PCS Teapot Blog Hop Random Winner...

It is time to draw the PCS Teapot Blog Hop random winner. After removing DT members from the running, we have...

Congratulations to Linda Callahan of Stampin' Seasons who said...

"love love love the Delft look! beautifully done!"

She will be receiving a free March issue of Paper Crafters Sampler.

Thanks for stopping by!

FM52 Fan Favorite: Go Fly A Kite

This week is Fan Favorite on the Friday Mashup! Yay! This is the challenge you voted for... so make sure you come play with us.

Image © Gina doe-c-doe

So here is the "Mashup" Challenge :

1. Make a project using "Colorful Twine".
2. Or Make a project featuring "Kites"
   
3. Or "Mash it Up" and create a project with " Kites and Colorful Twine".

I asked darling hubby what kind of card he would request for his brother. Kite boarding? Are you crazy?! I don't have a stamp like that!

So, although the subject matter isn't straight-forward, it fits well into this challenge. Two birds with one stone is great in my book!

A lot of the kite features were free-hand drawn on scrap, temporarily adhered, and cut out of card stock.

Stamps: Extreme Skateboard; Paper: Poppy Parade, Pool Party, Early Espresso, Very Vanilla, Poppy Parade DSP, Wild Wasabi DSP, Pear Pizzazz DSP; Ink: Poppy Parade, Wild Wasabi, Pear Pizzazz, Early Espresso, Timber Brown Stazon; Accessories: Cherry Cobbler baker's twine, Silver mini brads, Cupcake builder punch, Itty Bitty punch pack, Sponges, Square Lattice EF, Perfect Polka Dots EF, Adorning Accents edgelits, Big Shot, Needle.

Thanks for stopping by!

3-D Thursday: Lighthouse

I just love the templates that Melanie offers at Paper Crafters Sampler, and the lighthouse one from July 2011's Shore Thing issue is one of the best! I really enjoyed using a little creativity to embellish this one.

I did a little search on google to find a model lighthouse I would like to copy. I found one in Nova Scotia I really liked.

And here's my take on it.

I love that there is room in this template to place a tea light too!

Stamps: Wonderfully Worn BG; Paper: Riding Hood Red, Basic Gray, Very Vanilla; Ink: Riding Hood Red, Basic Gray; Accessories: White baker's twine, White gel pen, Square punches, Sponges.

Thanks Melanie for another wonderful template! And thanks for stopping by!

PCS High Tea Blog Hop

Welcome to the Paper Crafters Sampler High Tea Blog Hop. Orange Blossom Tearoom is the title for March's Paper Crafters Sampler, and the exclusive template for this teapot is included in the issue. You may have arrived here from Gisela's blog. Don't you love her take on the teapot?

For my teapot, I wanted to go with a Delft Blue (Delft Blauw) flair. Delft Blue is blue and white pottery created in the 16th century in Delft, The Netherlands.

I love how this monochromatic look came out!

Stamps: Simply Soft (hostess); Paper: Pacific Point, Very Vanilla; Ink: Marina Mist, Pacific Point; Accessories: Pearl Jewels, Marina Mist satin ribbon, Pacific Point button, Dotted Scallop Ribbon border punch, Bird builder punch, Circle punches, Boho Blossom punch, Blender Pen, Sponges.

Make sure you visit all the design team members' blogs for fabulous ideas! As a "thank you", each design team member will randomly pick a winner to receive the Orange Blossom Tearoom issue for FREE! To enter, leave a comment on our hop posts by Friday. And join in the fun of making your own teapot!

Next up along the hop is our fearless leader, Melanie. She always has fabulous creations! If you get lost, head over to Paper Crafters Sampler's website for the hop participants' links (left-hand margin).

Thanks for stopping by!

FM51 Forgotten Supplies Quilted Cards

Lisa brings us this week's Friday Mashup challenge...

So here is the "Mashup" Challenge :

1. Make a project using the "Quilted Cards Technique".
2. Or Make a project using "something that's been forgotten (sitting in your stash forever)".
3. Or "Mash it Up" and create a "Quilted card with something you've forgotten about".

So I was able to mash it up this week with my horded stash of favorite corduroy buttons. :)

I saw a quilted card with Everyday Enchantment paper somewhere, and I thought, now that paper is perfect for quilt cards! Some real stitching just adds to it.

Stamps: Apothecary Art, Take It To Heart; Paper: Peach Parfait, Pool Party, Very Vanilla, Everyday Enchantment DSP; Ink: Pool Party, Soft Suede; Accessories: Pumpkin Pie corduroy button, In Color printed brads, Pool Party seam binding, White baker's twine, Vintage Wallpaper EF, Scallop Square die, Big Shot, Sewing machine, Thread, Dimensionals.

Thanks for stopping by!

3-D Thursday: Bird Cage Lantern

Hi Everyone, I've had bird cages on the brain for a while now, and I can't get the idea out... because I haven't managed to actually make one yet. Does that make me bird-brained? Hmmmm. Anyway, I thought the paper lantern template from Paper Crafters Sampler was a perfect fit for making a bird cage.

I added 1/8" strips in the template to create the cage. The birds are hanging from the cage ceiling with baker's twine.

The template for the lantern is available on the Paper Crafters Library site, the April 2010 Winged Things issue. If you follow the link, there are several other lantern examples there too. And I have a couple more here and here.

Stamps: Very Vintage wheel; Paper: Marina Mist, Not Quite Navy, So Saffron, More Mustard, Pear Pizzazz, Bravo Burgundy, Early Espresso, Very Vanilla, Botanical Gazette DSP; Ink: Marina Mist, Not Quite Navy, So Saffron, More Mustard, Crumb Cake, Soft Suede, Early Espresso, Sahara Sand; Accessories: Pearl Jewels, Very Vanilla satin ribbon, White baker's twine, Scallop Trim punch, Itty Bitty punch pack, Bird builder punch, Sponges.

Thanks for stopping by!

Tutorial: Ribbon Roses

I need to describe a technique for an upcoming project, so I thought I would post a tutorial on Ribbon Roses. These are super fun to make, and I've posted a couple projects in the past with these.


Lots of photos, so let's get to it.

Make sure you have a threaded needle nearby. Starting in the middle of a 15” piece of Pretty in Pink satin ribbon, fold to create a right angle.

Using compass coordinates, fold the east leg over the center.

Then fold the south leg over the center.

Continue with the west leg, then north.

Repeat to fold the entire length of ribbon to yield a nice, folded stack.

Grab the ribbon by the base and hold firmly between the thumb and finger.

Pull one of the legs to fold ribbon into a rose. Without letting go, hand stitch the base to hold rose firmly together.

Fold 2” of Pear Pizzazz seam binding to create a couple leaves and stitch by hand or sewing machine. The leaves and rose can now be stitched to your project.

These look really great on a 3-D project. They can be a little challenging to attach to a card. I usually punch a hole in my card, slip the ribbon ends through, and secure on the back with tape.

You can try different ribbons for different looks. The top two samples use 5/8" satin ribbon and 1/4" grosgrain ribbon. Below you can see a few more samples, clockwise from the top, 3/8" taffeta ribbon, 5/8" satin ribbon, 1/8" taffeta ribbon, and 5/8" grosgrain ribbon.

Thanks for stopping by!

SUOC41 Cherry Blossoms Time!

I love cherry trees when they are blossoming... I wish I could be down in D.C. to do the Cherry Blossom Run! And every year, like the right of spring, I make a cherry blossom card. So here's my annual tradition, also for Stampin' Up Only Challenges.

I used a favorite Mojo Monday sketch, #172. I did a little cross-stitching in the lower left corner of the patterned green piece. It didn't show up too well.

Stamps: Simply Soft (hostess); Paper: Pear Pizzazz, Blushing Bride, Soft Suede, Very Vanilla, Twitterpated DSP; Ink: Pear Pizzazz, Blushing Bride, Soft Suede; Accessories: Pearl Jewels, White baker's twine, Itty Bitty punch pack, Blender Pen, Sponge, Circle Scissors Plus, Perfect Details Texturz Plate, 3" Circle die, Big Shot, Sewing machine, Thread.

Thanks for stopping by!

FM50 Beware the Ides of March...

Welcome to this week's Friday Mashup. We've reached our 50th challenge milestone, and we are giving away some blog candy! But first... the challenge. I know I'm a bit late for the Ides of March, but still, it is fun. I have a Julius Caesar-like stamp, and fortuitously, the technique this week would work just fine with it, so...

So here is the "Mashup" Challenge :

1. Make a project using the "Sketch".
2. Or Make a project using the "Faux Mother of Pearl Technique".
3. Or "Mash it Up" and create a "project using the Faux Mother of Pearl Technique & the Sketch.
   

I did the Faux Mother of Pearl technique as a Workshop WOW at the Stampin' Up Baltimore Regionals. Here's a link to my samples. And here's the technique using Stampin' Up supplies:

• Apply a small amount of Frost White Shimmer Paint to a paper plate or craft sheet.
• Scrunch up a ball of plastic wrap, dip it in the paint, dab off the excess, and then dab paint onto your card stock. Leave some white space on your card stock. Let dry.
• Sponge or brayer dye-based ink on your card stock, starting with the lightest color. Light pinks and blues work well.
• Wipe off the dye ink from the shimmer paint areas with a paper towel.
• Stamp your image in Black Stazon ink, and color in, if necessary. You may need to wipe off the ink in the shimmer paint areas again, after it dries.

Here's the sample I created for today's challenge.

I had to search for a bit to find a sentiment that might fit an Ides of March card. I couldn't find "Beware... take care!" in my supplies. Does no one send warning card?! :)

Stamps: Classic Sketches, Sense of Time; Paper: River Rock, Sahara Sand, Basic Gray, Very Vanilla, Well Worn DSP; Ink: River Rock, Soft Suede, Black Stazon, Basic Gray marker; Accessories: Linen thread, Frost White shimmer paint, Platinum shimmer paint, 1-3/4" Circle punch, Color Spritzer Tool, Sponges, 3" Circle die, Big Shot, Sewing machine, Thread, Plastic wrap, Paper plate, Dimensionals.

Now on to the blog candy... I have the almost unmounted wood set Country Morning.

To participate in the blog candy give-away, please play along with our challenge, and then visit and leave a comment on the design teams' blog posts for this challenge. The winner of each blog candy item will be chosen from the respective blog post comments, one winner per blog, no duplicate winners. The deadline to enter is Wednesday, March 21 at noon EST. For my blog candy, I will be shipping to a U.S. or Canadian address only, please.

Thanks for stopping by!

Happy Pi Day

I missed Pi Day last year, that is 3-14, and I hemmed and hawed about how to celebrate it this year. I had some ideas, but not a lot of time to dedicate to a "just because" project.

With the help of My Digital Studio and some challenges, I hatched a plan. When I want a quickie card, I start at clean&simple.

With no particular preference to color, I stopped in at ColourQ.

Now about the hemming and hawing, and I've done this before... I scoured my supplies, MDS, even the internet, without luck searching for mathematical stamps or papers. Stamp makers, hear me now, I want math and physics stuff! Lots of formulas! :) I nearly gave up when I thought I would just print "pi". Of course the play on words with "pie" is not hard.

The upper left corner looked so empty. So I tried to fill it, and that's when it all went downhill. So I added more stuff to cover that up. Now I'm satisfied. And the colors are happy!

Stamps: Daily Grind by There She Goes; Paper: Blushing Bride, Certainly Celery, Calypso Coral, Whisper White, Delicate Dots DSP; Ink: Chocolate Chip (MDS), Chocolate Chip, Blushing Bride, Calypso Coral, Timber Brown Stazon; Accessories: Pearl Jewels, Itty Bitty punch pack, Circle punches, Aquapainter, Sponge, Elegant Lines EF, Little Leaves die, Big Shot, My Digital Studio, Sewing machine, Thread, Dimensionals.

Gotta run now... the outdoors are calling me. Thanks for stopping by!

Stamp Club Projects

We had another stamp club gathering this month. We used the Apothecary Art set for our Occasions mini focus project. I tweaked a card by Ilina Crouse for this one.

Stamps: Apothecary Art; Paper: Pool Party, Soft Suede, Very Vanilla, Attic Boutique DSP; Ink: Daffodil Delight, Pool Party, Pear Pizzazz, Soft Suede, Black Stazon, Daffodil Delight reinker; Accessories: Pearl Jewels, Chantilly Lace, Pool Party seam binding, Crystal Effects, Itty Bitty punch pack, Aquapainter, Sponges, Adorning Accents embossing folder, Adorning Accents edgelits, Labels Collection framelits, Big Shot.

For a Sale-a-bration focus, I fell in love with these little hat boxes, and Lord knows I have a ton of the empty containers. Since we have a mixed reaction to 3-D's in our group, I added a little 3 x 3" notecard.

The one with the buttons is my daughter's hat box, which she is going to gift to her best friend Piglet. :)

Stamps: Elementary Elegance, Music Notes wheel; Paper: Lucky Limeade, Pool Party, Soft Suede, Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla, Everyday Enchantment DSP; Ink: Poppy Parade, Crumb Cake, Early Espresso; Accessories: Everyday Enchantment ribbon, Very Vanilla satin ribbon, Victoria lace, Brad, Circle punches, Scallop Circle punch, Sponge, Designer Frames embossing folder, Circle #2 die, Ovals die, Big Shot, Scrap cardboard, Dimensionals.

And I figured I better use some sets from the main catalog before it is retirement time. How did all the projects end up vintage? I hope no one minded!

I followed Mojo Monday sketch #213 for this one.

Stamps: Established Elegance, Loving Thoughts; Paper: Marina Mist, Pink Pirouette, Early Espresso, Very Vanilla, Whisper White, Beau Chateau DSP; Ink: Marina Mist, Pink Pirouette, Old Olive, Chocolate Chip; Accessories: Pearl Jewels, Itty Bitty punch pack, Oval punch, Scallop Oval punch, Designer Frames embossing folder, Large Paper Doily die, Big Shot, Beau Chateau designer fabric, Dimensionals.

Four hours I spent cutting paper and doing some prep work for my ladies... do you think I spoil them enough? :) Thanks for stopping by!

Scrappy Monday: Lots of Photos in a Small Space

Around the holidays, there are lots of family photos. Splitcoaststampers challenge DGC018 was to follow a template from Yin Designs. Her layouts are a really cool way to get a bunch of photos on one page.

This is a bunch of pictures of four sisters and kids together over Thanksgiving, so I decided to go with Thanksgiving-type paper and stamps.

MDS Elements: Day of Gratitude, French Foliage, Fundamental Phrases, Textured, Spice Cake DSP, Love Letters DSP; Color Palette: Cajun Craze, Pool Party, Soft Suede, River Rock, Crumb Cake.

This type of layout was so useful, I made another page for Christmas.

I was able to include a lot of the wonderful activities Little Missy did to enjoy the holidays, including a series of shots to celebrate topping off the Christmas tree and pretending to be an animated reindeer.

MDS Elements: Textured, Deck the Halls DSP, Christmas Jingle embellishments; Color Palette: Chocolate Chip, Early Espresso, Old Olive, Real Red, Crumb Cake; Font: CK Alis Hand.

2012 Project 52 totals: Week 11, pages 14.

Thanks for stopping by!

Easter Cross Box

Today I'm going to share the Easter Cross Box, which could also be a gift box for a confirmation or dedication. This is a template that is available from the February 2011 issue of Paper Crafters Sampler.

I made a cross gift box ensemble last year, and I was looking around for a different idea. I remembered the beautiful headstones we saw when we visited Bonaventure Cemetery in Savannah last year.

I absolutely love visiting cemeteries... I hope that isn't too morbid for some people. There is beautiful art there!

I did make the box, but then I glued it closed and onto a pedestal to make it into a Easter decor item. I used the above pictures as my inspiration photos.

To simulate the weathered headstone look, I dabbed Platinum Shimmer Paint on Sahara Sand and Basic Gray card stock with balled-up plastic wrap. There was some edge sponging too. I also used the Color Spritzer tool with the Basic Gray marker. The pedestal is created with the Petal Cone die.

The lilies were created with the Island Floral die.

It did take all day, but I love how it turned out!

Paper: Daffodil Delight, Old Olive, Sahara Sand, Basic Gray, Very Vanilla; Ink: Basic Gray, River Rock, Basic Gray marker; Accessories: Daffodil Delight seam binding, Hat pin, Platinum shimmer paint, Color Spritzer, Sponges, Elegant Lines EF, Petal Cone die, Island Floral die, Big Shot, Floral wire, Floral tape, Plastic wrap, Paper plate.

Thanks for stopping by!