square were sponged with purple ink.

The orange card was first clipped with a postage scissor and double mounted. The blossoms were done with SU "elegant eggplant" markers for the stripes, and finished with purple chalk over them. I used orange chalk for the centers. A rick-rack die cut the bottom of the orange gingham, and the piece that was cut off is placed above the white ribbon. Purple Hero Arts gems provide the accents.

Finally, the last card was done with yellow markers and yellow Stickles for the centers. The green dsp and yellow cardstock were accented with a Martha Stewart lace punch. Green and yellow embroidery floss provide the final touch.

Enjoy! (Double click for a closer look.)

LESS IS MORE--Pastel Colors

This week's challenge was to use pastel colors, perhaps in anticipation of Spring. Since I was in the mood for doing some watercoloring, I stamped this image and gave it an April look.

The stamp is "Forest Cottage Scene" from Stampendous, and today is the first time I've inked it up since it arrived last Fall. It appealed to me because it could be used for any season of the year, but somehow I never got around to using it until now.

For this Spring look, I used yellowish greens, particularly for the emerging buds on the trees. The grass could easily become snow for a winter scene, and the leaves would look vibrant with Autumn colors.


Although I prefer the full image of the card on the right, the card on the left is more in keeping with the "Less Is More" concept of leaving lots of "white" space.
The partial image was mounted on dark brown cardstock and popped up with dimensionals. Either will probably serve as a note card.

HERE is the link for this challenge.

Less Is More Challenge--3 Squares

Flower Stamps by Inkadinkado
Flower centers are Black Diamond Stickles
Stamens are colored in with gold Spica Pen

Click HERE for link.
(Please scroll down for second post today.)

THREE OF A KIND--Forest Friends

Thanks to a couple of comments recently, I've decided to start a new category of posts showing how the same stamp can be used in three different ways. Actually, I already started with the last post of "Poppies in the Sun." It was a real challenge to come up with three ways to use this stamp today!

All images were stamped in Black India Ink. For the bottom one, I stamped on white cs and colored it with chalks. After distressing the edges and taping it to black cs, I attached it to the cardfront with dimensionals. The "friends" tag was done using the SU Tiny Tags set and the coordinating punch.

The right top one was stamped on blue cs. The animals and some of the tree trunks were colored in with a black marker, then the image was mounted on white cs and attached with dimensionals to a light blue textured card.

Last, after using colored pencils to color the image, the third card was made to look like a window. The "curtain" was made with a strip of Basic Grey paper and a Martha Stewart punch, then crumpled and attached with sticky strip to the green cs "valance." Another scrap of green cs was used for the "window sill" and attached with dimensionals.

The stamp is from "In the Forest" by Mark's Finest Papers.

THREE OF A KIND--Poppies in the Sun

It never ceases to amaze me how many different looks you can get with the same stamp!

The first one I did was the all-red one, which was also the easiest. After inking up the stamp with Versamark, I stamped it on Cherry Cobbler cs and clear embossed it. After adding a bit of yellow chalk and some black Stickles in the centers, I mounted it on yellow and black cs. The single strand of yellow embroidery floss and three black pearls were all I needed to embellish.

Next, I inked up the stamp in Olive Pastel chalk ink and stamped it directly on the Very Vanilla card. Although they look pink, the poppies were colored with red chalk. The poppy seeds were colored with a black marker. The black twine and greeting are just enough to finish it off.

Last, and most colorful, is the rainbow pad effect. Yellow and black markers for the centers and a matching double bow were all I needed to keep from overdoing it.

For the photo, I positioned the cards to catch the sunlight (a rare presence in the tower lately!) highlighting the elements that make each card unique.

Overstamping Challenge

At first, the name of this challenge (ODBD HERE)threw me a little. Could there be such a thing as overstamping???? ...as in, stamping too much? I think not!

However, the theme was about stamping over another image, which I enjoy doing anytime. It's a nice way to provide a background for any sentiment. For this card, I used the rose image from the Hero Arts set, "Two Birds" and mounted it over a Basic Grey print. I used a charcoal solid from the same set which I placed on a diagonal, added some paper piercing on the corners, and attached a floral "gem" in the upper left. I finished it off with a bow of charcoal and red embroidery floss strands.

I also created this card for the Speedy the Cat challenge on Mark's Finest Papers HERE featuring paper piercing and the use of black, white and one other color. I "sneaked" in a bit of red, but otherwise it is mostly black, white and tan.

Fancy Folds #2

In preparation for the next Mothers Class, I found a way to get two accordion fold cards from one sheet of 8 1/2 x 11 cardstock.

The short piece (on front) measures 3" high on the left, and the tall piece (back) measures 5 1/2" high on the right, for a total of 8 1/2", which is the width of a cardstock sheet. By cutting diagonally across from 3" on one side to 5 1/2" on the other, you will have two pieces exactly the same size and shape.

Next, from the thicker side, score at 4" and 8" for the folds. The Scor-Pal makes it easy, but you can use whatever works for you.

For the designer paper, the same measurements apply, giving you two pieces the same size and shape as your cardstock pieces. Simply cut and trim the pieces to fit each panel, leaving the desired amount of border.

The middle panel on the back (not shown here) will show when the card is folded, so you will need to decide how or if you want to decorate it. On this card, I had enough dsp to cut a matching piece. On the Fancy Folds Card posted earlier (scroll down to take a look) I used a coordinating piece of striped dsp.

Now that you have some measurements and simplified instructions, I hope you'll give it a try!

Simple Saturday #20

1 Down and 99 To Go!--OLW

Thanks to Susan's One Layer Wednesday challenge this week HERE, I'm now one card ahead for next Christmas!

This one was super easy. I first stamped the wreath base using the SU set "Sketch It" and a light green ink. The five "poinsettia" blossoms are from another SU set "Growing Green," which I just acquired last week. After stamping them in warm red ink, I used a dark red marker to color them in. I added white lines radiating from the center and used a tiny pearl for each. The pine needles were stamped in dark green using a Rubber Stamp Tapestry peg stamp. The greeting is from the SU set "Sincere Salutations", one of the few Christmas greetings available to me without having to uproot the Christmas storage drawer.

After rounding off the top right corner, the card was done!

FANCY FOLDS CARD

Here's a preview of the card project for Mothers Class next week. Although there's a lot of precision cutting, it's not difficult. Pictured here are views of the card both closed and opened.

Using K and Co. double-sided designer paper makes it very easy to get a coordinated look. I opted for a summery pattern with roses as I looked out over my still-icy driveway! Hero Arts paper flowers suggest a hint of Spring. Keeping with the floral theme, I used the small rose for the cupcake top (also Hero Arts.)

For more fun cards, Chrissy D. of I Brake for Stamps is offering a "Fancy Fold and Motion Paper Crafts" CD HERE featuring 60 tutorials for only $17.95.

AND THE WINNER IS...

...Drum roll, please! Congratulations to: Shelly!

In case you're wondering what my favorite card would be, I chose the vellum snowflake card posted on Nov. 6. It looks so clean and crisp, with lots of contrast. I remember feeling so proud of myself for finding an interesting way to use vellum without the adhesive showing.

As promised, here is my favorite comment of 2010:

"Now, darn it, Doris. I wasn't going to get that Hero cling stamp. You are so mean to post a totally, perfectly CAS card with it. Mean, mean, mean. My husband doesn't like you. Not one bit. I, however, like you very much. *giggle*" Posted by Susan Rahaila of Simplicity on Feb. 27, 2010. Thanks, Susan, for making my day with that one!

Thanks to all of you for participating in this year's survey!

BLOG CANDY for Valentine's Day! (Scroll down for later posts!)

This post is a little overdue, thanks to the distractions of snow and more snow and even more snow!

It's time to look over the past year's cards (2010)that are posted here and choose your favorite. In appreciation for your time and effort, I'm offering some embellishments and a stamp set. The winner will be chosen on Valentine's Day night and announced at the top of this post. Just leave a comment from which I can choose the winner!

In response, I'm going to go back over all the comments you left last year and pick my favorite of those. I will post it with the blog candy winner. Thanks to all of you who have left encouraging words throughout the year! Being a stamper (and especially a blogger) is also being part of a caring community. We are so blessed!

HAPPY STAMPING IN 2011!

MFP SKETCH

This is the card I came up with using the sketch provided on Mark's Finest Papers HERE.

You probably can't tell by this photo that I've used a fancy fold technique featured on the video I just received from Hero Arts. The bottom half of the card pulls down to reveal a hidden message inside. (Sorry, but the opened card just doesn't photograph well.)

Thanks to Jennifer McGuire for the idea!

(Stamps by Hero Arts, dsp by Stampin' Up!, flower painted with Twinkling H2O's)

OLW--Two Stamps

The challenge for this week was to use only two images--no sentiments or embellishments. As usual, this was tough to do!

Now that all my Valentines are in the mail, I got to open my new stamp set (SU Growing Green) and ink up two images for the first time. After stamping the rose in India Ink Black, I used a yellow and peach marker to give it a Peace rose look. After masking it, I stamped the fern over it and used a green marker for the leaves. It looked okay, but made me feel like the images were just "stuck" there in the middle of a vast bare space!

To add interest and a little texture without layering or using another stamp, I got out my Scor-Pal and embossed some vertical lines a half inch apart above and below the image. For a little more interest, I also cut out the bottom right corner around the rose petals.

Now that I've fulfilled the OLW requirements, I'm going to add some yellow gingham on the inside and a ribbon down the left front. Shhh...don't tell!

MOJO MONDAY #177

I'm not completely happy with this one, but it will have to do for now. I think it would look better if I used black ink for the greeting to give it a little more contrast. It should be easy to do by just taping another oval over this one.











UPDATE: WOW! What a difference the change to black ink made!

ONE LAYER WEDNESDAY (Border, Main Image, Bling)

When you say lots of bling, I get really generous with it! I hope you can see all the gems I've added here, as well as the Gelly Roll glitter pen I used on some of the hearts.

For the tiny red gems, I used gemstones cut from the letters in the package shown. In fact, I have several packs in white, pearl, clear, red and black for use on other cards. It's a great way to add to your collection without the high cost. I apply them with a craft knife after cutting them apart with a small pair of scissors. The black ones are great for a bird's eye or a bunch of them in the center of a flower.

Thanks for another great challenge, Susan!

(Click on image twice for a closer view.)

Feeling a Bit Squirrel-y This Winter?

At least you don't have to dig for dinner!

WELCOME A NEW BLOGGER!

My friend, Jackie, has finally started her blog and has posted her first cards! Yippee!

Please drop in and leave a few words of encouragement HERE!

WHAT'S WRONG WITH THIS PICTURE?

NOTHING!
THE SUN IS SHINING!
(If you click on the photo, you'll see some sparkle!)

ANOTHER VIEW FROM THE TOWER

Frosted treetops against a bright blue sky!

MOJO MONDAY SQUARE

I almost opted out of this one, thinking I wouldn't be able to come up with anything using this sketch. Since I've been on a butterfly "kick" lately, I decided to give it a try. This is what I came up with.

For the bottom, I used a piece of scrap dsp that was lying on my table. The stripes are from the same paper pad, so I used it for the top half of the card. After choosing 3 more coordinating purple patterns, I put them through the CB with a Butterfly Sizzlets die from SU and placed the butterflies along the curve.

For the main butterfly, I attached three together to make it "pop" then tied some silver cord around it. I cut the ends long enough to give it antennae. The crystal gems add some sparkle; the "trail" is hand drawn with a black marker.

After posting this, I rounded the top right corner to accent the curve below. Enjoy!

WILDLIFE WINDOW

CLICK ON OVER (HERE) TO MY FAMILY BLOG FOR A GLIMPSE OF THE BIRDS I PHOTOGRAPHED WITH RICK'S CAMERA!

TWO MORE BUTTERFLIES

As you can see, I'm really enjoying these butterfly stickers from K & Co.! The top one uses paper weaving mounted on a square of metallic cardstock. The dsp designs are from a 6x6 pack I had on hand.

The label was die cut from a sheet of butterfly embossed pearlized cs, and the sheer ribbon threaded through. The same cs was used for the scalloped oval under the butterfly.

It's Spring in the Stamping Tower!

K & CO. BUTTERFLIES

Another snowfall, another stamping day!

I came across these 3-D butterfly stickers in my stash the other day and thought they'd make a nice focal point for the paper weaving I've been toying with. There are 4 February birthdays on my list, and I'm tired of snowflakes! Or is there a saying somewhere that snowflakes are winter's butterflies???

I love the colors in these Memory Box dsp's. The dragonfly card is for a Valentine birthday friend. Click on the photo for a closer view of the weaving.