Now, onto some personal news. My son did return home safely the night of his birthday. Thanks so much for all your sweet encouraging comments you left about parenting. It is tough, and the older they get, the tougher it gets. He claimed to be at the mall all day with a friend trying to get the phone numbers of girls. They didn't have any luck at that. LOL! I gave him a long lecture on the importance of calling home and telling us where he is at so we don't worry, then I took his car keys away for five days. He wasn't happy about that, but hopefully he learned his lesson and will not 'disappear' again. And we finally got to sing 'Happy Birthday' to him and have some birthday cake. Here is a picture so you can see my little 'trouble maker'. Have a great day! Amy
Monday, August 31, 2009
Wiper Card
Last week on the cover of the Splitcoaststampers E-newsletter they featured 'Wiper Cards' so I decided to try it since I've never made one before. Now, I usually struggle with different types of folds cards, but this one was surprisingly easy! If I can do it, anyone can do it. Its basically called a Wiper card because when you open it up another surprise image pops up from inside the card in a windshield wiper motion. The first picture shows the card fully opened with the 'surprise image' popped up. When it is closed, all you see is the main panel with the honey pot and bees. The image I used is Stampin Up! 'Just Buzzin By'. I popped up three of the bees on dimensionals and I put Stickles on all their wings. The honey pot is covered with Crystal Effects to give it a nice glazed pot look. The designer paper is all SU! 'Crushed Curry'. Card stock colors are white, black, and Really Rust. Here is a close up of the main image panel so you can see the dimension.
Now, onto some personal news. My son did return home safely the night of his birthday. Thanks so much for all your sweet encouraging comments you left about parenting. It is tough, and the older they get, the tougher it gets. He claimed to be at the mall all day with a friend trying to get the phone numbers of girls. They didn't have any luck at that. LOL! I gave him a long lecture on the importance of calling home and telling us where he is at so we don't worry, then I took his car keys away for five days. He wasn't happy about that, but hopefully he learned his lesson and will not 'disappear' again. And we finally got to sing 'Happy Birthday' to him and have some birthday cake. Here is a picture so you can see my little 'trouble maker'. Have a great day! Amy
Now, onto some personal news. My son did return home safely the night of his birthday. Thanks so much for all your sweet encouraging comments you left about parenting. It is tough, and the older they get, the tougher it gets. He claimed to be at the mall all day with a friend trying to get the phone numbers of girls. They didn't have any luck at that. LOL! I gave him a long lecture on the importance of calling home and telling us where he is at so we don't worry, then I took his car keys away for five days. He wasn't happy about that, but hopefully he learned his lesson and will not 'disappear' again. And we finally got to sing 'Happy Birthday' to him and have some birthday cake. Here is a picture so you can see my little 'trouble maker'. Have a great day! Amy
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Sprinkled with Fun!
Does anyone want an Eighteen Year Old son? Right now, I don't know whether to hug him or kill him when and IF he walks through the door. He left for church worship practise at 9:00 a.m. and never came home. I managed to find out by making some calls that he was at a friends house at 1:00p.m., but no one has seen him since. Today is his Eighteenth birthday, and I'm worried he is up to no good in honor of that day. I made a cake for him yesterday, and it is still sitting there untouched, because he hasn't been home to eat it. He did come home last night, but he wasn't hungry for cake, so we just rented a movie on Pay-Per-View. I'm just so furious he would disappear without telling us where he was going and causing us to worry like this. The fact that he didn't tell us, tells me he is doing something he shouldn't be doing, or he would have told us what he was doing. Get it? UGH! Sometimes, I just hate being a parent. I hate always having to worry and worry about my kids, and no matter old they get, the worrying never ends,,, the worries just get bigger and bigger. So if you can say a little prayer right now, that I will 'hear' from my son and know where he is, please do. I'd love to be able to stop worrying.
Anyway, onto my card for today. I made this card for the Featured Stamper Challenge on Splitcoaststampers. I just loved the fun, bright colors and the row of brads on the original card. JoJot had such an amazing gallery. I just loved perusing through all her cards. To make my card, I changed the image. I used a digital image by Dustin Pike called 'Party Elephant'. I stamped my own cupcake designer paper by using a cupcake image by Hero Arts and coloring the images in and adding Stickles. There are also Stickles on the cupcake the elephant is holding and the candle. I did faux-piercing by making dots with a black marker. I added a pom pom to the elephants party hat.
Anyway, onto my card for today. I made this card for the Featured Stamper Challenge on Splitcoaststampers. I just loved the fun, bright colors and the row of brads on the original card. JoJot had such an amazing gallery. I just loved perusing through all her cards. To make my card, I changed the image. I used a digital image by Dustin Pike called 'Party Elephant'. I stamped my own cupcake designer paper by using a cupcake image by Hero Arts and coloring the images in and adding Stickles. There are also Stickles on the cupcake the elephant is holding and the candle. I did faux-piercing by making dots with a black marker. I added a pom pom to the elephants party hat.
I hope you all have a much more stress-free evening than I will. God bless. Amy
Friday, August 28, 2009
Wishing You Joy!
Oh, I'm so tired. I closed the store last night, drove an hour home, and got only five hours of sleep because I had to be back at the store by 7:00 a.m. My husband and I were suppose to go out and celebrate my son's 18th birthday tonight, because I work again tomorrow which his actual birthday, but instead I came home to a note on the table that he was tubing down the Eau Claire river with friends and wouldn't be home till late. Hmm. I guess celebrating your 18th birthday with your parents isn't cool. LOL! I was actually relieved, because I'm way too tired for the hour long drive BACK to Eau Claire for dinner and a movie. Supper on my comfy couch, wearing my cozy pj's, and watching a Pay-Per-View movie sounds much more appealing. LOL!
I made today's card for the sketch challenge on Splitcoaststampers. The image is a digital image from Digital Stamp Oasis. It is colored with Copic Markers and mounted up on dimensionals. The designer paper is the new Rich Razzleberry color from Stampin Up. When I first saw this sketch, I wasn't sure I liked it, it looked very complicated and tricky to me. But once I got going, I realized it was much simpler than it looked, and I really like it now. I guess thats why they call them challenges...they force you out of your comfort zone! LOL!
I made today's card for the sketch challenge on Splitcoaststampers. The image is a digital image from Digital Stamp Oasis. It is colored with Copic Markers and mounted up on dimensionals. The designer paper is the new Rich Razzleberry color from Stampin Up. When I first saw this sketch, I wasn't sure I liked it, it looked very complicated and tricky to me. But once I got going, I realized it was much simpler than it looked, and I really like it now. I guess thats why they call them challenges...they force you out of your comfort zone! LOL!
Before I close, I did want to mention that the blog that I design for Digital Tuesday Challenge, is looking for two new designers. If your interested, here are all the details. There are a lot of great perks...mostly getting free digital images from the weekly sponsors. So if your interested, be sure and check it out! Have a great day! Amy
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Top of the Morning to You!
Good morning! I know its already 11:00 a.m., but I worked late last night and then went grocery shopping afterwards. I can't believe how crowded Walmart is at 11:00 at night! Even during a recession, there is no time of the day or night when I can shop at Walmart without fighting the crowds! Then to make it worse, they only had two register lines open, I stood in line for over 15 minutes! UGH! Anyway, onto my cards for today. Both cards were made for Crafty Secrets Challenges. The first card was made for the Crafty Secret Challenge on Splitcoaststampers called 'Lets Go to the Fair' where we were to make a card that was inspired by the fair. Well I live in Northern Wisconsin: Dairy Land Country! So the local fair is mostly all about judging livestock. Because I do not have Crafty Secrets livestock stamps, I chose this image from the Crafty Secrets 'Homemade Images and Journel Notes' Booklet. I received it from my good friend Darlene as part of her Blogaversary Candy. Thanks again Darlene! I adhered the image to black card stock and mounted it up on dimensionals. This ric rac reminded me of the straw I see at fairs, and the Primas represent the flowers awaiting to be awarded their ribbons. The designer paper is all Stampin Up! This second card was made for three Crafty Secrets Challenges 'Make a Yellow Card' on SCS, and 'Use Ribbon' and 'Use Border Punches, Stickers, or Stamps' on Paper Craft Planet. My good on-line friend Susan sent me some punched Martha Stewart Picket Fence pieces, so I used that. Thanks again Susan! The image is Crafty Secrets 'Bouquet of Joy'.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
August Christmas Cards
Here are my August Christmas cards. All the images are Dustin Pike Digital Images. I believe the single bear with the candy cane was a freebie on Dustin's Blog, but the rest I purchased. I just thought they were all so cute. For my first card, I used this month's sketch from Sheetload of Cards. The designer paper is Papertrey Ink, the card stock colors are Real Red, Old Olive, and Mellow Moss. I put tickles on the lights in the tree and the star. Liquid applique is on the Santa hats.
For my second card, I used the this week's sketch on Paper Craft Planet. I put Stickles on the star, Liquid Applique on the rim of the hat, and a puff on the ball of the hat. The designer paper is Debbie Mum 'Harvest and Holiday'.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Digital Tuesday Challenge: 'Hop to It!'
Hello and welcome to another Digital Tuesday Challenge. This week's challenge is to create a card or project using your digital images that has an image on it that HOPS; it could be a frog, a bunny, a girl jumping rope, etc. Let your creative imagination flow! Our sponsor this week is the fabulous Dustin Pike and he is giving away three images to one randomly chosen winner.
For my card I used Dustin Pike's image 'Hangin Froggie'. I printed him three times. I cut the body of the frog out and popped it up on dimensionals, then I cut just the head out and popped that up also.
For my card I used Dustin Pike's image 'Hangin Froggie'. I printed him three times. I cut the body of the frog out and popped it up on dimensionals, then I cut just the head out and popped that up also.
Here is a close up so you can see the dimension. I put crystal effects on the water drops and in the puddle, but its hard to see the effect in the photograph. I wish I would have had some brown flock to put on the cat tail. That would have been a cool effect. But unfortunately, I didn't have any. Hopefully I can get some before I need to mail this card! My local scrap booking store, here I come! LOL!
If you'd like to play along with us this week and get a chance at winning some free digital images, simply click on the Digital Tuesday Challenge blinkie in my side bar and it will take you there.
If you'd like to play along with us this week and get a chance at winning some free digital images, simply click on the Digital Tuesday Challenge blinkie in my side bar and it will take you there.
Have a great day! Amy
Sunday, August 23, 2009
A Color and Sketch Challenge
Life has been super busy lately. We've had company over most of the week, I've worked a lot of hours, and we had to get my daughter back to college, so I haven't had much time to craft or do much of anything. I think everyone in Blog land must be going through the same thing, because it sure has been quiet around here lately. I usually get around fifty blog updates a day to read, and today I only got nineteen! That's a first. Anyway, because it was such a busy week, I only made ONE card! Can you believe it? And I STILL had to combine challenges! LOL! I made this card for this week Color and Sketch Challenges on Splitcoaststampers. My, what a challenge this Color Challenge was: Very Vanilla, Close to Cocoa, and Taken with Teal. Never in my life would I have combined a Teal color with a Brown color. I'm not sure how I feel about the color combo, but I do like the way the Teal makes my image pop.
The image is a little critter from Angel's Landing 'Aussie's Animals'. I have NO idea what the name of this animal is. I've never seen anything like him before. Does anyone in Blog land know what it is? But he is a cutie isn't he? I love the expression in his eyes and the way he is holding his chin. The designer paper is Stampin Up!, the swirls by the Prima Flowers are Cuttlebug Dies. The image was colored with Copic Markers.
Well I'm off to work again today, then I have two days off. I hope anyway. Usually I get called in on my days off too, so its hard to plan anything. Have a great day! Amy
The image is a little critter from Angel's Landing 'Aussie's Animals'. I have NO idea what the name of this animal is. I've never seen anything like him before. Does anyone in Blog land know what it is? But he is a cutie isn't he? I love the expression in his eyes and the way he is holding his chin. The designer paper is Stampin Up!, the swirls by the Prima Flowers are Cuttlebug Dies. The image was colored with Copic Markers.
Well I'm off to work again today, then I have two days off. I hope anyway. Usually I get called in on my days off too, so its hard to plan anything. Have a great day! Amy
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Halloween Treat Box
I made this 3 x 3 Halloween Treat Box awhile ago for a Dirty Girls Challenge on Splitcoaststampers, but since I've been working a lot I haven't got anything else to show you today, so I'm first posting it now. I got the template to this box from Splitcoaststampers. I simply printed it on my Orange card stock and cut it out and glue it together. I covered the top and sides with slightly smaller Halloween designer paper from Debbie Mum 'Harvest & Holiday'. I stamped a pumpkin image from Hero Arts 'Happy Halloween' and colored it with Copic Markers. I then added an orange bow to help keep the box closed. Here is a side view of the box.
Before I leave today, I just want to mention that Liz from Frazzled Crafts is offering some fabulous blog candy on her blog, so be sure to check it out!
Before I leave today, I just want to mention that Liz from Frazzled Crafts is offering some fabulous blog candy on her blog, so be sure to check it out!
Have a great day! Amy
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Digital Tuesday Challenge: Male Cards
Welcome to another Tuesday, and another Digital Tuesday Challenge. Today's challenge is Male Cards. Make card for a boy or adult male using your digital images. Our sponsor this week is The Cutting Cafe and they are giving away three digital sets to one lucky randomly chosen winner. If you've never visited The Cutting Cafe before you really MUST go and check them out. They specialize in Shaped Cards that you simply print directly on your card stock and cut out. They have just about every shape you can image: stars, apples, pumpkins, school houses, etc. and they are very inexpensive too! So if you want to make your cards a little more creative than the normal shaped cards, go check out The Cutting Cafe!
For my card today, I used The Cutting Cafes Star Shape. What's really cool about this shape, is that it came with a 'shadow star' too. I cut my first star with white card stock for the card base, then I cut a second star with Chocolate Chip card stock, then I cut a smaller star, or 'shadow star' with DCWV designer paper 'All About Boys' and sponged the edges with Chocolate Chip ink. My image and sentiment are both from the 'Weiman Wranglers' digital set from Pink Cat Studio. They are both popped up on dimensionals. Here is a close up of the main image so you can see the coloring.
For my card today, I used The Cutting Cafes Star Shape. What's really cool about this shape, is that it came with a 'shadow star' too. I cut my first star with white card stock for the card base, then I cut a second star with Chocolate Chip card stock, then I cut a smaller star, or 'shadow star' with DCWV designer paper 'All About Boys' and sponged the edges with Chocolate Chip ink. My image and sentiment are both from the 'Weiman Wranglers' digital set from Pink Cat Studio. They are both popped up on dimensionals. Here is a close up of the main image so you can see the coloring.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
A Simple Water Colored Iris
Today I am sharing my card for this week's sketch challenge on Splitcoaststampers. I used the retired Stampin Up! iris image from 'Still Life Stems'. Its colored with SU! markers and water. The background papers from SU! 'Tea Party' and the card stock colors are White, Water Color Paper, Pretty in Pink, Certainly Celery, and So Saffron. I worked all day today, then came home and drained and cleaned my small pond. Ugh, was it filled with algae! I'm amazed my fish were still alive. Does anyone have any ideas on how to keep a pond algae free without adding chemicals? I have to drain and clean mine every month. I could probably even do it more often than that if I had the time. I've tried everything the books said: keep the water circulating, add plants, fish, etc., but nothing works. It is in the sun, so I'm sure that is the problem, but until my crab apple tree grows taller, I won't be able to change that problem for awhile.
I found out that two of my purses sold at the consignment store last month! Yippee! I was really unsure how they would go over with the shoppers. I've only submitted paper crafts before, so I was encouraged to try other sewing projects too: aprons, vests, wallets, pot holders, etc. There are WAY too many paper crafters to compete with now at the store. I was the first paper crafter at my store, and then all of a sudden, everyone started to sell cards too. Paper crafting has certainly become the number one hobby. Even at the fabrics and crafts store I work at, the paper crafts department almost always has the highest sales, with fabric coming in second. I suppose we paper crafters should all be happy about how popular our craft has become! Have a great day! Amy
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Back to School Backpack
I made this paper back pack a few weeks ago for the technique challenge on Splitcoaststampers. Although I am quite pleased with the results, I must admit it was the hardest paper crafting project I have done. It was not the directions, they were very well done, it was just me. The construction was probably a little too complicated for my totally left side brain. If you'd like to give it a try, there is a nice photograph tutorial on Splitcoaststampers. Maybe you'll find it easier to do than I did. LOL!
Anyway, onto my project. The base is constructed of white card stock of which I printed and cut out the pattern. I then covered it with designer paper from DCWV 'The Grade School Stack'. I then printed out the flaps and pockets on Yo Yo Yellow and Real Red card stack, and cut those out. The image is called 'Susie Squirrel at School' and is by Digital Stamp Oasis. If you'd like to buy this image, simply click on my Digital Stamp Oasis Blinkie in my sidebar and it will take you to the etsy store. I colored the image with Copic Markers. The sentiment is just a portion of the DCWV designer paper that I cut out. Here is what the back of the back pack looks like. The ribbon is shaped to look like the straps of an actual back pack.
Anyway, onto my project. The base is constructed of white card stock of which I printed and cut out the pattern. I then covered it with designer paper from DCWV 'The Grade School Stack'. I then printed out the flaps and pockets on Yo Yo Yellow and Real Red card stack, and cut those out. The image is called 'Susie Squirrel at School' and is by Digital Stamp Oasis. If you'd like to buy this image, simply click on my Digital Stamp Oasis Blinkie in my sidebar and it will take you to the etsy store. I colored the image with Copic Markers. The sentiment is just a portion of the DCWV designer paper that I cut out. Here is what the back of the back pack looks like. The ribbon is shaped to look like the straps of an actual back pack.
Friday, August 14, 2009
Signs of Fall
Everyday as I drive to work I am blessed with the view of this beautiful field of sunflowers, I just felt I had to stop and take some pictures yesterday and show all of you. If you live in the area and want to see this breath-taking sight for yourself, it is located right on Highway 37, not too far from Eau Claire. Here is a close up of one of the flowers. Doesn't the detail of SINGLE flower simply amaze you? Here is a semi-close up shot of the sunflower field.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Today's Special
Today's post is for the Crafty Secrets Challenges on Paper Craft Planet and Splitcoaststampers. The first card was made for the Paper Craft Planet Challenge where we were instructed to use as many things starting with the letter 'B' on our card. I used a 'Baker' image, the color 'Blue', a 'Bow', and 'Bowls'. My image is from "Little Chef". I stamped the menu twice and popped it up on dimensionals. The paper is pre-glittered and is very sparkly in real life. Its from DCWV 'Nana's Kitchen' stack. Here is a close up of the image colored with Copic Markers. I used a Spellbinder's Nestabilitie for the embossed oval.
And here is a side view so you can see the dimension of the menu.
My second card was made for the Crafty Secrets Challenge on Splitcoaststampers where we were to frame our image on our card. I used the sentiment from the Crafty Secrets 'Cherish' set and framed it with the Cut and Emboss Heart Die from Cuttlebug. I put the frame up on dimensionals. All the paper is from the Stampin Up! 'Bella Rose' Collection.
And here is a side view so you can see the dimension of the menu.
My second card was made for the Crafty Secrets Challenge on Splitcoaststampers where we were to frame our image on our card. I used the sentiment from the Crafty Secrets 'Cherish' set and framed it with the Cut and Emboss Heart Die from Cuttlebug. I put the frame up on dimensionals. All the paper is from the Stampin Up! 'Bella Rose' Collection.
I had such a fun, relaxing day yesterday with my friends, its hard to get back into the regular work routine today. I don't work till this evening, but I have to take my son in for a sports physical so he can run on the Cross Country team this fall. Then we'll probably go back to school shopping before I go to work. So I'll be lucky if I get a single card made today. Fall is such a busy time with garden chores and all the little things a parent has to do to get their kids back in school. Have a good day! Amy
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
You Take the Cake!
I have two cards to share with you today that I made for the My Favorite Things weekly challenges on Splitcoaststampers. The first card was made for the 'Black and White' challenge. The entire card can only be black and white, but you are allowed to color the image. Well, I love black and white cards, so this was a fun challenge for me. The background papers are all from the DCWV 'All Dressed Up' Stack. And believe it or not, but the dress in the image is NOT paper pieced. It just matches the designer paper so well that is looks that way. The image comes with the woman in a polka dotted dress. I simply colored the dots in with a black marker. To give my image some real life dimension, I stamped it three times. The front arm is popped up on dimensionals once, but the cake is popped up twice. I also added stickles to the candles and the frosting. This card is so cool looking in real life.
My second card was made for the MFT Sketch Challenge. The designer paper is also DCWV and the image is from 'The Poppies'. The second I saw this set, I knew it was a must have. I have so many musical children in my life that would get a kick out of this image.
Have a great day! I know I will! My two best girlfriends are coming to visit me. Were going to enjoy visiting and will probably end up making cards. Its so nice to have a full day off of work. The past few days at work haven't been the greatest. A lot of unhappy, grumpy customers, and then the auditors came yesterday...ugh! I just had to be there when that happened. I'm sure I did something wrong and was written up for it. Oh well, what are you going to do? LOL! Amy
Have a great day! I know I will! My two best girlfriends are coming to visit me. Were going to enjoy visiting and will probably end up making cards. Its so nice to have a full day off of work. The past few days at work haven't been the greatest. A lot of unhappy, grumpy customers, and then the auditors came yesterday...ugh! I just had to be there when that happened. I'm sure I did something wrong and was written up for it. Oh well, what are you going to do? LOL! Amy
Monday, August 10, 2009
Digital Tuesday Challenge: A Sketch Challenge!
This week's Digital Tuesday Challenge is a sketch challenge. Our sponsor this week is Digital Delights by Louby Lou. She is generously giving away a $10.00 gift certificate to one randomly chosen winner. All you have to do to play along is create a card using the sketch below and your Digital Images and leave a link to your card on the Digital Tuesday Challenge Blog. Here is the card I made. I chose this adorable image from Louby Lou Designs called 'Surprise Ridley'. Isn't he a cutie? To make it appear like he is really popping out of the box, I printed the image three separate times. I popped up the head once, and the paws twice. The entire main image itself is also popped up on dimensionals. The designer paper is DCWV 'All About Boys', and the card stock colors are Riding Hood Red, White, and Bordering Blue. I colored the image with Copic Markers, and made a gift tag to attach to the box. I hand wrote the sentiment too. The silver stars are brads.
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Decoupage!
Today I want to share another art other than paper crafting. My daughter Ashley loves to decoupage. Now, we have both dabbled a little bit in decoupage in the past...mostly frames, or small items like trinket boxes. But Ashley wanted a coffee table for her dorm room, so she went to her local thrift store and bought an ugly, brown, 60's style table for $6.00. She painted it off-white, and put a slight touch of gold paint on the edges. Then she started to search all my magazines and catalogs for red images and spent hours and hours cutting them out. She drew a rectangle around the table top with a pencil and set to work pasting the images on the table. Here she is hard a work. And here is her finished masterpiece! Isn't it beautiful? Once all her images were pasted on, she covered them with several coats of Modge Podge, letting it dry in between layers.
Here is a view of what the table looks like from the side.
And here is a close up of a portion of the decoupage design. I was just awestruck at how beautifully her decoupaged table turned out and wanted to share it with all of you.
On another topic, here is a picture of my daughter that I took at my friend's farm this afternoon. Ashley has always had a fondness for kittens, and this little critter was just purring away when Ashley picked him up. I love this photograph because it really captures both my daughter's inner and outer beauty, and her love for kittens.
And here is a close up of a portion of the decoupage design. I was just awestruck at how beautifully her decoupaged table turned out and wanted to share it with all of you.
On another topic, here is a picture of my daughter that I took at my friend's farm this afternoon. Ashley has always had a fondness for kittens, and this little critter was just purring away when Ashley picked him up. I love this photograph because it really captures both my daughter's inner and outer beauty, and her love for kittens.
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Anniversary Inspiration
I made this card for last week's Inspiration Challenge on Splitcoaststampers (SCS). I was inspired by the picture of a pink oven mitt with cakes on it. I started to make a birthday card, but somehow along the way, perhaps because of the soft, romantic papers, it turned into an anniversary card. The image is retired Stampin Up! 'Happily Ever After' and the sentiment is from Inkadinkado 'Wedding/Marriage'. The card stock colors are white, Pretty in Pink, and Certainly Celery. The designer paper is SU! 'Bella Birds'.
I work the 'killer shift' again today: 1:00 to 9:30. I dislike that shift because my whole day is spent at work, and the time really seems to drag also. I hope you will have a more enjoyable day than I will! Amy
I work the 'killer shift' again today: 1:00 to 9:30. I dislike that shift because my whole day is spent at work, and the time really seems to drag also. I hope you will have a more enjoyable day than I will! Amy
Friday, August 7, 2009
My Favorite Things!!!
On yesterday's post I mentioned that one of my favorite stamp companies was Crafty Secrets, but my other favorite stamp company is My Favorite Things (MFT). Its actually really funny that these two companies are my favorites, because they are polar opposites in style. One is vintage and traditional, and the other one is funky, fresh, and usually way out there. Anyhow, because I love both companies equally the same, I participate in both of their challenges. Today's post shows my cards for the MFT challenges.
The first card is for last week's MFT Sketch Challenge on Splitcoaststampers (SCS). For the sketch challenge you do not need to use an MFT image, so I used my new koala bear digital image from 'Aussie's Animals' by Angels Landing. Isn't this just the cutest koala bear image you have ever seen? I just love the expression on his face and how he is playing with his toes. So sweet! I colored him with my Copic Markers. Here is a close-up.
My next card was for the MFT One Click Challenge where we were to use Gingham on our card. I used both a gingham ribbon and designer paper. My image is from 'Puny Farm'.
My last card is for the 'Clean and Simple' challenge. Quite a difficult challenge to do with MFT images: they almost demand that there's a lot going on for their cards. I used this cake image from the MFT set 'You Take the Cake'. I FINALLY used the 'Flower Soft' product I purchased months ago. I thought this simple card needed it. I also put adhesive crystals on the cake platter.
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Here is a close-up of the Flower Soft product and the crystals. I'm not sure what to think about this product yet. I don't like the way it covers up your image. I think I prefer Stickles, because you can still see the image underneath.
My 'killer shift' at work the other day was so hard. Even though I was consistently busy, the hours seemed to drag for some reason. The worst part was that I worked till 9:30 p.m., drove a 45 minute drive home, then had to be right back at work at 8:30 a.m. the next day. I thought, 'I might as well just sleep in my car in the parking lot and not even go home!' LOL! I'm off today though. I hope to spend the day crafting, then I'm off to see 'High School Musical Two' at our local community theatre with my kids. It should be a fun evening! Hope your day goes well for you too! Amy
The first card is for last week's MFT Sketch Challenge on Splitcoaststampers (SCS). For the sketch challenge you do not need to use an MFT image, so I used my new koala bear digital image from 'Aussie's Animals' by Angels Landing. Isn't this just the cutest koala bear image you have ever seen? I just love the expression on his face and how he is playing with his toes. So sweet! I colored him with my Copic Markers. Here is a close-up.
My next card was for the MFT One Click Challenge where we were to use Gingham on our card. I used both a gingham ribbon and designer paper. My image is from 'Puny Farm'.
My last card is for the 'Clean and Simple' challenge. Quite a difficult challenge to do with MFT images: they almost demand that there's a lot going on for their cards. I used this cake image from the MFT set 'You Take the Cake'. I FINALLY used the 'Flower Soft' product I purchased months ago. I thought this simple card needed it. I also put adhesive crystals on the cake platter.
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Here is a close-up of the Flower Soft product and the crystals. I'm not sure what to think about this product yet. I don't like the way it covers up your image. I think I prefer Stickles, because you can still see the image underneath.
My 'killer shift' at work the other day was so hard. Even though I was consistently busy, the hours seemed to drag for some reason. The worst part was that I worked till 9:30 p.m., drove a 45 minute drive home, then had to be right back at work at 8:30 a.m. the next day. I thought, 'I might as well just sleep in my car in the parking lot and not even go home!' LOL! I'm off today though. I hope to spend the day crafting, then I'm off to see 'High School Musical Two' at our local community theatre with my kids. It should be a fun evening! Hope your day goes well for you too! Amy
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
'Feeling Yucky?'
As most of you already know, I'm a HUGE Crafty Secrets fan and play all the challenges both on Splitcoaststampers (SCS) and Paper Craft Planet. Here are four cards for all the challenges I've played the past two weeks.
My first card is for both the Color Challenge on SCS and the Crafty Secrets Challenge: 'Stamp It Again' where we had to use a stamp more than once on a card. For my card, I used the set 'Feeling Yucky?' and stamped the three hearts included in the set for my background and colored them in with Stampin Up! Markers. I then stamped and colored the main image twice and popped him up on dimensionals so the bear hangs out over the frame. The card stock colors are white, Close to Cocoa, Blush Blossom, and Cameo Coral. Here is a close up of this adorable, sick little bear.
My first card is for both the Color Challenge on SCS and the Crafty Secrets Challenge: 'Stamp It Again' where we had to use a stamp more than once on a card. For my card, I used the set 'Feeling Yucky?' and stamped the three hearts included in the set for my background and colored them in with Stampin Up! Markers. I then stamped and colored the main image twice and popped him up on dimensionals so the bear hangs out over the frame. The card stock colors are white, Close to Cocoa, Blush Blossom, and Cameo Coral. Here is a close up of this adorable, sick little bear.
My second card was made for this week's Paper Craft Planet Challenge where we were to use our FAVORITE Crafty Secrets image. Well, I'm a romantic at heart, even though I'm married to the most UN-romantic man on earth....you can just imagine the heartache and strife every holiday or anniversary brings to this household. LOL! No, just kidding. My Dear Husband is a wonderful husband and great provider and has never forgotten an anniversary or birthday. I always get a card, he just doesn't know how to go BEYOND that, no matter how many times we've talked about it. Although he did surprise me with flowers a few months ago for the first time in about 15 years. I was never so overjoyed in my life. I just hope I don't have to wait another 15 years for the second bouquet. LOL! Anyway, I just love this image because of that gorgeous romantic moon, the endearing pose of the couple, and the vintage gown and hair style of the girl. The image is from Crafty Secrets 'Cherish' set. I also used this week's sketch on Paper Craft Planet. The designer paper is Stampin Up! 'Bella Rose'. Card stock colors are white and Pink Pirouette.
This adorable card was made for both SCS's Sketch Challenge and the Crafty Secrets Challenge 'Splash of Color' where we were to make a monochromatic card with a splash of color. My splash of color is in the breast of the birds, otherwise all the other colors are blue. The stamp set is Crafty Secrets 'Bird Notes'. The paper is Stampin Up! 'Parisian Breeze' designer paper and the card stock colors are white, and Baja Breeze.
My last card is a great example of how you can use Crafty Secrets Images with a Clean and Simple Style too. I think very often when you see Crafty Secrets Cards other stampers have made they are very cluttered and 'over the top' because that was the look during that time period. But I believe these stamps also work with modern design concepts also, and I probably use them more that way, than the way most artists use them. In fact, now that I scroll back at all my cards today, I think they all have a CAS look to them. But this one below is the simplest of them all; the style works well with this retro image. For this card, I used Cindy Haffner's sketch for the Dirty Girl Challenges last week. I also did this card for Crafty Secrets 'Stitch It Up' challenge where we were to use sewing on our card. If you look closely, you can see I zig-zagged and straight-stitched in all four corners of the card. The image is from Crafty Secrets 'Coffee and Tea', and the paper is White, Bashful Blue, Real Red, and More Mustard.
My last card is a great example of how you can use Crafty Secrets Images with a Clean and Simple Style too. I think very often when you see Crafty Secrets Cards other stampers have made they are very cluttered and 'over the top' because that was the look during that time period. But I believe these stamps also work with modern design concepts also, and I probably use them more that way, than the way most artists use them. In fact, now that I scroll back at all my cards today, I think they all have a CAS look to them. But this one below is the simplest of them all; the style works well with this retro image. For this card, I used Cindy Haffner's sketch for the Dirty Girl Challenges last week. I also did this card for Crafty Secrets 'Stitch It Up' challenge where we were to use sewing on our card. If you look closely, you can see I zig-zagged and straight-stitched in all four corners of the card. The image is from Crafty Secrets 'Coffee and Tea', and the paper is White, Bashful Blue, Real Red, and More Mustard.
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