SUOC20 Sail Away On Father's Day

Good Morning, All! Today is another challenge on Stampin' Up Only Challenges. This time we are focusing on Father's Day. There are some great masculine goodies in the summer mini, which makes it easy to put together a coordinating project quickly.

Some of my brayering students from last week might disagree, but I find brayered cards to be some of the quickest WOW cards to put together. And since all the WOW is in the main panel, not a lot of accessories are necessary on the rest of the card, relatively clean and simple. That's the way I like it!

After stamping, I brayered the sky with So Saffron, More Mustard, and Peach Parfait. Also with the sea masked, I brayered a little bit of Peach Parfait from the bottom. Then I masked off the sky and brayered the sea with Tempting Turquoise from the bottom of the sea and Not Quite Navy from the top of the sea. I sponged with Not Quite Navy along the horizon. The sun was colored in with So Saffron and a sponge dauber. I paper pieced the sails, a little gel pen, a little stitching...

This card also satisfies a couple more challenges from Virtual Stamp Night, Sea Dogs and Land Lubbers, a project with beach or boat scenes, and Pillage & Plunder a Thing of Booty, use a map image as your project background. I wanted to play more with VSN, so yay me! :)

Stamps: Sail Away; Paper: Not Quite Navy, Very Vanilla, Whisper White, Newprint DSP, Nautical Expedition DSP; Ink: So Saffron, More Mustard, Peach Parfait, Tempting Turquoise, Not Quite Navy, Basic Black, Black Stazon; Accessories: Sponge, Sponge dauber, Brayer, Decorative Label punch, 1-3/8" Circle punch, Signo white gel pen, Sewing machine, Thread, Dimensionals.

Thanks for stopping by!

Advanced Brayering

Last week we had a couple sessions of the Advanced Brayering, and one session of Brayering Basics as well. What a busy week!

Here's the warm up card. I had some lumpy paper underneath when I was brayering, so I created another, although I didn't finish it. We focused on the reflection technique and use of the Signo white gel pen.

Ink: Tempting Turquoise, Not Quite Navy, Basic Black.

The next card illustrated use of Versamark and Versamarker, along with clear embossing powder, to protect colored images from the brayering process.

Ink: So Saffron, More Mustard, Old Olive, Tangerine Tango, Basic Black.

The last card brings it all together with the reflection technique, Versamark, Veramarker, clear embossing powder, and Signo white gel pen.

Ink: Tempting Turquoise, Peach Parfait, Old Olive, Basic Black.

After I show my students the brayering technique, I always direct them to the Michelle Zindorf website, where there are many more tutorials, ideas, and inspiration available.

I'll be scheduling another Advanced Brayering session soon, so if you want to learn how to make these cards, keep an eye out for that. If you haven't attended the Brayering Basics class, contact me, and we'll get one scheduled.

Ok, Ladies, don't forget to practice! Thanks for stopping by!

Scrappy Friday: Creating A Watermark In MDS

Happy Friday, Everyone! I'll share another page out of my daughter's photo album that I am pushing to finish before the end of the month. Don't forget about the National Scrapbooking Month special with 30% off selected scrapbooking stamp sets, MDS print products, and MDS downloads.

I took the design from Fall Regionals Make & Take last year. To the get the watermark look in the background, I tried stamping with the same color ink as cardstock. That didn't work. I tried a drop shadow. Nope. I've used stamping in Whisper White and reducing the opacity on another project, so I tried that again. Didn't work in this case. Finally, the winning combination was stamping in Basic Black and reducing the opacity to 10%.

MDS Elements: Day of Gratitude stamp set, Old Olive textured cardstock, Color scheme: Cajun Craze, Old Olive, Early Espresso.

Have a great holiday weekend, Everyone!

Clean & Simple Sunflower

Playing along with this week's Clean & Simple layout and ColorQ challenges. Love, love, love clean & simple (CAS) cards!!! :) Thanks so much to Arlene D. for sending me the challenge link!

I've made accordion flowers before, but this is the first time I've used the Scallop Edge punch as a guideline for the scoring (which also leaves a nice scallopy edge). Haha, I love it! Awww, another card I hate to send away.

Although I was going for a sunflower, I think this also could apply for the Stampin' Celebration challenge as well.

Stamps: Sincere Salutations; Paper: So Saffron, Whisper White, Real Red DSP; Ink: Early Espresso; Accessories: Scallop Edge punch, 3/4" Circle punch, Chocolate Chip corduroy brad, Early Espresso ribbon, Daffodil Delight ribbon, Dimensionals.

Thanks for stopping by!

Boarder and Daisies in Silhouette

Here is a quickie card for my nephew. I know it isn't winter, but he does like snowboarding, and I get to play with my "extreme" stamp from Sale-a-bration.

This is one card I'm submitting for Virtual Stamp Night challenge, Off into the Sunset, create a project with a sponged background. I did cheat a little when I brayered the sky, but the snow drifts and horizon are sponged. I followed the tutorial on Michelle Zindorf's site.

Stamps: Extreme Snowboard, Lovely as a Tree; Paper: Night of Navy, Whisper White; Ink: Bashful Blue, Almost Amethyst, Black Stazon; Accessories: Brayer, Sponge, Brads.

And here is another card, where most of the background is created by sponging. It was time to pull out Upsy Daisy again.

I did brayer the sky portion, but all else is done by masking.

Stamps: Upsy Daisy, Sincere Salutations; Paper: Old Olive, Whisper White; Ink: So Saffron, More Mustard, Crumb Cake, Soft Suede, Old Olive, Black Stazon; Accessories: Sponges, Brads, Dimensionals.

Thanks for stopping by!

Technique Tuesday: Kissing

Some more sharing from the Technique Class. This was our basic technique from March, Kissing, and the accompanying card. You can click on the image to see it magnified.

I just love the feel the Woodgrain background stamp lends to this stamp. We sponged the edges of the stamp for a more pronounced outline before stamping it. The layout and technique was inspired by a combo of TBevier's and ravengirl's projects on SCS.

Stamps: Extreme Snowboard, Woodgrain BG, Picture This; Paper: Bermuda Bay, Soft Suede, Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla, Thoroughly Modern DSP; Ink: Bermuda Bay, Crumb Cake; Accessories: Brads, Bermuda Bay ribbon, Coluzzle, Stars #2 die, Big Shot.

Thanks for stopping by!

Revisiting An Old Challenge

I've been flipping through some old challenges, trying to get my mojo going. How's that for desperation? I remembered a challenge from Stampin' Celebration, turns out to be about a year ago. I wanted to play back then. I was so inspired by the photos, but I didn't have the time.

So, part 1, creating a yummy cherry pie. I've wanted to for so long... And, reading through some of the pirate-themed VSN challenges this weekend gave me the kick in the pants. I'm breaking the rules, but I'm combining VSN challenges MAY11VSNKIDS (5/21 12pm), projects with food, and MAY11VSNH (5/21 3pm), CASE-ing a favorite stamper or project and make it your own, like a thieving pirate! My CASE is from 'KatieAnnBrooks' on SCS.

Ah bugger, my weaved lattice shifted while I was trying to assemble. I have to admit I am not the best weaver. But still I think it came out cute enough. The bad news also - DH didn't recognize what it was. And Little Missy thought it was a cherry basket. At least she was on the right track. Do you think it looks like a pie?

ETA: Here's my order of assembly - I created a lattice structure and ran it through the Scallop Circle die. Then I added some cherries to the backside. I attached a Poppy Parade circle, slightly smaller than the Scallop Circle, to cover any open spaces, and then attached it to a Creamy Caramel Scallop Circle base.

Stamps: Vintage Labels; Paper: Creamy Caramel, Poppy Parade, Whisper White; Ink: Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa; Accessories: Curly Label punch, 1/2" Circle punch, Sponge, Cherry Cobbler Baker's Twine, Eyelets, Scallop Circle die, Big Shot, Dimensionals.

And part 2, focusing on the cutlery and red and kraft color combo, I came up with this.

This would be the perfect card to include with a cherry pie gift, IF I was a baker. I just realize the background stamp I had on my wish list for a long time is no longer available. If anyone has Cornish Heritage Farms Mini Gingham backgrounder that they want to sell, give me a shout! The CHF Perfect Plaid worked in a pinch. It does look very picnic-y.

Stamps: Enjoy Every Moment, Dinner Party, Tart & Tangy, CHF Perfect Plaid BG; Paper: Poppy Parade, Crumb Cake, Early Espresso, Whisper White; Ink: Poppy Parade, Crumb Cake, Early Espresso marker, Old Olive marker, Poppy Parade marker; Accessories: Cherry Cobbler Baker's Twine, Sponge, 1" Circle punch, 1-3/4" Circle punch, 2-3/8" Scallop Circle punch, 2" Circle die, Big Shot, Dimensionals.

Thanks for stopping by!

Friday Mashup: Prom Time

I created a card! I actually created a card! I have had no mojo all week... rain... burned out. I just needed a crafting break, I guess. Everything has felt like blah, but today I made a card! It's also my first weekend home in a while, which feels great!

Yesterday, Little Missy and I ran into a group of girls at the river park in Beacon, taking photos with their moms, I guess. They had their hair all done, with curls and glitter, but no gowns. I think they must have spent their Friday at the salon, and it started to sprinkle, so they ran to the car. I teased them a little, but they were in a good mood. We wished them a great time at prom. It was a fun moment!

Over at Friday Mashup, the challenge is Ribbons, Pearls, and Girls.

Sounds like a great time to make a dress card for prom (or birthday card, as this case might be). This is an altered Scallop Circle die dress card over at Valita's Designs.

Paper: Marina Mist, Whisper White, Bashful Blue, Blush Blossom; Ink: Bashful Blue, Whisper White Craft; Accessories: Pearl jewels, Marina Mist satin ribbon, Circle punches, Large Tag punch, Full Heart punch, Sponge, Scallop Circle die, Tasteful Trim die, Elegant Lines embossing folder, Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder, Big Shot.

Have a great weekend! Thanks for stopping by!

Scrappy Friday: Fishing

I have some more pages to share from my Mother's Day weekend blitz. I thought I would show you how to arrange a sequence of photos to tell a story. This is a two-page layout, and although they are not mirror images, they do coordinate.

The top page (left-hand side), I used the film strip layout to show the sequence of Little Missy fishing. On the lower page (right-hand side), I really thought it was funny how she showed how big her fish was! I am not much of a journaler, but I love that I can insert a comment here and there directly on the photo.

I just downloaded the My Sweet Pea digital kit, and I am really loving it! Such pretty and fun colors.

Thanks for stopping by!

Technique Tuesday & SUOC19: Reinker Spreader

Writing this blog post, take two. Today's challenge at Stampin' Up Only Challenges is entitled April Showers Bring May Flowers, i.e., create projects with flowers. And I've been thinking about posting my projects from the techniques class on "Technique Tuesday". Fortuitously, these things come together into one project.

We've been having the techniques class every other month for a few sessions so far, and there has been a pretty good turn out. Each class, we have a basic, intermediate, and advanced project. I'll have to catch up with posting them, but first I have to fast forward to the advanced project from this month, Reinker Spreader. I found a beautiful project on Patty Bennett's blog, and I just adapted from there.

Here is the technique page and card together. Click to enlarge.

And the card separately.

And this close-up photo picked up the shimmer from the Shimmery White paper.

Stamps: Fifth Avenue Floral; Paper: Pink Pirouette, Old Olive, Shimmery White, Whisper White, Bride Specialty DSP; Ink: Versamark, Summer Sun reinker, Cameo Coral reinker, Pretty in Pink reinker; Accessories: White organza ribbon, Aquapainter, Spritzer bottle, Clear embossing powder, Little Leaves die, 3" Circle die, Big Shot.

Thanks for stopping by!

Ice Cream Cone Pocket Card

Happy dreary rainy day to you! ;) Had a big bike race yesterday, which I've been training for for a few weeks, and of course it rained. My preride was pretty treacherous, but the mud was getting tacky by the time my class went off. So I was able to keep it "rubber side down".

All the sexy chicks waiting for the start...

... and a podium shot.

I encourage you to take a walk into the woods and cheer on a brave girl out there racing, if you get a chance. Girl power!

On to the stamping... I made a pull-out card for my shoebox project in Syracuse this past weekend.

This card is a combo of ideas from LeeAnn Greff, Darlene McCallum, and Jackie Topa. It was a really easy one to pull together. I cut the cone with the Petal Cone die, and then embossed with the Square Lattice die. The insert is one side of the petal cone die-cut. A couple scoops of ice cream also come from the Petal Cone die, embossed with the Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder. When you stick the insert into the cone, it sticks out a bit, so make sure you adhere the vanilla ice cream scoop flush with the top of the cone.

Stamps: Sincere Salutations; Paper: Pretty in Pink, Poppy Parade, Crumb Cake, Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla; Ink: Crumb Cake; Accessories: White gel pen, Poppy Parade ribbon, 3/4" Circle punch, Small Oval punch, Square Lattice embossing folder, Perfect Polka Dot embossing folder, Petal Cone die, Big Shot.

Thanks for stopping by!

Scrappy Friday: Trains and Mountain Biking

Blogger has been wonky for a few days. I've lost a couple posts completely, including this one. I've been waiting in hopes it would come back, but I guess not. I'll be back to retype. BRB....

Now, to remember what I wrote... On Mother's Day weekend, we took Little Missy to the circus. Talk about stimulus overload! After spending the whole day in Albany, plus the travel, I was tired the next day. Rather than stamping, what better thing to do that sit on my behind and digitally scrap? I made some great progress: it is week 19 of Project 52, and I've created 35 pages.

Here is a couple highlight pages to share.

This is my take on Leah Fedynak's page on the My Digital Studio website. It is so easy to make punch art in MDS.

And sometimes mountain biking race day is a family affair, and it is especially fun when the organizers bring the kid-friendly bounce house, have a kids' race, and we can take a walk in the woods and cheer on Papa.

To create a leafy dirt path, I butted together two mirror-image Hand Torn (Torn Edges) stamp images. I overlay to Swirl Leaves (Torn Edges) stamp images, also butted together. The background is the Woodland Walk DSP download, and I used my newly aquired Lovely as a Tree download to create the background firs. I first stamped in Always Artichoke and then I created another in Soft Suede behind, one cursor space down and to the right, to highlight the tree better.

Thanks for stopping by!

3-D Thursday: Summer Splash Table Center

I'm in charge of Table #2 at the Syracuse shoebox swap this weekend. Come on, it's gonna be the best table! I had to make something to designate it as Table #2. I couldn't just write #2 on a piece of paper... I just couldn't.

I absolutely loved the little favor box Sara made for the Stampin' Addicts Summer Mini blog hop. So I sat down and recreated.

I didn't have any Big Shot dies that cut big flowers, so I "borrowed" some foamy flowers from my daughter. She was none too happy. "Sharing is caring," or so she always tells me.

How can it not be the best table with such a colorful table center? :)

Stamps: Summer Splash; Paper: Whisper White, Island Oasis DSP, Window sheet; Ink: Rose Red, Old Olive; Accessories: 1-3/4" Circle punch, 2-3/8" Scallop Circle punch, Buttons, Linen thread, Birds & Blooms die, Circles #2 die, Fancy Favor Box die, GoGo Boots die, Big Shot, Foam flowers, Lollipop sticks.

Thanks for stopping by!

Twisted Sisters

I haven't had a lot to share this week, because I have my nose to the grindstone prepping for the Syracuse shoebox swap. Today's post... a disclaimer first... I hope this post isn't going to offend anyone. If so, just stop reading now. :)

I am participating in a Twisted Swap again this weekend with my "twisted sisters" in stamping. I really like this swap; the cards you get back are really a hoot!

And I've thought a lot about them. Cards fit into three categories: (1) jokes, such as about age, (2) bathroom humor, and (3) the dirty stuff. Not too many people go down the dirty road, but I am a big fan of the dirty stuff... so fair warning! In my mind, if it isn't at least a little offensive, it isn't a twisted card.

Click on the photo to enlarge. Ok, it isn't too offensive. A little swearing never hurt anyone! A shocking grumble under grandma's breath along with some innocent stitching, kitchen mixing, and a little afternoon tea (paper). :)

Stamps: What's Cookin' by Taylored Expressions; Paper: Wild Wasabi, Baja Breeze, Early Espresso, Very Vanilla, Afternoon Tea DSP; Ink: Timber Brown Stazon, Baja Breeze, Wild Wasabi; Accessories: Neutrals Collection Watercolor Wonder Crayons, Night of Navy grosgrain ribbon, Certainly Celery grosgrain ribbon, Circles #2 die, 3" Circle die, Petal Cone die, Big Shot, Sewing machine, Thread.

Thanks for stopping by!

Pet Sympathy

This is my first sympathy card with the D is for Dog set. I just thought the lab image in that set looked too happy and alive. I went with the tree from Thoughts & Prayers set for my focal point.

This card also uses Mojo Monday sketch #188. In the background is a few things that pup left behind.

Stamps: Thoughts & Prayers, D is for Dog; Paper: Crumb Cake, Early Espresso, Very Vanilla, Bella Bleu DSP; Ink: Pear Pizzazz, Chocolate Chip, Crumb Cake, Chocolate Chip marker; Accessories: Brads, Scallop Trim punch, Circle Scissors Plus, Square Lattice die, Circles #2 die, Big Shot, Sewing machine, Thread.

Thanks for stopping by!

Little Missy's Got Some Thanking To Do

So I'm trying to create some thank you cards out of the left overs from the Princess Party Kit.

Some bling, royal wand, crown, glass slipper, thank you pennant flying, and background embossing matching the invitation. I think I hit all the royal-type images I've got in stock.

What do you think?

Stamps: Something Sweet, Artistic Etchings, Things I Love, Warmest Regards; Paper: Pink Pirouette, Regal Rose, Certainly Celery, Very Vanilla, Regal Rose DSP; Ink: Pear Pizzazz, Pink Pirouette, Versamark; Accessories: Gold embossing powder, Clear embossing powder, Red Glimmer paper, Rhineston jewel, Clear rhinestone brad, Princess Party Kit, Heart-to-Heart punch, Stars #2 die, Circles #2 die, 3" Circle die, Petal Cone die, Elegant Lines embossing folder, Backgrounds 1 Texturz Plates, Big Shot.

Thanks for stopping by!

Scrappy Friday: More Creative Crew Challenges

Morning Everyone, I have a couple more samples for May's Creative Crew demo challenges on Splitcoaststampers. Even if you are not a demo, you can always see the challenge cards by searching "creativecrew" in the gallery.

This month's DSP/color focus challenge is inspired by Elegant Soiree DSP, use neutral cardstock with a splash of color. I love this neutral look; it is so elegant! An extra step is to use naturals or confetti cardstock rather than Whisper White or Very Vanilla.

I thought the Elegant Lines embossing folder could look like sea waves, so it was an easy pairing with the Sail Away single stamp from the Summer mini.

I tried to make a less frilly bow, so perhaps this could pass as a masculine card.

Stamps: Sail Away; Paper: Naturals White, Crumb Cake; Ink: Soft Suede; Accessories: Brads, Neutrals Collection button, Early Espresso baker's twine, Baja Breeze seam binding, Elegant Lines embossing folder, Big Shot, Dimensionals.

The scrapbook focus challenge is to make a vintage scrapbook page using black & white or sepia photos. Fun idea! Personal bookkeeping: it is week 18 of Project 52, and I've created 25 pages.

I had hoped to make a real life, hold-in-your-hands, cardstock page. But it wasn't meant to be. It is rather easy to put together a vintage page with My Digital Studio. There are so many vintage and distressing options. In this case, I only had to use Love Letter DSP, which is already quite distressed.

These are photos of my grandmother and father. I have several more photos, passed down to me after she died, and you can just see the adoration on her face. This is the same grandmother that passed down to me her sewing machine, sewing box, and dining room table which my club ladies stamp on. I think of her often!

MDS elements: Love Letter DSP, Cherry Cobbler Scallop Trim punch, Black zig zag stitching, Red corduroy button, Black grosgrain ribbon knot.

Thanks for stopping by.

3-D Thursday: PCS Sneaky Peek and A Cheeky Chemistry Wall Hanging

Today I will show you this adorable coaster wall hanging, but first, a word from our sponser. ;)

May's edition of the Paper Crafter Sampler will be coming out soon, With This Ring. This issue will have tons of wedding ideas for those upcoming ceremonies. Here is a sneak peek of my project.

Make sure you check it out! Please go to the PCS website, and use code PCSHB or tell Melanie I sent ya. Thanks!

Now, back to the program. I saw this coaster wall hanging on the There She Goes blog, created by Megan Lock. The post was focusing on a "dollar find", where the bargain was the inexpensive cost of coasters. Well, I took it a step further and used free coasters we got from Olive Garden (thanks Casey!) at the 2009 Convention.

Using Sweet Pea DSP and Chemistry and Chemistry 101 sets from There She Goes, I recreated the wall hanging as a birthday present for my chemist brother-in-law.

Click on the photos to check out the funny sentiments. Hopefully he liked it enough to hang it in his office as a conversation piece.

Stamps: Chemistry, Chemistry 101; Paper: Very Vanilla, Basic Black, Sweet Pea DSP; Ink: Going Gray, Basic Black; Accessories: Brads, Jump rings, Circle Scissors Plus, Coasters, Dimensionals.

Thanks for stopping by!

Creative Crew May Challenges

Morning Everyone, Remember I told you I was selected to be part of Creative Crew on Splitcoaststampers' demo side? This is my first month, and the challenges are out there and live in the demo challenge forum.

If you're not a demo, you can't see the challenge forum, but you can still see the cards in the gallery. Just search "creativecrew". There are four challenges each month: catalog, DSP/color, holiday/seasonal, and scrapbook focus challenges.

The catalog challenge is to use distressing tools (sponges, distressing kit, cutter kit, etc.) to age up the project, to make something new look old. I had a couple not-so-straight-forward technique ideas for this one, cracked glass or faux mother of pearl. Actually I had a lot of card ideas, but not so much time. So for my little notecard, I used sponging on the edges, and I also ran my DSP piece through the Framed Tulips embossing folder and sanded the design. There is no problem that can't be solved over a cup of tea, or so I've heard.

Stamps: Morning Cup; Paper: Peach Parfait, Early Espresso, Whisper White, First Edition DSP, In Color DSP; Ink: Peach Parfait, Early Espresso, Soft Suede marker, Peach Parfait marker, Pear Pizzazz marker; Accessories: Sponge, Sanding block, Aquapainter, Neutrals Collection Watercolor Wonder CrayonsEyelet Border punch, Itty Bitty punch pack, Bitty button, Linen thread, Framed Tulip embossing folder, Big Shot, Sewing machine, Thread.

The holiday/seasonal challenge for May is his and hers cards, i.e., Father's Day and Mother's Day. Use the same layout to make a masculine and feminine card. Once I settled on a layout, it went pretty smoothly. I am a sucker for circular main images.

Here are some close-ups.

Stamps: The Open Sea; Paper: Not Quite Navy, Basic Gray, Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla, Nautical Expedition DSP; Ink: Soft Suede, Basic Gray, Crumb Cake, Cherry Cobbler, Early Espresso, Not Quite Navy, Night of Navy, Black Stazon; Accessories: Sponges, Aquapainter, Early Espresso baker's twine, Perfect Details texturz plate, Circles #2 die, Tasteful Trim die, Big Shot, Sewing machine, Thread.

Stamps: Easter Blossoms; Paper: Rose Red, Pear Pizzazz, Very Vanilla, Springtime Vintage DSP; Ink: Rose Red, Black Stazon; Accessories: Aquapainter, Brads, Circle Scissors Plus, 3" Circle die, Tasteful Trim die, Big Shot, Sewing machine, Thread.

I'll share more challenges on Friday. You can peek in my gallery if you can't wait. ;)

Thanks for stopping by!