Terry's

More Hearts and Cupids Oh My!

2012-02-16T15:16:00.000-08:00

Honestly I was so done with Valentine's Day and all that XOXO stuff and then "BAM," again I was struck by Cupid's little arrow. Now the path it struck was via Linda's Grungy Monday "Who Loves Ya, Baby"and Tim's new "12 Tags of 2012" I was so excited that Tim is taking us in a "new direction" and this is now a monthly adventure! How brilliant is that guy??? Anyway, I pulled out all my stuff again this AM and here is what I came up with. Not one tag, but two tags. Inspiration Emporium has a challenge and wants us to "Put A Heart On It," so that is a given that we are linking up to their challenge along with Simon Says Stamp and Show, "Anything Goes."

Pretty much followed Tim's direction and just changed up a few things for what I had on hand! Can you believe I still don't have the little Cupid Die?? However, this time one was a grungy little Cupid and the other was stamped from Tim's new V-Day set. He was embossed with the black mix, then another cover of my own mix which has clear mica flakes in it. I tried to get an up close and personal picture, but it did not look very good with the glare, etc. It does show through IRL with red, blue sparkles and of course bits of the clear mica flakes.

Some of my supplies!

TO ALL OF MY FOLLOWERS - On March 5th, I will be offering up some really sweet blog candy for my two year blogaversary as a "Thank You." You really don't want to miss this one, so don't forget to check back. Thank you for stopping by today and I hope the rest of the week is amazing for you!

Monochrome With One Other Colour at FSC!

2012-02-11T16:04:00.000-08:00

We gals of the Fashionable Stamping Challenge Blog, are inviting you to a monochromatic plus one stamping challenge. Now is this a cool challenge or what and don't forget there is always a prize from the lovely Marina at Cottage Crafts. For extra inspiration, which is totally amazing, stop by the FSC blog and feast your eyes on the DT samples. Boy I tell you, I am one lucky gal to be in this mix! I will also link this up to Gingersnap Creations GC136, "Glorious Greens."

Oh did I have a blast with this one and I really wish you could see it IRL. The stamps are from the Route 66 collection at Artistic Outpost. This was a must have stamp set for me, as I have a few men in my life. This one may become my DH's birthday card in June. Ok, so here is the scoop. Stamped the car/motel image with Timber Brown, used makeup applicators to color in areas directly from the Distress Ink Pads, shaded edges, layered distressed edges and shaded. Used a glue pen to draw in a few random lines and added some clear Mica Flakes for that more realistic desert ground. The cactus is of course a shrinky dink, which was stamped in Timber Brown and colored on the reverse side with tan/yellow Sharpies. For the map newsprint was inked, splattered, wrinkled and then highlighted the wrinkles, ironed flat, then stamped the image. Torn the edges and shaded. Motel stamp was inked with the lighter green and then I ran the Vintage Photo around the edge, stamped and then clear embossed. Then inked with the darker green, wiped off excess and clear embossed a few times to give it a nice sign look! For the background, the green cardstock was inked with all my Distress Colors, I then covered the top of the Retro Circles embossing folder with the lighter green ink, ran it through, and then ran the remaining ink pads over the raised areas, clear embossed. This gives it a faux metal look. Hope I covered everything without making this a novel!

I was so surprised the other day when I went to the mail box and there was a package from Carol of Workman Scraps! Now is that not the sweetest thing and all because I visit her blog! Thank you again Carol, for these adorable stamps. Blogging friends are the best!

Hope to see you join in the challenge at FSC! Thank you so much for visiting and taking the time to comment.

Distress Inks: Shabby Shuttters, Forest Moss, Vintage Photo
Stazon: Timber Brown
Stampin Up Paper: Chocolate Chip, Wild Wasabi, Naturals Ivory

It's All About Hearts!

2012-02-08T09:48:00.000-08:00

Now I am thinking this will be my last Valentine's Day project, but I don't know! Never have I made so many and not even sure why! I thought I was done and then Inspiration Emporium posted about their monthly challenge, so I went over there to see what was happening! "Put A Heart On It," is what was happening, so I thought to myself here goes another one chalked up to that little dude with a bow and arrow! So Cupid struck me again with the love arrow! We are also linking this up to Gingersnap Creations, "Words of Wisdom," because any sentence that has the word "Love" in it, surely is spoken in wisdom.

For this tag I used both of Tim's Valentine stamp sets and his movers and shapers hearts, love those!! I stamped the big "XO" with Versamark and clear embossing powder, which I am almost out of??????? After I heat set, I inked up the tag with Fired Brick, Black Soot and Vintage Photo. Wiped off some of the excess ink from the embossed areas. Then I stamped Tim's hearts in Fire Brick all over the tag. I just love how subtle the background is with the hearts!! Wiped this off. Next I used that four letter word, "IRON" to remove the embossing. My little Cupid was then stamped and I highlighted his bow with Spica Clear Glitter pen, cut a second Cupid, because someone does not have that die - yet! I stamped the word defination on newsprint paper and then cut this from the movers and shapers and attached to cardstock. This was inked with Fired Brick and shaded with Vintage Photo. Added a couple of backing layers and that was that.

I could not help, but to make one more shrinky dink, word stamp! BTW, the original size of this is 5 1/4" by 4" and shrunk down to 1 3/4 x 2 1/4! Now I have an excuse to make one more for the road! If you did not see my post yesterday, using this word stamp and would like to, click here XOXO.

Hope whatever you do for Valentine's Day, that it is done with "Love." Thank you so much for taking the time to visit!

ATC - My First!

2012-02-06T11:34:00.000-08:00

Honestly, I don't believe I have ever made an ATC and so Linda has taken me to a new adventure with this week's Grungy Monday! Now of course it is all about Tim and his techniques and products, which is more than 50% of my craft everything. Still in Valentine's Day mode and thinking about a little tiny space to work with, my thoughts went to my new love of shrink plastic! Will be linking this up to Cindy Adkin's "Woman Thing Link Party" Make My Monday, "Romance," The Artistic Stamper, "Hearts" and Hel's Sunday Stamper, "Hearts."

Could Not Help Myself!

Cut my ATC from recycled cardboard (from sheets), painted it with Fired Brick Crackle and then inked with Fired Brick, shaded with black. Also embossed with Tim's Damask folder. Used Tim's new Valentine's Day release stamps, which were stamped on shrink plastic with Black Stazon. On the reverse side, I colored in some red areas and this was then backed. The tiny hearts in the jar were colored with red alcohol inks and shrunk. The bingo 14 was clear embossed for a little more dimension. Not sure if this will go on a tag, card or be hung. Have to think about this one! Well I did think and it became an ATC on a card!

Thank you for stopping by and have a wonderful week!

A Prescription for Love!!!

2012-02-03T13:10:00.000-08:00

Still have love on my mind and the doctor is in the house and writing those prescriptions for love! You know the funny thing is that I am not at all a Valentine's Day kind of person. I actually don't like that it has become so commercial, but if my DH is thinking about buying me something, I hope it is something new from CHA!!!! Only kidding! Lisa's Bloggers Challenge is all about "Altering" and for the first time I am joining The Stamp Man Challenge and they are looking for us to "Embellish It." All stamps are from Artistic Outpost, the Apothecary collection and will be linked up to their "Shades of Red" challenge and there is a prize.

I cut a tag from from an old cardboard box and of course torn off some bits, which was then painted with Delta's Pearl Gleams. Once dried, I used my Barn Door Distress Stain and went over parts of the cardboard tag. The stain took well and the metallic color of the Pearl Gleams came right through, so I was happy. All images were stamped and cut, shaded, etc. The shrinky dink hearts were colored with alcohol inks and stamped with "Love Potion #9," before shrinking. I did rub the stamped ink off two of the hearts, using a technique from Mr. Holtz. The print is tiny, but it can be read much better than in the photo. The flower and ribbon were sprayed with Santa Baby Glimmer Mist.

Well I hope you all have a wonderful weekend! I can't believe it is already Friday and have no idea what happened to this week. I did a project earlier this week, but can't show you that until next Saturday, but that is about it for me this week in the crafty world! Thanks a ton for today's visit, which I so appreciate!

Make It A Guy Thing at FSC!

2012-01-28T16:05:00.000-08:00

All of us at Fashionable Stamping Challenges are wanting you to join us for some STAMPING fun and our theme for this challenge is, "Make It A Guy Thing." Since Valentine's Day is only two weeks away, I used Cupid as my guy and tried to keep it more masculine and vintage, as to give to a guy! Not sure I was successful at my attempt, but Cupid is a Guy! Wait until you see what my Stamping DT Sisters have for your viewing pleasure. We are also going to link this us at Beverly's Pink Saturday!

The stamps I used are Stampin Up and Stampendous for the crackle. I first stamped my center heart using Brown Craft and then clear embossing. Made a mask to cover the center heart and then stamped the next two hearts and again inked and clear embossed. Used Distress Inks to color my tag background and then stamped the crackle. I did color the little leaves around the hearts and stamped and cut a forth heart for the center and gave it a touch of color. Added some Stickles around the heart! Cupid was stamped, cut and colored with chalks. His wings are covered in Rock Candy Stickles and his little bottom cover was inked with Clear Spica Glitter. Trust me, it is there! I alcohol inked the mesh bag, word stick and key and used Black Spica Glitter in the Kiss! The tag edges were distressed and shaded.

Well we would love to see your take on this challenge, so come on by and join in on all the fun! Wishing you all a fabulous weekend and thanks so much for visiting!

Stickles: Vintage Photo, Rock Candy
Distress Inks: Frayed Burlap, Brushed Corduroy, Fired Brick
Stampin Up Markers: Green Galore, Pink Piroquette,

On The Road Again!

2012-01-24T08:16:00.000-08:00

Simon Says Stamp and Show want us to Show A Song Title, Linda's Grungy Monday #34 is wanting us to use Tim's, Crackle Resist and you can see that HERE and Gingersnap Creations GC134 is all
about Ribbons! So here we go with Willie Nelson.

The tag background was done per the video instructions. I Distressed Crackled, Distress Inked, and stamped using Tim's Air Travel Map and Compass. The words I computer generated along with a picture of Willie! The Old Jalopy was cut from black chipboard and then covered in Brushed Pewter Crackle and I did ink over that. Added some of Tim's embellishments and of course the pen nib is "thoughts" as I am sure that Willie had plenty of thoughts before taking pen to paper! The ribbons were distressed with both ink and the crimper as I wanted them to be a little less perky!

This was quite fun and I enjoyed making the background! Thank you for stopping by and taking the time to comment. Have a fabulous day!

Crackle Paint: Broken China, Brushed Pewter
Distress Inks: Black Soot, Chipped Sapphire, Weathered Wood

Cupid Strikes Again!

2012-01-18T13:28:00.000-08:00

I always look forward to Monday and what new adventure Linda will take us on! For Grungy Monday #33, we are revisiting Tim's August 2008 Technique Challenge. For all the details, click the link and come play along! This will also be linked up to Simon Says Stamp and Show Anything But a Card and Gingersnap Creations GC135 Use Your Favorite Paper.

For my large fragment, Red Pepper, Cranberry, Latte and Pitch Black alcohol inks were used. The stamped image is from the new Valentine's Silhouettes. Tim's movers and shaper hearts were cut with shrinky dinks, colored with red alcohol inks, backed with white paper and edged with black marker. The word stick was edged with red marker and I rubbed in red Stickles to highlight the "Love." The metal heart charm was colored with red alcohol ink and then I marked the outer edge with black marker. The frame was cut using my Grand Nesties, embossed with Tim's Chakerboard and then clear embossed for added interest. Cut some photo corners for the fragment. The background paper is from Tim's Seasonal Stash.

Thank you for stopping by and I hope you have a fabulous rest of the week!

Butterflies or Bugs at FSC!

2012-01-14T16:06:00.000-08:00

Fashionable Stamping Challenges is in search of "Butterflies or Bugs" and in my case that would be both! First let me remind you that we are all about stamping and that use of digi background papers is just fine. We just want to see the focal point of your lovely creations with stamped images. Don't forget that Marina of Cottage Crafts is our sponsor and there is always a nice stamping prize. BTW, that is one of my New Year's resolutions, to use the enormous amount of stamps I have!!! With that in mind, all of my stamps are from Stampin Up. I have several of their butterfly stamps, which are among my favorites as far as butterflies go. We were putting away Christmas decorations and I had to move my unused gourds, so that is where the idea came into play. My Mom and I bought several gourds for decorative painting and since I no longer paint :-( the idea of adding stamps was born! Here it is! No Shirley, I am leaving out that part! It is an inside joke! We are also linking this up to Lisa's Bloggers Challenge, "Wings and Things" and Gingersnap Creations #133, "Use a Set or a Line of Stamps."

Since I really liked the natural state of the gourd, I just added sealer, before any stamping activity! Now I stamped both on tissue paper and a few directly on the gourd. Don't waste your time stamping directly on the gourd, much better to stamp on tissue paper, cut out closely and then apply. There is this Palette black glue pad that I purchased some time ago and had never used. Did some searching and did not really find what I was looking for, so did it my way! I inked up my glue pad with the black glue and then stamped on the tissue paper. With the black glue, unless you are going to add embossing powders, you have to heat set. Once I heat set, I applied perfect pearls in a color pattern I liked. I brushed off the excess and then turned it over to color on the backside of the tissue paper. On the blue butterflies, I applied an iridescent foil leafing and it is difficult to see, but there are some really pretty sparkle specs. After I was done with my butterflies and dragonflies, I wanted some greenery and also did touches of crackle to give this a more rustic/vintage feel. All layers were done using Mod Podge, which I really love. I am still thinking if I want to add sprinklings of glitter or beads in areas. This will most likely be a gift for my daughter, who will have a birthday in February. I was once her age!!

Thank you all for visiting and I sure hope to see you at FSC for some great fun!

Palette Black Stamp & Stick Gluepad
Perfect Pearls: Blue Raspberry, Mint, Forever Violet, Forever Blue, Perfect Copper, Cappuccino, Mandarin, Perfect Gold, Green Patina
Stampin Up Markers: Ruby Red, Certainly Celery, Pale Plum, Bordering Blue, Bashful Blue, Crushed Curry, Close to Cocoa, Apricot Appeal, Creamy Caramel
Multi colored foil leafing
Rock Candy Crackle
Distress Ink: Vintage Photo
Sealer, Mod Podge

Love Is Just Around the Corner!

2012-01-12T12:24:00.000-08:00

OK, love is not just around the corner, but with us at all times. The people in my life that I love is a 24 hour a day event, but we all enjoy that extra touch of sweetness and love!! For GM 32, Linda has us reviewing the 12 Tags of Christmas and picking one of our favorites, but using the techniques for a non-Christmas-y work of art. If you have not been to Linda's house (blog), go check out that girl's flowers! Now the lovely folks at Simon Say Stamp and Show is all about a "Red Letter Day," so between the two challenges, I knew I would be doing a Valentine's Day theme! So here is my non-Christmas-y work of art using a Red Letter (Number)!!

I decided to go with Tag #11, which involved making your own embellishments using shrink plastic, UTEE and alcohol inks. I also did the background as in the instructions, well so to speak! The background and cupid stamps are from Tim's newest release that I won from Stamper's Anonymous, which I was so excited to play with! I clear embossed the large word background stamp and then inked it up! Covered the 14 with Stickles and shaded the edges. The red shrink hearts were cut from Tim's Movers and Shapers, colored with alcohol inks and then baked and coated with UTEE. The ticket, also a Tim stamp, was colored with markers and then stamped. I stamped the cupid with black craft ink and then clear embossed and cut him out!!!!!!!!!!!. I really like how this card turned out. I can't wait to buy the cupid die, because it sure beats cutting out by hand!

Thank you for stopping by and a big hello to my newest followers! Off to have a little lunch and then do some much needed blog visits. Have a great week and stop by on Saturday to see my newest DT post for FSC. I think you will really like this one!

Distress Inks: Frayed Burlap, Black Soot, Fired Brick
Stickles: Xmas Red
Stampin Up Markers: Read Red, Black

Spring or Winter????

2012-01-06T14:04:00.000-08:00

Gingersnap Creations Spicy Supply Challenge is all about "WAX" and I knew I would be doing a candle. I did a candle when I first starting stamping, way back four years ago and just thought it was so cool. Now today when Lisa's Bloggers Challenge listed colors, I so knew I would use a band of lovely pansies!!! All stamps are from Artistic Outpost, Flappers Fashion for the pansies and Birds of a Feather for the sentiment!

The images were stamped on white tissue paper with Stazon black and colored in with Stampin Up Markers. This is a very simple technique, because it just involved stamping and coloring in the lines! OK, it was a bit of a pain as there is quite a bit of green leafy matter and I stamped the image four times for top and bottom and to get it all around the candle! I think it is worth the coloring time and this would surely make a nice gift! Don't you love the "Ant Dude" shoveling all the snow away to bring Spring in??

Green, Black, Purple, Blue, Vanilla or White

Why would I be using Spring as a theme, well I question if this is Spring or Winter! We have been in the mid to high 60's during the day, but still dropping quite low at night. Most of the Midwest has not seen a snowflake and are enjoying warmer days, so I felt as if Spring has Sprung! We are also going to Spring over to Simon Says Stamp and Show Something New ... Something Old. My candle is new and my stamps are old!

I sure hope you are enjoying this first week of "2012." Have a great weekend and thank you for stopping by!

Stampin Up Markers, Old Olive, Certainly Celery, Bashful Blue, Perfect Plum, Pale Plum

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, TIM HOLTZ!

2012-01-05T13:46:00.000-08:00

When I went to see what our amazing Linda had in store for this week's Grungy Monday #31, I was excited and nervous! Making a card/tag for "TIM," was not what I expected! Well "Happy Birthday, Tim" and I sure wish you many, many more! I will say this and I know you all agree with me, Tim goes beyond inspiration and encourages us in so many ways! What I like the most is that it is all about the techniques and learning. No matter what your style is, you have so much to learn from this incredible artist! Oh and I just can't wait for book number #2! Linda is going to give me a swat for this, but I think I see a CCC2 just around the corner???? Love you, Linda! You know I do!! We are also taking Tim's Birthday card to Simon Says Stamp and Show Something Old ... Something New! Here it is!!

I knew I was going to use this Kraft Resist paper and the map is one of my very favorites and the grid for the card base! I love making frames out of Tim's Sizzix line of dies, which I cut from grunge paper and mounted on chipboard. The gp frame was inked with one of my prizes (NEW) from Stampers Anonymous, the "Old Paper" stain, which I totally love and will so be ordering more! I then stamped it with the (NEW) crackle stamp from Tim's "Joyful Song." "The World" and card background were Distress Inked and I added a little of my own bling mix. I had thought about hanging a word token or stick from the frame top, but then decided to make a shrink plastic old jalopy and arrow from my (NEW) movers and shapers die set. This were inked with alcohol inks and clear embossing powder. The "Happy Birthday" was cut from foil using Tim's Typeset and again inked with alcohol inks! The words were generated from my computer and I used a print that best reflected "The World." All other items and products used in this post are "OLD."

Now I want to give a shoot out to "Stampers Anonymous" for their most generous giveaway during the "12 Tags of Christmas" and a huge thank you! I was one of the lucky winners and the package included a Trinket Box, 3 Distress Stains, 2 stamps sets and a package word sticks! Love how all my embellishments fit so nicely in the case.

Well I sure hope that Tim has an amazing birthday! Thank you so kindly for stopping by and have a great day!

Distress Inks: Dried Marigold, Tumbled Glass, Vintage Photo, Old Paper
Distress Stains: Old Paper
Alcohol Inks: Black, Copper, Pearl, Gold and Blending Medium

Starry Night

2012-01-01T16:35:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year and with that is my first card of the year! Now I normally don't do CAS, but today I only had a little time and a little energy! Had a wonderful NYE celebration with friends, but still was up bright and early that AM!

I have wanted to use this lovely background of June's and it so fits this challenge of Starry Nights!! I printed the image on white card stock and then trimmed to size. The Stampin Up image was inked with VersaMark and then heat embossed with Creations Unlimited, Winter Ice. I framed the background and image using double sided tape and embossed with Winter Ice. This was really a CAS and would work for Christmas "thank you" cards! The sparkle is much nicer in person as well as the card!

Hope you all had a wonderful NYE and an even better "2012." As always, thank you for taking the time to visit and leaving such wonderful comments!

"New Stash" at FSC and HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

2011-12-31T16:05:00.000-08:00

We are using NEW STASH for the current theme for Fashionable Stamping Challenges! How fun to pull out some of those never used treasures or perhaps some gifts Santa left for you! Won't you join us for some Stamping Fun using your New Stash! Stop by FSC to have a look at the clever and gorgeous creations of all the Fashionettes! I want to thank FSC for inviting me to be a part of such a great group! This is not only a group of collective talent, but such a fun and caring group! We actually have a blast together and that is what this is all about, having a good time and encouraging others to just have fun!

So here is what I came up with for the Fashionable Stamping Challenges "New Stash" challenge and I will also be linking this to Grungy Monday's "Get Out The Tissues," Simon Says Stamp and Show a "Tim Holtz Themed Tag," Lisa's Bloggers Challenge "Celebrate Good Times." Using some New Stash, I wanted to ring in the "New Year."

I used Tim's tissue tape to cover a tag and inked a little Festive Berries (new) and Vintage Photo on some areas. Ran it through the crimper several times and then gave a spray with my new "Shimmer Spritz." The spray settled nicely in the groves and added a little extra color! All stamps are my "new" Tim Holtz "Little Labels." The countdown numbers were stamped with Stazon Red on my "new" clear shrink plastic and the "2012" were stamped on red card stock using black craft ink, clear embossed and hand punched. The hand and admit one were stamped, inked with Vintage Photo and cut. I added a thin line of red Stickles to the "Admit" one! The little "party favor" was cut from foil with my new Martha Stewart "Fringe Scissors." Wrapped it around a cocktail straw, added some double sided tape and then sprinkled the glitter/bead mix. I cut a second tag from black card stock a quarter inch larger than the original tag, so I could add a little extra festive fun! I made a little batch of mixed fun using some new chunky glitter, along with some glass glitter, fine red glitter and black beads. Added some fibers and the clear tinsel is new! So I used several new items from my stash. Hope to see your amazing creations using some of that "New Stash" that I know we all have!

I want to wish all of you a very happy and amazing "2012." A big "thank you" to all of my newest followers and to those of you who take the time to visit and comment! Your comments and friendship mean so very much to me! HAPPY NEW YEAR!

The Stamp Man Annual Award!

2011-12-30T14:42:00.000-08:00

While visiting Brenda's blog, I learned The Stamp Man has a lovely contest happening to celebrate your favorite project of "2011." For me it has to be my first altered cigar box! For all of the details you can click here. I played for the first time with moulds and added shrink plastic pieces and used Artistic Outpost stamps! This was such a blast from start to finish!

Now I was also very torn as the next project I enjoyed way too much, was Tim's "12 Tags of Christmas," so I decided to show these also!

Such a fun year was 2011 and I just know that 2012 will be an even better year for creativity! Thank you for stopping by and I will be back tomorrow!

Traveling Around the World with FSC!!

2011-12-17T18:00:00.000-08:00

The FASHIONABLE STAMPING CHALLENGE team would like to take you for a spin around the world! We are flying, sailing, driving and even motor cycling around the world or countryside! Won't you join us and experience life outside the box! Oh and speaking of "box," what I have here is an altered cigar box that I made using all Artistic Outpost stamps! I really hope my hubby will love his "Route 66" box which was certainly made with love and lots of glue! Well we sure hope you will come and play along and really stop by and have a visit with my awesome and talented "Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants." Could not resist!

So here is the scoop on the box alteration! First I sprayed some primer gray paint in all areas of the box, not the inside. The inside was done using Tim's Kraft paper and adding some interest with the Distress Inks, listed below. Lots of cutting and measuring! Now of course I would use the world travel piece paper, which I thought was just so perfect for the inside. I took some white wrinkled tissue paper and ran some Distress Inks (Faded Jeans, Tea Dye, Peeled Paint) lightly over the entire sheet! Do make sure that Distress Inks are dry before stamping and added embossing powder, because they do stay damp for a while. This was glued down using Mod Podge and I crinkled it up a little more for extra dimension. Then I covered with another layer of Mod Podge, which will now be referred to as MP!! Some of the images (motor cycle, hotel scene) were stamped with black craft and clear heat embossed on the colored tissue paper. These were then cut out and glued down. I wanted them to blend in! The gas pump, motel sign, etc., were stamped on white tissue paper with distress inks and or markers, then clear embossed. Some images were just stamped directly on the tissued covered box and then covered in clear embossing powder. The little map was also shaded around the edges for a more worn look, which is quite faint. For each piece, a layer of MP and then the paper and then another layer of MP! I added a little Mica Flakes for fun! I decided to keep this somewhat flat, because it will be used and too many embellishments would get in the way! This was a fun project and more so that it will be a gift!

Hope you all are doing well and just about ready for the Holidays! I still have shopping to do for my hubby, but he is easy - NOT! He always wants some stupid thing from Sears and I don't like shopping at Sears! Usually I order online and then just go to the store for pickup! Other than crafts, I am not a shopper! Is that not a sad thing? Well I won't be doing any posting until after Christmas, but will visit blogs as I have a few of you I need to give a "hello" to. I wish you all a Merry Christmas and the very best of the Holiday season!

Distress Inks: Faded Jeans, Peeled Paint, Tea Dye, Vintage Photo, Barn Door, Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain
Stampin Up: Craft Black, Markers Red, Black, Blue
Stampendous Mica Flakes

"Mini Lights" Winners

2011-12-15T06:46:00.000-08:00

I so loved how Tim grouped his tags, so decided to take a picture of my collection! Was that a fun time or what!? More than anything, I love playing with techniques and backgrounds and learning to improvise! Some of you had mentioned to take a picture of my tags on my Christmas tree, but my plan is to give a few to family!! My G-Daughter already put her name on Tag #2. Maybe after the Holidays, I will remake the ones I give away!

Now the reason you came here! OK, I cheated a little and actually decided to give away four sets of lights. I was fortunate enough to come across more lights and if I happen upon even more, I still have your names in a little box! And the winners are! Send me an e-mail with your mailing details!

Diane - 1CardCreator
Silvia - BarniesBaustelle
Jan - PaperCraftPleastures
Helene - LotsaScrap

Have a lovely day and be sure to stop by on Saturday for DT post for Fashionable Stamping Challenges! It is a Christmas gift for my DH and he took today and Friday off, so I have to be careful. Thanks as always for stopping by!

Tim's 12 Tags of Christmas 2011 - Day 12

2011-12-12T16:03:00.000-08:00

Well like they say, "All Good Things, Must Come To An End." Here is my final take on Tim's 12 Tags of Christmas and I can honestly say that this has been an amazing adventure! Boy oh boy have I learned how to improvise and even came up with a couple of clever techniques of my own or I think they are mine! This is my first time playing and I loved it all, but it would have been more fun, if I would have not been a "sicky" the entire time! Linking up to Inspiration Emporium and Simon Says Stamp and Show - Projects with Depth. So here is my #12!

Since I had none of Tim's Tissue Paper and no time to order, I made mine own. Not the first time I have done this! The word/music backgrounds are from Stampendous. I stamped tissue paper in Stazon Red and yes I know the flower leaves something to be desired! Kind of a sick puppy, like it's creator! The "25" was cut from Tim's sizzlits. The snowflake I covered in Rock Candy Stickles and pushed through some Xmas Red from underneath for a stained glass effect! I wanted red this time, because that is one of my favorite Christmas colors.

Well thank you again for sharing this adventure with me. You have no idea how much I appreciate the time you take to comment. Just in case you missed yesterday's post, I have a couple of sets of mini lights to giveaway, should you have an interest. Just go HERE and let me know!

Tim's 12 Tags of Christmas 2011 - Day 11 and a little BLOG CANDY!

2011-12-11T15:48:00.000-08:00

For Day 11, Tim has us experimenting with Shrink Plastic, UTEE and Alcohol Inks! Not too much fun! I decided to go with a mini version of a tag for a gift tag. Each year, I make up a bunch of little gift tags and I just loved the idea of making them extra special. This is also being linked to Inspiration Emporium.

I used Tim's Mini Tag die and inked with Fired Brick and Bundled Sage, but first clear embossed the snowflakes. Stamped the Merry Christmas and torn by hand. All edges were shaded with Frayed Burlap. Now for the really fun part! I did open my Melting Pot, but was not going to even mess with this until tomorrow! Well I could not resist and thought I would do a quick trial run. If you try it my way, a suggestion is to shrink first and add UTEE after!!! Just letting you know! I did save my first little guy, but it was an unnecessary waste of time! I so love to experiment! I cut my Gingerbread guy with Shrink Plastic. Now I also did mask the little frosting areas with some 3M Safe Release tape, but I am sure any would work. I applied my Ginger Alcohol Ink and keep it off the masked areas until the very end. Removed the masking tape and carefully with one of those little swabs with a point, dipped it in blending solution. I carefully went over the area that I wanted white/clear to remove the little excess ginger color. Now I pushed the little guy (uncolored side down) into the VersaMark and then sprinkled him with UTEE. I did several coats of this. Turned him over and painted the back with white. I will try this with the pot, but I just did not want the drama of me and hot materials today! So you don't need the melting pot to play!

Blog Candy

Now I have had several of you mention these lights and as luck would have it, Michael's actually had some show up kind of late. I grabbed them and am offering a set to two of you! You do have to let me know that you would like a set of lights, because some of you may have no interest in these. I just know that sometimes I see something I really would like and can't find it! So just ask and I will do a little drawing by the end of the week and who knows, you might even receive them before Christmas!

Thank you for the visit and I will see you tomorrow!

Tim's 12 Tags of Christmas 2011 - Day 10

2011-12-10T18:16:00.000-08:00

It is hard to believe that we are now on day 10 of Tim's 12 Tags of Christmas! Tim has all the instructions posted on his blog if you want to know the right way to do this! I won't lie, I tried four times and maybe I rubbed the paper off too hard. The images I ended up with were very faint and I was not going to waste a facet, so ended up just added the paper images to fragments. I will practice, but needed to be done. I wasted a trip to Michael's in search of kraft tags, so worked with what I had. Here is my tag for #10 and will be linked at Inspiration Emporium.

For my tag I used Stampin Up Naturals paper, which has kind of a rough finish. I gave it a distressing with Vintage Photo and then used Stampin Up French Script for my background! Used Tim's pine stamp and inked the pine needles with Forrest Moss and the pine cone with frayed burlap and then clear embossed. The edged the tag with Versamark and then embossed with gold. The fragments were edged with a Krylon gold pen. The letters were cut with a Sizzix die. I decided to not add further embellishments, because I think I will mail this one off!

Well tomorrow I am not tagging! I need to maybe "START" a little decorating for Christmas - you think? Thanks a ton for stopping by and will catch you on Monday! Have a wonderful Sunday!

Tim's 12 Tags of Christmas 2011 - Day Nine

2011-12-09T17:28:00.000-08:00

What can I say but, "Fun, Fun, Fun." Tim's Day Nine tag lesson is all about the background, so go have a look and join in on the fun! For my background stamp, I used the "Snowflake" from Impression Obsession and I also received more background stamps today! WooHoo! This is also linking up to Inspiration Emporium.

I used Tumbled Glass to ink up my stamp and then followed Tim's instructions and finished with Faded Jeans. All shading was done with Vintage Photo. For my main piece, I had to use the "Lamppost." I painted Grunge with the black dabber, distressed a little. Now I don't know how well this will look, but I made the lamp look like old frosted thick glass! I cut a piece of plastic, embossed with the Damask folder, sanded lightly, inked with Scattered Straw and clear embossed, repeated with Dried Marigold. Now most of the embossing faded away, but the effect was pretty cool. I added a piece of wax paper to the back and I just love how this turned out! I really looks like glass!! Promise! I did the snow effect with paint, glitter, stickles and more paint. Again I wanted a snow look, but also some of the icing that always goes along! I may live in CA now, but I know about snow! For the holly I glued down some of my leftovers from the "Glassine" technique, cut and added a thin layer of Peeled Paint Stickles. Once dried I put little touch of snow and ice on the leaves! The berries I painted with red and then added dimension with Xmas Red Stickles. The Joy was cut from the Market Place strip and covered with UTEE. My little deer has a red nose and a garland wreath with little red lights! It was a berry, until someone turned it upside down, before the stickles dried!

My DH just got home a little while ago after being gone most of the week, so I am quite happy. It has been a long week with battling this cold/flu or whatever, but thankfully, I have been able to play! Have a wonderful evening and will see for Day 10!

Tim's 12 Tags of Christmas 2011 - Day Seven and Eight!

2011-12-08T17:39:00.000-08:00

Yes, I know my blog background is off and so are the backgrounds of a few bloggers I know. Not quite sure what to do, but will remove it, if this is how it will be! Anyway on to Tim's Day Seven and Eight! Linking to Inspiration Emporium and Simon Says Stamps and Show Some Elements of Time.

Day Seven started with a very late start, because I was hoping the stamp set he used would actually arrive and it did not! It also looks like it might not arrive before this adventure ends! I used Pumice Stone and Bundled Sage for the background colors and shaded with Vintage Photo. Background stamps are Stampin Up "French Script" and Stampendous "Crackle." I have been trying to use mostly Tim's products, but now and again, you got to do what you got to do! I will say this tag had me pull out my Hot Glue Gun that I have not used in ages! So much easier!

Day Eight, was another late start. I had a doctors appointment and knew if I started anything "stamp" involved I would be late and arrive with ink stained hands! So sorry on both accounts that the pictures may be lacking! I am not the best photographer, so lack of light, does not help! My inks of choice were Bundled Sage, Barn Door, Tumbled Glass, Pine Needles and Walnut Stain. I cut out little images from Tim's Seasonal papers for the film strip. The GIANT letters, which never dawned on me until after, were chipboard pieces that I inked with Black Craft and then did two coats of UTEE. I used my own collection of vintage gears and watch/clock pieces and added a little piece of tissue tape. All stamps are Tim's. I decided my guys were have tinsel instead of holly in their hats.

What a total disaster the room is in now! I actually will have no choice, but to clean it up! I am not sure where I have put little bits and pieces. Wow! Thank you so much for stopping by for a visit and will catch you all tomorrow!

Tim's 12 Tags of Christmas 2011 - Day Six

2011-12-06T15:21:00.000-08:00

You absolutely have my permission to laugh, because I have found this experience quite amusing! For all the details visit Mr. Holtz and learn about foil paper and paint dabbers. Will be linking this to Inspiration Emporium.

The paint dabbers I have and used are white, gold, silver and copper. For the other colors, I used my enormous collection of acrylic paints, green, brown and red. Followed the instructions, sanded lightly and then covered with the Walnut Stain, which kind of gave my whites a dirty look, which of course I did not notice until I added the clear embossing powder. Now I wanted my whites to be white, so I decided to take a VersaMark embossing pen and cover the dirty white areas and then embossed with white EP. So that was done. Then I decided I wanted my tree to have a little more of a festive appearance, so I covered again with the pen and added a coating of a previous mix I made. So this is what I did for the last six hours and I am not joking about that. Well I did take about an hour off for lunch and coffee! You should see that room, because I have not really cleaned it up the last couple of days! Maybe tonight, as my DH is off at a class!

Thank you for stopping by and go right ahead and have yourself a good old fashioned chuckle!

Tim's 12 Tags of Christmas 2011 - Day Five

2011-12-05T11:00:00.000-08:00

Tim for "Day Five" has us working on "reflections resist," so check this out here! Not matter what you style of stamping is, there is so much to be learned from this creative genius! Linking up to Inspirational Emporium.

Pretty much I followed Tim's instructions, replacing alcohol inks colors with Ginger, Latte, Caramel, as I was wanting a vintage style tag! Speaking of instructions, what I dislike about myself is how I attempt to avoid instructions! Made two attempts at stamping the images according to the instructions, but neglected the second part of removing the Jet Black ink! What a difference it made! I went back to Tim's blog several times! I do not have the new reflections stamps, but guess what is making that ever growing list?? Finished this off with Tim's Santa and the wreath with some festive lights. Added my bling mix on the edge and that was it!

Thank you for stopping by! Glad this did not take too long, because I need to do some blog visiting! Have a lovely and creative day!

Tim's 12 Tags of Christmas 2011 - Day Four

2011-12-04T15:50:00.000-08:00

This morning when I woke up and went to Tim's blog for today's tag, I was so excited that I had most everything! Well not having "ANY" of the Distress Stains, made this the real challenge. My sweet DH, took a run to Michael's for me, but none were to be had! Yesterday out of no where I decided it would be a good day to get a sore throat, which during the night became increasingly sore and this AM, full blown sore! Between not feeling super and waiting for things to dry, I had to figure out how to do a background. I so want some of those stains!! Don't you just love how Mr. Holtz gives such great instructions and pictures? How much time he devotes to us and I am sure it pays off for him and deservedly so! Here is my tag for "Day Four, which will be linked at Inspiration Emporium."

To do my background, I pulled out some Delta Gleams with a Pearl Finish. I thinned this out three little areas with water, left one area white, added one drop each of Weathered Wood and Tumbled Glass to the remaining! From that point I followed Mr. Holtz steps! For my stamped images I went with Snow Cap and Silver Dabbers. I cut out a separate hat and added Black Stickles and then a little Glossy Accents and some red and white seed beads! My use of seed beads came from adoring Lucy's many gorgeous projects!! I was all done and took my photos, showed the tag to my DH and his brilliant observation was noticing the lack of an eye! He said that the blogging world would be talking about me if I did not have an eye! So it was that an eye was added! I actually had planned on that, but in my fog today, I forgot! So there you have it!

Hope you all are having as much fun as I am! So happy that you stopped by for a visit!

It's All About Dressmaking, Corsets and or Accessories!

2011-12-04T00:01:00.000-08:00

At Fashionable Stamping Challenges it is all about "Dressmaking, Corsets, Accessories" and we would love to have you join us in some great fun and a chance at a prize! Really stop by and see the gorgeous creations my DT Sisters have designed for your viewing pleasure and inspiration! I am so thrilled to be with such a talented group and of course they are quite fun! BTW, I once sewed and made most of my clothes, even jeans! I will never forget one year, I wanted a fancy pair of jeans! Went to the fabric store, picked out my denim and some metallic silver piping! Oh those were really some fancy pants and now I wish I had taken a picture! Here is my interpretation of "Dressmaking."

For my background, I stamped and clear embossed on white card stock using Tim's Haberdashery stamps. Covered with Distress Inks and sprayed with Pearl Glimmer Mist. Once dry, I ran it through Tim's embossing folder and highlighted. The little buttons and spool were cut with shrink plastic and colored with Sharpies to match the ladies dresses! Added a little thread and again to match! Now my styling ladies is a Hero Arts stamp that was 40% off at JoAnn's and when I saw it, I grabbed it just for this challenge! Is this perfect or what? Stamped with Black Stazon and colored the bodies with Stampin Up Chalks. I wanted a subtle coloring for the skin. I stamped again on colored card stock for their outfits and fuzzy cut to give my ladies a little more depth. Used another embossing folder for the stitching, added an old zipper on the bottom edge and held it in place with straight pins! Another fun project!

Thank you for visiting and sure hope you will stop by FSC and join in on the fun!

Distress Inks: Tattered Rose, Wild Honey, Story Sky, Frayed Burlap
Stazon Ink: Timber Brown and Black

Tim's 12 Tags of Christmas 2011 - Day Three

2011-12-03T15:50:00.000-08:00

Can we all say, "Improvise?" When I saw Tim's tag for day three, I was overwhelmed with wondering how I was going to do this day! I pulled out all my Tim's Christmas related stamps and embossing folders and thought I had found a a matching set! For all the details on today's tag, go visit Tim. Linking up at Inspiration Emporium!

Well I inked up as per Tim's instructions and stamped my image and then tried to line up the trees in what I thought to be the matching embossing folder! Well, it does not fit the stamp and so that piece made it to the trash. I did ink up my trees and then added clear embossing powder for that little touch of depth. Added a free of more of Tim's stamps. For the Holly treatment I used the greenery from the Holiday Lamppost die. I can't believe how many items are now making to a list for my Santa! Actually I ordered some of Tim's crafting goodness just for this and nothing has made it to my door! Kind of upset about that, but what can you do?

Thanks again for stopping by and I hope to see you tomorrow!

Ink/Reinkers: Forrest Moss, Shabby Shutters, Fired Brick, Brushed Corduroy, Tea Dye

Tim's 12 Tags of Christmas 2011 - Day Two!!

2011-12-02T12:53:00.000-08:00

The amazing Tim has brought us on another creative journey for Day Two of the 12 Tags of Christmas! For all the details on how to do this visit Tim. My daughter left around 9:00 AM and I wasted no time at all running to the craft room, which is not a total disaster! I don't know how to keep it clean, especially when you are using such a variety of materials! Speaking of materials or lack of, it is all about making the best with what you have. Here is my take on this fabulous second day, which will go for a visit at Inspiration Emporium!

Since I did not have any of the new Seasonal Kraft Resist paper, I did use Paper Stash Kraft Resist and made a couple of alterations! Took one of Tim's stamps and stamped the holly greenery in Stazon on the left top, stamped with clear embossing for a resist effect using Tim's Merry Christmas and a couple of pine branches. Made my own Perfect Pearls mist using 1/3 dropper of Antique Linen reinker and Perfect Pearl. Now the fun part was that I could not find the sticky back canvas that I know I have, so I used some Sookwang double sided taped and some fabric from my stash! So loved how my deer turned out! Added some of the gold dauber paint to the "wish" word and cut some fabrics for the tie.

Ok, I am off and running to clean up for tomorrow's wonderful mess to be made! Have a great day and thank you a ton for stopping by!

Tim's 12 Tags of Christmas 2011 - Day One!!

2011-12-01T14:04:00.000-08:00

WooHoo! This is my first year playing and I was so darned excited, I had my DH wake me up at 5:00 AM! Now I could not start right away and have my lovely daughter showing up around 3:00 PM, so I had to work in stages! I loved this totally, not just because it is obviously orchestrated by the coolest man ever, but because of the sharing as bloggers! So here is my take on Tim's 12 Tags of Christmas 2011! Also linking this up to Linda's Grungy Monday #29, which is all about Tim and Inspiration Emporium!

I did not have the Pine Cone die, so substituted Tattered Florals, Branch Tree and added little bronze tone beads for the center with little touches of Rock Candy Stickles. Used Wish and Mini Baroque and after glittered with white and silver, I added a bead of Glossy Accents and sprinkled clear seed beads around the outer edge. Since I did not have the Kraft Core paper, I used Tim's Distress Collection from Core'dinations. Once the the embossing was done, I sanded the snowflakes and added touches of Faded Jeans Distress Inks and sanded the snowflake edges again.

This was a blast and I can't tell you how excited I was to be able to play! Can't wait for tomorrow, but I will have to play after my DD leaves for her business appointment!

Grungy Monday #28 and SSSS Some Tickets

2011-11-27T15:15:00.000-08:00

Well I squeezed in a little play time today and just in the nick of time for Linda's Grungy Monday #28 and Simon Says Stamp and Show Some Tickets! For GM we are following Tim's Piece for the Ranger Ink Great Pumpkin Challenge and just like many of my GM Challenge Buddies, there is not a pumpkin to be found!! Now here is what I came up with!

I cut my "Foil Tape Sheets" using Tim's carved ornaments and new movers and shapers mini deer and number, then followed the steps in the above link. I did adhere my carved ornament foil piece to a piece of chipboard for depth. After the pieces where inked, I also shaded with black and gave my little deer an eye and of course the red nose! I used Tim's designer paper for the ticket and added foiled numbers a little Spica glitter here and there. The Core'dinations background was embossed and sanded. I did the background with embossed and debossed snowflakes and really liked the debossed look for this! BTW, the red tinsel trim on the bottom is from WalMart and it was very inexpensive! The silver tinsel stem was inked with red alcohol ink.

Wishing all of you a great week and I can't believe we have less than a month until Christmas! How did that happen? Thank you a bunch for stopping by today!

Ink: Archival Black, Distress Fired Brick
Alcohol Inks: Red Pepper, Cranberry, Meadow, Espresso, Caramel,
Spica, Red, Gold, Clear
Xmas Red Stickles
Dies: Tag, Movers Shapers
Folders: Dot Matrix, Snowflake, Cracked

Being Thankful!

2011-11-26T17:37:00.000-08:00

First off, I am sorry that I have not been around that much this last week, but will be visiting all of your blogs next week! With Thanksgiving, I was so busy cooking and it was just the hubby and myself! Well I know that plenty of you were living in your kitchens! Hope all of you who celebrated Thanksgiving had a wonderful time and those who did not the same!

The Appetizer

And The Thanksgiving Dinner

I am thankful for the lovely DT at Gingersnap Creations for choosing me and this card for the "Black and Grey" challenge to receive a Ginger Gem! Always such an honor! Thank you!

To all my followers, new and old, I am so thankful to share with you in this creative journey! This crafty hobby blogging world is the best. Once in a while we actually get to meet one of our crafty blogging friends and that is exactly what I did today! It was such a pleasure to meet up with Linda from "My Happy Place" and her husband on their way home from a camping trip! What an adorable and sweet couple! I was so thrilled to be able to share some real quality time! Fun time and I sure hope we do that again soon!

Linda and Me with Sun in Eyes!

The wonderful and generous Cindy from "My Whimsical Musings," sent me this gorgeous Tag! I just love the fairy image and the flower and lace touch is sheer elegance and even the vintage advertisement bag is amazing! Thank you so much, Cindy, for thinking of me!

Last but not least, I was sent an invite from Nancy of "Sugar Lump Studios" for what looks to be "12 Days of Whimsy" fun! Click the link and take a look! There will be prizes!!!

Wishing you all a wonderful evening! I am thankful that you took the time to visit!

"I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas."

2011-11-19T16:46:00.000-08:00

At Fashionable Stamping Challenges, we are all "Dreaming of a White Christmas." I would love to see my blogging friends join in with some of their Christmas Stamping Talent! Now we all have to get those Christmas and or Holiday cards ready, so why not take this opportunity to join in on some holiday fun, make some new friends and have a chance at a prize from Cottage Crafts! No digi images are allowed, but I know you have some stamps! Please stop on by FSC and see what the DT has in store for you! For my project, I went with two cards and it really did not take much longer to do two compared to one! Really it did not!

Actually where I live, we do receive a nice accumulation of the "white stuff" from time to time. My Dad and I would talk about the New York snow and the time we got stuck in a blizzard, when I was a teenager. So every time we would get a slight amount of snow, here in the desert, one of us would call the other! Nice memory and so I am dreaming of that White Christmas!

I inked the Impression Obsession Snowflakes background stamp starting with the lighter Distressed Ink in the center and then darker around the edges. A quick spray of water using the misting bottle and then I pressed the paper onto the stamp. I think this snowflake background would look nice overstamped with music? Next time! On the background with the sleigh, I actually had a little leftover Perfect Pearls mix (brown tone) that I used as well as the water. It gives a nice shimmer - trust me there is shimmer! The sleigh (Inkadinkado) and Santa (Rubber Stampede) were stamped using Stazon Timber Brown and I added some glitter highlights using Spica pens, clear on Santa's beard, the snowflakes and sleigh areas. Sadly, you can't really see the glittered areas as they are quite subtle! Santa does have a little sparkle in his eyes! All paper edges distressed or not were shaded using Stampin Up Creamy Caramel. I added some decorative thread to the cream colored ribbon that actually matched my paper, a little bling and we are good to go! The chocolate trim and pearls, I thought worked out well for Santa!

Hope you are having a wonderful weekend and I truly do appreciate your taking the time for a visit!

Inks: Distress Ink, Antique Linen, Pumice Stone, Frayed Burlap, Brushed Corduroy, Stazon, Brown Timber, Stampin Up Creamy Caramel
Spica Pens, Clear, Gold, Red
Brads, Pearls, Ribbons, Threads
Paper: Stampin Up, Whisper White, Creamy Caramel, Always Artichoke, Chocolate Chip
Spellbinders, Die

The Craft Barn "Over 600 Followers" Blog Candy!

2011-11-17T14:03:00.000-08:00

I came across this incredible blog candy offer from The Craft Barn and just had to share!!! Not that I would not love this generous sweet candy, but I know someone will be doing the happy dance. All you have to do is to be a follower and do a post! For a chance to win a great stash of goodies, stop by The Craft Barn!

Now you have until November 25th, so I would run and not walk! Congratulations to The Craft Barn and thank you for an opportunity to win - BIG!

Grungy Monday #27

2011-11-15T10:31:00.000-08:00

We just love Grungy Monday and for some of us, it can fall on any day of the week! This was actually finished yesterday, but by the time my stickles dried, it was kind of dark! So here is the scoop! Linda has brought us to Tim's 12 Tags of Christmas, 2007, Day 6 and of course we can do whatever our little hearts desire, as long as we use the same techniques! This really is prettier in person as you can't see the shimmer or sparkle very well.

I cut my snowflake masks from Tim's Winder Wonder die, along with the Snowman. Stormy Sky reinker and Perfect Pearls Pewter were used for my misting mix. The On The Edge Snowflake border and Snowman were cut from white chipboard and then painted with Delta's Pearl Gleams, a quick spray of the PP mix. The snowflake stamps (Faded Jeans and Stormy Sky) are from Mr. Tim. Added a coat of Rock Candy Crackle to the Snowflake border and then another coat of paint. We finished off with some Ice Stickles for the Snowman Hat and tops of the Snowflake border. Distressed paper edges with Faded Jeans. The "Joy" word once cut out of the Snowman was given an extra painting of the PP mix and Delta's Pearl Gleams paint.

Have a wonderful rest of the week and thanks a bunch for stopping by!

Grungy Monday on Sunday!

2011-11-13T13:36:00.000-08:00

My husband took this week off and so did I for the most part! We did some things around the house and just goofed off together. As much as I love this thing with ink, I love my time with my husband more! However, today had to be GM day, because I don't believe I have missed one CCC or GM and can't start now! Our most delightful and sweet Linda brought us to Tim's 12 Tags of Christmas, day 7, 2009. You can view this here and we used masks and paint daubers. I really stink at the paint dauber thing, really I do. My Snow Cap always ends up kind of washed out and never white. I have tried keeping it thicker, letting it dry natural, heat set and it always ends up looking like part of a vintage designer paper. Maybe the paint is too thin in the bottle, but most likely, I am just dauber incompetent! All stamps are Mr. Tim's. For the Santa, I really wanted him to stand out, so did not add any ink other than a little face and hat color. I am also entering this at Hel's, Sunday Stamper, who is looking for "Pine."

As always, Linda makes our Monday's a fun place to be and for those of us doing this on Sunday, Grungy Monday is tomorrow! WooHoo!

Hope you all had a lovely weekend and that the upcoming week will be amazing! Thank you for dropping by!

Distress Inks: Vintage Photo, Spun Sugar, Fired Brick, Forest Moss
VersaMark, Stazon: Blazing Red, Black, Timber Brown
Stampin Up: Gold Embossing Powder

Times Gone By in Black and Gray!

2011-11-05T17:10:00.000-07:00

"Times Gone By" is the stamping challenge at Fashionable Stamping Challenges and as always, there is a prize! Now this is a theme that most of us love and can be interpreted in so many ways! We Fashionettes would love for you to join us on this new adventure! Stop by and visit FSC for inspiration and to see what my "Stamping DT Sisters" are up to! Gingersnap Creations GC124 is looking for Black and Gray, so no big surprise that we are headed over there! The Three Muses Challenge is Vintage Collage Memories and I will be entering there for the first time!

For my contribution all stamps are from Artistic Outpost. The Gatsby collection is one of my favorites and I thought it was just perfect for "Times Gone By." The handsome gentleman, champagne bottles and sentiment were stamped on white using Archival Jet Black, heat set and shaded with gray! I stamped the car in craft black on gray and then clear embossed. The bottles and car were fussy cut, so fun! I cut photo corners from Tim Holtz ATC die on black and then shaded with white craft ink and clear embossed. This gives it a nice gray color! Added some brads that I distressed. The black panels around the gentleman, sentiment and designer paper were also distressed to give that extra aged feel. I used the "clipped corners" technique from the Technique Junkies for my main image.

Dot, one of the DT at FSC, is having a little GIVEAWAY once she reaches her 50th follower. Stop on by Dot's Dabbles and have a look for yourself.

Thank you for stopping by and I really hope you will join us at FSC!

Inks: Archival Jet Black, Stampin Up Basic Black, Basic Gray, Going Gray, Black and White Craft,
Paper: Stampin Up, Going Gray, White, Black, DCWV Naturals

Memories!

2011-11-04T14:54:00.000-07:00

For Grungy Monday, Linda asked us to create a loving tribute to someone who has passed away, using of course products or techniques of Mr. Holtz! Well this was a difficult challenge in many ways! When I saw the sketch challenge Lisa had given us for Bloggers Challenge, it all fell into place! The tribute is to the two people in my life that gave me everything! I no longer have parents and sometimes I am in overwhelming pain. This was the last picture taken of my parents together. I lost my Mom in 2004 and my Dad in 2008 and not a day goes by that I don't think of them. The scanned picture did not turn out very well, so I will make a copy of the photo and use that.

The background patterned papers are Tim's as are most of the inks! Butterflies and Doily are from Cheery Lynn! I cut out the doily on white card stock and then inked with Spun Sugar, Victorian Velvet and Tumbled Glass. Shaded with Walnut Stain! The butterflies were previously cut and just waiting to be used. Used the Papillon background stamp for the doily! The heart trim is from my Mom's belongings and seemed quite appropriate.

Lynn of Trash To Treasure is having a Three Year Blogaversary Giveaway, so you might want to go check it out! Sure looks like some awesome candy!

Wishing you all a wonderfuly weekend! Thank you for stopping by!

A Pink Rose for a Friend!

2011-11-02T10:45:00.000-07:00

I actually finished this card for a friend a couple of days ago, so decided I would go ahead and post. The stamp is from Stampin Up and one of my favorites. I inked this rose with VersaMark and then Distress Brushed Corduroy, stamped and then clear embossed. I wanted a soft vintage feel, so colored with Stampin Up Chalks (pinks, greens, yellows), added a little extra color here and there with Barely Banana and Certainly Celery markers. Did a quick set with matt sealer. Shaded around the edges with Brushed Corduroy. The Cheery Lynn butterfly was cut from a cream colored shrink plastic and I used Red Pepper, Mountain Snow and Pearl Alcohol Inks to color. Kept adding blending solution until I achieved the color I was looking for and then shaded with Stazon Timber Brown! Added some ribbon and that was that. Hope this cheers up my friend!

Since I used some alcohol inks, I am linking this up to Gingersnap Creations GC122 - Alcohol Inks! I use plenty of alcohol inks for various projects and really liked adding the subtle color to the butterflies!

Have a wonderful rest of the week! Many thanks for the visit!

Grungy Monday!

2011-10-24T14:59:00.000-07:00

Linda has us dabbling with Perfect Distress and you can watch Tim's video here. Not only will you have fun playing with this amazing medium, but there is a little treat thing happening, thanks to the ever so sweet GM Mom! Well you have to go see!

I inked a tag background using shades of orange Distress Inks! I then inked the Owl with Vintage Photo and proceeded with the green/brown Perfect Pearls, brown for the owl and green for the flourish/leaf part. Not sure if you can see the two colors, but the owl is darker and more brown. Gave a quick spray, the first time I was too heavy with the water and lost too much details. Maybe it is suppose to be that way, but I did not care for it. You can always add more water! I had a piece of cocoa card stock, so decided to add the dripping trim (MS-punch), inked over that and added more Perfect Pearls. I cut a second tag, and trimmed the first to fit. Did a little embossing at the top and a little ticket, which I used Perfect Medium and then added the Perfect Pearls. The feather was gifted to me, by my Fred!

Well hope you all are off to a Grungy start for this week! Thank you for stopping by!

Coffee And Cream With A Hint Of

2011-10-22T16:05:00.000-07:00

So much fun the DT had working on "Coffee And Cream With A Hint Of" at Fashionable Stamping Challenges! Stop by FSC and she what my talented DT sisters came up with! The "Hint" is dark chocolate. Now you can go with colors or as I did, "Coffee and Cream" literally! Please come and join us with a cup of coffee or tea for some stamping fun! We are also linking this up to Creative Inspirations "Monochromatic."

For this tag, I pulled out my stamps related to the "Coffee and Cream" theme! The stamps are from I Brake For Stamps. I wanted to create a "faux designer paper," which is a technique from the Technique Junkies, so I combined several of the stamps to create the background. The coffee grinder was stamped, cut out, colored and then clear embossed. I also did a little stamping on the coffee grinder. Added a little tag using Mr. Holtz tags and tickets die, stamped on some cream colored crinkle ribbon and finished it off with the cappuccino bakers twine! I even tied a successful bow!

Marina from Cottage Crafts is our sponsor and look at the lovely stamps you could win just by joining the challenge at FSC! I wish I could join!

I just found out that I was voted as one of the "Spotlight Artists" over at City Crafters Challege Blog for this!

Paper: Stampin Up Chocolate Chip, Creamy Caramel, Very Vanilla

Inks: Stampin Up Creamy Caramel, Chocolate Chip, Stazon Timber Brown

Markers: Stampin Up Creamy Caramel, Close to Cocoa

Ravens and Stripes, Oh My!

2011-10-20T14:55:00.000-07:00

Mr. Dapper Bones and Pet Raven are going a Haunting at Gingersnap Creations GC123 "Ravens" and Simon Says Stamp and Show some "Stripes" and Anything Goes "To The Letter." Yes this took more than 10 minutes! All stamps are from Artistic Outpost's "Haunted Halloween" collection.

So here is what the little voices were telling me what to do! What the voices don't speak to you?? Well come times I have the Molly voice screaming at me to get her lunch and she really does scream! Back seven years ago when we first rescued her, one day I heard this horrific scream and ran to see what was wrong! I never knew a dog could actual scream! OK, back to the business of ghoulish details! Using my Stampin Up "tasteful trim" Sizzix die, I cut the rick rack from 3M Safe Release tape. This works very well and is safe! I added masked stripes across the tag and pressed down to secure. I then used several shades of Distress Inks, covered with clear embossing powder, removed the mask pieces and then heat embossed. The masked areas were covered with Black soot, wiped off the excess and then did the Batik technique. Bones and Raven were inked with Black Archival, heat set and then I colored open areas with Distress Inks. The little tag topper and sentiment were stamped in Black Craft, clear emboss powder and then heat set. I added Distress Inks to these. A little trim and tiny skull for finishing! I could have just stamped Bones and Raven on the tag, but I really wanted a little dimension, even on a mostly flat tag! The tag was backed with black and then distressed!

Just a reminder for any of you who use Artistic Outpost stamps, each month they have a referral program and there is a prize! We love prizes!!

Well I can't believe that tomorrow is Friday! Hope you all are having a great week and even a better weekend! Thank you so much for stopping by!

Grungy Monday and Anything Goes!

2011-10-18T15:21:00.000-07:00

Our "Grungy Monday" fearless leader, Linda, gave us one heck of a challenge! Tim in 10! Not Tim is a 10, but to actually do a project from start to finish in 10 minutes! Now we did get to pull out supplies and think, which can be a challenge for us "fly by the seat" kind of crafters! Now I will admit, that I had more things out and just ran out of time, so here it is! I am also playing for the first time with the lovely people over at Anything Goes with a challenge of "To the Letter."

The 10 Minute Supplies

We quickly die cut the bird and fence, took these and the tag to the craft sheet! Inked the tag, ran this through the embossing folder and then inked the tree! Next we quickly added Rock Candy Crackle to all three and did cheat and used the heat gun, remembering that we are looking for 10 minutes! Ran black and orange ink over the cracks and quickly wiped this off! Glued down the fence and crow and added some of Tim's fabulous stickers, using the word "Boo." Added and eye and backed the tag with another black tag and then distressed. Oh I did kind of glob on my ink and crackle as time was of the essence! Thank you Linda, but could you give us Tim in 20 next time? He!He!

Here is a lovely surprise that I received from Lululizinlalaland for her "Back from France" giveaway! She even included a lovely tag! Thank you so much, Liz!

Black and Cream with Wings!

2011-10-13T07:01:00.000-07:00

City Crafter's #78 is a Boo-tiful Color Challenge asking for Black and Cream and Simon Says Stamp and Show is looking for Things with Wings. The wings, dress form and part of the tag background were created using Victorian Lace from Stampin Up, all other stamps are Tim's Holtz Papillon set.

The dress form was cut from black chipboard and highlighted. I cut another form from cream colored paper, clear embossed and then covered with Black, removed excess ink and then ironed off the embossing powder. The Angel Wings from Sizzix were cut from black shrink plastic and stamped with craft ink and then heat shrunk. BTW, embossing powder does not work, but craft ink does! Think you know how I figured that one out! At first the wings were going to go the the arm sides, but I really liked the look of them like shoulder pads! The background tag was first stamped with SU Victorian Lace, using Antique Linen. Next I stamped with Pumice Stone using the larger background stamp from the Papillon set and then some butterflies with Scattered straw. Added some of the tissue tape, which I always forget about!

I can't believe it is Thursday and I can't help but wonder what I did all week! Hope you all are having a creative and fun week! Thank you so much for stopping by today!

Inks: Distress Antique Linen, Pumice Stone, Scattered Straw, Black Soot, Craft White, VersaMark

Bloggers Challenge if Falling for Grungy Monday!

2011-10-10T16:12:00.000-07:00

Grungy Monday is back, baby! Linda gave us a Holtz-ian Halloween theme, using one or more Tim Holtz products and Lisa's Bloggers Challenge is Falling for You! Now to me the "pumpkin" is also all about Halloween. So here is how this goes!

I made a wreath with "Falling Leaves" that were cut from a free digi background image that June of Dezinaworld so nicely offered! When I first saw this background, I knew I would use it for leaves! After I cut the leaves using Tim's Autumn Gatherings, ran them through the crimper, highlighted and shaded using various Distress Inks! I also cut branches and acorns from the same die! I wanted a more realistic look to the acorns, so I cut these using Creamy Caramel and then shaded the nut portion with Wild Honey and Spiced Marmalade, shaded the stem part with Vintage Photo and just around the very edge of the nut! Dried and then added Rock Candy Crackle to the stem portion! Filled in the cracks with Golden Mist Opalite and a quick cover over the nut! The Pumpkin was cut from chipboard and Pumpkin Pie, colored the stem, covered with Rock Candy Crackle and then added Spiced Marmalade. The back panel sides were embossed with one of the new Texture Fades borders. The center pumpkin is a new Movers and Shapers from the man!

June's Digi Background

Wishing you all a great week and your visits and comments are so appreciated!

Distress Inks: Wild Honey, Spiced Marmalade, Dusty Condord, Fired Brick, Shabby Shutters, Vintage Photo, Walnut Stain,
Opalite: Golden Mist Ink, Adironadack Lettuce Marker, Rock Candy Crackle
Stampin Up Paper, Always Artichoke, Pumpkin Pie, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White

Altered Halloween Cigar Box and the TJ Winner!

2011-10-08T16:05:00.000-07:00

"Anything But A Card" is the newest challenge at Fashionable Stamping Challenges! There is a ton of stamping, which of course is a must to enter FSC, painting, inking, decoupage, etc. My altered box will also be entered in Gingersnap Creations GC121 Horror Stories, Bella Creations Voila Group "No Paper" and City Crafter Challenge Blog for 3D! This mixed media was actually worked on for three days, some for drying reasons and layers and layers take time! Some areas I used tissue paper for texture and added Rock Candy crackle here and there after painting, which was highlight with Opalites. Had to add a few Shrinky Dinks and of course my moulded skulls, which I made from Lucy's very informative course! I so can't wait for her tissue class! All stamps are from Artistic Outpost and boy did they work so well for this box! Let me get started and I sure hope I don't bore you with too many details, but this is going to be a long one! Sorry!

First I took the cardboard grape flavored cigar box that my DH found for me and painted it orange, then I stippled on some black. I did this to hide the background color. The areas I wanted to use tissue paper on, I then covered with Mod Podge, crinkled the tissue paper and then straighten out a little, added it to the wet MP and flattened. Some areas I wanted more crinkles, so pushed it together. After that dried, I covered it with MP. That was done on the top and inside box lid and the front box panel. I painted all the panels starting at the bottom with black working up to the lighter colors and orange was the finishing color. After I painted a small area with the black, I used the dirty brush, went up a little and then work down into the black and this was then repeated with each color. I did add little splashes of color here and there as I wanted. I did use MP to cover all painted and finished areas including the inside of the box. If I leave off anything and you want to know, please pop me an e-mail.

Box Lid Top: After tissued and painted, I stamped the Skeleton with Craft White and then heat embossed and added a layer of MP. While still wet, I added the haunted house which had been stamped on tissue paper with Stazon Black and then cut out. Cover this with yet another MP layer, while wet, the fencing cut from black and highlighted with Opalites was added. Another layer of MP. Everything that was done, was always coated again with MP, so I won't keep repeating. Inside Box lid is pretty self explanatory. The witch and cat were cut from Tim Holtz dies, along with the bats and spider!

Box Inside: Cut Stampin Up designer paper, the bottom panel was embossed with Tim's folder and then highlighted and dried. Covered with MP! A little black trim was added on the top.

Box Sides: Cat, Owl, Witch were stamped with Black Craft and then clear embossed. Branches were cut with Tim's new Sizzlits die in black, ran through my new crimper, highlighted with Opaliltes, then flattened. The Witch and Bottles side panes were stamped on tissue paper with Black Craft, clear embossed and then colored on the reverse side with Stampin Up Markers. These were cut and then added again to a layer of MP, when that dried, another MP layer. All embellishments were glued down with Glossy Accents. BTW, the banner is also an Artistic Outpost stamp that was shrunk!

And the winner of a full ONLINE YEAR of the Technique Junkies Newsletter is, Jack. Please send me an e-mail with your e-mail, full name and mailing address. Thank you all for stopping by today with this very long picture and blog post. Just did not know how to shorten it! Have a wonderful weekend! Here is the winner and a picture of the supplies I used!!!

Mr. Pumpkin Head!

2011-10-01T07:01:00.000-07:00

Mr. Pumpkin Head came about after Lisa's, Bloggers Challenge, "sketch" theme for this week! I really enjoy the challenge of sketch! Simon Says Stamp and Show is for Men Only and this corny dude makes the cut!

I knew I wanted to use my new Halloween Treats stamps from Artistic Outpost, so I started with what I decided would be the focal point! He was stamped with Black Archival ink on yellow cardstock, heat set and then I used Stampin Up's Pumpkin Pie Marker to color in some of the areas! A rick rac ribbon trim was die cut and then the bats from Haunted Halloween were stamped. All background panels were embossed and highlighted using a technique from the Technique Junkies. I stamped the spider and sentiment prior to embossing! For my flourish, I decided to go with a feather in his hat and cut some black open weave ribbon trim in strips. The feather was gifted to me by my rotten bird, Fred! You know Fred turned 24 in August. He may actually be the oldest living Patagonia!

Thank you for stopping by today and I wish you a wonderful weekend!

Lucy's Online Mould Class!

2011-09-30T08:53:00.000-07:00

Since I came across Lucy's True Colours blog, I have been an admirer of her unique work and art creations! Not at all that there aren't a ton of fabby blogs and artists, but Lucy just does some incredible projects that really capture my interest! Every once in awhile, after drooling over a new project, I would mention to her about teaching a class. I believe I was not alone and so now Lucy is offering very reasonable priced online classes. If interested really check it out, but first stroll through her blog and you will know why I wanted classes!! Nest there will be a class using tissue paper techniques! So fun!!!

The Moulded Subjects

The Clay Moulded Pieces

The Finished Pieces

Products Used to Color

The first in the series is mould making and I will admit that I was afraid to start! Why, I don't know! Now please keep in mind that the pictures are not the best quality, because there is quite a bit of reflective materials used and this is my very first attempt at making moulds, playing with clay and coloring. The colors IRL are darker and do look nicer. I really had a blast and can't wait until I actually perfect a skill at this fun craft! All but the second cameo (copper/green) were colored prior to baking. These were just done for fun and practice, so not sure how I will use them. I also bought some moulds, but how interesting to look at object you like and then make a mould of them!! Thank you Lucy for such a fun and informative class!

Speaking of classes, Cindy of Whimsical Musings, is offering a free online seminar for us bloggers, "Blogging 101." Cindy is always generous with her time and shares all of our talents with so many other lovely bloggers! Now she is sharing some tips and ideas for blogging, so stop by Cindy's!

Baby Shower

2011-09-28T10:47:00.000-07:00

This was just a quick, well sort of, baby shower card. All stamps are from I Brake For Stamps. I inked the images with different shades of pink and then clear embossed. Filled in some areas with several pink colored markers and then highlighted with Spica clear glitter pen. Nothing fancy at all in this one, but it does actually look better IRL!

Just a reminder if you are interested in a chance to win a One-Year Online Subscription to the Technique Junkies Newsletter, click here!

Have a great day and thank you kindly for the visit!

Men and Crimpers!

2011-09-26T12:04:00.000-07:00

Simon Says Stamp and Show is wanting "Men Only" and Gingersnap Creations GC118 has us using our crimpers! BTW, I did not have a crimper and had been thinking about one, so used a Michael's 50% off coupon! What an excuse, but these are fun and sure gets the little brain going! All stamps are from Artistic Outpost and I used Apothecary which is new and Ephemeral Backgrounds.

I first stamped the bottle with Stampin Up Craft Black, clear embossed and then cut it out. I actually cut out a second bottle for support. A Spellbinders die was used to cut out the center for my picture placement. The pharmacist was stamped using Black Stazon Ink, he was masked and the wording was colored using DI Brushed Corduroy, along with the bottle cork! The RX was stamped used Stazon Timber Brown, cut out and distressed with Forest Moss. The Rx label was stamped with Brushed Corduroy and Liquid Luck with Forest Moss, as was Apothecary, which along the Rx and 10c was stamped on Newspaper Print! On the black background, I crimped, flattened and then stamped the Antique Ledger in Stampin Up Craft White.

I also did some curling of the edges, which is a technique from the Technique Junkies. If you are interested in a chance to win a ONE YEAR ONLINE SUBSCRIPTION, please click on the sidebar link and leave a comment.

Thank you for visiting and committing today and I hope your week will be wonderful!

Going Vintage and Blog Candy!

2011-09-24T16:05:00.000-07:00

I had fun designing this for Fashionable Stamping Challenges "Vintage" theme, which runs two weeks. Since I don't do as much vintage or shabby chic, this took me a little out of my comfort zone! However, that is what makes a challenge fun, whether you are part of the design team or a participant, don't you think? Come on and strut your stuff at FSC, where stamps and ink are always in fashion and the required attire! We are also strutting over to Gingersnap Creations for the "Gal Pals" challenge, which of course is why I used these cuties!

Now about the card! The tape measure background and the ladies stamps are from Lost Cost Design, which were stamped on white card stock using Stazon Timber Brown. I added my Distress Inks starting with the lightest color. After it was distressed, I distressed it a little more by wrinkling my paper, which I then ran the darkest color over the raised areas. I then ironed each peace to flatten. The ladies I decided to stamp after I ironed the paper, because no one wants extra wrinkles on their faces!! The flower was made cutting one of the Tattered Florals from glassine paper, that Diane at 1CardCreator was so sweet to send me for a try out! Thank you, Diane. Added a few seed beads with Glassy Accents around the edges and same in the center with a few pearls. Added a piece of vintage lace from my Mom that I tea dyed. I curled a few corners and embossed the back panel with a Cuttlebug folder using techniques from the Technique Junkies, which I cannot speak highly enough about! So much of what I have learned is from being a member of this very talented and supportive group. That being said, I would like to offer a ONE-YEAR ONLINE SUBSCRIPTION of the Technique Junkies Newsletter to one of my followers. All you have to do is to let me know that you would be interested in participating in the Blog Candy giveaway and you are in. The winner will be announced in two weeks, with my next FSC post. Good luck and this is open to anyone, even if you already are a TJer!

Speaking of "Vintage," I was so honored that Cindy from Shabby Chic Girl's Club featured me on her new blog. Stop by and have a visit and give Cindy a hello. Oh and you can see what was featured of mine and other artist with a multitude of talents!

Thank you for stopping by and hope to see you at FSC! Have a lovely weekend!

Inks: Stazon Timber Brown, Distress Inks Old Paper, Antique Linen, Scattered Straw, Tea Die, Vintage Photo
Stampin Up Card Stock, Whisper White, Natural Ivory, Cocoa
Glassine Paper, Cuttlebug folder, Brads, Tim's Hammer, Lace, Distressing Tool

Travel The World!

2011-09-23T13:22:00.000-07:00

After Lisa made reference to some of us might be "smarty pants," I had all sorts of ideas for the Bloggers Challenge theme of "Travel." Then I decided to fly straight! I have wanted to use Mr. Tim's Air Travel stamps, so I decided today would be the day! I did a couple of technique's from the "Compendium of Curiosities," one is that you emboss your image with clear embossing powder and then do you inking and other stamping and then remove with an iron. Really if you don't own this book, it is a pretty great investment!

I would have posted this earlier, but my lunch bell (Molly) was just ringing away! How many of you know about Dalmatians? Well, I have had the honor of owning two and never did I set out to get a purebred, it just happened with the first, Misty! We did this "Sponsor a Life" event at the local shelter and for fun, we went to see the dog we were sponsoring. We were so excited to see how lovely she was and knew without a doubt that she would be adopted! I called that Monday to check her status and was told, she would be put down in an hour. I lost it and cried like a baby and told them, don't you do that! We will take her. I called my hubby and told him to go to the shelter and pick up Misty! We already had Shadow a smooth coat Border Collie (the little one in my pic), so I had not planned on #2. When Misty died, Shadow got so depressed and we ended up at the shelter and there was Molly! Anyway, this got very long to tell you that Dalmatians are very vocal and have no problems telling you in is time to get up at 5:30 AM on weekends or that it is time to eat!

Have a great weekend and thank you for stopping by for a visit! Oh, come by tomorrow for a little surprise!

Primary Colors, Buttons and a Thank You!

2011-09-21T12:00:00.000-07:00

Gingersnap Creations GC116 is Primary Colors, which originally this was to be used for "Gal Pals," but changed my mind! Lisa's Bloggers Challenge is looking for "Buttons" and I really thought the button add on worked quite well for an embellishment.

I was so darn excited when my new Artistic Outpost stamps arrived in the mail and finally got to play! Last month I won the August referral program, so I ended up with six incredible sets! The stamps I used are from Typography, Whimsical Melange, Ephemeral Backgrounds and Birds of a Feather. I found that the little girls just fit in this adorable little framed image, which both were stamped with Stazon Timber Brown. I then used markers to color the girls, masked and then added distressed inks. The sentiment and frame are both mounted on dimensionals. The background was colored with Distressed Inks, Glimmer Mist and then stamped.

My sweet blogger friend, Cindy Adkins of Whimsical Musings, sent me this adorable and lovely card! Can you believe she did this just to say hi?? She even added a little "T." By the way, Cindy, has started a new blog Girls' Club for those who love Shabby Chic and a lovely GIVEAWAY at Whimsical Musings. Thank you so much, Cindy for thinking of me and I love this card!

Well I have been busy! We got the rest of our replacement windows installed and love them, but they seem so difficult to keep clean! I don't know if it is the Low E glass or what! Still need to figure out doors! The magnet truck was appreciated and is on a soda machine in "Dent Repair" shop! Hope you all are having a wonderful week! I so appreciate your visits, because I know we all are needing that extra time in a day!

Inks: Stazon Timber Brown, Distress Mustard Seed, Scattered Straw, Tumbled Glass, Chipped Sapphire, Fired Brick, Vintage Photo, Versamark and Clear EP
Stampin Up Markers, Blush Blossom, Creamy Caramel, Barely Banana, Bordering Blue, Real Red

Dented Old Jalopy!

2011-09-15T07:23:00.000-07:00

Don't laugh, but I drive a 1998 Buick!! Sad as it may be, the car looks new and has only around 60,000 miles. Sometime back, someone at must have rolled their back on my hood with some type of a hitch. Not a huge dent mind you, but enough to kind of bother me. Well there is a group of us friends and has it turns out, one of the friends has a paintless dent repair shop. Well we brought my car in and he spent about 1/2 hour on the repair and now you would never know there was a dent. I decided to make a thank you, but a card for a repair kind of guy, was not going to cut it. So I thought why not the Tim Holtz "Old Jalopy" in a magnet form that he could place on his tool box.

I added the copper heavy foil paper with two way adhesive to black chipboard and then cut. I used Tim Holtz handy little hammer to add a variety of dents, now that was a no brainer for a dent repair man! I love this hammer and it works so well for flattening brads in cards and tags. The little bits were done with painted grungepaper (Metallic paint) and then I applied a variety of alcohol inks with copper fixative. I then cut the magnetic paper and layered the two. Had to also add some hubcaps to finish this off.

I took about 10 pics of my little helper, Molly, while I was trying to clean up my craft room the other day. It is hard at times to do things in my room, when it has to be shared. The pictures were taken in only a few minutes time and show her moving from one area to the other, each time I moved. I think you get the picture! Hope you like my dented old jalopy! Have a most wonderful day and I do thank you for taking the time to visit and comment.

Remembering 9/11 and a Thank You!

2011-09-10T16:10:00.000-07:00

Tags are the current challenge at Fashionable Stamping Challenges and the only requirement is to use "stamps" and a tag! Come on, you can do that and we would love to see your stamped creations and there is a fabulous prize for the winner! This week, Lisa's Bloggers Challenge is "Stars" and that is open to our own interpretation. Today I am playing tribute to 9/11 and to all those who were lost and all those people who lost someone! The pain of losing a loved one is devastating to say the least, but more so when that loss is sudden and tragic. My heart goes out to all of those who were in one way or another a victim of this act of terrorism.

Now I did lots of masking and embossing on this tag and all stamps are from Tim Holtz. I thought this set was so appropriate for what I wanted to achieve. First I stamped the tag top and bottom using the stars and clear embossing ink and powder and heat set. Next I stamped the city using Stampin Up black craft ink and added clear EP and heat set. Covered the areas above or below the stars using and then inked with Distress Inks, Stormy Sky and Faded Jeans. I used Chipped Sapphire around the edges of the blue. I then masked off the stars and added my stripes to represent the American Flag, to include the thirteen stripes starting and ending with red. This was done by masking the areas I wanted to remain white. Fired Brick was used for the red stripes. I then stamped the heart again using the black craft in and embossed. I stamped a second image and cut out the heart and banner. After I colored using the blues, I covered with Rock Candy crackle and inked with Vintage Photo. I carefully removed the excess color. All tag edges (and mini) were shaded using Vintage Photo. The heart I used to hold my ribbon, was a Tim Holtz charm that I dipped in the black craft ink and then clear embossed.

This came in today's mail! I won this from Carol "Carolee's Scrapping Spot" for her actual birthday blog candy giveaway! Thank you so much! As it happens her daughter and my son were also born on the same day!

BTW, I use a link roller to remove bits and pieces from my steel rule dies and to pick up stray glitter. Thank you so much for stopping by and I hope you will come and join us at Fashionable Stamping Challenge!

Ribbon, Words, Butterflies!

2011-09-08T14:43:00.000-07:00

I needed to make a wedding piece for my niece who recently "tied the knot," so City Crafter's challenge really gave me some ideas. Linda is this weeks hostess and has challenged us to ONE ribbon, TWO words and THREE butterflies. Well for all the exacting challenge details check out City Crafter Challenge Blog. I used a Sizzix frame die and embossed with a Cuttlebug folder and gave a little highlight, added some butterflies from Cheery Lynn Designs!

Speaking of challenges, there is still time to enter the current challenge at Fashionable Stamping Challenges, which is for Ribbon and Lace and of course, stamping! Being part of the design team, I would love to see you join in!

So happy you could stop by and visit today and I always appreciate your comments!

Monochromatic Blues!

2011-09-04T18:02:00.000-07:00

I have had company this weekend and after my sister left, I went into my craft room to clean it up! Well I moved a couple of things and then remember, Lisa's blues! Since I had a few free inches of space, Bloggers Challenge won with the Monochromatic Blues! Stampin Up's French Script was stamped in a shade of blue on some of Tim Holtz blue lined paper! The Stipple Butterfly, also Stampin Up, was then ink in blue, stamped on another TH subtle background blue prints and then clear embossed. I added a little extra color here and there, in blue of course. I then stamped this again to create the body, which was cut out to give an extra layer. Some decorative threads were used to tie the paper layers! This was fun and one of my more quicker cards! Shaded all edges in blue! Come on over and show off your blues!

Just have to share this lovely card I received from my blogging friend, Lynne of Adorn and now DT sister for Fashionable Stamping Challenges. Is this gorgeous or what? She wanted to send me a thank you for a lovely pink bowl I won from Cindy Adkins. I knew this bowl had to find Lynne and Cindy was so sweet to make it happen! Thank you again, Lynne! I love this, but more the gesture of friendship!

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend. Tomorrow is Labor Day and I am going to BBQ!

A Dressed Up Tribute To Teens!

2011-08-31T18:55:00.000-07:00

Gingersnap Creations GC115 is a tribute to "Teens" and City Crafter Challenge Blog is looking for "All Dressed-UP! So here is my tribute to the well dressed teen! Speaking of, this is going to my G-Daughter, who is a teen and loves my bookmarks, tags and cards! She really made me proud last week, when she told me she was going into nursing! Now someone will be able to take care of me!!

This lovely teen was stamped a few times on Tim Holtz paper and also white card stock. The actually image was stamped on the TH notepaper card stock along with the gift and gift bags, which were colored and then clear embossed. The actual clothes, purse and shoes were cut out after being stamped on white paper and clear embossed with a background stamps. All was then colored and carefully cut!!! Lots of paper piecing here!!

The butterflies are from Cheery Lynn Designs and were cut from shrinky dink and then colored with Sharpies! Now I was trying to stick to the colors on the image, but these would be so beautiful colored in more muted tones. I was not sure if that would work, but it did and the dies were not harmed! I cut the white butterflies after the shrinky dink cuts! If you do this, you have to run it back and forth a couple of times. Love these US made dies.

Thank you so much for stopping by to have a look. I hope you have a wonderful week. My sister is coming from Arizona for the Labor Day weekend, so that should be fun!

Stamps: Stampin UP
Inks: Stazon Black, Stampin UP Gable Green
Markers: Sharpie Green and Pink, Stampin UP Blush, Pinks, Carmel, Black, Yellow, Spica Clear
Versamark Ink and Clear Emboss Powder

Fashionable Stamping Challenges Design Team!

2011-08-27T16:02:00.000-07:00

I was just so excited and honored when I was invited to be part of the DT for Fashionable Stamping Challenges! Not only do I love their challenges, but what an awesome group of creative and fashionalbe ladies to be working with! Thank you so much Shirley for giving me this opportunity to be part of the Design Team at Fashionable Stamping Challenges! Please stop by FSC, have a look and we would love to see you join in the challenges. I know I sure hope to see you there - pretty please with a cherry on top! This is also going over for a visit to Beverly's Pink Saturday!

Here is my first project as part of the DT! The current challenge is for "Ribbon and Lace" with no digi images! For my ribbon and lace, I used double sided tape to do a two step burnished glitter lace design on ribbon and paper. The butterflies from Cheery Lynn Designs, were cut from white paper that had been stamped and heat embossed. I then gave them a spray with Glimmer Mist and I wish you could see the iridescent effect. You don't have to heat emboss those gorgeous butterflies, but it just adds that extra layer of texture. All panels were stamped and distressed. The bookmark was embossed with a Cuttlebug folder and then highlighted. I cut the edges using a Tim Holtz on the edge die and added pure silk ribbons.

This started out as a practice piece. I first painted the precut coaster with Gleams, let it dry! Added my double sided tape (Sookwang or Scor tape) over the entire piece and trimmed the rounded corners. I centered my lace over the tape and then placed the protective sheet cover (from the tape) over the entire piece. Run a brayer, credit card over the covered lace. This makes sure the lace is secure and the glitter will stay where you want it. Since I wanted the lace design to remain white, I first used my red glitter. Sprinkle the red glitter and gently brush off, then burnish with your finger. Gently remove your lace trim and add the second color of glitter. For the coaster only, I added two coats of a glossy varnish and then added several layers of UTEE. It looks like a tile!

Lace pieces for projects

Well I hope you like my DT projects for Fashionable Stamping Challenges and again I would be so happy to see you come on over and join in the challenges! Thank you for stopping by and if you have any questions, just ask. Thank you so much for today's lovely visit!

Stampin Up Inks: Orchid Opulence, Perfect Plum, Pale Plum

SU Paper, Whisper White, Orchid Opulence, Pale Plum
VersaMark clear emboss ink and powder,
Stamps: Stampin Up Victorian Lace, Hero Arts Sentiment
Cuttlebug Embossing Folder
Delta: Gloss Varnish, Gleams
UTEE
Glitter Ritz, White, Pink Lilac, Sand
Glimmer Mist Tattered Rose
Cheery Lynn Designs, mini butterflies
Tim Holtz On the Edge

GC114 Baby Wipes and Grungy Monday 21!

2011-08-24T20:24:00.000-07:00

We have "Baby Wipes" at Gingersnap Creations and Transparent Illusions at Linda's Grungy Monday. Now as we all know, Mr. Holtz, has some of the coolest techniques. We love that man! Finally, I have figured out the correct amount of Glossy Accents to spread on fragments! I did two fragments, but only used one on my tag. The one I am not using involved packaging tape and let me tell you, that was so cool. It worked on some anniversary tissue paper from a few years back. Now the baby wipes for GC114 was most interesting. I let a wipe dry out and then sprayed with Glimmer Mist, using a red and brown. I then added it to cardstock using two way adhesive and die cut the tag. Then we embossed it to give it a fabric appearance and highlighted it. The umbrella man was clear embossed, distressed and then the embossing removed (via an iron). I decided the fragment I created would take place of the umbrella, so I guess he is now Fragment Man! We made some mini tags and cut out the words from Mr. Holtz tickets!

Packaging Tape Tech!

I need to do some serious blog visits tomorrow and sorry I am a little behind. Hope you all are having a wonderful week and as always, thank you for visiting!

Bloggers Challenge and Alpha Stamps!

2011-08-19T18:11:00.000-07:00

My favorite challenge at Bloggers Challenge are sketch challenges and Lisa came up with a great one, as always! All stamps are Alpha Stamps and will be entered in their Halloween Giveaway Challenge.

Mr. Holtz branches were inked with Spiced Marmalade, Shabby Shutters and Dusty Concord and then clear embossed. The Skeleton was stamped with Black Archival and then distressed with the same colors and a spray of Glimmer Mist Pearl. Since I did not add a flourish, I embossed the background with spiders and did a little highlighting.

Ok, I better get this posted and think about making some dinner!! Hope you all have a wonderful weekend! Thank you so much for stopping by!

Oh Sweet Daisy!

2011-08-18T16:42:00.000-07:00

This adorable image is part of the Gatsby collection at Artistic Outpost. Don't you just love her and I am kind of giving her a voice today! Right now there is a very worthy cause being promoted at Artistic Outpost to help stamp out breast cancer. Please, take the time to read about it and think about helping out! I know I am going to pick up a couple of those shopping bags and a 25% discount for some new stamps! WooHoo! Just click on the picture!

Gingersnap Creations GC112, is Leather, Iron and Brass! The flower was cut from an old leather wallet from my hubby using Tim's Tattered Flowers, which I then embossed! The center is a brass fitting of some sort and my iron would be the brad and corners! I also embossed a Cuttlebug die and then highlighted with walnut stain and clear embossed. I thought the framing gave it kind of an iron look! I did some masking, because I wanted Daisy to stand out and then I added a little color to her with chalks. I really am loving chalks! Since my flower is handmade, we will also visit Fashionable Stamping Challenges. We are thinking there might be enough bling to enter Simon Says Stamp and Show.

Thank you so much for stopping by and by all means, go check out the link to Artistic Outpost.

Grungy Monday #20, Ginger's Babes and Tots, SSSS Bling!

2011-08-17T15:22:00.000-07:00

Our incredible and fun leader of Grungy Monday, Linda, has invited us to a "Distress Stickles" party. The first thing I did was to fold a piece of brown card stock and cut it out using my new cabinet die! I just moved the folded edge in ever so slightly! I then used the movers and shapers mini cabinet and cut a frame, which was embossed with one of Tim's folders. The stamp is Tim's and this I embossed using craft brown ink and then colored with Distress Inks. The numbers and letters were also cut using Tim's Typeset. I added the Distress Stickles after all was inked and was careful not to smear the color. I cut out the ribbon edge to fit over the frame. Simon Says Stamp and Show is looking for some bling and I think this might just have enough bling. Gingersnap Creations GC113 is Babes and Tots and well my son is my baby!

This is a birthday card for my son! I think I might cut out some letters for his name and put on the banner, but not sure. Kind of did not care for the HB and covering the heart, so those might get picked off!

Thank you for the visit which I do love!

Distress Stickles: Rock Candy, Fired Brick
Distress Inks: Broken China, Tumbled Glass, Barn Door, Fired Brick, Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy
Craft Chocolate Chip, Clear Embossing Powder

Pink Saturday and Top 3 at SSSS!

2011-08-13T10:25:00.000-07:00

Happy Pink Saturday! Today I am sharing a wooden box that I had painted in my earlier painting days with Pink Saturday. There is also a very worthy cause happening there "A Miracle Makeover," so please take the time and take a look! We had placed a doily over the top and then faux painted to give a marble effect. The side of the box we did veining. Sometimes I forget how much fun I did have in the painting days!

I was so excited to be awarded a "Top 3" Blinkie at Simon Says Stamp and Show a Tag for this Steampunk tag, which my G-daughter does love. A big thank you to SSSS! Such an honor to be selected when there are over 100 talented artists!

It has been a busy week with getting ready for the replacement windows, which went in on Thursday. Still have to decide on doors and now I am thinking about the remaining windows. Never realized how hard it is to do nothing an entire day. There was a ton of stuff to do before they came, plants to trim and stuff to move. You don't realize how much stuff you have in the way! Yesterday we spent some quality time with friends, which is always a delight. Hope you all are doing something fabulous this weekend!

Happy Wedding!

2011-08-09T15:15:00.000-07:00

I know there are those times when we get super excited over something and for me, it is new craft items! The other day while visiting Lisa and adoring one of her latest cards, I was just loving some dies she had used. I could not help but run to check out Cheery Lynn Designs and fell in love! Next thing I am ordering from Beverly at Classy Cards 'n Such and boy oh boy, was she quick to ship and there was my package yesterday! The best thing about these dies are that they are Made in the USA, which I love! The paper did not even stick with all those little intricate cuts. Happy girl here and to think I found two more places to shop!

Now about my card! Two younger friends recently got married and as soon as I saw this lovely French Pastry Doily die, I ordered it and knew I would pull the picture off Facebook and place it right in the center. Not that was a perfect fit. I weaved some green silk ribbon in some of the cutouts and added a pink underside. For the background, I did a current technique from the Technique Junkies, called, "It Takes Two." Loved the effect, but did cover most of it up with the doily! I added some brads and punched corners.

Have a lovely evening and thank you for stopping by.

Stamps: Stampin Up
Distress Inks: Old Paper, Antique Linen, Bundled Sage, Old Paper, Victorian Velvet

Plastic Umbrella Guy!

2011-08-08T16:51:00.000-07:00

The wonderful Linda for week 19 of Grungy Monday has us doing grungepaper piecing and plastic recycling using Tim's technique right here!! I thought this was perfect for using the Umbrella Guy, which I have not used for a while.

His coat, hat and shoes are colored with Distress Black Soot, Umbrella Barn Door, Pants and gloves Brushed Corduroy. Face was colored with Blush Blossom (separate cut out) the Umbrella handle colored in gold and then highlight with Rock Candy, which of course you don't see due to the plastic. I decided to cover only the UG in recycled plastic. For the tag background, I used Tim's Kraft Paper and sadly, did not realize that the stamped sentiment would be lost in translation! So I just did a little redo and stamped the sentiment on a piece of recycled plasted and added brads to hold it down. I went a little dark with distressing the tag, but we are already planning a new one! Simon Says Stamp and Show a Tim Holtz Technique, so we are going there also!

Hope your start to the week is a great one!

All About Color!

2011-08-05T15:29:00.000-07:00

Lisa our Bloggers Challenge leader has challenged us with three colors for this week! The shades used are up to our own interpretation, so I used various shades of purples, plums and greens. My color challenge piece is also going to visit Fashionable Stamping Challenges for their first challenge of "Anything Goes."

I embossed the Stampin up image in brown and then used chalks to color in the flower and leaves. Once I like the color, I did a light spray with matte sealer. I also highlighted the embossed background paper. The idea for the flower came while visiting Sherry's Blog and she has a tutorial link. You should go look at her flower, because it is really lovely. I used some brown and white fabric netting. The white was sprayed with Glimmer Mist Huckleberry to give it a purple color. I kind of made up my own rules for the flower. After I die cut four of each color, I folded in half, and in half again and then took the little end on the right and folder it over. I then twisted the bottom edge away from me and added Glossy Accents on the points and laid each section on the flat side to dry. Once dried, they were glued down to a grungepaper circle.

For Pink Saturday, I am sharing a watering can that I had painted years ago in a class. My Mom and me took this class together, so it holds some special memories for me.

Have a most wonderful weekend and as always, thank you for taking the time to stop by and visit.

Chalks, Stampin Up - greens and purples
Vintage Phone Distress Ink, Old Olive SU
Clear Embossing Powder
Glimmer Mist Huckleberry

Fashionable Steampunk!

2011-08-04T07:35:00.000-07:00

Gingersnap Creations GC100 has us using "Gears, Cogs and Watch Bits." I knew I would have to use some of the G-45 paper I have been saving for a rainy day, which could hang around a long time here! Voila Inks at Bella Creations wants us to use "Spray Inks" of any type and my choice was Glimmer Mists and there has to be a butterfly. This tag will also go to Fashionable Stamping Challenges, a new challenge blog for us stampers, and of course Simon Stay Stamp and Show a Tag!

Now I did have my granddaughter in mind while creating this as she let me know she needed another bookmark! Sadly you can't really seem the shimmer, but it is there. I first inked with Distress Inks and then sprayed with GLimmer Mists. The tag was then embossed with a large Cuttlebug folder and highlighted. Cut some cogs from Tim Holtz line. The brown wing area on the dressform is highlighted with Spica gold pen. Stamped sentiment is from Stampin Up and watch bits from an earlier eBay hunt!

Have a wonderful day. If you are in this extreme heat, stay in and create!

Inks: Distress Walnut Stain,Vintage Photo, Antique Linen, Pine Needles, Bundled Sage, Stazon Timber Brown
Glimmer Mists: Forest Green, Gumdrop, Pearl

Having Sew Much Fun!

2011-08-02T09:48:00.000-07:00

Here we are on week 18 at Grungy Monday and you can learn more about the technique we are using right HERE! While visiting one of my blogging friends, Brenda, I learned of "Fashionable Stamping Challenges" which is a new challenge blog and Brenda just so happens to be one of the Design Team members. Stop by and take a look! Nice thing about challenges is that they are free! The lovely people of Simon Says Stamp and Show, has made it really easy with looking for "Tags."

For this tag, I used all things Mr. Holtz. Even the scissors were cut and embossed from his sewing texture fades. I would have posted this yesterday, but it was driving me crazy that I felt something was needed in that right hand corner. Last night, just shortly before going to bed the bells and whistles went off and I thought little scissors or a snap! The paper is Tim's and I did mask around the dress from, so I could stamp on that image. I added Distress inks around the image and kept that mostly a lighter shade of pink. Added some embossed stitching.

Now about two things that I am excited about! I am going to be starting an online course with the wonderfully talented Lucy of True Colours. She does incredible work with moulds/molds and other amazing forms of art. There is still time and this will be so fun. Thank you Lucy for doing this! This morning when I popped over to Gingersnap Creations, I was so delighted to learn that my "Road" challenge piece was awarded a Ginger Gem! The stamps used for this were from Artistic Outpost.

Hope you all have an amazing week. It is hot and humid here, around 100 degrees! Not liking that! Thank you for stopping by!

Inks: Distress Emboss, Old Paper, Walnut Stain, Victorian Velvet, Aged Mahogany, Spun Sugar, Worn Lipstick, Tattered Rose, Archival Black
Embossing Powders: Black, Garnet, Silver
Stamps: Papillon, Haberdashery
Embossing Folder: Pattern & Stitches

Christmas in July!

2011-07-29T15:10:00.000-07:00

Fridays mean Lisa has a new Bloggers Challenge for us and this week we are Embossing! All stamps are from I Brake For Stamps, who is just so having a Christmas in July challenge. This will also be linked to Simon Says Stamp and Show "Anything Goes."

The pine cone collage was embossed with gold, red and garnet. A little tricky, but worth the effort! After it was heat set, I colored the open area of the corners and the pine cone. The printed area was lightly distressed with Pumice Stone to tone it down. All panels were distressed and shaded with Vintage Photo.

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend. Not sure what we will be doing, but that is just fine with me! Thank you for visiting!

Hello Pumpkin!

2011-07-28T14:39:00.000-07:00

I learned of an awesome Halloween Giveaway Challenge at Alpha Stamps while visiting Lynn! Alpha Stamps is also giving away a really nice Halloween college sheet, so go check out what you have to do to get one of these beauties all for yourself. If you are on Facebook, go give them a "like." The free Halloween Romance collage sheet is really nice! Simon Says Stamp and Show is having an "Anything Goes" challenge, so guess where she is going? Here is just one of the images!

The image has been distressed and shaded as well as all the layers. I added some rhinestones and did some highlighting with Spica glitter pens. For the embossed background, I used the Acrylic Emboss from the Technique Junkies.

Look close and you can see the shimmer!

Now here is the Halloween Giveaway Challenge prize.

Have a great evening and thank you tons for the visit!

Follow the Yellow Brick Road!

2011-07-26T11:25:00.000-07:00

I was quite excited to find out that my "Color of Money" received a Ginger Gem award! WooHoo and thank you! Speaking of Gingersnap Creations, this tag will be entered into their GC109 "On The Road." Mine might be a "Yellow Brick Road," but none the less a road! Anything Goes at Simon Says Stamp and Show, so we are traveling to there! Last and most certainly not least, Linda our Grungy Monday leader for week 17 has us playing with Tim's Rock Candy. I used both products on this tag and hopefully the sparkle can be seen. Do you think the brads were too much?

All stamps are from Artistic Outpost and I used the fabulous OZ Collage stamp set. Love this set! My tag will also be entered into Artist Outpost's monthly referral program. Who does not want a chance at free goodies. For this an over sized tag was used and I hand cut a second chipboard tag. My third tag layer is the road, which I wanted to set in, so used a movers and shapers (Tim's) on the first two. Antique Glimmers from the Technique Junkies was done on the top tag. Lots of inking fun!

Thank you Lynn for the RAK lovely package! Lynn has now bypassed 1,000 followers and had a lovely giveaway. Those of us who posted her giveaway on our blogs were given a little gift and here is my little stash of goodness!

Have a wonderful day and I hope those of you dealing with heat will soon have a little relief!

Distress Inks: Tea Dye, Vintage Photo, Stormy Sky, Mustard Seed
Stazon Inks: Timber Brown, Jet Black, Blazing Red
Stampin Up Markers: Barely Banana, Pretty in Pink, Creamy Caramel, Blush Blossom, Brocade Blue

GCSP08, Summer of Color and Pink Saturday!

2011-07-22T12:05:00.000-07:00

Gingersnap Creations Blue Moon is to use 3 Words, 3 Papers and 3 Buttons. Kristin's the Summer of Color challenge is to use RED!
I caught myself going for the fourth paper, when I had die cut some lovely corners. I have to say this was really a challenge for me and not sure what I think about it! Tried this canvas with black metal photo corners and lace. Let me know which way looks better?

This is my share for "Pink Saturday." I actually was the lucky winner of this most lovely "Pink Fleur de Lis and Roses" bowl from Cindy Adkins. If you love vintage, shabby chic, French and pretty much anything gorgeous, you owe it yourself to visit Cindy's Whimsical Musings. This lady is as sweet as she is talented. Stop by and you will be so happy you did! Thank you again, Cindy.

This is a busy weekend for me. My sister is driving down from AZ and we are going to a family reunion! Hope you all have a wonderful weekend! Thank you for taking the time to visit me!

Artful Dwellings Jazz Banner

2011-07-20T17:54:00.000-07:00

Week 16 of Grungy Monday and Linda has us truly grunging it up! Grungeboard or Grungepaper and anything goes as long as those products are used! Simon Says Stamp and Show some Embossing and so we have that covered.

Lots of embossing, both dry and powder. Painted Grungeboard with Metallic paints and then applied alcohol inks, until I liked the color. The Artistic Outpost Flapper Girls, where colored with Stampin Up Markers. We added some Copic Glitter pen highlights here and there. Both Artful Dwellings by the one and only, Tim Holtz, were edged in gold.

Off to start dinner! I am so happy I don't have a DH, who demands his dinner at a certain time!! Thank you for the visit and have a wonderful evening!

Bloggers Challenge Sketch and The Color of Money!

2011-07-15T10:35:00.000-07:00

Happy Friday to all! Tomorrow we go front door shopping. Today the exact window measurements will be done at 3:00 PM and here I am playing! Such is life! Plenty of time to do what I need to do!

Lisa's Bloggers Challenge this week is a sketch, which I just love sketches. So here is my take on sketch. Since I love to combine challenges and it is not out of laziness, I went with the "Color of Money." Gingersnap Creations GC108 is having us show our money colors!

The sentiment stamp used is from Unity Stamps and the designer papers are Basic Grey. I did a cuttlebug highlight technique from the Technique Junkies. The butterflies where punched from leftovers.

Have a wonderful weekend and thank you for stopping by!

Bags and Tags go Grungy on Monday!

2011-07-11T15:34:00.000-07:00

Our lovely Grungy Monday leader, Linda, along with sidekicks, Barbara Washington and Rinda Ontiveros, have us using a technique from the 12 Tags of Christmas 2007, Day 7! Gingersnap Creation's challenge GC107 is Bags and Tags, with shopping in mind! Well we are off to the dressmaker!! After all there was a time that I made most of my clothes, so this just seemed very appropriate. Simon Says Stamp and Show some Stitching - Faux or Otherwise, and I had stitiched the little tag. The Color of Summer wants us to use Brown and a Bold color, so I decided my bold would be "Pink" and based around the hand dyed lace that the wonderful Lynne of Adorn sent to me.

All stamps and die cuts are by the one and only Tim Holtz . I die cut shrink plastic using the dressmaker and stamped it using a variety of Tim's stamps. For the tag I used a technique from the Technique Junkies called "Cuttlebug Highlights." The dress form, spool and buttons, were stamped and shaded using Stazon. All other inks and embossing powder are from the man!

Hope you all are having a fun and creative Monday, Grungy or not! Oh I guess blogger is still not well for some of us. My followers have disappeared from my page and of course commenting is still a pain. Links are working for some people and it goes on! Thank you for taking the time to visit! Really do love that!

Grungy Monday #14 times 2!

2011-07-09T15:00:00.000-07:00

Had to practice with the dabber paint resist one more time from Grungy Monday #14! Check out the how to video from Mr. Holtz, who is such an inspiration. For the resist I used the champagne bottles from the Gatsby collection at Artistic Outpost! One of my blogging friends, Lucy, is to blame for my interest in "shrink plastic." I decided to shrink some champagne bottles and the great car that is part of this set. I really like the little tiny embellishments! This was really a lot of fun!

Well this is a little later than I had planned, because we were scrapping up tile (not me). I did have to supervise!! Thanks for visiting and have a great rest of the weekend!

Bloggers Challenge and Grungy Monday - Again!

2011-07-08T13:39:00.000-07:00

Playing Linda's Grungy Monday on Friday with Lisa's Bloggers Challenge. For GM14 we are using a dabber resist/Perfect Pearls technique from March 2008, which can be found here compliments of Mr. Tim Holtz! Lisa, who also happens to be one our Grungy Monday inspiring guest designers, has us on a Floral Frenzy for this weeks Bloggers Challenge! Now I started working on a couple of tags yesterday, but we had a couple of "house estimate" type distractions, so tag #2 will post later or tomorrow. The story continues!

All stamps are from Artistic Outpost the Flapper Fashions plate and will be entered in their July Referral Contest! Who does not like a chance at free stamps??

For this weeks GM14 technique I used the floral border, which was dabbered in snow cap paint. I love the lacy effect this created. I used it for part of the sentiment frame and on the tag top. All edges were distressed and then shaded with Rusty Hinge. BTW, I always shade/highlight black. It really does show! The store bought flowers where also shaded with RH as to tie it all in. Her hat has a little glitter pen color, just because! The shimmer from the Perfect Pearls is so pretty and I wish you could see it, but I know you know what I mean!

Have a wonderful weekend and thanks so much for stopping by. Wow, I have 198 followers and want to thank each of you for that! Sometimes when I go to thank someone for leaving a lovely comment, I find there is no link. Any suggestions??

Reinkers: Spun Sugar, Worn Lipstick, Tye Die
Perfect Pearls: Pink Gumball, Biscotti, Perfect Gold

IBFSCC4, Color of Summer and Pink Saturday!

2011-07-01T15:58:00.000-07:00

Double Sided Tag makes three posts for me this week! Mind you the arm still hurts, but too bad! So you know, I Brake For Stamps now has a challenge blog and if you use at least one IBFS stamp, you will be entered to win a prize. This week's challenge is Happy Birthday and I made a double sided birthday tag, which will be used as a bookmark! I stamped 10 roses for each year that I have known my friend! This friend is actually the main culprit in my stamping addiction, as it was she who had the first workshop I attended! We are also linking this to Pink Saturday and the Color of Summer! All stamps are from I Brake for Stamps.

The flowers were inked with Distress Inks, Worn Lipstick and Forest Moss and then clear embossed. I added color using markers to the roses and leaves. I then distress the tag, keeping the center lighter. Gave a quick spray of Glimmer Mist and then removed the embossing. This is actually the backside of the tag or could be the front, but that is the side I will write on! The backside has a Bingo card that I alcohol inked a background and then black embossed. The tag backgrounds I did using the Antique Glimmers from the Technique Junkies.

My DH is taking all of next week off, so my play time will be limited. We actually need to get some work done around here. In fact I was suppose to call the window people for an estimate and I did not do that! Hope you all have a wonderful weekend and for those who celebrate July 4th, have a safe and happy one! Thank you for the visit and I do enjoy your comments!

Bloggers Challenge, GM13 and SSSS a Word!!

2011-06-29T16:15:00.000-07:00

Do you ever start out in one direction and end up on a completely different path? It has become my own personal challenge to figure out ways to combine challenges. Our Grungy Monday leader, Linda, has us playing with alcohol inks for week 13! Check out Tim's video and I used eight shades (greens, blue, yellow) and Copper Mixative. The butterflies where cut using Mr. Holtz new movers and shapers die from leftovers! Lisa's Bloggers Challenge is "Things with Wings" and I thought something carefree and flighty was just perfect for my Flapper Girl! Since this gorgeous "Flapper Fashions" set from Artistic Outpost landed, I have so wanted to play! I am also entering Artistic Outpost's June Referral Program. Simon Says Stamp and Show a Word and we have a few!

We first started out with a card and had everything cut and laid out and just did not like it! Really did not! Then I saw a precut black tag and life became a little happier! We colored her skirt with soft green chalks and her shoes with Spica Sand glitter pen. Embossed the oval frame with Tim's Damask folder. Black was highlighted using Opalite Winter Rust, other inks, Stazon Timber Brown, Distress Vintage Photo, Palette Noir Black (worked best on the copper paper).

Hope you all are having a wonderful week and doing something fun! Thank you for taking the time to visit.

IBFS #3 and Summer of Color!

2011-06-27T16:44:00.000-07:00

I needed a little inspiration to finally create a baby card for my niece who just had a sweet little girl. When I saw I Brake For Stamps challenge this week and using polka dots for inspiration, I knew what needed to be done. The picture was copied off my niece's Facebook page, so the quality is not the best, but I think she will just love the idea! One of my sweet blogging friend's Nan, told me about The Summer of Color, "Pink" challenge, so we are having our visit over there!

I did the Cuttlebug Highlights technique from the Technique Junkies. When I saw the reverse side of the embossed and colored folder, I actually liked that better and thought the stamped image would be more detailed. The baby frame stamp is from I Brake For Stamps and so perfect for welcoming a cutie pie into the world.

Our cute inspiration!

Thank you for stopping by and there is still time to get in on this weeks challenge. BTW, I thought the commenting issue was resolved on Blogger, but I noticed I am having problems once again. Anyone else still battling the comment thing?

Winging it with Grungy Monday!

2011-06-18T06:58:00.000-07:00

Well I finally got around to creating something this week, thanks to a swap invite from The BrakeFast Club, "Wings." The Dragonfly stamps are from I Brake For Stamps and there are four different sizes I believe. I used one of the new Tim Holtz Texture Fades embossing folder and did the Cuttlebug Highlight technique from the Technique Junkies. IBFS also has a new challenge blog and this week it is for "techniques" and so we are off for our first visit there. There is also a random prize at the new IBFS challenge blog, so stop by! Our Grundy Monday adventure with Linda has us taking a technique trip back to January 2008 with Mr. Holtz, who we all just adore. Vicki's Cheerful Stamp Pad challenge is "Things with Wings." so we buzzing by there also. Last but not least on the challenge flight, Simon Says Stamp and Show Your Distressed/Torn Edges.

I inked the center dragonfly with several colors and then gave it a quick spray with Iridescent Gold, Glimmer Mist. Once dried, I embossed with clear EP. During the background creation, I also gave quick sprays of the Glimmer Mist, including over the final embossing step.

Sorry I have not been as active with blogging, but I just have had to keep my computer/typing time to a minimum. So if I have not been visiting as much, I am still around and thinking of you! Have a wonderful weekend!

Paper is Stampin Up, Cool Caribbean, Mellow Moss, Whisper White, Glimmer Mist, Distress Inks Tumbled Glass, Stormy Sky, Bundled Sage, Forest Green, Mustard Seed, Walnut Stain, Close to Cocoa Ink Marker.

Happy Birthday Pink Saturday!

2011-05-27T18:45:00.000-07:00

Last week Cindy Adkins suggested that I link something for "Pink Saturday." Beverly was kind enough to visit my blog and invited me to her 3rd Birthday Party! I took this picture this morning of one of my favorite roses. Happy Pink Saturday Birthday, Beverly!

And speaking of birthdays, I had one this month and a couple of blogging friends caught wind of that and surprised me. Since this is Pink Saturday and this amazing card and hand dyed ribbon arrived today from Lynne of Adorn, I just had to share. Lynne, Thank you so much. I wish you all could see this, because a picture does not do justice to this beautiful creation! Love this!

Lynn of Trash To Treasure sent me a wonderful surprise which arrived on my birthday. Another incredible card, which I really wish you could see in person. So love this card and can't wait to play with the goodies. Thank you again, Lynn! As most of you may know, Lynn is recovering from neck surgery and has to be taking it easy. I know I am not alone with wanting a speedy and complete recovery for this lady!

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend. Thank you so much for stopping by. Oh and I noticed that Blogger still has not fixed the commenting issue, but added a new problem with some of us not having a following! Now you still can follow a blog, by clicking on the follow link on the very top left of the blogger page. Such fun!

The Altered Alice - Time!

2011-05-26T15:21:00.000-07:00

Blogger is still having problems with commenting and sign in for some users, so please if I don't comment, that is why. I have added Firefox, but not sure how I like that. It is not my computer or programs, it is Blogger, so that is good!

Now to the fun stuff! I had a blast creating this card for The Altered Alice and the "Time" challenge. Even more fun, because I got to play with one of my new Tim Holtz dies and used one of his techniques from "A Compendium of Curiosities." If you don't have this book, run and get it. Even if you are not a grunging fool, the techniques are amazing. I used grunge paper for the die cut and stamped clock. The smaller clock was cut with the Pinking Circle die from Spellbinders. Way back, I saw my friend, Connie Paxman, use this for a clock piece and just thought how brilliant. It works so well for clocks and gears! All stamps are from Artistic Outpost's Wonderland Collage and I am linking this for the May referral on Artistic Outposts Blog. Love this set! The background paper is from G-45's "Halloween in Wonderland." I embossed this with a Cuttlebug folder and then highlighted using Stampin Up White Craft ink.

Wishing all of you a wonderful weekend and for those celebrating Memorial Weekend, be safe! Really appreciate your comments!

Bad Blogger!!

2011-05-25T06:42:00.000-07:00

Some of us are experiencing blogger commenting problems and this has been going on since yesterday. Today I have been able to comment on some blogs, but it really is hit and miss. Now it appears as if Blogger does not recognize my password, so please know I will stop by your blogs as soon as I can. This is really irritating, because I do have arm pain and to have to type over and over, is not fun!

I want to thank all of you who have taken the time to comment and know that if I am not hearing from some of you, well I know why! Oh I can visit and check out all the beautiful creations, so know that I have been there.

Enjoy your day and hopefully this will be fixed shortly, like blogger tells us!

Terry

Grungy Monday #8 and Gingersnap Creations 101

2011-05-24T13:43:00.000-07:00

"Save a horse ride a cowboy" is what this card brings to my mind! We are challenged to use Cowboys and Cowgirls at Gingersnap Creations, so I went with the Cowboy theme! For Grungy Monday, Linda has us playing and splattering with inks using Tim's September Technique Challenge. Now Mr. Holtz used Adirondack Dye Ink Pads, but since I only had a couple of colors, I went with Distress Inks! I did distress my image backgrounds after the splattering and stamping. The blue background paper, I added to the puddle to give it kind of a leather type look. Of course, I covered most of it up. We used Tim's Typeset Alphabet die and corners from the ATC die. I was going to make a tag, but then decided this would be a birthday card or Father's Day card for my DH, who is a far cry from a "Cowboy."

Inks used, Archival Black, Distress Inks, Chipped Sapphire, Stormy Sky, Tumbled Glass, Black Soot, Walnut Stain, Vintage Photo.

My friend, Tracy is having a blog candy offering. Now if you don't know Tracy, you really should take the time. She is a riot and a really cool person, not to mention she is guest designer for the "Altered Alice" this week, which reminds me to get creating something!

I also received a consolation prize from another Blogger friend, Lisa, over at LoveLee Notes! She had a blog giveaway and even though I did not win, she wanted to thank me! Lisa sent me the sweetest little box of tea conversation cards and a precious card. Was that lovelee or what? Lisa offers some interesting tips from time to time, so take a visit! Thank you, Lisa!

Wishing you all a wonderful week. Your visits and comments are always appreciated!

Bloggers Challenge, Grungy Monday and Pink Saturday!

2011-05-18T14:05:00.000-07:00

Wow! It has been three weeks since my last post and I do apologize if I have not been around as much. Kind of in a slump and having some problems with too much typing or holding my arm at a certain height. So when I do post and comment, it may be a little shorter than usual.

We are entering this at Grungy Monday - Distress Ink Color Blocking, using techniques from the one and only Lord Holtz and Lisa's Bloggers Challenge - Sketch Challenge. We are also linking this for the first time with Pink Saturday. The flower I had made some time back, just playing around with a scalloped Martha Stewart Rotary Cutter and when I saw Lisa's sketch challenge, I decided to use this flower! For the color blocked background, I used Barn Door, Vintage Photo, Spun Sugar and Dusty Concord and then embossed it using one of the new Textured Fades. I also embossed the strip behind the flower. The border punch is trim is from Stampin Up and I used Elegant Eggplant ribbon. Papers are Stampin Up and Tim Holtz. After all was said and done, I wish I had made the background larger as to me the flower was too big.

Hope you all are enjoying some better weather! To say the least, it has been weird all over! Thank you for stopping by and have a great rest of the week!

Happy and Sad! Ribbons, Lace and Buttons!

2011-04-28T13:51:00.000-07:00

This card was created for my daughter who is moving to Portland, OR! I am happy for her and sad, because she will be 18+ hours instead of 3!! It seems like we don't see each other enough as it is, but I believe everyone should live their dream and she fell head in heals in love with Oregon! Now my DD wants us to retire to Oregon or Washington, but she would be happy with Idaho!!! Personally, I was thinking more in the line of Arizona or Nevada and a thought of Florida! What is a mother to do!

Lisa has us using Ribbons and Lace for Bloggers Challenge and Simon Says Stamp and Show some Buttons!

My Daughter's House!

I used Tim Holtz Rickety House and did lots of paper piecing and cuttlebug highlights. I cut out extras to make window/door frames! The fence was die cut and crackled painted with Fired Red and then Rock Candy. The background paper is Mr. Holtz and I added Rock Candy Stickles over the California and Oregon licence plates. I added the buttons and used some decorative thread (from when I sewed) and glued them on the fence post. I used some old lace from my Mom's belongings for the curtains and the little green ribbon is from a gift my DD gave me. Oh, I tried to capture the character of my DD new/old house.

While I was blogging this, I heard the mailman and I received some "Happy Mail." Julie Forest sent me this lovely thank you card and I see she used Tim's new movers and shapers butterflies and they are so pretty. I see some i-Rock goodness and Julie let me know that the i-Rock, Rocks! Thank you, Julie, I love this card!

Lots of pictures today! Wish I could capture the true colors, which are always nicer in the person. I figure there is a trick to that and will someday master the color! Thank you for the visit and have a great weekend, which is right around the corner!

Alice Gets An Honorable Mention!

2011-04-25T09:15:00.000-07:00

I was so excited this morning to find that my first time challenge piece over at The Altered Alice received an "Honorable Mention." All stamps used were from Artistic Outpost and were a blast to use! If you want more details, you can find them on my original blog post right here!

Thank you for stopping by and have a wonderful Monday!

Peggy's Mixed-Up Art!

2011-04-24T16:29:00.000-07:00

I went to visit Electra's blog to thank her for a sweet comment and I noticed she did a blog post for Peggy Gatto. Peggy is donating $1.00 to Ovarian Cancer Research for every comment she receives. Today is her friend's birthday who lost her battle with ovarian cancer and this is Peggy's gift to her. She is also having a giveaway of her own, but the true gift is to help others who may be battling this disease now or in the future!

Please take a minute to go over and leave a comment for a worthy cause.

Hope you all had or are having a wonderful Easter!

Mr. Umbrella Man Still Playing the Numbers!

2011-04-22T17:22:00.000-07:00

I just had so much fun with this Texture Fades and Distress at Studio L-3, that I had to do another. Again this dapper dude goes off to Simon Says Stamp and Show a Lord Tim of Holtz Technique and The Artistic Stamper with layers!

Look at what Willow sent to me as a thank you!!! She was one of the winners of my blog candy earlier this month. This is just so awesome! Thank you Willow.

Wishing all of you a wonderful Easter! My daughter is coming up with her boyfriend and his son and we are going to a Mexican Brunch, so cheers!!!

The Umbrella Man Playing the Numbers!

2011-04-20T13:32:00.000-07:00

Wow, we are hitting up four challenges and loving it! Grungy Monday #4 at Studio L-3 challenges us to use Tim Holtz technique, using Texture Fades and Distress. I used Mr. Holtz new ATC Umbrella Man and stamped the raised area with this new reverse stamp set! Love how that worked. Shaded outer area of the dude and edges, then die cut using my new Tim Holtz ATC die! Love the photo corners, which also had the reverse numbers! The powder embossed numbers on the ATC are also from one of Tim's new stamp releases. The Texture Fade Bingo, was embossed, inked with clear emboss ink, red and browns DI and then clear embossed. I then went in with two colors of Perfect Pearls that I mixed and sprayed, along with a couple of sprays of Tattered Angels Iridescent Gold. Wiped off the excess. We have several layers of paper, inks, mists and even embossing powders, so we are happy to visit The Artistic Stamper for their Layers challenge. Bella Creations has us using an umbrella, Gingersnap Creations GC98 has us using our Mists and Simon Says Stamp and Show wants a Lord Tim of Holtz Technique and so it is!

Once again I want to thank all of you who take the time to visit and comment. You are very appreciated and from time to time, someone is going to get a surprise from me as a thank you.

Huck Finn Travels to Bloggers Challenge and SSSS!!

2011-04-15T15:56:00.000-07:00

I know, long time no blog. Trying to keep the arm less active, but my new stamp sets arrived yesterday from Artistic Outpost and that was that! I did get two of the plates precut, so no strain there! When I saw the new releases, I had to have them all! At Bloggers Challenge, Lisa, has us doing a sketch challenge and Simon Says Stamp and Show has us Distressing! Today, Huck Finn was calling out to play and I thought he would work so well with the new papers from Tim Holtz line! So what do you think? Do the papers work well with the stamped image and sentiment? I also used some words from the set along the background paper. Oh, I colored the image with chalks and then did a light matte spray to set. All edges are distress, because we like that look!

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend. Thank you for the visit!

The Altered Alice!

2011-04-07T11:11:00.000-07:00

This is my first time playing a challenge at The Altered Alice! The challenge is to use colors of Blue and Yellow and is being sponsored by Artistic Outpost! Now it just so happens, that I have the Alice in Wonderland set from Artistic Outpost and have used them often. I love that set! Since we were playing at the Altered Alice, I did! I masked off the King from Alice and he was replaced! Removing the King, was a bit complicated, but not impossible! A crown was created from another little stamp within this set and I added bling! This was not easy to cut out!! The background is a collage of various items from the stamp set. The time piece I clear embossed, inked the background with blues and yellow and then stamped my various images in black and blue. I then dry ironed between blank newsprint paper to remove the raised embossing. The frame was colored with alcohol inks and then embossed with a Cuttlebug folder. A couple of time piece were added to the frame. The image and frame were adhered to another chipboard frame for dimension and then mounted with dimensionals. It really has a nice pop to it! Camera picture is a bit brighter than the actual card. Either bright or gray today!!

This was fun, challenging and fun again! Thank you visiting me today! Have fun and go create.

Bloggers Challenge Flies with Grungy Monday!

2011-04-04T15:02:00.000-07:00

Bloggers Challenge Friday is "Birds" and Lisa tells us to go with however we interpret that theme. I was kind of busy over the weekend and then came Monday and we know that means, "Grungy Monday" with Linda. Since I have been "dieing" to use my new Tim Holtz Mini Bird and Cage movers and shapers, the wheels started turning! Simon Says Stamp and Show Anything but a Card, soo we are playing all three challenges with the two projects!

I had so much fun with the first, that despite doctors orders to lay off my left arm, we continued on. The technique we used today at GM, "Distress Ink with Studio Multi-Medium" is a video and so cool! I even pulled on the fun foam, which I have never used and made my own little stamps! The steps were followed in the video. The flower on the tag was colored with alcohol inks and then dipped in embossing ink and clear embossing powder. I also used the Cuttlebug Highlight technique from the Technique Junkies on both pieces. This was amazing and so much fun!

Why don't you come and play along at both challenges and have as much fun as I did! Can't wait to see what you all are up to and as always, thank you for the visit!

WOOHOO We Got Two Winners!

2011-04-01T18:22:00.000-07:00

I can see why people might go by way of the random generator, but what fun would that be to not copy, print and cut up! A big thank you to all that joined in my first year celebration and like I said, I wish I could give you all a gift. I did not make it a requirement to follow, but I want to thank those who did choose follow. Blogging has been a wonderful adventure and I have met some amazing artists and made some wonderful friends. Thank you all again. All the names were put in a hat and well mixed up, trust me and the DH pulled:

My #1 Winner, Willow!!! I hope you will be happy with #1 prize, because you did not make a selection and that was the #1 prize! And Willow gets:::::

My #2 Winner, Julie!!! Well you get prize #2, because you were #2 and picked #2. You will have to let me know what you think about the i-Rock. And Julie gets:::::

Remember I need to hear by you by the end of the weekend, so send me your mailing info! These should go out by Wednesday, so please let me know when you receive your wins! If no one claims their prizes, I will select a new winner on Monday and announce on Tuesday the 5th!

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend and Happy April's Fool Day!

For the Little Boys!

2011-03-30T13:42:00.000-07:00

Today I am sharing two cards I made for very young boys! In fact both are for Nephews!

This was made for the nephew of a friend who is battling cancer. Since I usually create with grunge on my mind and more on an adult level, it was a little difficult for me to get into a kid mode! I had this all set to go on different background paper and then thought, think kid! I remembered some Minds Eye paper I won from Jan and thought, OK, I can grunge and be cute cherry at the same time. I sure hope this will cheer him up while he wins this big battle! The "Old Jalopy" is of course from Tim Holtz new Sizzix line!

Next is for my own Great-Nephew!! He was premature, but I am happy to say doing very well and is at home with his parents. The frame is from I Brake For Stamps and Della was so quick in sending this out. I don't have very many baby stamps, so really needed one. She also threw in some "freebies" and you know how we love that!! The frame was another challenge as I did not know what I wanted to do, other than framing the tiny one! Oh, I printed the picture from a photo taken at the hospital a few days after he was born. I tried a couple of things with the frame, but decided to go with boyish type colors and did a technique from the Technique Junkies, Antique Glimmers. The sheen is gorgeous and I did want a more vintage feel to the frame. This was not easy to cut out both inside and out! After I cut it out, I used markers to add extra color to the alphabet and other little sweet things. I keep thinking I might add some bling around the rattle top, but not sure. What do you think??? I wanted a more lively background, so used some striped paper with the color I used in the baby block frame. I really like this frame and hope the parents do!!!

Thank you much for your visit today. If you have not commented on my giveaway below, you might want to. The winners will be announced on April's Fool Day! He!He!

Grungy Monday Begins!

2011-03-28T05:05:00.000-07:00

We were all a little concerned after our wonderful 35 week run with the "Compendium of Curiosities." When the sweet and adorable Linda of Studio L3 suggested that this would not be the end, we were excited! I almost fell out of my chair, when this "Leader of the Pack" sent me an e-mail asking me to be a Guest Designer! I honored to be part of the launching of Grungy Monday with my friend Tracy and we were sworn to secrecy! I thought I might lose it and blab something, well actually I have lost it $$$ at Scrapbooking Made Simple. Stacey, as soon as she gets a whiff of anything "Tim Holtz" related, I have it nicely waiting for me in a bag. Thank you Stacey and the SMS girls for keeping me supplied!

Over the last couple of CCC's, I made reference to that being the best "Joy Ride" I had ever been on. So as luck would have it, the "Old Jalopy" was released. How sweet it is to know that our RIDE continues and what a JOY it is! This tag was made to celebrate day one of Grungy Monday! Thank you Linda for adopting all of us and devoting your time to us! Thank you Tim and Mario for just being!

For my tag from this week's lesson I used the "Joy" word and compass masks following steps 1 thru 14. Since I did two different colors, I had to be a little tricky. Also, I did layers of color with both the Perfect Pearls and Distress Inks, until I achieved the look I wanted. Started first with the lighter shades and then the darker shades. The Old Jalopy took as much time as the tag background, but I had a blast!!! This was cut out with grunge and then embossed with black. I used the same copper PP as in the tag, but also added some Distress Ink and painted a second time. The negative areas I colored darker with a marker, because I wanted to hide that part of the embossing. Next time, I will mask that off. I adorned my Jalopy with head lights! To the backside, I cut some acetate for windows and added the music strip tape. All the Jalopy parts were done in the same way, but then I used my embossing pen in areas to black emboss. I wanted just enough of the copper to show through as a highlight. The "Ride" letters were cut from Tim's paper, shaded and mounted. The crown was cut from Shrink Plastic and colored with alcohol inks. The flowers were colored using my PP mix. All areas were shaded using Vintage Photo Distress Ink!

Well I truly had a blast with this challenge and I hope you all will be inspired to play on Grungy Monday! Can't wait to visit all of your blogs and check out your grunginess! Thank you so much for stopping by and have a totally Grungy Monday!

Distress Inks: Dried Marigold, Rusty Hinge, Tumbled Glass, Broken China, Vintage Photo, Emboss
Reinkers: Wild Honey, Tumbled Glass
Perfect Pearls: Heirloom Gold, Blue Patina, Perfect Copper

Bloggers Challenge!

2011-03-25T14:09:00.000-07:00

This is my final design team project for Scrolls Work Stamps! Knowing how much Jacque loves Steampunk, I decided to create this last assignment solely with that in mind. Thank you Scrolls Work for giving me the opportunity to design for your company. This was my first design team assignment and I did learn that I can keep up with the best of them, even with only three years of stamping experience. So never say never and get out there and play!! Age does not matter and experience does not matter, it is what we love to do that matters!

I used paper from G-45 from their steampunk line. A few of Tim Holtz gears and of course numerous Scrolls Work Stamps images. The focal image is Tim and Tom Travel and that is exactly what this dudes will be doing today, because they are visiting at the Bloggers Challenge "Sketch Challenge." If you want to play along, click HERE for the challenge link.

Have a wonderful weekend and I sure hope you all have some nice weather! Thank you for stopping by!

Riley Is Making the Rounds!

2011-03-23T11:30:00.000-07:00

Is Riley just a Little Man or what? Riley is part of the new children's release at Scrolls Work Stamps. These can be purchased as a full plate or individuals. For the first time, Scrolls Work is also offering many of their stamps as full plates, so pop and over and take a look.

Riley is visiting Gingersnap Creations for their big third annual Copper, Ginger or Rust Challenge GC96. I used Copper, Rust, Browns and Creams. Little Man works well for Simon Says Stamp and Show a Word. OK, it may be two words, but it describes one little cutie pie!

The technique I used from the Technique Junkies, is Wisped Frames. I have to tell you that I love these Grand dies from Spellbinders! This was made to hang, because Riley deserves to be seen!

Thank you for stopping by! I really do enjoy your comments!

A couple of tags and a few thank yous!

2011-03-20T17:54:00.000-07:00

First I have a few lovely bloggers to thank!

While popping over to visit Tracy of "Not A Moment to Spare," she was having a blogaversary #1.  I was the lucky recipient of an on-line shopping gift certificate and these treasures were delivered on Saturday! More great stuff to play with and more i-Rock bling, which is really cool, because I can't get the pink, black and clear combo! Thank you Tracy, you rock my friend! If you really want a good laugh and love stories, really go over and visit! It is one of my favorite places to hang out! Right now she has a twisted fairy tale post, so go take a look.

Now this was a surprise win, because I had commented on this gorgeous tag and Linda of Random Creativity was giving it away! Can you believe I actually won this on our 28th Anniversary?? Is this lovely or what and she must have known how much I love copper!!! Thank you Linda, this is a beauty of a tag and I will hang this proudly. Stop by Linda's for some beautiful creations!

This was quite a surprise and of course I love it. Lynn from Trash To Treasure sent me this adorable little soldered pendant. Lynn actually added the crown (German Scrap) and that alone had to be quite the job. I would have glue or whatever she used all over the place! If you have not been to Lynn's, right now she has this wonderful book of fairies post and it is incredible and better pictures of this and the entire collection.  Thank you my sweet friend.

Don't forget that I have my own Blogaversary giveaway going on, so scroll down and leave a comment for a chance to win. It is my way of thanking all of you that are followers and take the time to comment or e-mail!

Here are a couple of tags I made for a couple of friends and I just wanted to share them, now that they have been received. One uses G-45 papers and vintage watch parts. The second is all Heartfelt Creations images. Distress Inks were used for the background and I used a technique called Antique Glimmers from the Technique Junkies. I cut some shrink plastic using my Spellbinders scallop die. Stamped with Memento ink and then colored with alcohol markers. Heat set the piece and ended up with a little fragment. The white scallop is the original size.

As always, thank you so much for stopping by and commenting. Have a beautiful week!