ICE CREAM Colors at FSC!

With this Summer heat, what a great challenge theme at Fashionable Stamping Challenges!  Yes, we are looking for some cool and dreamy stamping for our "Summer-Ice Cream Colors" challenge!   Stop over for a visit at FSC to see what flavors my DT Sisters have served up!  Oh and you can say hello to our newest Fashionette, Esther!  There will be a prize for the winner from Cottage Crafts, so come join in!  My "Ice Cream" colors would be strawberry, chocolate and peaches in cream!  The picture I used is from a recent meeting with a blog friend and FSC DT Sister, Brenda!  What a great day!

The idea for my tag was based Tim's "August 12 Tags of 2012," so you can stop over there for more details.  As usually, I had to improvise on a couple of items!  I did not have a framed stamped, so I cut a frame and stamped it with a wood grain background stamp of Tim's, using Walnut Stain.  I clear embossed this and then ink distressed using Tattered Rose and Dried Marigold, then edged in Walnut Stain.  The tag background once embossed, was painted on with a mix of Copper Paint Dabber and Deco Art White Pearl.  I wanted a more peachy color!  Simon Says Stamp and Show is Paint It Up, and Lisa's Blogger's Challenge is "Add Texture," so we are headed over there as well.   I then inked over this painted tag with Antique Linen.  Now for the flowers - BIG improvising here!  Really BIG!  I do not have that die, never thought I would use it for pine cones and I don't often add flowers.  Well, I came up with an idea and maybe someone else has also.  I cut one of the flowers from the Tattered Floral die, punched out a circle in the center and then cut through between two of the petals and then proceeded with Tim's instructions.  What I ended up with are baby roses and I like them!  I really do!  My DH was quite impressed with my brain wave, but I think more that I did not make a purchase!  Ha!  For my flowers and leaves, I ran them through the paper crimper several times.  I like how flexible this makes them!  Also these were stamped with a background stamp from Impression Obsession, but between all the crimping, inking and rolling, you don't see it!  The lower Stamping UP sentiment was stamped on Vellum with Archival Coffee and cut to fit the tag edge.  I added an edging of paint to that as well and in areas along the tag.  The ticket stamp is from Tim and that sentiment is from Innovative Stamp Creations.

Hope you are enjoying the weekend!  It is super hot here!  Thank you so kindly for stopping by and taking the time to comment!

Meeting a Blogger Friend!

We all make connections in the crafty blogging world and once in awhile we actually get to meet a fellow blogger!  Last Saturday, I had the wonderful opportunity to meet up with Brenda, "Bumblebees and Butterflies" and what a great time it was!  We talked about this over a year ago and have been literally doing a count down since January!   I will try to keep this as brief as possible, but it was quite the day and I have got to show you the lovely gifts that I received from Brenda and Lucy!  I was almost brought to tears with the unbelievable beauty and generosity, which was so unexpected. 

Ken, Brenda, Me, Steve

We decided we would meet for lunch at BJ's to start our day and we even had a fabulous server, which adds to the nice experience.  At first it was nice to sit outside on the patio, but it became quite hot, so we moved inside!  Brenda had her first Margarita and for those who might believe I would corrupt this sweetheart (Lucy and Marjie), she left us the same lovely lady!  There was never an awkward or silent moment among the four of us.  Yes, we brought the husbands along and they were as chatty as we were!!  It really was a great time!

Our First stop after BJ's, was to visit a Michael's as Brenda had heard so much of this craft store! 

Next stop was Scrapbooking Made Simple, where I knew there was a sale going on and since it is a pretty large store, I was hoping there would be time for Brenda to have a look!  Well we did a little damage there as well! 

Now I need to share with you all the lovely gifts that were given to me!  I was actually embarrassed as to the immense amount of treasures that my sweet friends gave to me!  Oh, but I do love them and can't thank Brenda and Lucy enough!  Here we go!

We sit down and start to talk a little at the restaurant and Brenda hands me a bag with tissue wrapped items.  First she hands me something from Lucy, "True Colours."  Now I was floored and not from the Margarita! 

Oh So Lovely!

Inside Pretties!

Sweet Inside and Out!

I have long loved Lucy's alterations of hand bags and shoes, but never expected I would be the most lucky recipient of one!  Is this not gorgeous and notice the "Friendship" and that is what we share!  There were even some lovely trims tucked inside and a very sweet card!  Thank you so much, Lucy!  I will always treasure your kindness and I just love my little purse!  Someday soon, we also shall meet!  Lucy is the one who got me all worked up over shrink plastic, clay moulds and using seed beads!  I even signed up for her online class to learn about making moulds and it was so worth it! 

Speaking of generosity, look at what Brenda presented me with!  Like I said, I was overwhelmed!  Each piece is more gorgeous in real life, than I can capture in a picture and especially with my camera.  I won't go into describing each piece as I know Brenda will take care of that, but just feast your eyes on these works of art!  Thank you so much Brenda, for the most lovely gifts and mostly for the friendship that I will always cherish!

Love this Tag!

How Fun Is This?

Photo Journal

Beautiful Altered Box!

Inside the box!

Treasures inside!

I know this was a long post with many pictures, but I wanted you all to share in a special day I shared with Brenda and Lucy!  I feel so blessed to be a part of this blogging world and for all the friendships that have developed.  Each and everyone of you are special to me and I appreciate the time you take to visit and comment!  Thank you!

I'm Late!

Do you ever like forget something?  Well maybe you don't, but I did!  My birthday was in May and I really tried to keep it quiet.  However, I did mention that I had a surprise birthday visit from my Son and Granddaughter for the big "60."   Around Mother's Day, my DD informed me that she bought flight tickets for us to go see her on Father's Day.  Well my head was just all worked up over flying and leaving pets, my hubby's birthday in June, I forgot to do something.  A couple of blogging friends sent me birthday surprises and I of course immediately thanked Lynn and Lynne.  The next day was my hubby's birthday and I was going to ask if it was OK to blog these and with all the excitement, I forgot to ask.  The other day, my little bit of a brain had a flash and I even went to see if perhaps I had blogged this!!!  Well I did take pictures, but somehow the blogging just did not happen, so here we go! 

The adorable Lynne from Adorn , sent me a most lovely birthday card with a beautifully packaged bundle of lace and game pieces.  I just love the soft and delicate feel Lynne incorporated in my card!  Thank you again for your kindness and being such a great blog friend!  XO

Lynn of Trash To Treasure, who I have known before the days of blogging, also surprised me.  I sure hope I captured the beauty in the necklace this sweet lady made just for me!  I love this and the sweet birthday tag!  Your generosity if very much appreciated as is the friendship we have shared for a long time now!  Thank you!  XO

As some of you may know, I met up with the fabulous Brenda of Bumblebees and Butterflies on Saturday.  I took some pictures as did Brenda, but on Thursday, I will do a post and share a little of our adventure.  Lucy, was not with us, but was also part of this adventure, so stop by and share in our time IRL!  Meeting blogging friends is absolutely the best and there are so many of you that I sure hope one day to visit!

Thank you for stopping by today and have a great week!

The Big Four at Frilly and Funkie!

We Funkie gals are playing with the big boys this time around!  Anita has chosen a most interesting challenge theme of "Renaissance Men" and you can chose Leonardo, Michelangelo, Donatello, or Raphael as your inspiration!  For all the details and inspiration from the DT stop by Frilly and Funkie!   Don't forget we have prizes and one lucky person will get to go shopping at The Funkie Junkie Boutique.

For my piece and inspiration I went with Michelangelo.  I happened across this stamp from I Brake For Stamps and after a little searching and e-mailing Della, it was decided this stamp was inspired by Michelangelo.  Thank you Della!  Now I am linking this up to the current CC2C #15 challenge and Linda has instructed us to turn to Tim's book, page 56, Enameled Metals.  Can't tell you how I did the metal, but if you have the book, it is really a fun technique.  For the background, I wanted a rustic look, so took some glassine, cut it out with the tag die, applied Stampin Up Craft White to the flat area of the embossing folder (as I wanted my grout to be recessed) and ran it though the BS!  I did dry this with the heat tool.  As much as I love that stamp, it really bothered me to cover my brick wall!  The stamped was inked with Archival Sepia and shaded with DI Vintage Photo.  Before inking the stamp, I masked off the Love and colored that with the red marker.  After dried, I went over the Love with a red Spica glitter pen!  Oh, before stamping, I also gave my CS a quick spray with a Perfect Pearls mix with gold!  It was a leftover.  The letters were cut from red CS and glued down on cream color paper and then I clear embossed that a couple of times.

Hope you will join us on this artistic journey to salute the Four Big Renaissance Men!   Being that my paternal grandparents were from Italy, this was an interesting challenge for me. 

Thank you for stopping by.  I know we are all so busy and commenting takes a great deal of time, so I really do appreciate every comment!

Sizzix Alterations Tim Holtz Movers and Shapers ATC & Corners Die	Tim Holtz Sizzix Texture Fades - Bricked and Woodgrain Set	Sizzix Alterations Decorative Strip Tim Holtz Alphabet Die - Typeset	Tim Holtz Idea-ology Kraft Glassine Paper Stash
Ranger Archival Ink - Sepia	Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Ink - Vintage Photo	Ranger Inkssentials Ink Blending Tool-With 2 Blending Foams	Tim Holtz Ranger Distress Markers - Set of 37
Tim Holtz Idea-ology Word Bands	Idea-ology Ornate Plates	Adirondack Red Pepper Acrylic Paint Dabber	Adirondack Gold Acrylic Paint Dabber (FJ)

FSC's First Anniversary!

How time flies when you are having so much fun!  I can't believe I had the good fortune of being invited to be part of this wonderful DT and how quickly a year has gone by!  Thank you Shirley for letting me be a part of this wonderful adventure.  It has been amazing to watch FSC grow and spark so much interest in blogland.  And last, but certainly not least, I want to thank all of my DT Sisters for being such the incredible group that you are!  You just can't ask for a more supportive group and not to mention, so amazingly talented!  Won't you help us celebrate the start of "Year Two" and join in with the "Anything Goes" challenge and just remember that we are a stamping challenge blog!  As always there will be a prize, so come on and join in the fun! 

My tag was created solely to celebrate FSC's first anniversary.  The stamps used are from Artistic Outpost and this will be entered in their July "Anything Goes" referral program.   I remembered that sentiment from the "Typography" plate and thought how appropriate!  Dylusions sprays were used for the background, a little stenciling and embossing.  The images were stamped with Archival Coffee and clear embossed.   The FSC letters were cut from Tim's Vintage Market.  The party favor is from my friend's 4th of July celebration, that I knew would come in so handy.  The hand dyed lace was gifted to me by Lynne and I thought it would make a great tie.  I am still working on something for you!!!

For those of you that have joined in the challenges, "Thank You."  For those that have not, now is the time to start and we would love to see you there.   Thank you for visiting today and I hope you have a wonderful weekend!