Saturday, April 30, 2011

May Flower ATC

Last night the Ink Spots met in Green Valley.  Though we were few in number I think we had a good time! Natalie even brought a friend, Jan, a newbie stamper! I think she's hooked!  And Susanne was gone as her hubby took her to Branson, MO for their 40th anniversary!  She'll be home soon with lots of great memories.  I think she missed me as her phone called me twice without her knowledge... Something in her purse hit redial previous number I guess. LOL!

Our ATC swap theme was May Flowers.  Here's mine...





I used some yellow, green and white cardstock scraps and Baby Blossoms LE stamp set.  These stamps were available quite some time ago and they're about 1/2 the size of the Blossoms and Blessings stamps.



I colored the baby blossom with Shimmers Chalks and my photo just would not pick up the faint shimmer.  The text is from the Tag Tidbits set, an oldie but goodie and still current!  That set is so versatile!  This 2nd photo shows the more correct colors as the base ATC is bright yellow!

Today I'm working at an auction. I'll be loading up on sunscreen, grabbing my visor, and coming home dirty from probably working security.  The lot is not paved so I know I'll be heading for the shower as soon as I get home.

Thursday, April 28, 2011

Good idea gone bad....

Each month I sign up for a 1 on 1 swap with Technique Junkies....  I'm real late this month getting my card made and mailed.  I received a wonderful one last month using a technique called Distressed Colorblocking.  I read the directions in my newsletter and looked at the great cards using the technique and thought I'd give it a try.  Well,  I think I should have stopped right there!  The harder I tried and worse it got.  I decided that this post will show you I can make really UGLY cards, too!!


I was trying to work with some of my scrap paper and wanted to use the Love & Laughter set.


I stamped the tree and phrase in the background with the VersaMark ink and the main images with Noir PH  ink.  TAC used to handle the ribbon and I have scads of it, too!  Now, can you believe I actually mailed this card to my swap partner??  I told her that this was a good card gone bad using a retired set called Silly Sayings.  I'm sure she'll get a good laugh.  And now that you're done laughing I bet you can relate!!

Hope your next project goes better than this!

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Tune in Tuesday ~ Black and White Cards with a SPLASH of Color

Today we're being challenged by the TAC Savvy Projects blog to make black and white cards, with a splash of color.  Hmmm... didn't I just say that it the title?  Anyway,  those who have answered this challenge have made some amazing cards!  But I just had to be different... I'm using yellow as my color splash. As of posting this no one has used yellow...  And I probably used too much yellow and not enough black. I think my splash developed into a tsunami!  Oh well.  I like bright cards!  They're so cheery!  So, without further ado here it is...


I used 2 different stamp sets: Blossoms & Blessings and Background Soup.  What do you think??


I even added some Stardust Clear Gel pen to the flower center.  I have quite of bit of the yellow cardstock from a large shared purchase quite a few years ago.

This is going to be a busy week.  I have 10 ATCs to make, a swap card, 2 challenge cards, and mailing some swaps.  All BY Friday!!!  Ouch!  At least my mojo has peeked in a few times and I'm getting some ideas!  Just need to act on them.  So it's off to my worktable.  But please leave me a comment or rating and visit these talented gals! (If the links don't show up please click on the TAC Savvy Projects link at the top of this posting.)





Sunday, April 24, 2011

May Flowers Blog Hop

This evening we angels from Paper Wings are celebrating the beautiful flowers that grow in May. I know sunflowers are more of a fall flower but they are my favorites and, since I just got this cool Sunshine set, I just had to ink this sunflower!


I used Miss Moxie SWIC and matching cardstock along with White Caboodle cardstock.  The sketch is by Heather (she is very talented!) I colored the flower with the following Copic markers: Y35, Y38, YR61, YR24, YG03, YG06, and N1.  I added little orange posies and orange rhinestones and have you noticed the flower center??


I had this bottle of stuff by Suse Weinberg called Mini Mosaics Cracked Corn.  I've had it for years and this is the first time I used it!!  (What's hiding in your drawers that you haven't used....) I did color under it before I seen this stuff in the drawer with all my embossing powders and fun flocks.

So, now that you've seen my card please leave a comment or rating and visit these other angels' blogs for their wonderful projects!!

Shirley
Teresa
Rita W.
Chelsea
Seleise

I was hoping more angels would take part but since today is Resurrection Day they probably had wonderful family times and couldn't commit.  We did get up at 3:15 this morning and was at church by 4:30 to help prepare the breakfast for after sunrise service.  We were also greeters at church and I do the Sunday School offering/attendance.  We ended up going home after S.S. and greeting as both of us were having trouble keeping our eyes open.  Dean did work 60 hours this week and he will this next week, too.  So, hopefully we'll sleep real good tonight and be ready to go when the alarm goes off at 4:15 tomorrow morning!

Saturday, April 23, 2011

Happy Easter!

Tomorrow is Resurrection Day - the day we celebrate that our LORD and Savior rose from the dead before ascending into Heaven.

Luke 24: 1 - 7  (The New Living Translation)

But very early on Sunday morning the women went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared.  They found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance. So they went in, but they didn't find the body of the Lord Jesus.  As they stood there puzzled, two men suddenly appeared to them, clothed in dazzling robes.

The women were terrified and bowed with their faces to the ground.  Then the men asked, "Why are you looking among the dead for someone who is alive? He isn't here! He is risen from the dead! Remember what He told you back in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be betrayed into the hands of sinful men and be crucified, and that He would rise again on the third day."

I am so thankful that Jesus died for me and you! Through Him we can have eternal life with Him in Heaven if we confess that we are sinners, repent, and ask Him to be our Lord and Savior.  I did this as a child then was baptized February 1996.

I sent Easter cards to our kids and here's 4 of the 5 cards (as I already posted the hedgehog pulling the bunnies and eggs a while back).


I used various retired sets, some of TAC's free downloadable patterns (click on link in left sidebar to see what you can get FREE), K-Girlz WIC and A Little Whimsy WIC papers, punches, and scrap cardstocks.





How about some brown and yellow fun flock....  Sorry the bunny looks out of focus.  Sometimes I have problems with closeups.


I also used Copic markers and the Stardust Clear Gel pen.

Tomorrow we will attend a sunrise service at our church and help serve a free breakfast.  I just get shivers down my back when Pastor David blows the shofar!!  What a beautiful sound! And to think that this trumpet was used to help bring down Jericho's walls!  (Joshua 6)  Please take time tomorrow to think about the blessings of God and the world's need for Him.

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Golden Egg Cardmakers Challenge

What a title! But there is a reason.  The TAC Savvy Projects Blog is hopping today challenge!   The prerequisites are:

1. GLITTER ~ Prisma glitter or glitter pens … it just has to have glitter! 
2. LAYERS ~ At least 3! 
3. COLOR ~ At least 3 colors or more! Ink, prisma pencils, copics, etc. 
4. RIBBON or SCRAPPERS FLOSS
5. FLOWERS ~ At least 1!

I decided to take up the challenge and here's my entry! And the layout or sketch design is by Heather Scott and it will be used for the Card a Day in May special.


Do I have enough layers?  I count 5 not counting the ribbon.  I used DCWV Pastel pack , Ivory Cardstock Strips, and white Premium cardstock (forgot about the white Caboodle paper which is great with Copics!)
I have a flower.... it's a beautiful stamp from the Sunshine set.  I'm not sure if the stamped flower qualifies me for this challenge, though.  I was thinking of adding more but then I thought... Overkill.

,

The flower is colored with the following Copic markers: Y23, Y32, Y35, E35, and E37.  So, I used more than 3 colors!

I also used marker YG03 on the edge of the 2 1/2" punched circle before edging again with black ink.


Can you see where I used the Stardust Clear Gel pen on the flower petals?  You KNOW this is my favorite bling maker....

So, what do you think?  I really value your comments or rating, whichever you feel most comfortable on doing.




Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Tune In Tuesday - Kraft Cards

Today the Savvy Projects blog's theme is Kraft cards!  Well, again I played with the Majestic Mountain set and I actually LIKE this card! It's more of what I envisioned when I purchased the set.


Besides the Kraft cardstock I used black and white cardstocks. I used the Spellbinders Nestie Labels 1 with my Wizard. The mountain scene was stamped with Burnt Umber PH ink prior to cutting with the Nestie.


How do you like the Big Horn Sheep?  I've actually gone hunting for one in northwest WY.  Many eons ago I drew a sheep license but never got one.  The only one I seen was draped across another hunter's horse's saddle.  I had a bit of a problem with the altitude and was rather ill.  But it was quite the experience sleeping under a tarp at just below timberline and cooking over a campfire!


I did add some Stardust Clear gel pen lines in the water.  You can almost make them out. And The Twinery twine and brown button did pretty good finishing off the Label!

I hope you follow along with others who play along!  If you decide to play just follow the directions at the bottom of the Savvy Projects post for today! You may be a lucky winner of some blog candy!!




Monday, April 18, 2011

Lovely butterfly...

I've been working on samples for my 2nd May class at the LSS in Green Valley, AZ.  My mojo has "peeked" in now and then and I think it was hiding in my craft room when I made this simple but elegant (to me, anyway) key ring fob or even a necklace pendant.  Paper is by Imaginisce and the butterfly is by Petaloo.  Phrase is from our Tag Tidbits set stamped in Noir PH ink.


I took the photo outside and am hoping you can see the depth of the little clam shell that encases the butterfly.  Our Gift With Purchase stamps and Purchase With Purchase stamps come in these cool cases.  I only used the lid of the clam shell which is about 1/4" in depth.


I think the butterfly is just gorgeous!  There's a dozen assorted sizes and colors in the pack.
I still have 2 more projects to go to have everything I need for the LSS to post this class...
Hopefully within the next couple of days....

Saturday, April 16, 2011

Majestic Mountain and Coyote

My mojo is still on  vacation... (when I go will it stay home??).  I just got the new set Majestic Mountain set (photo not available at this link but see this set in the April Specials page) on an order and couldn't stand to see it just sit there!! So, even though mojo is out I played.  I do NOT particularly like this but it's not too bad...


I grabbed Burnt Sienna instead of Burnt Umber ink (just wasn't paying attention) so it's not as brown as I wanted.


I colored with Earth Tones chalks after stamping the mountain.  Not too bad...  You can't see that I used the Stardust Clear Gel pen on the flower centers and in the water fall.  That helped a LOT!  I used some brownish red cardstock from my stash and added some twine.  Hubby likes it anyway...   LOL!

Today we're attending the Pima Co. Fair just southeast of Tucson.  I expect to come home a bit suntanned (I will have sun screen on), tired, and full of great fair food. This fair is HUGE and, in my opinion, not as fun as the Park Co. Fair in Powell, WY.  I used to enter a lot of cards and stamped items in Powell but here they don't have much other than the livestock, quilts, sewing, and baking.

Friday, April 15, 2011

A Card a Day in the Month of May...

The entire month of May is a special treat this year! The TAC Savvy Projects blog for The Angel Company is having a blog challenge!  If you'd like to play along just make a card using the designated sketch and post it to your blog or upload a picture of it to the TAC gallery HERE using the linky featured for that particular sketch.  I hope to play and maybe my mojo will come home and help!


Here is Mischelle's message about the challenge:

It's a Card A Day in the Month of May!  Are you ready for a challenge!  Join us a pledge to create a card a day this month! 
Each week we will provide a sketch and each of our Guest Designers will design a card using that sketch as their guide.  It's easier to create a card the second and third time so we're going to give you a blueprint for success (sketch) each week.  If you like ~ use this sketch Sunday through Saturday.  Sunday you'll be getting familiar with the sketch.  Monday it will be familiar.  Tuesday the ideas are popping.  Wednesday you are so comfortable you turn the sketch and design a horizontal card.  Thursday you could do this blindfolded!  Friday you feel like make more than one card!  Saturday you have a stack of cards to reward you for your hard work!  And ... you're excited because tomorrow you get to see what next weeks sketch is!
If you don't feel like using our sketch then don't!  Just CREATE a CARD!  You can still upload it to our blog and share your Card a Day!
Play along!  Share your card by linking to our linky!  When you do ~ you'll automatically be entered in to win our monthly BLOG CANDY!
Join in the FUN and play along!  If you'd like to play please just add your name in the comments and we'll slate you for a day.  Also ~ let me know your thoughts regarding designating specific stamp sets!
Mischelle

Hope you join in!  Happy Stamping!!

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Strange layers...

I follow a LOT of blogs and see a cool card that was inspired by a photo in an office somewhere.  Dang if I can find that blog now but this card came from looking at hers.  The only similarity is the general design. I used some of TAC's cool download paper patterns (check left sidebar for link).


The frame was made using an OLD Sizzix frame die and my Wizard (can't do this with the Grand Caliber [picture not available] by Spellbinders). I punched various sizes of circles and flowers then stamped them with different phrases from the Tag Tidbits set.









Some elements were adhered directly on the card, some popped once and some (along with the frame) popped twice.  I'm hoping my photos show the different heights so you can see what I'm trying to describe.
I think my mojo has been showing up now and then so when it comes home I  try to take advantage of it's visit.  Hopefully it'll stay for a while soon....


Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Tune In Tuesday - Brights!

Debra Miller is the featured designed on today's TAC Savvy Projects Tune In Tuesday special. I usually can do brights with no problems and I hope this card is bright enough...


I needed a card with a cupcake theme and Heather had a sketch challenge so I combined the two!  What do you think??  I used DCWV cardstock (except for the yellow and white).  I also used my Scor-Pal and Scor-Bug to make the dots and lines then sanded them for more pop.  The cute little cupcake is from the Little Cupcakes set and I colored it with Copic markers. I also used my Corner Chomper to round the corners on the red piece. I added the red buttons with white scrappers floss as the card just needed something more.


And, of course, I used the Stardust Clear Gel pen to add some bling!  I used Momento Black ink to stamp all images and, for some reason (probably grabbed the wrong white paper) it bled when I colored the cherry.  I need to find my White Caboodle paper! I see I need to practice a LOT more with my Copics!

So, I'll be mailing this card to a swap member on the AZ Stampers list and I hope the recipient likes it!
Check out more projects through the link at the top of this post!





Sunday, April 10, 2011

Geckos and hot sand...

As you know, I teach card classes at our LSS in Green Valley, AZ.  I've already posted 1 card using a gecko punch and paper that looks like sand.  I will be teaching 3 cards and finally got the other 2 done.  So, for a class sometime in May here's the other 2 cards...


This one uses cool corners cut from a Sizzix die.  It has a southwest flavor and I think it works great for this design.  I did use my Xyron Create-a-Sticker machine to add adhesive as it'd be a bugger to use tape or Zip Dry Paper Glue!

On this one I used the Spellbinder Nestie Labels 3 for the gold shimmer paper.  Then a 3" black circle and a 2 1/2" white circle.  The gecko punch is by Punch Bunch and the text is by Copper Leaf.  I used a Black Stardust Gel pen to add the dots to the geckos.  Now I need to work on my other May class.  Since Mother's Day is so early in the month I might not be able to honor Mom with a class but the projects will definitely be feminine!

Friday, April 8, 2011

I've got eggs in my basket, er, pail!



Today is another blog hop sponsored by TAC Savvy Projects blog.  It's called "Easter Basket Bonanza" but, I have all these gold pails! So I used one instead.


A friend gave me some 6" wide white tulle and I wrapped the pail in a piece then added a large bow to the pail handle.  Next I used the largest Big Scalloped Square and my Wizard to make the pastel green label.  I attached it using my Crop-A-Dile and some small yellow paper brads.  I stamped the Hedgehog/wagon from the Hedgehog Happiness Hostess C set on Caboodle cardstock using my Momento Black ink and colored with Copic markers (E35., E37, E55, E57, G12, G82, and the blender).  I used a piece of terrycloth towel and the blender to make the hedgehog's fur look more textured.


I cut out a small piece of green cardstock and cut it too look like grass which I adhered to the wagon.  Then I attached the hedgehog and wagon to the label with foam mounting tape.


The wagon-load of 3 eggs were cut with another tool then embossed with 3 different Cuttlebug folders before adhering behind the grass.  I did some sanding to make the embossing stand out a bit more.  This is a rather simple "basket" but I wanted to use what I had on hand.

Now, after leaving a comment or rating here, please check out these other cool projects!  And remember, there will be projects added to the Savvy Projects blog through tomorrow so keep checking back!





Thursday, April 7, 2011

Sweet....

I've lost my mojo last week and can't find it.  If you see it please send it home, it's greatly missed!  Anyway,  over on Paper Wings we have a weekly sketch challenge (usually weekly...) and it helped me a little.  I'm trying to get some cards done to fill in my stash, post here, and sell/swap so I need some inspiration!  I also need to get some ideas done for my May classes at the LSS in Green Valley, AZ.  Well, anyway...   here's my card.


I used Maggie SWIC (wonderful double-sided cardstock!!) and matching cardstock. Oh, and white caboodle cardstock for the cake from the Little Cupcake set. I also used Lilac twine from The Twinery... really cool twine!  I embossed the word with white embossing powder and VersaMark ink.


The cake is colored with Copic markers and I can tell I haven't been playing enough with those! I used the following colors: V01, V12, V06, V09,R81, Y26, and YG93.  I guess I better start watching some You-Tube videos for a refresher course.  I also used my Stardust Clear Gel pen on the cake (no surprises here!).

Tomorrow I'll be taking part in a blog hop by the TAC Savvy Projects blog featuring Easter baskets.  I hope you'll like what I can up with!  See ya then!