Art with Yogi

Winner Quietfire Design Butterfly Blog Flutter & MC Jan/12 BFly Iced Cupcake

2012-01-21T08:28:00.004-07:00

Good Morning all, and thank you so much for all your lovely comments and participation in our blog hop. I thought an iced cupcake would be the perfect ending to our hop... and don't forget the butterfly circle stamp set is on special at 20% off till January 23rd.

All winners will be posted on the Quietfire Style blog on Saturday January 21st. If you are one of our lucky winners, please contact Suzanne privately with your snail mail address within 48 hours or a new winner will be chosen. (Her email address is in the sidebar of the Quietfire Style blog)

And the winner from my blog is #63:
cindy b. said...
Thank you so much for sharing your talents with us. Beautiful!! cindy b

I thought the iced cupcake would be a tasty ending, so I whipped one up, putting lots of icing and butterflies... I won't say what flavor the cake or icing is - use your imaginations. BIG GRIN

Of course it's using the newest stamps from Quietfire Design. And to view more details and descriptions etc, just click on card image and enjoy.

And it fits for these challenges:
Cutie Stampers #119 forgotten decorations or not used in ages (the word brad, eyelet punch)
Incy Wincy Designs #130 Bold & bright
The Pink Elephant Challenge #131 Favorite color (reds)
City Crafter #92 decorate the inside and outside
Creative Card Crew Seeing red
Fashionable Stamping #13 Butterflies or bugs
Papertake Weekly Buttons, bows, bling & bloom
Scrap Creations Die Cuts
Crafty Creations #153 Valentines card
Crafty Purple Frog Anything Goes
Fresh Brewed Designs #79 Buttons & bows
Fab 'n Funky challenges #104 Bingo: Hand made embellies, digis, 2 DP's; unused stamp, flourish, lace/twine; vintage, lace, BFly
Flutterby Wednesdays #186 Anything goes + BFly
Lili Red Wagon #116 use 2 different ribbons
Penny's Challenges #71 Ribbons & bows
Aud Sentiment Challenge #46 Use the word "Love"
Moving Along with the Times #131 something with wings
Paper Play #12-3 use ribbons
Card Makin Mamas #37 use something old - more than 6 mths (the brad is a couple years old...)
Crafty Ann's Challenge #57 use or do something new (the rubber stamps and this shape of card)
Frosted Designs use vellum or acrylic or transparency
Raise the Bar #88 use circles
Simply Create Too #5 Love is in the air (we must have crossed paths in space...)
Totally Paper Crafts #100 make your own flowers
Wags 'n Whiskers #71 Valentine/Love card.
2 Sisters Challenge #75 embossing wet or dry (both)
The Secret Crafter Saturday #169 Food or Drink
SSDS Challenge Have a heart
Stamptacular Sundays #147 Texture
Our Creative Corner Inspir. Image the cake, icing and topping on the cake were my inspirations (see below)

Our Creative Corner inspir image

MC Jan/12 - With Deepest Sympathy

2012-01-16T18:09:00.000-07:00

At my age, I'm so glad I haven't had to use too many of these types of cards. But it's always good to be prepared... And I wish the pic would be better. It's hard to see the softness of the stamping.

I'm using a sentiment stamp from Quietfire Design

Just click on the card image to see more details and descriptions. Enjoy

And it fits for these challenges:
Die Cut Dreams #106 Sympathy
Stamps Fun Creativity #82 Pink & Grey
The Shabby Tea Room #96 Grey/silver, pink, peach & lilac, lace (fabric or CS) & a metal embellie

MC Jan/12 - BFly Cut Out - Valentine's

2012-01-16T12:50:00.003-07:00

I was doodling, not know what direction I wanted to go in, and came up with triangular cut out design of this floral/butterfly. Cut it out with my electronic cutter and liked the look and created the card. Definitely a couple of boo-boos along the way... the first being - I cut the excess cardstock away around the triangles, and then said to myself - how was it going to stand. Sheesh - so much for that great idea. ROFL. The second boo boo - I don't like making symmetrical type cards, I always forget to check which orientation it's going in when I stamp something else to it, and sure enough, that's what happened on this card... The "Fluttering by... starts on the wrong side. Luckily this card is going to a really good friend, who either won't notice or will take it in stride.

But I'm using the brand new Quietfire Design Butterfly Circle stamps that just came out. The circle one under the flaps and the quote on the inside. Love them

Anyway, to see more details and descriptions, just click on card image and enjoy.

PS Don't forget to comment on my BLOG HOP Post, and the posts from the other designers to win a bunch of rubber stamps.

And it fits for these challenges:
Crazy Challenges #102 Bingo: Ribbon/lace, flourish, pink; embossing, image, tag; die cuts, words, gems/pearls
Inspiration Avenue Butterflies
PollyCraft Challenge #123 Bingo: Ribbon, buttons, die cut; Sparkle, Polly Image, Lace; Flowers, punches, pearls
Totally Stampalicious Valentine's
Reasonable Ribbon #40 Valentine's

MC Jan/12 - HA Large Flower - How Old

2012-01-15T10:00:00.000-07:00

Well, I had this urge to paint a large flower... So pulled out my Hero Arts Large Flower stamp and did just that.

You can see more details and descriptions by clicking on card image. Enjoy.

I'm also using a quote stamp from Quietfire Design.

and it fits for this challenge.
Fresh Brewed Designs #78 pink, white & kraft
Do You Stack Up #54 pink
One Stitch at a Time #96 anything goes

Welcome to the Quietfire Design Butterfly Blog Flutter

2012-01-14T23:59:00.011-07:00

Quietfire Design would like to introduce you to the new Butterfly Circles stamp set! My project is below, using the new Butterfly Circles stamps.

Just comment below and you will be eligible to win a grab bag of Quietfire Design rubber stamps valued at $50! We will be giving away five grab bags in total and all the names will be drawn on Friday, January 20th at midnight PST, one name from each blog, so you have lots of time to enter! Tell your friends!

The Butterfly Circles rubber stamps will remain on special at 20% off throughout the Blog Flutter!

All winners will be posted on the Quietfire Style blog on Saturday January 21st. If you are one of our lucky winners, please contact Suzanne privately with your snail mail address within 48 hours or a new winner will be chosen. (Her email address is in the sidebar of the Quietfire Style blog)

HERE'S THE SCHEDULE:

Sunday, January 15th: Yogi (http://yogiemp.blogspot.com) (YOU ARE HERE!)

Monday, January 16th: Suzanne (http://quietfirestyle.blogspot.com/)

Tuesday, January 17th: Robyn (http://rainbowweaves.blogspot.com/)

Wednesday, January 18th: Monica http://blackcatscolortrails.blogspot.com/

Thursday, January 19th: Wanda (http://artbywanda.blogspot.com/)

HAPPY FLUTTERING & GOOD LUCK

My project uses several of the stamps from the Butterfly Circle set. Very versatile.

To see more details and descriptions for my card, just click on card image and enjoy.

MC Jan/12 - Dots & Stripes - True Friend

2012-01-14T13:55:00.000-07:00

Well there are several challenges that are calling for dots, stripes or both... And then there were a couple for aquamarine/blue or turquoise... and then stars, and this is what came of those challenges.

I'm using a quote stamp from Quietfire Design.

And if you'd like to see more details and descriptions, just click on card image and enjoy.

And it fits for these challenges:
Digi Stamps 4 Joy #35 Monochromatic (use Aqua/turquoise)
Simon Says Stamps Spots or Stripes
Moving Along with the Times #130 Spots or Stripes
Frosted Designs Use paint (the dot bkg'rd paper stenciled with acrylic paint)
Totally paper Crafts #99 Spots or Stripes
2 Sisters Challenge #74 Use metal (the smaller star)
Crazy 4 Challenges #119 Monochromatic blue
Mark's Finest Papers #90 Border punches (4 different ones)
One Stop Craft Challenge #165 Spots & ribbon
The Secret Crafter Saturday #168 Anything goes + blue
Totally Gorjuss #114 Use a star

MC Jan/12 - Thanks Sew Much

2012-01-13T18:46:00.003-07:00

Boy did I get inspired when I saw one of Tim's On the Edge dies. I used his as a jumping off place and created my own, cutting with my electronic cutter, adding real thread on the spool, real buttons, adhesive backed aluminum foil for the scissors, thimble and thread spool. Love it...

Bummer - I'm just noticing I forgot to put an eyelet or brad or something to mimic the screw in the scissors... Oh well, next time.

To see the rest of the details and descriptions and close ups etc, just click on card image and enjoy.

I'm using a little flourish heart from Quietfire Design.. Haven't used this stamp in ages...

And it fits for these challenges:
Crazy Challenge #101 Lace or pearls (used both)
Incy Wincy Designs #128 Vintage
The Pink Elephant #130 hearts
TSG Clear Stamps #138 Paper Piecing
Scrap Creations Glitter
Crafty Creations #152 Use something New (Spellbinders die)
Flutterby Wednesday #185 Bright Colors + BFly
Digi Doodle Shops Best #89 Embossing (I've done both types)
Paper Play Challenges #12-2 Stitching
Pixie Dust Studios #109 Hearts
Some Odd Girl Lots of Bling (pearls & Stickles)
Southern Girls Challenge #35 Sparkle
Alphabet Challenge Y is for "You can Choose"
Crafty Catz Weekly #115 Use something new (Spellbinders die)
Stampin 4 the Weekend #24 Out with the old (use something from last year or older...) The shell buttons are from eons ago.
Cooking it up with Katie #87 Pink, Pearls & Flowers

STAY TUNED: Quietfire Design Butterfly Blog Flutter

2012-01-12T13:43:00.001-07:00

STAY TUNED...

Quietfire Design would like to introduce you to our new Butterfly Circles stamp set!

Each day one of our designers will be posting brand new artwork they have created using this set.

* Visit their blog on the day of their featured project,

* post a comment on their Blog Flutter project post

and you will be eligible to win a grab bag of Quietfire Design rubber stamps valued at $50!

We will be giving away five grab bags in total and all the names will be drawn on Friday, January 20th at midnight PST, one name from each blog, so you have lots of time to enter! Tell your friends!

The Butterfly Circles rubber stamps will remain on special at 20% off throughout the Blog Flutter!

Each Design Team member will be randomly choosing a winner from their list of comments,
so make sure you’ve commented on each blog.

All winners will be posted on the Quietfire Style blog on Saturday January 21st. If you are one of our lucky winners, please contact Suzanne privately with your snail mail address within 48 hours or a new winner will be chosen. (Her email address is in the sidebar of the Quietfire Style blog)

HERE'S THE SCHEDULE:

Sunday, January 15th: Yogi (THAT'S ME)

Monday, January 16th: Suzanne (http://quietfirestyle.blogspot.com/)

Tuesday, January 17th: Robyn (http://rainbowweaves.blogspot.com/)

Wednesday, January 18th: Monica http://blackcatscolortrails.blogspot.com/

Thursday, January 19th: Wanda (http://artbywanda.blogspot.com/)

GOOD LUCK

MC Jan/12 - Dragon Happiness

2012-01-12T09:29:00.000-07:00

Flourishes Noon Time Challenge has a Year of the Dragon Inspiration Image to play with. This is my take on it.

Love the variation of colors, but I opted to go in a more traditional direction.

Just click on card image to see more details and descriptions and enjoy.

MC Jan/12 - Flower Pot Cup - Happy Birthday

2012-01-11T17:18:00.001-07:00

Well here's another card using the Spellbinders Flower Pot die. Who would a thunk I'd have so much fun with this die set. I also created the card with a few challenges in mind, Flourishes Tuesday challenge with an inspiration image, another one asking for a silhouette image and another asking for bright colors... Plus I was playing around with my ribbon pieces and put them together in this big fat bow...

I'm also using some sentiment stamps from Quietfire Design. Please click on card image to see details and descriptions

And it fits for these challenges:
Crafty Card Makers #59 no floral embellies
Anything Goes Challenge #58 Anything Goes
City Crafter #91 use a black silhouette image
Flourishes #151 inspir image (see below)
Paper Take Weekly use a die cut
Aud Sentiments #45 use a sentiment and your scraps
Crafty Anns challenge #56 Let's think hot (colors)
Paper Sundaes #102 use full strength colors

Flourishes Inspiration Image

MC Jan 12 - Pop Up - Butterflies

2012-01-09T09:37:00.001-07:00

I love these new butterfly/quote word stamps from Quietfire Design too much. Sheesh - so had to use another one...

PS don't forget to stay tuned for our upcoming blog hop using these gorgeous stamps and a chance to win some rubber...

I was checking Amazon and came across a pop up book by Jackson Paul, and on the cover is this beautiful, yet very simple pop up card of a dove flying off the top of the card. It spoke to me... had to try and make one using a butterfly.

To see more details and descriptions, please click on card image and enjoy.

And it fits for these challenges:
Pixie Dust Studios #108 Monochromatic
Wags 'n Whiskers Rubber Stamps #70 White on white + 1 color
Marks Finest Papers #89 use brads or eyelets
Cupcake Craft Challenge #174 Use something new (the quote stamp the the ribbon leaves)
Lexis Creations #56 Anything Goes

MC Jan/12 - Flower Pots - The Butterfly

2012-01-08T09:49:00.002-07:00

I have gotten a whole bunch of new toys this past week or so, and you know me - gotta play with them BIG GRIN.

So in this batch of toys I have the Spellbinders Flower Pot dies - I've wanted them since they came out, but kept saying "why do I need them, they are such a basic shape, I could cut them out with my electronic cutter.." - But then a deal came along and now their in my arsenal... I also got the Blossom Three set which I used for the quote on shrink plastic. I also got Cheery Lynn's "a Pair of Ferns" gorgeous dies - love that I can cut 2 at the same time (the reverse of each other). Then I got the Hero Arts "Blossom Art" clear stamp set (there are 3 flowers in it that are gorgeous...) And finally the Butterfly quote and flourish from Quietfire Design - stay tuned for a BLOG HOP, using these new butterfly stamps, that's coming next weekend I think.

And I'm using the origami type butterfly that I found instructions for HERE (http://www.papercraftcentral.com/paper-butterfly.html)

Anyway, to see more details and descriptions, just click on card image and enjoy.

And it fits for these challenges:
Craft Your Passion #91 Anything Goes + Distressing
Crafty Creations #151 Heat Embossing
Fresh Brewed Designs #77 Use something new (see list above)
Dude Time Doodles Anything goes
Fab n Funky challenge #102 something new (see list above)
Flutterby Wednesdays #182 Anything Goes + BFly
Simon Says Stamp Challenge Something New (see list above)
Cute Card Thursday #198 Something New (see list above)
Simply Create Too #4 more than 2 layers
All Sorts Challenge #136 Paper Piecing
2 Sisters Challenge #73 Things with Wings
CES Challenge #67 Anything Goes
Crazy 4 Challenges #118 Use something new (see list above)
One Stop Craft Challenge #164 Bingo (lace/ribbon, die cuts, paper piecing) or (Flowers, Die Cuts, Emboss) + a few others
Our Creative Corner Shaped card
Corrosive Challenges #140 Use something new (see list above)

Queen of Hearts 2012 Challenge

2012-01-07T08:41:00.003-07:00

Looks like we're doing it again for 2012 - the Queen of Hearts challenge.

Don't miss out, you could win a bunch of rubber stamps.

Just click on the image to check out the rules and regulations.

GOOD LUCK

VSN Jan/12 issue

2012-01-05T17:13:00.002-07:00

Only one of my cards made it into the January 2012, Vamp Stamp magazine, but that one's on the cover BIG GRIN, and It's using one of the latest winter stamps from Quietfire Design; the other one is in their online gallery..

NOTE: There was a question in the comments of what I squeezed to make the background. I used DISTRESS STAINS.

Just click on either card to see more details and descriptions for that card. Enjoy

MC Jan/12 - White on White - Hugs

2012-01-04T18:44:00.002-07:00

Well there was another challenge using white on white, but this one didn't allow any other color... and then there was Flourishes challenge of a tri-fold card and the rest evolved again, glitter rhinestones, half pearls etc..

I'm using a Quietfire Design quote stamp on the front.

To see lots more details and pics, click on card image and enjoy.

And it fits for these challenges:
Die Cut Dreams #105 White on white - no color
Incy Wincy Designs #127 Anything goes
The Pink Elephant Challenge #129 Anything Goes
Flourishes #150 Tri Fold card (Flourishes stamps on inside flaps)
My Time to Craft Challenge #170 XOXO Hugs & Kisses (see the inside of card)
Paper Take Weekly Anything goes
Reasonable Ribbon #39 Sparkle & ribbon (3 ribbons and lace on front)
Scrap Creations Something new (rhinestone flourishes) & old (quote on front & all the textured papers)
Top Tip Tuesday #67 Anything goes
Tuesday Throwdown #79 something shiny (lots)
Delightful Sketches Hearts

CBH Jan 3/11 - Layer Dies - A Book

2012-01-02T16:30:00.002-07:00

This week over on Created By Hand and Quietfire Creations theme is Layer dies or In with the New. I've wanted to layer this Labels set since I got it and finally hunkered down and did it. Love the look. And pairing it up with a Flourishes "From the Desk of" set just fit so right. And the quote in the booklet is a Quietfire Design quote from the Nature Quote Marks set.

Anyway to see more details and descriptions, just click on card image and enjoy.

Happy New Year

2012-01-01T09:16:00.000-07:00

Hi there bloggers. I'm keeping this post real simple...

Here's wishing you and yours a very

HAPPY NEW YEAR

May 2012 be better than 2011, may it keep you healthy and safe and of course creative.

Jan/12 - Bugaboo Digis - Let Them Eat Cake

2011-12-31T23:59:00.005-07:00

I was asked to be a guest designer on Quirky Crafts blog challenge and to use a Bugaboo digi stamp. The theme is "Food Glorious Food". As it turned out I got two digi's. I wasn't that intrigued by the first image, so got one that was more "me". The funny thing is, when I printed the images out on my white card, I really liked both of them, they were clean looking, so hence I made two cards - Big Grin.

The first image I got was the chick holding the cake, and while I was percolating what to do with her, I decided to go "French" and use Quietfire Designs French phrases, Flourished Eiffel Tower & the quote stamp from the Let them Eat Cake set. I paired it up with a new stamp from Old Island Rubber stamps, the Cafe chair and table (it has two chairs, but I left one off). Everything was stamped with Versafine Black Onyx. I only colored the digi with colored pencils so it would stand out. Added teardrop green rhinestone earrings and green Stickles on the shoes (she definitely needed the glitz BIG GRIN) I liked the clean and fresh look of the white. I added just a touch of edging with Distress my dirty red sponger.

The second image is one I chose and love the quirkiness of the chick... Again I kept the card simple, only coloring the digi with colored pencils and adding a piece of aluminum tape for the stove outline. Used a couple sizes of an alphabet stamp set (Just Rite "Brayton") to stamp the "Let's Celebrate" along the side. The blurb is part of the digi set and then I punched it out with a jumbo Fiskars punch, sponging some Dusty Concord around the edges.

And it also fits for these challenges:
Die Kreativen Stempel Freunde #41 Happy New Year
Cute Card Thursday #197 Happy New Year
Trimmies Craft Challenge #135 Happy New Year
Totally Paper Crafts #97 time to party
CES Challenge #66 Party, Party, Party
One Stitch at a Time #94 Use a digi
Opus Gluei #121 Old (the french stamps & punch), New (the digi stamps)
Paper Sundaes #101 Old (the french stamps & punch), New (the digi stamps)
Pile it On Challenge #1 Anything Goes

MC Dec/11 - 2 Cups - Now Tell me

2011-12-31T11:48:00.004-07:00

Well I guess this is the last card I'll be uploading for 2011... but I know there's something coming in 2012. BIG GRIN

I was in a mood to make a card with coffee cups, so got out my Flourishes stamp set "Coffee with Friends" set #29. I stamped the coffee cup outline on some cardstock and created an image to cut on my electronic cutter, cut 2 of them out and then stamped them with Versafine Black Onyx. Colored them with Derwent Inktense watercolor pencils and blended with a water brush. When dry, re-stamped the cup and clear embossed.

Side folded a baby blue cardstock to create a 5"w x 7"h card. Stamped the background lace (Harmonie #56004) with the black and clear embossed.

Die cut the Spellbinders Beaded Circle from white cardstock, Stamped my quote (Quietfire Design) with the black, stamping twice to omit the middle line of the quote... ("the teapot is behind you") which I thought inappropriate for this card. ROFL. Clear embossed the stamping then sponged some Distress Faded Jeans all over. Adhered to card. Punched out a bunch of small black circles which I adhered to each beaded element on the die cut, then adhered silver half pearls in each center.

PS: The whitish line you see around each pearl is actually the shine from the silver pearl.

Adhered my cups and added Liquid Pearls "White Opal" dots for steam.

And it fits for these challenges:
Shelly's Images Black, Silver + 1 color
Anything Challenge Blue + 1 color
2 Sisters Challenge #72 Winter colors (like blue, purple, white or silver)

MC Dec/11 - Daisy Stem Trio - Happy Birthday

2011-12-30T14:36:00.000-07:00

I got this new set of stamps from Stampendous yesterday and had to use them. LOVE that daisy stamp. Needed a vase for my flowers so die cut the heart... and to see more details and descriptions, just click on card image and enjoy.

I'm also using a digi stamp (Happy Birthday banner) from TLC and the digi image is free at the moment but not sure for how long and can be found HERE.

I'm also using a part of a quote stamp from Quietfire Design

And it fits for these challenges:
City Crafter #89 use a cutting technique
Colour Q #117 Black, White + 1 color (yellow)
Top Tip Tuesday #66 anything goes
Digi Stamps 4 Joy #34 Anything goes (something old "my friend stamp", something new - "Daisy stamp", + use a stamp)
Lil Red Wagon #113 something new (Daisy Stamp)
Simon Says Stamp Challenge Anything goes
Stamp with Sarah Kay #159 Hearts
Aud Sentiments #44 anything goes (double if using the HB digi)
Rainbow Ladies Challenge #185 Anything goes
Frosted Designs use something new (Daisy stamp)
Prairie Fairy Fridays #69 things with sparkly wings

MC Dec/11 - White on White Thank You

2011-12-26T17:20:00.000-07:00

I love making these flowers which I came across almost a year ago on Stamping and Stitching blog and still love them.

I'm using one of the Thank You stamps from the Thanks set from Quietfire Design

... and if you want to see more details and descriptions, just click on card image and enjoy

And it fits for these challenges:
TSG Clear Stamps #136 Thanks or gratitude
City Crafter #88 mainly white
Creative Craft Challenge White on White
Crafty Creations #149 Thank You

CBH Dec 27/11 - Flower Dies - Bonne Fete

2011-12-26T16:30:00.003-07:00

This weeks Created By Hand and Quietfire Creations theme is Flower Dies or "Out with the Old" no way do I do that theme - I keep everything... BIG GRIN

If you've checked out my blog lately, you'll see I did some perfume bottles on a card the other day, but this time I'm using Spellbinders "Heirloom Ornaments 2010" and "Nested Hearts" sets and for the flower that I did in that previous post, I used a punch, and this time used Spellbinder's "Dahlia" set. Here's a link to the tutorial I used from Swirlydoo's blog for the flower.

And of course I'm using various stamps from Quietfire Design

So if you want to see more details and descriptions, just click on card image and enjoy.

MC Dec/11 - Tim's Ornaments - Passion Joy

2011-12-24T10:51:00.001-07:00

I came across this wonderful tutorial on Swirlydoos blog to make the flower on the card. Easy and so effective.

And then I was looking at one of my die cuts using Tim's Carved Ornament Movers & Shapers die and said to myself, it reminded me of a perfume bottle, and this is the result...

Lots of details and descriptions on my website, so just click on card image to see them and enjoy.

I'm using several word/quote stamps from Quietfire Design

And it fits for these challegnes:
Inspiration Avenue something new, old, blue & borrowed (Tim's die, Flourish leaf die, bottom of card, borrowed the flower instructions)
Paper Playtime #63 Anything goes + sentiment
Pollycraft Challenge #121 Punch it
Stamps Fun Creativity #78 Use your favorite supply (too hard to choose - Die cutting, Distress Stains & Embossing)
Totally Stampalicious Make it Sparkle
Simon Says Stamp Challenge Bingo: gems, no DP & Flowers (plus lace, glitter & punches/dies)
Simply Create Too #3 Shape it
Totally Gorjuss #111 For someone Special
All the rest are Anything Goes
Everybody Art Challenge #173
Crafts & Me challenge #96
Digi Doodle Shops Best #88
Stampin for the Weekend #23
Mark's Finest Papers #87
Secret Crafter Saturday #166
Corrosive Challenges #139 (no Xmas)
The Crafty Pad #152 (no Xmas)

MC Dec/11 - Ornament - Fa La La

2011-12-18T18:11:00.004-07:00

Just got this ornament Sizzix movers & shapers die. Love it. It's of course one of Tim's dies. Had to use it... Then I was updating my challenge list and started using a bunch of the themes and here's the result - BIG GRIN

Love the way it turned out. I'm also using a sentiment stamp from the latest Quietfire Design Xmas rubber.

And this weeks Created By Hand and Quietfire Creations theme is Xmas or Red/Green.
This week one lucky Created By Hand Challenge participant will receive one Quietfire stamp . The winner will be randomly chosen and posted with the Created By Hand Sampler! Happy creating!

And to see more details and descriptions, please click on card image and enjoy.

And it fits for these challenges:
Lexis Creations #55 Xmas (no red or green)
Everybody Art Challenge #172 White & Blue
Reasonable Ribbon #38 Anything goes + ribbon
Scrap Creations snow
Crafts & Me Challenge #95 Xmas
Crafty Creations #148 Embossing & glitter
Crafty Purple Frog cold, snowy, wintery
Delightful Sketches Anything Goes
Lil Red Wagon #111 Xmas
Aud Sentiment #43 Winter with a sentiment
CCEE Stampers #11-50 Ornament
Color Create #86 Blue, white & silver
Cute Card Thursday #195 stripes (the ribbon pattern)
Do You Stack Up #50 Winter
Paper Play #50 Xmas
Pixie Dust Studio #105 Stitching
Trimmies Craft Challenge #133 Xmas card with removable ornament
Card Makin Mamas #35 Xmas
Frosted Designs Use ribbon
Fussy & Fancy #52 monochromatic and sparkle
Prairie Fairy Fridays #68 Xmas card no red or green
Shelly's Images Anything Goes
Mark's Finest Papers #86 Xmas card
One Stop Craft Challenge #162 Xmas sparkle
Cute Daisy May Sparkle & Shine
One Stitch at a Time #93 Anything Goes
Opus Gluei #120 Snow and stuff - White Xmas
Quirky Crafts #25 Some Steampunk

MC Dec/11 - Flourishes - Life of a Pear

2011-12-15T18:56:00.002-07:00

Flourishes is having a challenge "The Perfect Pear" and I'm hoping to win the entire December release. The stamps I've seen so far are gorgeous. I'll have my name in the draw twice because I also used a Flourishes stamp (Moments in Time #SS160). See Inspiration Image below.

I kept the card simple since we can't combine challenges - sigh!!

I stamped the clock on glossy paper with Perfect Medium and clear embossed, then used Distress Stains (Peeled Paint, Barn Door and a touch of Rusty Hinge), sprayed with Perfect Pearls "Perfect Pearls" mist and dried, then cut out.

The pears (Impression Obsession) I stamped with Versafine Black Onyx, cut out and painted with watercolors.

The background stamp (Stamp in the Hand "Words Pears") I inked with Distress pads (Pumice Stone on the upper words and Peeled Paint on the lower words) and stamped across the white cardstock card.

I wrote in the quote using a Micron pen in my funky monoline and colored a few of the letters with colored pencils.

CBH Dec 13/11 - Star Dies - Pacem

2011-12-12T16:30:00.004-07:00

This week's Created By Hand and Quietfire Creations challenge is "Stars" or "Light". I'm also using one of Suzanne's newest Xmas stamps from Quietfire Design.

And to see more details and descriptions, just click on card image and enjoy.

Tims Tags 2011 - Day 12 - Hark

2011-12-12T15:59:00.001-07:00

Hark the Herald angels sing... and today is the last of the Tim's tags - sigh!! I enjoyed making them so much - Thank You Tim and Mario. But I will be using several of the techniques.

Today's tag is white cardstock, stamped with an Xmas script stamp (Heartfelt Creations) in Versafine Black Onyx. I don't have the tissue paper on a roll that Tim mentioned so stamped a music stamp (Cornish Heritage Farms) on white tissue paper and adhered to tag with Golden's Matte Medium, wrinkling the tissue. When dry ironed flat. Tore the over edges so it's distressed.

Cut the house from grungeboard, painted with light blue acrylic paint, sanded the edges then sponged some Walnut Stain. Punched a small hole and attached the gold glittered angel (Darice Holiday Trimmings).

Adhered a piece of aluminum tape to cardstock and die cut the border edging (Spellbinders Iron Motifs). Die cut the Flourishes (Sizzix Elegant Flourishes) from white cardstock, Daubered Snow Caps and while wet, sprinkled with Ritz micro fine glitter "Stardust". Colored some white cardstock with various Distress pads in greens and then sponged more greens, Electronically cut the leaves.

On another piece of tissue paper, stamped some flourishes with the black, cut 4 pieces into 3" squares, accordion folded them at about 1/2" folds, stacked them together and attached them in the center with 1 staple from the Mini Attacher, then scrunched and ruffled the papers to fluff up the flower. Added 3 red half pearls.

Electronically cut 2 of the Hark words. Daubered one with Pearl paint in a pouncing method to get some nice texture and the other with black paint for the shadow. Adhered them together, slightly off set and I used pop dots.

Adhered everything as shown, adding some tinsel at the bottom and a red polka dotted ribbon hanger.

And it fits for these challenges:
Craft Your Passions #88 Tag
Cupcake Craft Challenge #172 glittery, shiny etc.
Die Kreativen Stempelfreunde #40 Xmas
Inspiration Avenue Create something festive

Tims Tags 2011 - Day 11 - Santa Claus

2011-12-11T16:44:00.003-07:00

I like Xmas stuff and making Xmas cards etc, but I usually shy away from using Santa Claus images, but I'm really liking the way this tag turned out. BIG GRIN - I seem to say that every day. Sheesh.

Anyway, some interesting techniques today. I usually shy away from glossy cardstock, because it's just too expensive, but used it today on the background tag, Santa Claus, the snowflakes and the quote stamp - as per Tim. I love using Shrink Plastic, but submerging it into UTEE to shrink and then coat the shrink plastic was a completely new technique for me. Time consuming and a bit of finessing... so will probably not do it again for a while, but I like the idea of using white acrylic paint applied on top of the alcohol inks, allows the vibrancy of the alcohol colors to show more.

So, glossy cardstock, sponged various blues (Broken China, Faded Jeans & Stormy Sky) all over, dropped droplets of water and dried.

The Santa was a coloring book image which I sized for my tag, printed out and colored with Copics and Bic alcohol markers, then cut out. Applied Aleene's "True Snow" on the chimney, and Liquid Pearls "White Opal" on the lapel and cuffs.

Die cut the shrink plastic using Tim's Tattered Leaves and Branch Tree, submerged and let the plastic shrink in the UTEE, removed from UTEE and allowed to cure on a craft sheet. Picked off the overhang from the UTEE. Colored with Alcohol inks on the back side (textured side) in greens, Red Pepper & Espresso. When dry, applied a coat of Snow Cap Daubers on top of the inks.

Stamped my quote (Quietfire Design new Xmas rubber) with Versafine Black Onyx and clear embossed. Sponged Evergreen Bough all over and misted with Perfect Pearls "Perfect Pearls" mist. Die cut with a Spellbinders label die.

Electronically cut 3 layers of the Santa Claus text from 110# white cardstock. Adhered them together. Painted the "Claus" with Art Quest "Stargazer" watercolor palette and then a good coat of Glossy Accents. The"Santa" word I painted with black acrylic paint, when dry coated each letter individually with a quickie Glue Pen and sprinkled Ritz micro fine glitter "Java Bean".

Misted some of the white glossy cardstock with the Perfect Pearls and punched out the snowflakes (Martha Stewart).

Used a blue gauze silver snowflake ribbon as the hanger.

I adhered the shrink plastic pieces with Glossy Accents, the quote was double pop dotted, so it stands really above everything. The snowflakes and text are single layer of pop dots. The Santa is flat against the tag.

And it fits for these challenges:
Craft Your Passion #87 Anything goes + glitter
By the Cute & Girlie Monthly Let it Snow
Stampin for the Weekend #22 Xmas
Crazy 4 Challenges #117 use a Santa image
Drunken Stampers #80 Glittery Holiday
Totally Gorjuss #110 Let it Snow
Cute Daisy May Sparkle and Shine
One Stitch at a Time #92 use a digi (Santa Claus)
Paper Sundaes #99 Anything Xmas
Stamptacular Sunday #142 Xmas with glitz
Cupcake Inspiration #140 (see inspir image below)

Tims Tags 2011 - Day 10 - Baubles

2011-12-10T13:42:00.001-07:00

I must admit this technique is not high on my "want to do again techniques", but that being said, I'm ok with the results.

The background is the 2nd one I did yesterday that I mentioned, using similar colors that Ted (Stampers Anonymous) did on a manilla tag. I used an Impression Obsession CAC "Wavy Lines" stamped on the horizontal. Love this stamp. Clear embossed, then sponged Broken China & Peeled Paint, clear embossed tapping of excess etc, then sponging Vintage Photo.

The bauble images are jewelry pieces from an advertising magazine. One was a heart with ruby and diamonds surrounding it. When the bauble was done, I added a large red heart rhinestone. The green one was a large emerald and diamond ring. I used a Krylon Copper leafing pen to color the edge of the baubles, then tied and adhered the bow and hangers.

Electronically cut 4 layers of the word Baubles from 110# white cardstock, adhered them together and painted with black acrylic paint. When dry, swiped a stamp pad across the edges and top and embossed with gold embossing powder. I didn't have the banner die, so just cut a piece of cardstock the approx size, tattered the edges, sponged Festive Berries all over lightly, then a bit of Vintage Photo. Adhered the word.

Sponged several greens and some brown on a piece of white cardstock and die cut with Tim's tree die, then applied Aleene's "True Snow" along the edges and sprinkled with Crystal glitter.

Assembled everything, the tree and banner with pop dots. Added the green and red half pearls and a green ribbon hanger.

And it fits for these challenges:

2 Sisters challenge #69 Xmas
CES Challenges #65 Traditional Xmas
One Stop craft Challenges #161 Traditional Xmas colors

Tims Tags 2011 - Day 9 - Tweet

2011-12-09T15:19:00.007-07:00

Only 3 days left of Tim's tags. sigh!! I'm sure myself and others feel the same way - we'll hate it when it ends... But alas all good things must end.

So although I do some of the background technique that Tim's using today, I do it with embossing folders, and Tim has gone a step further - of course.

Inked up my stamp (Impression Obsession CAC Holly) with Distress Evergreen Bough and stamped onto my manilla die cut tag, clear embossed. Sponged Festive Berries all over and sprinkled with clear embossing powder and tapped of a lot of excess powder and brushed a little off as well, clear embossed. Now because of the tapping off and brushing some off, there is little to no embossing in areas for the next step to be effective. Sponged Gathered Twigs heavily onto tag. ( did a 2nd tag using more of Ted's color scheme and the background came out much better (practice make perfect).

Inked direct to paper with the twigs pad onto white cardstock and embossed with Distress "Old Paper" and "Vintage Photo" giving a more twig color look. Die cut with Tim's "Branch Tree". Brushed off excess powder. Added Aleenes "True Snow" and sprinkled with Ritz micro fine glitter "Warm Highlights". Set aside to dry.

Die cut the small bird (Spellbinders "Bird Sanctuary") from white cardstock. Inked up a bird stamp (Martha Stewart wood mounted 2 bird set) with Tombow markers, misted with water and stamped on bird die cut (it fit almost perfectly), then moved the color around a bit with my waterbrush.

Used my electronic cutter to cut out the birdcage twice, then adhered the two together to give a thicker profile. Applied Versafine Black Onyx all over and embossed with Rustique Antique Jade and Marcasite embossing powders. Also cut out the word "Tweet" using the George Basics cartridge, applying Viva Perlen Pen "Lemon" all over the letters then sprinkling with Pro Art Glitter "Crystal".

Direct to paper with the Evergreen Bough over white cardstock, then added Pine Needle and a touch of Gathered Twigs. Misted with water, dried, misted with Perfect Pearls "Sunflower Sparkle", dried, punched out with the larger of the Punch Bunch Holly" punches. Also cut some out with my electronic cutter.

Die cut the flourish (Spellbinders "Floral Flourishes"), inked with the Black Onyx and embossed with black embossing powder, then coated with Glossy Accents.

Die cut the smallest Heirloom Ornament (Spellbinders) from copper tape (Lee Valley slug tape), embossed them with the Cuttlebug "Swiss Dots" folder, scored down the middles, folded them, removed the liner and adhered them, half of one side to half of another side. Added a gold thread string for hanging and adhered the last ornament. I now have a 3D hanging ornament.

The last item was the little tag on the top left side. Wrote in my words on a piece of translucent vellum, punched out with a large punch, scalloped the corners with a hole punch, colored the edges with a red Zig Writer. Attached to card with the mini attacher including a few strands of the gold thread.

Pop dotted the tree branch and adhered everything else, adding some red half pearls on the holly and one in the birds mouth. Tied a gold cord for hanging. added a piece of the vellum behind the birdcage, I found it too bare without it.

It's another tag I'm happy with Tweet, tweet!!

And it fits for these challenges:
Die Kreativen Stempelfreunde #39 make a scene
Stamps Fun Creativity #76 Pearls
City Crafter #86 Home for the holidays inspir image
Dude Time Doodles Show us holiday spirit
Simon Says Stamp challenge photo montage inspir image
Cute Card Thursday #194 anything goes
Digi Doodles Shops Best #83 Nature
Crafty Catz Weekly #111 Anything Goes
Frosted Designs Glitter
Simply Create Too #2 Embossing ( I have hot and dry)

Mc Dec/11 - Star Dies 3D - Joy Peace

2011-12-08T13:38:00.005-07:00

I came across these 3D stars done with Zentangles on Susan's blog and liked the 3D effect immediately. So decided to try them using rubber stamping instead. This is the result. Not mailing friendly mind you... unless you make them a lot flatter. Sigh!!

Anyway I like the results, so will make them again. BIG GRIN. I'm using a faux stitching stamp to sew the horizontal borders (Flourishes stamps set #154) together. Really hard to see because it's a brown color which partly blends in to the gold embossing. But in some of the close ups you can see the stitching.

My sparkle comes from the Perfect Pearls mists I used, the silver and gold embossing and the rhinestones along with the glittery ribbon.

The tip: Since the embossing folder I'm using is way smaller than my 8.5" height and it's text words, which would be awkward if put on their side or upside down etc. So created a geometric design by laying the folder at odd angles each time and embossed that way. Looks neat.I could have spliced it for this card, but in some cases I don't have a horizontal line where a splice could work.

This week's Created By Hand and Quietfire Creations challenge theme is Stars or Light. I'm also using Quietfire Design rubber - small snowflake and words.

So to see more details and descriptions, click on card image and enjoy.

And it fits for these challenges:
Flourishes #147 Sketch (see below)
Createalicious #28 monthly something for Xmas and sparkle
The Pink Elephant #128 Snowflakes & sparkle
Totally Stampalicious Snow
Creative Craft Challenges faux or real stitching
Reasonable Ribbon #37 Silver Gold with ribbon
Top Tip Tuesday #63 Let it Snow (& tip)
Crafts & Me Challenge #94 Winter, snow/snowflakes
Crafty Creations #147 Card with Sentiment
One Stop Craft Challenge #160 let it Snow
SSDS Challenge Holiday card
Card cupids #46 Winter Themed
Pile it On Challenge #49 Bling it on
Pixie Dust Studio #103 Glitter & bling

Tims Tags 2011 - Day 8 - Wishes

2011-12-08T11:56:00.001-07:00

Couldn't sleep last night so was up when Tim's tag was uploaded (1am Calgary time)... I was working on a card that I'll upload after the tag, but was too tired to do anything with the tag other than think about it. BIG GRIN. Was up bright and early this morning and am finally finished it. Not as "Steam Punky" as Tim's, but happy with the results.

Background on the tag: inked up the flourish Xmas stamp (Fancy Pants "Blissful Season") with the Snow Cap acrylic dauber and stamped onto a manilla die cut tag. Dried, then sponged Distress Festive Berries, Evergreen Bough & Iced Spruce. Ghost stamped Tim's numbers (Stampers Anonymous "Fairytale Frenzy") and the flourish leaves (Stampers Anonymous "Spring Sprung") using Distress Gathered Twigs. With all the stuff on the tag, it's hard to see details in the background... Stamped and cut out the butterfly.

painted some Grungeboard with the Snow Cap dauber, when dry, die cut with Tim's Weathered Clock & Hanging Sign. On the clock die cut, painted with the Copper dauber and while wet, embossed with Judi Kins Rustique Tin embossing powder. The clock arms and the hanging part of the sign with her Rustique Antique iron. The sign itself, I just painted with several more coats of Snow Cap, when dry, sponged lightly with the Gathered Twigs. Adhered the 3D gold/black letters.

Punched out a bunch of twiggy leaves from leftover Glassine paper from yesterday and some other decorated paper I had on my desk.

Hand cut a tag and wrote in the words "1 hug 4 the bearer". Edged it with a red Zig Writer, scalloped the corners with a hole punch and added a thin red line all around.

Adhered everything to the tag, used a brad for the clock arms and Golden's Extra Heavy Gel medium for the sign hanger. I found the sing hanger was a little weak, so added the drop out piece from the clock, sponged with the background colors. Much better.

And it fits for these challenges:
Anything Challenge #55 Cutting corners (the ticket)
Flutterby Wednesdays #183 anything goes + BLfy
Color Create #85 red, green & white
Do You stack Up #49 something old (the 3D plastic letters are about 6+ years old and never used...)
Moving Along with the Times #128 last minute Xmas

Tims Tags 2011 - Day 7 - Peace Goodwill

2011-12-07T15:11:00.002-07:00

Day 7 of Tim's Tags. I enjoyed using the Glassine and will try some of his other uses for this paper, like printing with an ink jet printer, stamping applied Distress Stains Pumice Stone & Antique Linen, misted my tag and swiped it thru the liquid, dropped droplets of water and dried. Stamped the background stamps (Impression Obsession CAC Crackle bkgr'd & Cornish Heritage Farms "Music bkgr'd) using Distress Gathered Twigs and rolling my stamp so it fades in and out - another Distress type of look. Distressed the edges with the distresser and sponged Frayed Burlap around the edges.

Applied alcohol inks and blender onto my felt (Gold Mixative, Citrus, Mushroom & Lettuce) and pounced onto the Glassine. Dried with heat gun until I noticed a "wet" look which means the coating on the glassine has "fixed" my inks onto the glassine. Only takes a couple seconds. Scrunched up the paper several times to get good cracks, cut out the holly leaves and sponged a touch of Festive Berries around the edges and Gathered Twigs on the cracks. Edged each leaf with Krylon Gold leafing pen.

Die cut the Twig branches from Grungeboard, painted them with gold acrylic paint, when dry edged with the Gathered Twigs and a touch of Black Soot. Used Aleene's "True Snow" along the edges and then added some Stickles Picket Fence. Let dry.

Broke apart one of my necklaces (I only have about a hundred...) and put three large pearls into a plastic baggie, added a touch of Red Pepper alcohol ink, sealed the baggie and colored my pearls. Dropped them out of the baggie and let dry.

I don't have the beautiful stamp that Tim used so improvised using various alphabet stamps and stamping one letter at a time, so I could really get the letters close together. Used Versafine Black Onyx and embossed with black embossing powder on Kraft colored cardstock. Cut around it leaving a nice margin then used a small circle punch to make the inverted scallops that mimic the holly leaves. Sponged the Gathered Twigs, then added some Festive berries. Adhered it to tag and added the medium sized gold half pearls.

Adhered all the twig branches and holly leaves with Glossy Accents. Tied a knot in my woven ribbon, added two sizes of red Ric Rac and some gold bead string, tied it all together with some wire and attached it to tag. Put a couple staples in the beaded string. Adhered my large pearls. Tied a white/gold string to hang it.

I'm content...

And it fits for these challenges:
Crazy Challenge #96 Anything Goes
Cupcake Craft Challenge #171 make your own DP bkgr'd
Kaboodle Doodles #96 colors of Xmas
Creative Card Crew Tis the season
Papertake Weekly Anything goes
Tuesday Throwdown #77 Celebrate the season
Belli Challenge #132 Winter & Christmas
Penny's Challenge #68 Merry Christmas
Aud Sentiments Challenge #42 Winter/Holiday sentiment

Tims Tags 2011 - Day 6 - Season's Greetings

2011-12-06T16:42:00.000-07:00

This is a relatively simple tag, but I love the colors and the look. Tim used sticky back aluminum. I decided to use Ten Second Studio metal (the back side of an ugly color which is silver). Embossed it with another new embossing folder I recently acquired (Sizzix "Winter Botanical" set). Painted it with various acrylic paints, when dry, sanded the high points, then adhered it to a white tag.

I just got this boxed pastry gift at work, and I saw the ribbon around the box, and said "I'm taking that home". I enjoyed the butter cream little pastries inside too... BIG GRIN.

So I tied one of my peg bows with this gorgeous wired ribbon and attached it to the tag with Tim's tiny attacher. The words are one of my calligraphic Peel Offs from the label of Els Craft Designs. I put it on some white cardstock, cut it out with a Spellbinders Oval die and sponged some Distress Festive Berries around the edges. Punched a small hole and attached it to the tag with a mini black anodized safety pin.

Tims Tags 2011 - Day 5 - Merry Christmas

2011-12-06T16:30:00.001-07:00

I had this tag basically finished last night, but was way too tired to photograph it and then write the blurb... So I finished today's tag as well. I'm up to date again. And we're half way through. Can't believe how quick the time passes.

Anyway today's tag uses the alcohol background (Lettuce & Clover) with the stamped item in Archival ink and then gently rubbed . It removes the ink and the alcohol color. Tim used his seasonal reverse text. I have some of the reverse text stamps, but not the seasonal one. Sigh. So what to do. I decided to use one of my Xmas text embossing folder as a rubber stamp. The text is written in a thinner font style so the finished background is not as pronounced... But as you can see from the detail pic, it did work.

Well since the background was really a background I wanted something to stand out. I recently got this folder with the candle design (Craft Concepts "Holly Night") that I really liked. So I embossed it on white cardstock and painted it with watercolors and gold paint. When dry, cut around the design and added Aleene's "True Snow" on the area supposed to be wax run off. It gives a nice textural effect.

I cut the words with my electronic cutter, painted them black, and coated them with Glossy Accents (a Jennifer McGuire trick from her online class I took a while back). Punched out some Holly Leaves from alcohol decorated paper I had in my stash using a Punch Bunch large Holly punch. Adhered everything to the plastic background, and then onto a white cardstock tag. Added red Liquid Pearls dots in the leaf areas. Added a bunch of curled red ribbon and a white hanger.

Fish Creek Exhibit Jan/12

2011-12-04T16:54:00.000-07:00

Our Guild is having an exhibit at the Fish Creek Library starting January 9th to March 16, 2012 with a "Nature/Conservation" theme. I made this piece and am quite happy with the results.

Click on artwork to see more details and descriptions. Enjoy

Tims Tags 2011 - Day 4 - Snowflakes

2011-12-04T13:56:00.003-07:00

And day 4 bites the dust. I know tomorrow I'll be behind schedule since I'll be working all day - no time to play... sigh!!
I like the background coloring technique and the filling of the number with glossy accents. Will use both of those again. The crackling is ok if you have the patience to wait for it to dry.

So the tag is white 110# cardstock cut with Tim's die. On my craft mat, applied Distress Stains "Picket Fence", "Weathered Wood", and "Broken China". Misted the tag with water and smeared it through the colors, until the whole tag was covered, dried. Inked up a flourish (Quietfire Design) stamp with Adirondack Dauber "Snow Cap", stamped and dried (cleaned stamp immediately). Stamped some holly flourish sprigs (Inkadinkado) with Distress pad Weathered Wood. Sponged Iced Spruce around edges. Dropped droplets of water and dried (these give the illusion of snow).

Die cut a piece of clear plastic packaging using Tim's on the edge "Flurries" die. Hit the edges with the "Snow Cap" dauber, let dry and adhered to edge of tag with double sided tape. Trimmed off excess plastic.

Die cut 3 snowflakes (Spellbinders "Ironworks") from 110# cardstock and adhered them together to get a thick snowflake. Applied a thick layer of "Rock Candy crackle paint. Allowed it to dry for several hours, then sponged Broken China into the cracks. Adhered to card and added a large blue rhinestone.

Cut the 25/heart with my electronic cutter, again cutting 3 of them and adhering them together. Sponged Distress Festive berry and clear embossed. Cut another heart without the 25 and stamped a festive music stamp onto it with Versafine Black Onyx, sponged Distress Antique Linen and applied to back of heart. Filled in the 25 with the Glossy Accents, set aside to dry. Adhered to tag.

Stamped the quote (Quietfire Design) with the black. PS should have stamped it before adding the heart - c'est la vie.

Tied some fun fibers onto a white button and then adhered to tag.

And it fits for these challenges:
Cute Daisy May snowflakes
Quirky Crafts #24 snow

Tims Tag 2011 - Day 3 - Dream

2011-12-03T16:24:00.005-07:00

Day 2 tag is done. I really really like the dreamy feeling of this tag. Love the "make your own stamp pad" technique. I remember it from previous years. Pulled out the ones I had made, but decided to make a new one. Love this orchid stamp from Flourishes. One of my orchids (same type) that I have a work, hasn't stopped blooming since last November. It really seems to like my office... It's got about 1 or 2 more buds and then we'll see if it blooms again for me.

Anyway for this tag I die cut the tag from 90# watercolor paper. Made a mask of the orchid stamp, laid it on my tag. Inked up a musical text stamp (Hero Arts) with Distress Iced Spruce, and stamped over the mask, inked again for the little section it didn't reach. Clear embossed. Sponged Antique Linen and Frayed Burlap around the edges.

Stamped the the orchid (Flourishes #150) and used a waterbrush to move some color, adding a bit of watercolor here and there.

Used the Flourish (Sizzix #656973 set) and my hard rubber mallet to emboss the areas I wanted, then sanded the high points. Adhered a piece of lace on the left side with Glossy Accents.

Die cut the "Dream" word (Sizzix Tim's movers and shapers die) from white cardstock, applied some stamp pad ink and embossed with Rustique Tin (JudiKins) embossing powder. Embossed it again to get a good coating.

Sponged various greens on some scrap cardstock and die cut with the Flourish Leaf (BossKut), re-inked with Perfect Medium and embossed with Distress Shabby Shutters embossing powder. Interwove the leaf flourish with the word and attached to card with a criss-cross pattern using Tim's Tiny Attacher.

Added some pearl flourishes (Say it with Bling) and a big gauzy peg bow and hanger.

And it fits for these challenges:
Rainbow Ladys Challenge #181 Inspired by an Xmas Carole (Merry Christmas Darling - See words below)
Pixie Dust Studio #102 Shabby Chic Holiday
Do You Stack Up #48 ribbon or anything you can tie
Southern Girls Challenge #35 ribbon
2 Sisters Challenge #68 Punches or dies
Mark's Finest Papers #84 use your favorite embellies (Flourish die cuts)

Merry Christmas Darling

Frank Pooler, Richard Carpenter (c) 1984

Greeting cards have all been sent
The Christmas rush is through
But I still have one more wish to make
A special one for you

Merry Christmas Darling
We're apart that's true
But I can dream and in my dreams,
I'm Christmas-ing with you.

It continues for a few more verses...

Tims Tags 2011 - Day 2 - Joy

2011-12-02T18:19:00.002-07:00

And here is day two of my tags. So far so good. Lets hope I can go the distance BIG GRIN.

Today's tag is a bit simpler. Again I used a die cut manilla tag. Covered it with scrapbook music paper. Daubered Distress Stains "Picket Fence" let it soak into the paper and then dried it. Sponged some holly leaves through a cut out stencil I had on my desk. Added dots of red Liquid Pearls. Unscrewed the Perfect Pearls "Perfect Pearls" spritzer and dropped droplets all over the tag. Dried immediately.

Sponged "Gathered Twigs" on some white cardstock. Die cut the bottom border with the On the Edge die "Ornate", sanded off the high points. Adhered to card with the copper brads, hammering them slightly.

Die cut the reindeer from some speckled beige mat board, sponged the "Gathered Twigs" around the edges. Adhered the tall one direct to tag, tied a brown ribbon on him. Adhered the jumping one with pop dots, also tied the brown ribbon around him. Added black rhinestone eyes.

Wrote the word "Joy" on an oval tag with a black gel pen. Sponged some red around the edges and attached a split ring. Attached it to the red ribbon bow with a trinket pin adding some coiled red and gold wire.

And it fits for this challenge:
Frosted Designs Music

Tim Tags 2011 - Day 1 - Noel

2011-12-02T18:04:00.002-07:00

Well Tim is doing his 12 days of Christmas again this year. I had a blast the last time I played... so here I am again. BIG GRIN

I used a manilla tag cut with Tim's tag die. Direct to paper with Chipped Sapphire then sponged Blue Jeans, dried thoroughly. Inked the negative side of the embossing folder (Cuttlebug snowflake folder from set #2000220) with Perfect Medium, ran my tag through my machine and embossed with white embossing powder.

Die cut the "Noel" from white cardstock covered with Sookwang tape, sprinkled with Stampendous "Copper" ultra fine glitter. Burnished well and edged the word with a black Sharpie marker.

Sponged various greens onto a piece of white cardstock. Found some leaf shapes and cut with my electronic cutter. Edged them with some "Gathered Twigs". arranged everything and adhered to tag.

Die cut the smallest florets from the Spellbinders Poinsettia die. Sponged "Festive Berry" and "Aged Mahogany around the edges. Embossed the middle floret with a Cuttlebug Swiss Dots folder and colored the dots with a white gel pen. Adhered to tag and added the red rhinestone flower center.

Colored a piece of silk ribbon with Distress Stains (red and blue) and tied it along with some string and twisted ribbon. attached a star charm and a glass bead with a trinket pin.

And it fits for these challenges:
Digi Doodles Shops Best #85 lots of sparkle
Crafty Ann's Challenge #55 Bingo (glitter, snow & red - plus a few others)
Crafty Catz Weekly #111 Xmas colors plus sparkle
Prairie Fairy Fridays #67 Blue & something white
Raise the Bar #86 It's beginning to look a lot like Xmas
Totally Papercrafts #95 Let it snow

MC Nov/11 - Ornament Die - Cheers

2011-11-30T15:00:00.003-07:00

Well this is definitely not a one layer card - big grin. I was in a mood to do an easel card using the ornament die set from Spellbinders, and then there was a color challenge I liked and then there was a recipe I wanted to use... you know the story - and this is the result.

This week's challenge over on Created By Hand and Quietfire Creations is Dear Santa or Ornament dies. I guess it's obvious which theme I chose to work with...

AND

This week one lucky Created By Hand Challenge participant will receive one Quietfire stamp . The winner will be randomly chosen and posted with the Sampler! Happy creating!

I'm using a holly leaf design element from the latest Xmas rubber from Quietfire Design - it's nicely flourished leaves.

Anyway to see lots more details, close ups and descriptions, just click on card image and enjoy

And it fits for these challenges:
Crafty Cardmakers #57 Heat embossing
Craft Your Passion #86 Holiday or winter related
Oh La La Creations #94 Lots of Sparkle
Stamps Fun Creativity #75 Distressing
Flourishes #146 Flower, ribbon & a tag
Scrap Creations Xmas card
Top Tip Tuesday #62 White, Silver and a hint of 1 other color
Cooking it up with Katie #86 Anything Goes
Digi Stamps 4 Joy #33 Xmas card
Fab 'n Funky #101 Anything Goes
Pennys Challenge #67 Tie something on card
Simon Says Stamp Challenge anything goes
Stamp with Sarah Kay #157 Easel card
Stamptacular Sunday #140 Anything Xmas

MC Nov/11 - Ferns Thank You

2011-11-27T16:46:00.000-07:00

One of the challenges was a one layer card... How often do we do one of these these days. And then there were lots of challenges asking for Thanks. So this card evolved.

I'm using a Thanks sentiment stamp from Quietfire Design

Anyway to see more details etc, just click on card image. Enjoy

And it fits for these challenges:
The Pink Elephant #126 Give Thanks
Scrap Creations Thank You
Belli Challenge #131 Thanksgiving
Crafty Creations #145 Thanks
CCEE Stampers #11-47 One layer card
Paper Play challenges #47 thankful
Card Makin Mamas #34 use a sentiment
If the Shoe Fits #97 Thankful
Prairie Fairy Fridays #66 Anything to do with fall
Raise the Bar Challenge #85 Thank you
Opus Gluei #118 Thanks
Quirky Crafts #24 Clean & Simple

MC Nov/11 - Heart Dies - HB

2011-11-27T11:37:00.001-07:00

Woke up in the middle of the night and couldn't get back to sleep... so why waste the time. I got up and created this card and then went back to sleep BIG GRIN.

I like the look of it. Unless I make something else, it will be for a special person whose birthday falls a couple of days before Valentine's Day.

This weeks Created By Hand and Quietfire Creations is Family or Heart dies.

And I love using this Happy Birthday stamp from Quietfire Design.

Anyway to see ore details and descriptions, just click on card image. Enjoy

And it fits for these challenges:
Creative Card Crew Monochromatic
Crafty Purple Frog For someone special
Fab 'n Funky challenge #100 Happy Birthday
Crafty Ann's Challenge #54 Monochromatic
Drunken Stampers #79 Monochromatic
One Stitch at a Time #90 Seeing Red

VSN - Dec/11 Issue

2011-11-27T02:49:00.000-07:00

Got my Vamp Stamp News magazine in the mail yesterday - and it's another good issue. I have the card below in it. Also using Quietfire Design rubber.

There is something in the gift box... and something inside the card...

Anyway, click on card to see the details etc. enjoy.

MC Nov/11 - Foil - Fa La La

2011-11-26T17:18:00.001-07:00

One of the challenges on Flourishes blog is to use household items like foil or to use a dryer sheet technique. I opted for "foil"...

I'm also using one of the latest Xmas stamps for 2011 from Quietfire Design

To see more details and descriptions, just click on card image and enjoy

And it fits for these challenges:
Flourishes #145 Household item
Polly Craft Challenge #120 something Xmasy
Totally Stampalicious use more than 1 stamp set (used 3)
Creative Craft Challenge Anything Goes
Everybody Art Challenge #169 Xmas
Lil Red Wagon #108 Xmas
Frosted design use metal
Simply Create Too #1 Xmas
Totally Paper Crafts #94 Xmas
2 Sisters Challenge #67 festive Holiday
Totally Gorgeous #108 Sparkle

QF Xmas Stamps - Poinsettia & Presents

2011-11-26T12:16:00.002-07:00

I received my Quietfire Design Xmas stamps about a week ago and this was the first time I was able to play with a couple of them...

I'm also using Flourishes stamps - love the present stamp set.

Anyway to see more details and descriptions, click on either of the cards to see details for that card. Enjoy.

I'm going to continue playing now BIG GRIN

The presents card fits for these challenges:
Papertake Weekly Xmas - Festive
Moving Along with the Times #126 Ribbons & bows

BVCG Mini Journal

2011-11-24T14:24:00.002-07:00

Well I think I can speak for most of the Guild members, last nights enrichment meeting was a huge success. Kirsten & Greta led us through making a mini journal with techniques that can be used on all kinds of projects.

Including the instructions, we had an hour to create these little booklets. This is what mine turned out like - and still needs more work - BIG GRIN.

We all started out with a piece of our Guilds practice paper (11" x 17") and told to write a word with letters reaching to the edges of the page either in pencil or marker if you wanted... Since I'm a little bold - ROFL - I went for the bullet tip marker of my Zig Writer and wrote the word JOYFUL.

Then we were told to make 3 rectangles and fill with letters or words etc.. Then add color. So I used my Daniel Smith watercolors in yellow and red for the text block on the left. I did the bold coloring in the bottom text block with Pentel Color Brush in yellow and red leaving a white border around the black lines. BOLD... I then started filling some of the original letters with colored pencil or more watercolors. Finally I started doodling with a black gel pen, and then touched here and there with a gold gel pen. Glued on the little mini square frame.

There is so much more that can be done on this piece, but I have to admit, it will not probably get done...

The paper was then folded in half - landscape mode.
Opened up and folded in half - portrait mode. And each piece folded in half again. Then with the paper folded in half in the portrait mode, we cut along the fold made in the landscape mode from the folded edge to the next fold line. (you can see the cut in the full sheet image above)

We opened it up again, folded along the landscape fold, pushed the center folds out to become mountain folds, and the first and third fold to become valley folds and that created the pages of the booklet. Note when you're looking from an aerial view down on the landscape fold and the middle fold is pushed out, it will look like an open square.

Page 1 & 2


Page 3 & 4

Page 5 & 6

CBH Nov 22/11 - Sq Dies - Thanks

2011-11-21T17:17:00.003-07:00

This week's challenge over on Created By Hand and Quietfire Creations is to use Square Dies or Thanks. Looks like I incorporated both choices - Big Grin.

I'm using a "thanks" stamp from Quietfire Design

Anyway click on card image to see details and descriptions, enjoy

AND Suzanne is giving away more rubber...
This week one lucky Created By Hand Challenge participant will receive one Quietfire stamp . The winner will be randomly chosen and posted with the Created By Hand Sampler! Happy creating!

DonnaW - with Sympathy

2011-11-21T17:09:00.000-07:00

A friend's husband recently passed away and I made this card for her. Hope it brightens her day just a little bit.
I'm using one of my most recent purchases I picked up at the Art Market from Local King Rubber, they make such beautiful stamps. It also had a die cutter, and I'm using one of their watercoloring techniques which I have used before, but not with such nice results. Needless to say I'll be using this stamping method a lot from now on...

I'm also using one of the 10 tiny sentiment stamps from Quietfire Design.

Anyway to see more details and descriptions, just click on card image. Enjoy.

MC Nov/11 - Circle - MissingYou

2011-11-14T18:56:00.000-07:00

I guess I'm on a roll with these clean and simple cards BIG GRIN

This became a circle shape because of 2 challenges, one calling for a shape card and the other asking for no straight line...

I'm also using a mini sentiment from Quietfire Design

Anyway, to see more details and descriptions, just click on card image and enjoy

And it fits for these challenges:
Little Claire's Designs #15 monthly Shaped cards
Lexis Creations #53 No straight lines
Pollycraft Challenge #119 Friendship
The Pink Elephant #125 Embossing
All Sorts Challenge #129 White & Black + 1
2 Sisters Challenge #65 Anything Goes

Never Give Up

2011-11-14T18:44:00.001-07:00

This card is a take on a beautiful card I saw on a blog HERE. If I'm reading the signature correctly on her images I think her name is Birgit.

Anyway, to see more details and descriptions, just click on card image. Enjoy

CBH Nov 15/11 - Leaves - Thinking of You

2011-11-14T16:30:00.002-07:00

This week's Created By Hand & Quietfire Creations challenge is "Leaves". Well fall is gone, winter is here in the Calgary region. We've have several days of snow already. SIGH!!!

So I inked up a bunch of Flourishes leaves from the "Falling Leaves #SS078" set with Distress pads in red, yellow and Forest Moss, misted with water, and stamped, repeating the process to do the whole left border on a cream toned card. Dried it and colored the background of the border with Super Ferby colored pencils in a silvery green. Added a black embossed line using a PaperMate Eraser Mate pen and black embossing powder.

Die cut the bare tree (Tim's Sizzix die), inked it up with Walnut Stain, adhered to card. Stamped a bunch of leaves, again using the Distress pads and misting with water, but also doing a 2nd generation stamping, so some were a deeper color and some a lighter color. Stamped the sentiment with Versafine Vintage Sepia.

PS: This week one lucky Created By Hand Challenge participant will receive one Quietfire stamp. The winner will be randomly chosen and posted with the Sampler on the Created By Hand blog! Happy creating!

MC Nov/11 - White on White - Poinsettia

2011-11-13T15:37:00.006-07:00

It's been a long while since I've done a white on white card - so one of the challenges calls for that - BIG GRIN

I'm using one of the mini 10 word sentiments from (Quietfire Design)

And to see more details and descriptions, just click on card image. Enjoy

It fits for these challenges:
Kortudfordring #50 Clean and simple (2nd submission)
Stamps Fun Creativity #72 Winter
Creative Craft challenge Clean & Simple (2nd submission)
Paper Take Weekly Xmas card
Top Tip Tuesday #59 anything Xmas (2nd submission)
Dutch Dare Challenge #138 punches & dies (2nd submission)
Rainbow Lady's challenge #178 Poinsettia
Crafty Ann's challenge #53 Floral frenzy (2nd submission)
Wags 'n Whiskers #67 Xmas themed
Totally Gorjuss #142 Xmas traditions (lots of Poinstettia's around the house)
The Crafty Pad #147 White on white
Stamptacular Sunday #138 Punches & dies (2nd submission)

MC Nov/11 - Square Dies - Thank You

2011-11-13T10:26:00.000-07:00

Was playing with my Distress Stains again and created a couple backgrounds. The background on the sentiment and the focal square is done with one of them.

I'm using a (Quietfire Design)sentiment stamp. Really love this set. Has several variations of thanks stamps.

Click on card image to see more details and descriptions. Enjoy

And it fits for these challenges:
Cupcake Craft Challenge #152 Newsprint or stamp image of one
Dutch Dare challenge #138 Punches or dies
SSDS Challenge Thank You
Corrosive Challenges #137 Give Thanks
Stamptacular Sunday Challenges #138 Punches or dies
Cupcake Inspiration #136 (see inspir image below)

Cupcake Inspiration Image

MC Nov/11 - Double Emboss - Thank You

2011-11-11T18:31:00.003-07:00

One of Flourishes challenges is a Double Embossing technique. I must admit, it's rare I use it, preferring rather to just use my rubber mallet to emboss where I want. But it was a good exercise anyway...

I'm also use a Quietfire Design rubber stamp.

Anyway to see more details and descriptions, just click on card image. Enjoy

And it fits for these challenges:
Createalicious #27 Monthly - Distress the edges
Craft Your Passion #83 Anything goes + brown
City Crafter #82 Thanks - giving
Creative Crafts Challenges Clean & Simple
Flourishes #143 Double Embossing
Scrap Creations Sentiment as main focus
Crafty Creations #143 Kraft/Brown, White/Cream, + 1 other color
Penny's Challenges #66 give thanks
Aud Sentiment #41 Thank You
Card Makin Mamas #33 Thankful
Christmas Stamping use a stamp that hasn't been inked yet
Frosted Designs Embossing
Incy Wincy Designs #119 Stitching
Kortudfordring #50 Clean & Simple
Totally Stampalicious Anything goes
Truly Scrumptious challenge #69 Bingo: Emboss, Flowers, glitter (plus lace, buttons, die)
Inspiration Avenue lots of sewing/knitting/lacework images
CCEE Stampers Use 3 different shapes (round buttons, cut out candle holders, die cut for the masking and then the embossing)

MC Nov/11 - Square Dies - Noel

2011-11-05T18:39:00.000-06:00

I love this lettering resist technique so much I thought I'd make another one BIG GRIN. I had said in a previous post I wanted to do a black and white one, but that didn't quite work out too well. Because of the thin areas in the Italic lettering, they got lost in the design unless you added some color to pronounce the letter... So I added a touch of the Old Paper around the letter - much better. I'm still going to do black and white letters but will use some other letters or maybe do my own.

One of the challenges on the Flourishes blog is "Outside the Box" technique. Do that quite often because it's a supper technique... So I combined these two techniques.

I'm also using the Italic Alphabet Capital set from Quietfire Design

Click on card image to see more details and descriptions Enjoy

And it fits for these challenges:
Flourishes #142 Out of the Box
Delightful Sketches very Sparkly Christmas
Mark's Finest Papers #78 Fall or Winter theme
Reasonable Ribbon #35 Christmas

MC Nov/11 - Postage - Poppies Gratitude

2011-11-04T12:21:00.003-06:00

gg designs issued a sketch challenge (see sketch below) this month and asked us to use one of her stamps (if you don't have one, use what you have) - I used the Poppies - love them. Perfect timing too... PS the winner will receive the fabulous teapot/cut set that I often use and used in the November Vamp Stamp News on their cover.

And this week's challenge over on Created By Hand & Quietfire Creations is to use Postage Dies or Faux stamps

To see more details and description, just click on card image - Enjoy

I'm also use a Quietfire Design quote and sentiment stamp.

And it fits for these challenges too:
Crafty Card Makers #55 Pink, Brown & Cream
Craft Your Passion #82 Bingo : Flowers, Free, Bling (the flourish is glittered), also used punch, sentiment & Distress.
Oh La La Challenges #92 Stitching
The Pink Elephant #123 Distressing
Anything Challenge #53 Stitching
Tuesday Throwdown #73 Give Thanks
Digi Stamps 4 Joy #31 Gratitude
Flutterby Wednesdays #178 Thanks/Gratitude + BFly (very small hiding in the flourish)
Simon Says Stamp Challenge Buttons
Dutch Dare Card Challenge #137 Give Thanks
Paper play Challenges #44 Buttons
Rainbow Lady's Challenge #177 Poppies
Crafty Ann's Challenge #54 Floral Frenzy
Crafty Catz Weekly #107 Anything Goes
Fussy & Fancy #46 Be Thankful + sentiment
Prairie Fairy Fridays #65 No black lines
Raise the Bar Challenge #82 no embellishments (cardstock die cuts etc are OK)

Arlene Faber layout

MC Nov/11 - Resist - Winter Hugs

2011-11-03T16:36:00.002-06:00

I came across a very pretty calligraphic type piece that had the word masked or a stencil was used, then stamped or ornamented around it (see bottom of post). It hit me... I've done so many resist techniques - so why haven't I done one like this. Sheesh. So I used Suzanne's (Quietfire Design) "Italic" alphabet set - both caps and small letters, positioning them in a funky way.

Next I'm going to do a black and white linear piece...

Anyway to see a close up and descriptions etc, just click on card image - Enjoy.

And it fits for a bunch of challenges:
Paper Take Weekly Anything goes with Bling
Top Tip Tuesday #58 Make your own background (TIP: resist technique with words - please see web site for more details)
Crafty Purple Frog Sparkle (the border at the bottom)
Digi Doodle Shops Best #81 Winter
Do you Stack Up #44 color Teal (the snowflakes)
Stamp Insanity #79 blues
These next blog themes are "Anything Goes"
Paper Playtime #59
Pollycraft Challenge #117
Fresh Brewed Designs #71
Stamp With Sarah Kay #155

Card by "Art by Kathy Floyd" (unable to find her web page for this card Sigh!!)

CBH Nov 1/11 - Label Dies - Xmas Balls

2011-11-01T18:01:00.000-06:00

This week's theme over on Created By Hand is Grandmothers or Label Dies. You may recognize the Xmas Balls. I had done some watercolor circles background a little while back and used them for ATCs and the left over piece I used on this card.

I'm also using the Quietfire Design "Textured Word" set that I love. To see more details and descriptions, just click on card image. Enjoy

MC Oct/11 - Leaves

2011-10-29T18:07:00.001-06:00

I made two cards today for a Flourishes challenge of trees/leaves. I'm happy with both...

I'm using Quietfire Design stamps on the easel card.

The Origami Leaf design is something I came across a while back on the Paper Zone blog

Click on either card to see more details and descriptions. Enjoy

And it fits for these challenges:
Flourishes #141 Trees or leaves
Kaboodle Doodles #90 Halloween/Fall
Stamps Fun Creativity #70 Fall
TSG Clear Stamps #127 Fall
Crafty Creations #141 Leaves with fall colors
Simon Says Anything goes
Digi Doodles Shops Best #80 Anything Goes
Trimmie's Craft Challenge #126 See color combo image below
Card Makin Mamas #32 die cuts
If the Shoe Fits #94 Halloween/Fall
Shelly's Images Tic Tac Toe - I Used Leaves, fall colors & bling
Craft Your Days Away #32 Fall
Our Creative Corner Fancy Folds
Totally Gorjuss #140 I remember
SSDS Challenge Monochromatic

Trimmies Craft Color combo

VSN Nov/11 issue

2011-10-28T13:10:00.001-06:00

I have 2 cards in the November issue of VSN (Vamp Stamp News). Both cards use Quietfire Design rubber - duly noted...
The teapot card is on the cover and also uses a gg design stamp set "Teapot", used the outline stamps - Love this set. (Charlotte's blog) I did alter the cups by cutting off the handles to make them look more Asian, and I used the Quietfire "Flourish" stamp to decorate the teapot etc. - I think they were a match made in heaven..

The 2nd card uses the Spellbinders dies "Apples" "Pears" - love these 2 die sets. Also one of my latest embossing folders - our it was BIG GRIN.

Anyway to see more details and descriptions, just click on either card. Enjoy

BD Friend - Oct/11

2011-10-23T13:14:00.001-06:00

I seem to have neglected to upload the BD card I made for a friend. I had made one in the summer, only to find out her BD was in Oct - sigh!! I had told her not to expect another one. But I caved in... and did make a 2nd one. But I also told her not to expect any more BD cards this year. ROFL - made her laugh too.

I stamped the Poppies (Hero Arts) with Versafine Black Onyx, clear embossed, painted with watercolors on white cardstock. Die cut the edge of the card (Spellbinders Labels #17) and hard rubber mallet.
Wrote my words with a Nikko G nib and Sumi ink, when dry shaded with a red colored pencil and then an HB pencil. The small words with a micron pen.
Embossed the poppies a couple times (Stampin Up "Flower Garden"), also with my mallet.

ATCs Nov/11 trade con't

2011-10-23T12:44:00.000-06:00

I really love playing with Distress Stains to create landscape designs... And I seem to keep going back to my original 3 colors (Antique Linen, Spun Sugar & Pumice Stone) that I picked up eons ago - they make such a moody scene.

So I lay down some Spun Sugar in the central horizontal area of my strip of watercolor paper, then the Antique Linen above and below it, then the Pumice Stone in between the Linen stripes. I spritzed with a lot of water, tilting and moving the paper. Semi dried with a hairdryer (paper needs to have some moisture for the next step, but not be wet/wet). I then used the Distress reinker Black Soot and the tip of a bamboo skewer and skimmed the skewer along the horizon line, leaving just thin lines and little blobs of black. I then spritzed again, but not too much, to make the black bleed. Cut up into a smaller ATC, added various trees and details (Local King Rubber, Old Island Rubber Stamps), some Ritz micro fine glitter, birds in sky with a micron pen, Pentel Sunburst white gel pen for the moon & lettering of words with a Nikko G nib and Sumi Ink (definitely still a bit wobbly with my lettering...). Mounted them to a black cardstock.

You can click on image to enlarge. Enjoy.

MC Oct/11 - Poinsettia MC

2011-10-23T11:43:00.001-06:00

Another Xmas card under my belt. I think today I'll update my database and allocate the ones I've made to an actual person... Big Job.

I digress. I wanted to make a simpler card in contrast to the more involved cards I've been making recently. Also wanted to paint and wanted a poinsettia... So this is the result.

I stamped the image (Local King Rubber - and I'm so looking forward to seeing them again this year at one of our Xmas craft shows at the Telus Center - I'll be spending bucks!!) with Perfect Medium and embossed with white embossing powder on white cardstock. Painted the image with Daniel Smith watercolors, then cut part of it out to fit my die (Spellbinders Reverse Wonky Rectangles) underneath the petals. Sponged Pumice Stone around the edges and stamped my sentiment Quietfire Design with Versafine Vintage Sepia. Die cut the largest of the rectangles and sponged with Aged Mahogany - just having a soft coloring.

Main card was white (4.25"w x 5.5"h), sponged edges with the Mahogany, Layered a patterned white metallic paper, then my wonky rectangles. Added Liquid Pearls, yellow in center of flower and white pearl as faux brads.

I like the simplicity and softness of the card.

And it fits for these challenges:
Totally Gorjuss #103 Pastel Xmas

MC Oct 25/11 - Tag Dies - Pumpkin Boo

2011-10-22T14:38:00.005-06:00

This week's theme over on Created By Hand and Quietfire Creations is "Halloween" or "Tag Dies" - I guess I used both. BIG GRIN

Well there are more Halloween themed challenges this week and one of them is a shaped card, so that's how my pumpkin started. Then the others all dealt with Halloween colors...

I hand drew the pumpkin shape and cut it out. Used a Papermate Eraser Mate pen to draw my separation lines and embossed with black embossing powder. Direct to paper with Spiced Marmalade, then edged with Aged Mahogany.

Cut out my black shapes for eyes, nose & mouth. Stamped the spider flourish (Inkadinkado) coming out of it's mouth - UGH...

Die cut Spellbinders the floral flourish from Grungepaper and the Fancy Tags from white cardstock. The leaf flourish I coated with Distress Picket Fence, when dry, direct to paper with Distress stamp pad Shabby Shutters, Pine Needles & Walnut Stain. The tag was sponged with Dried Marigold and then Dusty Concord. Stamped the word with Versafine Black Onyx. Looped the tag onto the vine and adhered both.
With the leaf flourish and tag the card ends up being 5"w x 7"h

I'm using one of the Halloween stamps from Quietfire Design.- so cute.

And it fits for these challenges:
Tuesday Throwdown #71 Shaped Card
Color Throwdown #134 See color combo below
Challenges by AR #102011 Shaped or 3d
Stamp Insanity #78 Trick or treat
Trimmies Craft Challenge #125 Autumn
Frosted Designs Inspiration Image (see below)
Prairie Fairy Fridays #64 Wet embossing
Raise the Bar #80 Orange & Black
Shelly's Images Anything Goes
Stampin For the Weekend #19 Spooky
All Sorts Challenge #126 Halloween
2 Sisters challenge #62 Pumpkin Patch

Frosted Design Inspiration Image

SSDS Challenge Food

Color Throwdown combo

MC Oct/11 - Acetate - Let it Snow

2011-10-21T11:11:00.002-06:00

As soon as I saw "Let it Snow" as one of the challenges - I had to make it. Love this stamp Quietfire Design and the whimsical way it's calligraphed.

Also used a technique resurrected in Jennifer McGuire's on line class I recently took. It had been eons since I did one of those. Love the look.

So to see more details and descriptions etc, just click on card image. Enjoy

And it fits for these challenges:
Our Creative Corner Transparencies
The Secret Crafter Saturday #156 white + 1 color
The Crafty Pad #143 Monochromatic
Totally Paper Crafts #88 acetate
Oh La La challenges #91 Let It Snow
Crafty Ann's Challenge #52 Clean & Simple
Christmas Stamping Sparkly

MC Oct/11 - Trick or Treat

2011-10-19T18:58:00.002-06:00

This week's theme over on Created By Hand and Quietfire Creations is "Halloween" or "Tag Dies" - I guess I used both. BIG GRIN - and this is my 2nd entry...

I had fun making this card. Lots of elements and layers... Love the apple image from Flourishes, and of course the Halloween stamps from Quietfire Design.

To see more details and descriptions, just click on card image. Enjoy.

And it fits for a bunch of challenges:
Totally Stampalicious Black, Orange & Purple
TSG Clear Stamps #126 use only part of an image (see full image below)
Anything Challenge #52 use some form of lettering
City Crafter #149 Harvest festival
Flourishes #140 Halloween
Paper Take Weekly Think reds, orange, black & purple
Scrap Creations 1 Use a tag
Top Tip Tuesday #56 Layer it up (I used at least 4 layers)
Digi Stamps 4 Joy #30 use 2 the same embellies (2 black rhinestone squares on tag)
Fresh Brewed Designs #69 Black, Orange & Purple
Lil red Wagon #103 Fall theme
Penny's Challenges #64 Apples
Stamp with Sarah Kay #154 Halloween
Cupcake Inspirations #132 cupcake inspir (see image below)
Pile it on Challenge #42 Fall is for fun
Quirky Crafts #21 Black, gold, glitter or Halloween (there's both)

Flourishes "Apple of my Eye"

Cupcake Inspiration

CBH Oct 18/11 - Circle Dies - Pumpkin

2011-10-18T17:34:00.005-06:00

I think I was on a roll with these circle dies. Sheesh

I used the Iron gate from the Cuttlebug Heritage set, and embossed only the upper portion with my hard rubber mallet on white cardsock. I then skimmed my Distress pad Black Soot" over the high points and embossed with JudiKins Rustique Tin Can - love this stuff, then sponged the black over the whole piece. Stamped portions of a bat stamp (Inkadinkado "Happy Haunting") in the sky area.

The pumpkin was made using 2 Spellbinders circles, dry embossed and then portions re-cut with the same die, sponged Distress Spiced Marmalade and then assembled. I added some embossing using a Papermate "Eraser Mate" pen and embossing with the Rustique Tin. Die cut the green flourishy thing with Spellbinders "Floral Flourishes" from green metallic textured paper. Stamped the spider (Inkadinkado) and the word Halloween (Quietfire Design) with Versafine Black Onyx.

Layered it on to a white card which I sponged the Marmalade around the edges.

This week over on Created By Hand and Quietfire Creations the theme is Witches or Circle Dies.

AND - This week two lucky Created By Hand Challenge participants will each receive one of the stamps from the new Quietfire Wicked set. Names will be randomly chosen and posted with the Sampler! Happy creating! Good Luck

And it fits for these challenges:
Crafty Card Makers #54 Cute with a dark twist
Crazy Challenge #89 Halloween
Die Kreativen Stemplefreunde #36 Halloween
The Shabby Tearoom #84 Inspir image (see below) + dry embossing
My Time to Craft #162 Punches or dies
Craft Your Days Away #31 Halloween colors
Drunken Stampers #76 Halloween
One Stop Craft Challenge #153 Halloween
Card Cupids #41 Orange
Cute Daisy May Anything Goes
Paper Sundaes #91 Halloween/Fall
Crazy 4 Challenges #109 heat embossing for up coming holiday

MC Oct/11 - Shelly's Digi - Halloween

2011-10-15T12:35:00.004-06:00

I got a free download digi image from Shelly's Images blog of the autumn fence scene. I did alter it slightly by printing it in reverse and adding the pumpkins. Printed it out on white cardstock and painted it with Daniel Smith watercolors.
All stamped images except for the fir trees (Stampscapes) and the word Halloween (Quietire Design latest Halloween stamp sheet) are from Inkadinkado. Repeatedly stamped the fir trees in the background with Versafine Black Onyx (masking the fence). Then stamped the Happy Haunting grave yard scene also with the black. Drew in a spider web with a micron pen, then went over it with a Quickie Glue pen and sprinkled Ritz micro fine glitter "Stardust". Stamped the spider. Stamped and clear embossed the black cat. Stamped and clear embossed the word.

Click on pic to enlarge.
And it fits for these challenges:
Fresh Brewed Designs #56 monthly Pumpkins
Cupcake Craft challenges #163 Halloween
Kaboodle Doodles #88 leaves
Reasonable Ribbon #33 Halloween
Stamps Fun Creativity #68 Halloween
Creative Card Crew Halloween
Everybody Art Challenge #163 Halloween
Scrap Creations 1 Halloween
Crafts & Me Challenge #56 Orange
Delightful Sketches Colors of fall
Fab 'n Funky #94 colors of fall
Simon Says Stamp Challenge Goth or Halloween
Rainbow Lady's Challenge #174 Falling Leaves
Alphatbet Challenge S is for soon to be Halloween
Card Makin Mamas #31 Halloween
Fussy & Fancy #44 Fall or Halloween
Stampin for the Weekend #18 Fall Colors
Wags n Whiskers challenges #65 Fall Colors
CES Challenges #58 forever autumn
SSDS Challenges anything with leaves

MC Oct11, Circle Dies - Ornaments Christmas

2011-10-14T17:46:00.004-06:00

I like the way this card turned out. It's got a softness to it, which surprised me, and you all know I rarely use Designer Papers - but had no problem using the metallic papers I've recently picked up Loving those. So I'm using 2 of those plus a distressed scrapbook paper from my stash.

This week over on Created By Hand and Quietfire Creations the theme is Witches or Circle Dies. I guess it's a little obvious which one I chose to do... BIG GRIN

Even though this card isn't using the Halloween stamps, I have made quite a few using them. Just check my cards this month. AND - This week two lucky Created By Hand Challenge participants will each receive one of the stamps from the new Quietfire Wicked set. Names will be randomly chosen and posted with the Sampler! Happy creating!

I'm also using one of the Textured Word stamps from Quietfire Design. Love those

Anyway to see more details and descriptions, just click on card image and enjoy.

And it fits for a few challenges:
Flourishes #139 Xmas Ornament
Top Tip Tuesday #55 Use DP's
Trimmie's Craft Challenge #124 use ribbon, 2 shapes & glitter

MC Oct/11 - Circle Park Scene - Peace

2011-10-14T09:54:00.001-06:00

I so like the way this card turned out. I could look at it all day long and not get tired of it. It started out with the lamp post, then needing to make a mainly black & cream card...

I'm using part of a Quietfire Design quote stamp.

To see more details and descriptions, just click on card image and enjoy.

And it fits for these challenges:
City Crafter #78 mainly Black & Cream
Flourishes #BBB15 Beauty of a Technique (Reverse stamping & Cutting out to create scene)
Paper Take Weekly use 3 different shapes (circle card, cut outs of Lamp post, bench & poinsettia)

Cooking it up with Katie #79 incl coloring, curling & circle
Aud Sentiment #39 winter scene with sentiment
Cute Card Thursday #186 trees/leaves

CBH Oct 11,11 - Candy - Halloween

2011-10-10T16:30:00.002-06:00

This week's theme over at Created By Hand and Quietfire Creations is Candy or Pennant dies. I don't have any Pennants dies and am not really in to banners and things like that, so I opted for Candy - BIG GRIN.

I love using Dreamweaver stencils and love these two I used on the card. As long as those spiders stay on my card and don't enter my house Sheesh!! I'm also using one of the newest Halloween stamps. This sheet of Halloween stamps by Quietire Design is just awesome.

Anyway to see more details etc, just click on card image and enjoy.

MC Oct/11 - Circles - Snowladies

2011-10-10T14:29:00.003-06:00

I'm ROFL. Boy do I like making snowladies this way - inside, without getting any snow on me or getting cold and wet hands and feet... and have you ever seen a snowlady?? I haven't.

Love the way this card came together.

This week over on Created By Hand and Quietfire Creations the theme is Witches or Circle Dies. I guess it's a little obvious which one I chose to do... BIG GRIN

And I'm using a fun Xmas stamp from Quietfire Design - although slightly altered - sorry Suzanne...

Anyway, just click on card image to see details and descriptions.

And it fits for these challenges:
Rainbow Lady's Challenges #173 in the moonlight
Frosted Designs use any 4 of these (yellow; ribbon/lace; chipboard; flowers; misting/inks; buttons; stickers; rub-ons)
If the Shoe Fits #93 Females
Prairie Fairy Fridays #63 Anything Girlie
Raise the Bar Challenge #78 sweet animals
Simply Create Challenges #53 use something older than 6 months (the hat stamp - I even had to look for it... also the buttons and reindeer)
Totally Paper Crafts #87 animals
Mark's Finest Papers 76 no DP
Cute Daisy May Xmas card
Stamptacular Sunday #133 Distressing (various)
Little Claire's Designs #14 monthly Xmas card
Crafty Cardmakers #53 anything goes
Woodware USA Clear Stamps #47 Anything Goes
Crafty Ann's Challenge #51 Inspired by an Xmas Song (I'm a little Snowman II - see website for words)

MC oct/11 - Poinsettia Just 4 You

2011-10-09T17:01:00.001-06:00

A good friend who is the distributor of Shimmer Sheetz, Els van de Burgt is coming up to Calgary to teach at the end of October. Thought I'd make her an Xmas card using the product... Love the way it turned out.

I've got punched, die cut, glitz, stamping, calligraphy, distressing, embossing - the whole shebang. Anyway to see more details and descriptions etc, just click on card image and enjoy.

And I'm using a small sentiment stamp from Quietfire Design love this little stamp.

And it fits for these challanges:
City Crafter #77 3D object
Paper Take Weekly Anything goes - option punches
Crafty Purple Frog lots of layers
Digi Stamps for Joy #29 Pink
Dude Time Doodles Think pink
Flutterby Wednesdays #174 Anything goes (plus a BFly)
Penny's Challenge #63 anything goes
Wags n Whiskers Rubber Stamps #64 something handmade
One Stop Craft Challenge #152 anything goes
The Secret Crafters Saturday Challenge #155 anything goes plus sparkle
One Stitch at a Time #83 Anything Goes
Polka Doodle #40 handmade Flower

Ironworks - Snowflake

2011-10-08T17:45:00.002-06:00

Love the simple feel of this card, but it does have several techniques. A basic resist & a resist/texture background using Goosebumps.

I'm also using a Quietfire Design quote stamp.

Click on card image to see more details and descriptions. Enjoy

And it fits for these challenges:
Anything challenge #51 die cuts & punches
Tuesday Taggers Minimal
Belli Challenge #127 Paper piecing
Fab 'n Funky #93 Die cuts/punches
Simon Says Stamp challenge Sparkle/Bling