Scrappy Monday: Project 52 Restart

I thought it would be a good idea to restart the Project 52 project. I had started a couple weeks into the year in 2011, and with National Scrapbooking Month coming up in April, I'd better get a'move on! So how'd I do last year? 2011 Project 52 totals: Week 51, pages 47. Let's see if I can better that this year.

I have discovered the digital scrapbooking challenges on Splitcoaststampers. Now, they are old challenges, but they are still applicable, right? And an added benefit... perfect project to work on when I'm away from home and only have my limping-but-working-for-the-moment computer.

This page uses challenge DGC02, Color Isolation. This was a painful process for me, learning how to use layers my photo-editing software. I struggled with getting my edited layer to have a transparent background. Well, half a day later, success.

MDS Elements: Fresh Vintage, Torn Edges, Textured; Color Palette: Marina Mist, Crumb Cake, Soft Suede, Whisper White.

I used challenge DGC03, Journaling, for this next page. Here, the focus is on journaling in another "voice". After I put the photos together, my daughter dictated the text to me.

MDS Elements: Wintergreen DSP; Color Palette: Always Artichoke, Certainly Celery, Pool Party, Sage Shadow, Early Espresso, Whisper White; Font: Pea Diana.

And this page uses challenge DGC05, Photo to Pencil Sketch. Another challenge, I mean, learning opportunity for my photo editing capabilities.

MDS Elements: Downtown Grunge Kit; Color Palette: Basic Black, Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla; Font: CK Alis Handwriting.

My laptop monitor has basically bit the dust, so I'll call it quits for now. 2012 Project 52 totals: Week 6, pages 4.

Don't forget, you can now try My Digital Studio with a 30-day trial copy. Download here using item #129600.

Thanks for stopping by!

FM44 All You Need is Love...

My turn to host the challenge at the Friday Mashup. I love creating projects using inspirational photos, so here's a few from Martha-bleeping-Stewart. Hope you can join us this week!

So here is the "Mashup" Challenge :

1. Make a project using the "Inspiration Photo".
2. Or Make a project using the colors "Cherry Cobbler, Regal Rose & Whisper White".
3. Or "Mash it Up" and create a project "Inspired by the photo using the colors Cherry Cobbler, Regal Rose & Whisper White".

*With all of our Challenges that have a Stampin' Up! Color Combo, you may substitute any colors with similar ones you have on hand.

My daughter's been bugging me about making Valentine's decorations. The upper left photo reminded me of some decor I wanted to try.

We cut out hearts with the Hearts Collection framelits and the Scalloped Heart of Hearts embosslit, embossed on a few, and ran them through the sewing machine. Pretty easy, although my sewing machine had some issues. I'm sure it's from all the abuse I've put it through sewing on paper.

Here they are hanging from the chandelier.

Now we have to go make more, because she wants her own style and colors for her decorations.

Paper: Cherry Cobbler, Regal Rose, Whisper White; Accessories: Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder, Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder, Adorning Accents embossing folder, Scalloped Heart of Hearts embosslit, Hearts Collection framelits, Big Shot, Sewing machine, Thread.

Thanks for stopping by!

Sale-a-Brate Good Times!

Here's a couple projects we did at stamp club this month...

This card is full of Sale-a-bration products: Everyday Enchantment paper, ribbon, brads, Fresh Vintage stamp set, Stripes embossing folder.... whew! An SAB item can be earned for FREE with each $50 order.

Do you recognize it? It is a CASE of the notebook in the Sale-a-bration brochure, turned into a card.

Stamps: Fresh Vintage, Something to Celebrate; Paper: Lucky Limeade, Very Vanilla, Everyday Enchantment DSP; Ink: Lucky Limeade, Peach Parfait, Soft Suede, Poppy Parade marker; Accessories: Everyday Enchantment ribbon & brads, Dotted Scalloped Ribbon punch, Beautiful Butterflies die, Scallop Squares Duo die, Big Shot, Dimensionals.

And here's a cute little matchbox book...

... with chocolates inside.

The idea was passed along by Tanya Boser, originally from Mike Funke.

Stamps: Take It To Heart, Teeny Tiny Wishes; Paper: Cherry Cobbler, Island Indigo, Very Vanilla, Naturals White, Twitterpated DSP, First Edition DSP; Ink: Cherry Cobbler, Island Indigo, Whisper White Craft; Whisper White grosgrain, Word Window punch, Modern Label punch, Fancy Fan letterpress plate, Hearts Collection framelits, Matchbox die, Big Shot.

Thanks for stopping by!

Technique Tuesday: Reverse Masking, Embossing with Classic Ink

Today I'm sharing a couple projects we made at our Technique Class. For a basic technique, trying Reverse Masking. This is a great way to add depth or illusion of an addition layer, perfect for a Clean & Simple card.

Stamps: Lovely as a Tree, Warmest Regards; Paper: Always Artichoke, Very Vanilla; Ink: Always Artichoke, Chocolate Chip marker; Accessories: Acetate template, Sponge.

And for an intermediate technique, do you know the trick for Embossing with Classic Ink? Classic ink dries quickly, unlike Craft ink, making it a good choice for quick and mess-free stamping, but not so good for embossing. In order to emboss with all your favorite Classic ink colors, ink up your image first in Versamark, then immediately in the Classic ink, then stamp. Cover the image with clear embossing powder. Important - make sure you clean your stamp before repeating to avoid dirtying your Versamark pad.

Stamps: Wonderful You, Warmest Regards; Paper: Always Artichoke, River Rock, Whisper White, Vellum cardstock; Ink: Always Artichoke, River Rock, Basic Black Versamark; Accessories: River Rock ribbon, Metal clip, Clear embossing powder, Paper piercer, Cutter Kit, Glue dots.

Thanks for stopping by!

Sale-a-Bration Blog Hop Follow-Up

Thanks for coming back for further info on some of the Sale-a-bration blog hop projects. The lists of materials can be found back on the blog hop post.

Mom is the hero of the quilt block wall hanging. My contribution was to design and cut it. Like I mentioned, I am a clueless sewer.

Here is a close-up of her stitching. Click the photo for an even closer view.

And here's an outline of how it was put together.

• Print the images on copy paper from My Digital Studio
• Trace images on fusible web, iron onto the backside of the fabric, and cut out images
• Iron fabric/fusible web onto the muslin square, and machine stitch around images with an applique stitch
• Add features, such as the tail and wing, by hand sewing with embroidery floss. Mom used a French Knot and Stem Stitch.
• The border was created by cutting a binding and folding in half. There was more detail here (insert clueless-me).
• Attach the striped ribbon to the back with a running stitch.

Thanks Mom!!!

The Cute 'n Cubby project was created with the tutorial from Card a la Carte.

I can't share the tutorial here, but I can tell you it takes nearly one fat quarter of fabric. It must be pretty easy if I made my way through it! And it folds flat for easy travel to shoebox swaps.

I created these Cute 'n Cubbies for my roommates at Leadership as well, using Springtime Vintage fabric.

Thanks for stopping by!

Stampin' Addicts Sale-a-Bration Blog Hop

Welcome to the Stampin' Addicts Sale-a-bration Blog Hop! Have you seen the SAB catalog yet? For each $50 spent, you can choose a free item from the SAB catalog. On top of the four stamp sets, accessories, papers, ribbon, My Digital Studio digital content CD, and even SAB-exclusive decor element, there is also selected stamps and accessories from the main catalog to choose from! Buttons, fabric, cardstock, Big Shot embossing folder.... there is something for everyone.

If you have been following the blog hop in order, you have just come from Lisa's blog featuring the stamp set Outlined Occasions. Lisa always has over-the-top beautiful projects!

For my stop on this blog hop, I thought I would challenge myself with Flirtatious designer fabric. What was I thinking?! I'll admit, the stress level was higher, but this just goes to show that anyone can do this!

First a straight-forward project. Any card maker can add a little fabric to a card for interest, texture, and touchability.

Just snip a cut on the edge of the fabric and hand tear with the "grain" of the fabric for a fun, raw edge.

Stamps: Field Flowers; Paper: Wisteria Wonder, Elegant Eggplant, Whisper White, Regals Collection DSP; Ink: Wisteria Wonder, Elegant Eggplant, Lucky Limeade, Wisteria Wonder marker, Elegant Eggplant marker; Accessories: Color Spritzer Tool, Finial Press embossing folder, Paper Doily die, Big Shot, Flirtatious designer fabric, Sewing machine, Thread, Dimensionals.
I originally saw the Cute 'n Cubby on Sara Mattson-Blume's blog last year. I fell in love. I wanted one soooo bad! And it took me this long to get the courage to give it a try. Trust me, if I can, YOU can!

Supplies: Flirtatious designer fabric, Whisper White grosgrain ribbon, Square Scallop die, Big Shot, Sewing machine, Thread.
Here is the super stepped-up project, a quilt block wall hanging. After laying out a pattern in My Digital Studio, Little Missy and I took a trip to Mom's house for a sewing day. Mom is an expert quilter. Me? Not at all!

Did you catch the neat part? You can blow up any non-detailed image in MDS and use it as a pattern!

MDS elements: Nursery Necessities; Accessories: Flirtatious designer fabric, Pretty in Pink striped ribbon, Beautiful Butterflies die, Big Shot, Sewing machine, Thread, Muslin, Batting, Fusible web, Embroidery floss, Dowel.
Come back on Monday for more pictures and further descriptions. If you aren't yet a member of Stampin' Addicts, you can sign up here. Make sure you check out the next stop to see what Sharon at Created By You put together using Kindness Matters. She made some amazing projects.








The complete blog hop listing:

1) Betty (kittystamps) -- Fresh Vintage
2) Holly K (catrules) -- Fresh Vintage
3) Paula (scrapshappen) -- Everyday Enchantment DSP
4) Tanya (tanya27) -- Everyday Enchantment Ribbon & Brad pack
5) Yapha -- Sprinkled Expressions
6) Twila (tjdstampsalot) -- Sprinkled Expressions
7) Rhonda (rhondag) -- Outlined Occasions
8) Lisa Y (genesis) -- Outlined Occasions
9) Heidi (hlw966) -- Flirtatious Fabric
10) Sharon (createdbyu) -- Kindness Matters
11) Katherine -- Designer Frames Embossing Folders
12) Shelley (Packer Fan) -- Elementary Elegance
13) Kim (s1itcher46) -- Elementary Elegance
14) Krystal (skdeleeuw) -- Stripes Embossing Folder
15) Mickey (MickeyRoberts) -- Language of Friendship
16) Carmen -- One Big Sale-a-bration MDS CD
17) Debra (webdeb) -- One Big Sale-a-bration MDS CD
18) Sara (lilyinkpad) -- Piece of Cake Ensemble MDS CD

Thanks for stopping by!

FM43 Time for something new...

I have a sneak peek of tomorrow's Friday Mashup challenge - time to try out some new products. Do you have any stamps you bought recently, but they haven't seen ink yet? Well, pull them out! And if you are feeling saucy, mash it up with the following sketch.

So here is the "Mashup" Challenge :

1. Make a project using the "Sketch".
2. Or Make a project using "Something NEW in your stash".
3. Or "Mash it Up" and create a project "using the Sketch & something New in your stash".

We received the stamp set Everything Eleanor at Leadership, which turns out to be available only in the European catalog. Are we going to get it in our next catalog? I don't know... we'll have to wait and see.

Since I haven't seen any samples with the stamp set, I was lame and downloaded the UK catalog and followed the color combo from their sample page. I know... not very creative. I told you, I'm brain dead the week after a stampin' conference. And I got to put to good use some tips and tricks I learned at Leadership using the new Sale-a-bration ribbon.

Stamps: Everything Eleanor, Warm Words; Paper: Baja Breeze, Very Vanilla, Whisper White, Domestic Goddess DSP, Paisley Petals DSP; Ink: Lucky Limeade, Daffodil Delight, Peach Parfait; Accessories: Pool Party seam binding, SAB Everyday Enchantment ribbon & brad pack, Crystal Effects, Blender pen, Oval punches, Sponge.

Thanks for stopping by!