Textiles

The wonderful people at Technique Tuesday had a challenge... and were even willing to supply the materials to complete it. I {heart} this company.

A big thank you to Karen, who reminded me that it is the 11th hour! The entries are due, yup, TODAY!

The Textiles are the scallops you see in the photo. I layered them to create flowers. I used the faux shaving cream technique to create the shading on them... it looks just like fabric from a pillow to me. They took ink beautifully, and were also really easy to hole punch (no horrific fraying!). I tried adding interest and unity to my entry by framing with dots and lines that tied the letters with the framing.

Size: 8 x 8 inches

Paper: SU! Old Olive, SU! Baroque Burgundy

Ink: SU! Old Olive, SU! Baroque Burgundy

Embellishments: Technique Tuesday Textiles, SU! Antique Brass Jumbo Eyelets

Stamps: Technique Tuesday Boulder Skyline

An Early Bird

I cannot believe it, but it's just barely Thursday and I have Friday's challenge complete. Crazy, I know. It just seems like today that I uploaded Thursday's challenge... oh, wait...

This challenge, Limited Supplies, is one that I love because we are encouraged to keep it simple. We were to use one flower stamp... and not much else. See the challenge for all the rules.

I had the bottom completely finished, but felt the top needed a little something. Usually when that occurs, I end up messing the whole thing up because I add an unnecessary element. Well, I kind of like the paper piercing on this. I took some extra stamped images from when I was experimenting and used them as my template for piercing. Cool, eh?

Size: 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 inches
Paper: SU! Baroque Burgundy, Going Gray, and Mellow Moss
Ink: SU! Baroque Burgundy
Stamps: SU! Big Pieces and Amazing to Zany
Ribbon: Offray Sheerly Yours
Eyelet: 3/16 Round Copper Eyelets (Scrap Arts)

Awwwwww!

Tonight, I was able to witness something so precious! Max, who is a toddler of few words, went to his big brother Ignatius and said, "Ignatius hold you." (code for "pick me up!") First time. :) Then, he was glued to his big bro most of the night. He insisted on sitting on his lap while he ate. I just couldn't pass up a photo op, even though both of their faces are messy and you get to witness some of the highly non-nutritious foods my kids sometimes ingest. But the meatball sandwich was delish!

Gonna Tell Everyone to Lighten Up

I loved today's SCS Ways to Use It challenge. We were asked to use some facet of music as inspiration. Since I am a self-diagnosed victim of Seasonal Affective Disorder, I decided on "Soak Up the Sun" by Cheryl Crow. I had purchased way more summer stuff than I needed for some projects this summer, so I busted out some stickers and went to town. The top and bottom embellishment consist of 1/2 inch circles in SU! Gable Green under some sheer white ribbon. I love the effect! I also love how the torn paper gives a bit of a beach feel.

So, there is my burst of the hope of warmer weather!

Size: 6 x 6 inches
Paper: Scrapbook paper (blue base... from my pile so I am not sure of manufacturer), SU! Summer Sun, Almost Amethyst, Gable Green, and Only Orange
Embellishments: Paper Bliss (Flip Flops), Sticko (sentiment), Sheer Creations (ribbon)

Color and Sketch Challenge Combo

Since I was at Stamp-A-Stack last night making lots of lovely cards, I combined yesterday's and today's SCS challenges. The color challenge was to use black, River Rock, and white... no problem here! Love the combo. The sketch challenge is shown with this post, a requirement being that the focus be a cut-out of some sort.

I felt like using my crimper, a sorely-neglected, yet easy way to add texture. My River Rock cardstock is crimped, including the matting for the flower. This stamp was one of the first I ever purchased. It's seen me make my share of mistakes! I couldn't decide on one color for the ribbon, so I used three. I felt one last element was needed, so I added some white pin stripes.

Size: 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 inches

Paper: SU! Basic Black, River Rock, Ultrasmooth White; Classic Black Fresh Cut Grass (Luxe Designs)

Ribbon: Neutral Scrap Pack (Paper Studio)

Stamp: Hobby Lobby

Coloring Media: uniball Signo white gel pen, SU! River Rock, SU! Basic Black

Cherish

I really like the simplicity of this card. I tried it to satisfy the SCS Try a New Technique challenge and Beate's Weekend Sketch challenge. It's amazing how dark Night of Navy looks in "person" compared to how much blue it picks up with a flash. I also liked being able to have a faux crackled appearance without worrying about that as a technique.

I went back to work today after three months out to coordinate care for my autistic son and de-stress myself. I made cards for challenges almost every day. I told myself that this had to continue to be part of my life... my therapy if you will. I am so happy that I wasn't to exhausted to play!

Size: 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 inches
Paper: SU! Night of Navy and Provo Craft Tuscany
Stamp: SU! Baroque Motifs
Embellishments: Sheer brown wide ribbon and Pewter Mini Brads (American Crafts)
Technique: Distressing side of cardstock

Funeral For a Friend

Well, alas, another friend has succumbed to cancer. Isn't it amazing how many "technological innovations" we have... we can carry a computer in the palm of our hands, a laptop can fit in a manila envelope, I can get a phone call pretty much anywhere in the US... You really want me to be impressed? Figure out how to stop cancer. Then I will oooh and ahhh.

Anyway, there are several people with whom I work who were VERY close friends of the teacher who died. I decided to CASE the Featured Stamper for this week, whose gallery is wonderful. Here is a link to her card that I am imitating for this sympathy card. I love how she used the velvet ribbon on her bow, and I am envious at how much cuter her bow is than mine. I tried. :) This is called a joy fold card, and a tutorial by Beate is fairly clear on the sizes and scoring. Below I have listed the specs for colors and such.

I found a very helpful link from "The Stamping Chick." I had bought the SU! Theater ribbon assortment, but it doesn't tell you on the package or the catalog which colors coordinate with which ribbon. Trust me, with the varying textures, it is NOT that obvious. I thought others might find it helpful if they bought the ribbon assortments.

Size when finished: 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 inches
Paper: SU! Close to Cocoa, Always Artichoke (I think), and LeJardin DSP
Ribbon: SU! Close to Cocoa velvet and Chocoalte Chip satin with border
Stamps: SU! Baroque Motifs and MFT Essential Sentiments

Inspiration Basket

The SCS Inspiration Challenge today used this Country Living picture. Leave it to Stef to keep picking things that really DO inspire me! I focused in on the little woven basket on the floor for my submission. After a few trials of what I wanted it to look like, here is my result. I like it quite a bit.

Size: 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 inches
Paper: SU! Gable Green and Almost Amethyst, Bazzill brown
Stamps: SU! Vivid Greetings and Little Layers Plus, The Paper Studio Clear Stamps Stitches
Coloring Media: SU! Stampin' Pastels, Chocolate Chip, Gable Green, Almost Amethyst
Ribbon for weave: SU! Chocolate Chip Taffeta

Using My Own Writing and Envelopes

Today's SCS Limited Supplies Challenge entailed using our own writing. Crazy! I have several cards in which I already have done this. I was so excited to do another. This is a card for my new nephew-in-law. I wanted to keep it masculine, but still add some embellishments for interest, hence the ribbon border and the brads accent.

Some of my other cards using my handwriting include:
Giants card
Husband Valentine
Defeat Autism
Kick Stand Thank You

Size: 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 inches
Paper: Bazzill cardstock, SU! Au Chocolat DSP, SU! Ultrasmooth White, SU! Always Artichoke, SU! Baroque Burgandy
Ink: SU! Always Artichoke, Black Pigmented Calligraphy (Marvy Uchida)
Embellishments: Brads (Spare Parts), Grosgrain Ribbon (Neutral Ribbon Scrap Pack - Paper Studio)

Also exciting and fun this evening... I made my own envelope for a 6 x 6 card. Basically, you need 11 x 17 paper or some roll of paper, as it requires longer than 12 inches for the length. I used my SU! wrapping paper. It was a nice, sturdy weight. I used this Scor-Pal tutorial, also. I was so excited when I finished it. Other than momentary fraction brain farts, it was soooo easy.

Thank You Times Four

Here is the entire set of thank-you cards described in my last post. More specs:

Size: 6 x 6 inches

Paper: Bazzill Bling and The Paper Company

Ink: SU! Wild Wasabi, SU! Basic Gray, SU! Craft White, SU! Night of Navy, Royal Purple (StazOn), Top Boss Mini Tinted Embossing Pad

Stamps: SU! Swirl Frame Fun, Many Thanks, and Small Script

Ribbon: SU! Basic Grey Taffeta (except the one below that I described)

Embellishments: SU! Dimensionals

I agree, he's gorgeous...

Well today's SCS Challenge, Ways to Use It, asked contributors to use a window in some way. I looked at the gallery this AM and was really impressed with the creativity there.

I needed to do some thank-you cards for my son's therapists. As many of you know, my son was diagnosed with autism disorder on the autism spectrum. Since he was about 15 months old, we pursued speech, developmental, and occupatinal therapy for him. The women who worked with him, including our coordinator, were outstanding, and I am so grateful they were an integral part of our intervention process. Well, when Max turns three next week, my carriage turns into a pumpkin... he starts Early Childhood (aka "school"). While he is gaining some new teachers and increased intervention with this change, I can't help but feel a little sad to not team with these great ladies.

So, this card is one of 4. I am going to do each one a little differently, so I'll post them as I have time to make them (Scott and Max are both home sick, so who knows how long that will take!). The window opens to a picture of Max. The sentiment is actually on the inside of the card, so I will probably use the back for my message. Why not? The back is such wasted space anyway. Thanks for looking! And yes, you may tell me how cute Max is. :)

Size: 6 x 6 inches

Paper: Unltrasmooth White (SU!) and Bazzill Bling (gray, I think)

Stamps: SU! Swirl Frame Fun and Many Thanks

Ink: Laurel Leaf (Versa Color Ultimate Pigment Ink), SU! Basic Gray

Embellishments: Photo, wide, sheer ribbon, clear embossing powder (over frame)

Sketch Challenge

For today's SCS Sketch Challenge, I was in a scrappy mood. I also really wanted to use my newly purchased Queen and Co. Felt Borders. So, I cut some Bazzill brown for my base and went from there. All other paper was taken from my scraps... and I do have a lot of scraps! I really like the way the card came out.

Size: 5 1/4 x 5 1/2 inches
Paper: Bazill (brown hues), SU! River Rock and textured Barely Banana

Stamp: Friendship Sentiments (MSE!)

Embellishments: Pure Purple Felt Border (Queen & Co.), Brads (Spare Parts)

Ink: SU! Lavender Lace

More Frou-Frou Than I'm Used To

Okay, so I stretched myself today. I know it's shocking. Today's SCS Color Challenge suggested these three colors: Orchid Opulence, Pumpkin Pie, and Certainly Celery. Yes, I scratched my head for a few minutes. The only cardstock I knew I had was Orchid Opulence. While I am a liker of purple, that hue is a little hard to blend.

Then, I recalled that I had just purchased some fun Bazzill scallopped textured paper, and off I went. I wanted to also use my new Friendship Blooms Sale-A-Bration set. And voila! Frou-frou! Max was home sick, so the frou-frou took HOURS in the making. I kind of like it, though.

Size: 5 3/4 x 5 3/4 inches
Stamps: Friendship Blooms
Ink: SU! Orchid Opulence, Certainly Celery, and Pumpkin Pie
Cardstock: Bazzill scallopped (I think originally 6 x 12 before scallops), SU! Orchid Opulence, Ultrasmooth White, and Certainly Celery Prints DSP
Embellishments: Sequins adhered with Mini Glue Dots, Sheer Creations ribbon (Michaels)

Envelope Pouch Challenge

Today's SCS Try a New Technique Challenge was easy and fun. Your main piece of "equipment" is an A7 envelope. The tutorial was created by our guest hostess, Amanda. This link shows her finished one... she decorated Peppermint Patties. I haven't decided on the treat, so my bag is treatless at the moment.

Size: A7 envelope
Tools: Large tag punch, scissors, Qtip
Stamps: Kindness Jumbo Stampin' Around (SU!)
Coloring media: SU! Buckaroo Blue (ink pad), Brocade Blue(marker), Mellow Moss (marker and pastel), Barely Banana (marker and pastel)
Paper: SU! Mellow Moss and Brocade Blue; sentiment on plain ol' white scrap
Embellishments: SU! Dimensionals (popped up flowers); Mellow Moss Teffeta Ribbon

Featured Stamper

The SCS Featured Stamper this week is someone whose work I have admired for a while, so I think it is very cool that she was chosen. The problem was choosing what to CASE! My humble submission was created with scraps I had, with the exception of the Bazzill base.
I think mine looks a bit messier than Betty's, but I tried what I could without any Nestabilities or oval punches. I used my Cricut. Can you tell I was hungry?

Size: 5 1/2 x 5 1/2 inches
Paper: Bazzill cardstock, a la Carte Pumpernickel (American Crafts), Ultrasmooth Vanilla (SU!), Sky Blue (SU!)
Coloring media: Chestnut Roan (Color Box Chalk), Stampin Up! Watercolor Pencils
Ribbon: Sheer brown from the Michaels dollar bin
Stamps: Sweet Treats (SU!), Good Life (Kolette Hall)
Eyelets and dimensionals: Stampin' Up!

Inspired on So Many Levels

Today's SCS Inspiration Challenge had cardmakers considering a piece by artist Charley Harper. The gallery for this challenge holds some amazing variations on the theme.

For my interpretation, I chose a paper piecing technique to be true to the geometry of his original piece (as much as my humble hands could). However, I realized I had two bird stamps and practically no bird stickers, so I used the next best thing: wings! This set is from Tim Holtz's Grungeboard, which Karen purchased for me on a recent visit to Archiver's (she loves me). I hadn't used it, and, I must admit, it is far more forgiving than chipboard. At first, I inked it with Buckaroo Blue (SU!), but that came out almost black. I went over that color with my Blue Skies Blue Bic Mark It, and I really liked the results. To pull in some of the black of his jays, I outlined in black. Then, I went to piece the paper in a way that would not give people motion sickness. I really like the results. Thanks for looking!

Size: 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 in.
Paper: Bazzill textured cardstock (base), Bohemia Textured Dark Brown (My Mind's Eye), Cute Blue Stripe (The Paper Studio)
Ink: Buckaroo Blue (SU!), Bic Mark It Blue Skies Bliss and Tuxedo Black
Stamp: Refuge and Strength (SU!)
Brads: Assorted Metallic Square Brads (Spare Parts)

I'm So Dizzy

Today's SCS challenge, Limited Supplies, directed the challengee to use only circles and things with circles on it. The specifics of the challenge can be found here.

Now the danger with this is going a little "circle overboard." I was quickly approaching that, and I hope I stopped soon enough.

I was dying to use Beate's faux shaving cream tutorial, so I did use it in two of the circles. LOVE the technique... so easy!

Please notice a couple things added to my blog, including a poll and the ability to sign up for e-mail updates.

Size: 6 x 6 in.
Paper: Bazzill textured brown, SU! Pretty in Pink
Ribbon: Hobby Lobby
Circles wrapped in ribbon: Quick Quotes
Stamp: SU! Tagger's Dozen, Dots and Daisies Stampin' Around and Reverse Image Stamp (Viva LasVegastamps) for faux shaving cream technique
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Pretty in Pink, Blush Blossom
Also used: Sponge daubers for circles above and below main strip

What Is Up With This Trailer?

OK, honestly, I have not had a movie trailer haunt me for some time... probably since the one for The Grudge, you know? BUT, what is up with this trailer? I asked my husband to watch it, because I could not get it out of my head all day today. It's for a movie I hadn't heard of called Across the Universe. It's like a crazy drug trip... almost what the Beatles would have created from Sgt. Pepper's if only the technology existed.

See for yourself. Advise... or maybe it'll suck you in, too! Vote for what you think on the right. --->

Defining a Challenge

I combined the Sketch Challenge and the Ways to Use It challenge for SCS today, since yesterday was filled with Valentine preparation. I actually had a good time looking at what I had (and didn't have) to make this work.

The question is... at what point do you annoy yourself with your wish list? I have "back-burnered" the Paisley Background stamp (page 136 in the Spring/Summer 2008 SU! Catalog) for forever, thinking I can wait. Well, the Ways to Use It challenge was about using fashion as an inspiration. So, I initially found this purse, and I thought how cool it would be to do some clear embossing on Baroque Burgandy to emulate the texture. Alas, I have no paisley stamps that would even come close to being helpful. So, my next order will FINALLY include that stamp!

So, I continued looking, and I found this purse. It reminded me of paper I had, and the idea flowed from there. Another tool I wish I had is either a Cuttlebug or a Fiskars embossing template to replicate the look of the leather strap. However, I think the paper and hardware I used worked nicely.

This is a card for someone whose zeal perks me up when I am getting down. It reminds me of why I do what I do, and that life "ain't so bad."

Size: 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 inches

Paper: Bliss Blue (SU!), A to Z Textured Brown (Paper Studio), True Thyme (SU!), Courtyard Paisley (Chatterbox), Ultrasmooth Vanilla (SU!)

Ink: SU! Always Artickoke

Stamp: SU! Define Your Life

Embellishments: SU! Hodgepodge Hardware and Dimensionals

Valentine's Day

Ah, feel the love. It's Valentine's Day again!

These pics are of the Valentines for my two year old's peers as well as the Valentine's for the adults in my life and the lives of my children. I did several variations of both until I got what I wanted.

Adult Valentine:

Cardstock: SU! Bordering Blue cut to 7 x 8 inches, scored at 4 inches (on the 8 inch width). Flap is two inches wide.

Stamps: Limitless Labels (Papertrey Ink), Bold Basics (SU!), Friendship Flowers (SU!)

Ink: SU! Not Quite Navy, Real Red, Bordering Blue

Extras: Shading of hearts done with sponge dauber and Bordering Blue ink. Flap border done with uniball Signo white gel pen.

Kid Valentine:

Size: 3 x 4 inches

Cardstock: Your basic white, red hues found in scraps

Embossing: Cuttlebug

Alphabet set: Making Memories rummage magnetic stamp alphabet

Embellishments: Hershey's Kisses (yum!)

Color Challenged

Today's SCS Color Challenge was interesting. I started simple, went a little nuts, ripped some things apart, and came up with this simple card.

Size: 4 1/4 x 5 1/2

Paper: Green Galore (SU!), Cool Small Flowers (The Paper Studio)

Stamp: SU! Riveting

Inks: SU! Green Galore and Tempting Turquoise

Embellishments: Pastel Mini Flower Brads (Spare Parts), Twill (Technique Tuesday), Kraft Circle Tags (SU!)

Ink, Spray, and Smash

For today's Technique Challenge, we were to use the "Ink, Spray, and Smash" technique as coined by today's hostess, markie's mom, aka Faith Hofrichter. The tutorial is found on her blog.

To start, I did not have any reinkers. This was the second seemingly cool project for which I was without supplies, so, knowing they were having a crazy 50% off extravaganza, off I went to Hobby Lobby. No reinkers, BUT I did find Memories Mist, manufactured by Stewart Superior. There is a great tutorial on their use at Craft TV Weekly. So I used Mango Lemonade and Amaretto for this card, after trying several combinations.

I had to, of course, do some stitching. It just felt right. :)

Size: 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 in.

Paper: Bazzill textured cardstock, SU! Glossy White (with technique linked above)

Ink: Stewart Superior Mango Lemonade and Amaretto Memories Mists

Stamps: SU! Pick a Petal

Stickers: Life's Journey Black Label (K & Company)

Brads: Flocked Brads (Spare Parts)

Birthday CASE

This week's featured stamper in SCS is Sarah Green. She has a great gallery... worth taking a long look. In honor of the SCS featured stamper each Sunday, we try to CASE a card by the chosen person. The uploading goes on all week. In fact, I am certain I will find more of her stuff to CASE.

I chose this card to CASE. I was hoping to use three elements on the left, but the cupcakes I wanted to use were too large, so I renegotiated. I imitated her use of what I call the Partridge Family cut for the cardstock of the stamped images. I also like the consistent use of SU!s Word Window punch. I have underutilized mine, and she offers plenty of ideas on how to get creative with it. The triple ribbon knot also added some interest and texture.

It was an acrylic stamp kind of night. A shout out to Karen... some of these are gifted acrylics for the Christmas party. Thanks again!!

Size: 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 in.

Paper: SU! Chocolate Chip, SU! Soft Sky, SU! Pretty in Pink, Paper Pizazz Brown-Pink Stripes (8 x 8 sheet at Michaels)

Ink: SU! Close to Cocoa, Soft Sky, Pretty in Pink, and So Saffron

Stamps: Studio G, and Icing on the Cake (Technique Tuesday Collector's Edition)

Embellishments: Various grosgrain ribbon, Traffic Jam embossing (Cuttlebug), SU! Dimensionals, Spare Parts assorted pastel mini square brads (Paper Studio), edges inked in SU! Close to Cocoa

What a Challenge It Was!

Oh my! Yesterday's inspiration challenge on SCS was a great challenge indeed. We were given a bedroom suit and allowed to run with that. I liked one of the pillows a lot, so that is what I chose. This will be a birthday card for a male, so ribbon as an embellishment was not really appropriate. However, I wanted to give the texture of fabric. So, I used one of the SU! Wonderful Weaves, my Versa Marker, and my Stamp-A-Majig to create stamped texture on the blue portion. I then used a textured Bazzill paper to match the framing of the pillow. I used SU! Suitable for Framing as the intermittent design. I felt that beveled edges would seal the deal... until I got the idea to stitch... No sewing machine readily available... I embossed the SU! Riveting stamp in Encore! Copper metallic ink and clear embossing powder. Then, I used a SU! Jumbo eyelet (Pewter) in the center and backed it with the awesome chocolate mulberry paper from The Paper Company.

More specs below.

Size: 6 x 6 in.

Papers: SU! Not Quite Navy and Chocolate Chip, The Paper Company Tan/Chocolate Double Sided Mulberry, Bazzill textured cardstock

Ink: Encore! Metallic Copper, Versa Mark watermark, Handsome Hunter (SU!), Cranberry Crisp (SU!)

Stamps: SU! Riveting, Wonderful Weaves, Suitable for Framing

Embellishments: Cream thread, SU! Jumbo Pewter Eyelet, SU! Dimensional

Punches: 1 1/4 in. and 1 3/8 in. ciecle punches (SU!)

I {heart} the idea!

Loving the idea of Grungeboard. I have to check this stuff out.

Love Makes the World Go Round

I took today's Limited Supplies challenge a bit further. When making my Spot On! card (seen below), I cut and adhered paper and cardstock that were not large enough for the lettering I used. I thought I would save it for a rainy day... turned into the next hour! This is a non-traditional Valentine. I think/hope I stayed within the limits.

Size: 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 inches

Lettering: Me!

Paper: Gable Green cardstock (SU!), Rain Dots Keep fallin' on my Head (Fiskars Cloud 9 Design)

Chipboard: Technique Tuesday FUNdamental Rings

Inks: SU! Gable Green and Brocade Blue, Zig Writer Pure Black

Embellishments: Thickers Rootbeer Float brown foam stickers, SU! Shapes Classy Brass template

Spot On!

This week's SCS Ways to Use It Challenge included using dots. I love dots! I also love the phrase "Spot On!" Hence, my card today. I thought it would be a cool "Congratulations" card.

Time-consuming, yet fun.

Size: 5 1/2 x 6 inches
Paper: Gable Green (SU!), Rain Dots Keep Fallin' On My Head (Fiskars Cloud 9 Design)
Eyelets: SU! (not sure which families... I looked for a match)
Stamps: SU! Alphadots, Around and About
Inks: SU! Chocolate Chip, Brocade Blue, Marigold Morning
Ribbon: Some grosgrain out of an HSN kit that matched; I pulled it through and knotted each end.

I tried using my 1 1/2 in. square punch, but it was a tad too big. So I ended up cutting excess off with my NEW Making Memories paper trimmer, and I am now in LOVE with the trimmer.
NOTE: Crop-A-Dile I and II do not seem to get along with SU! eyelets. I tried many options, but you will notice some squishing. They can't stand the sheer power of the Crop-A-Dile. :)

Sketch Challenge

For SCS Sketch Challenge 162, we had this sketch to guide us. I loved the sketch, and, after browsing in the local scrapbook store this afternoon, and spending far more money than I planned, here's my card.

Size: 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 inches

Paper: Terri Conrad designs - Pink Lemonade Collection - Snickerdoodle; Bazzill textured cardstock, SU! True Thyme, SU! Groovy Guava

Stamp: Hope for Comfort (SU!)

Embellishments: SU! Dimensionals, Elements Pewter Mini Brads (American Crafts), paper piercing

PO'ed with Paper Piecing Punch

What a strange turn of events.

Yesterday, I was gearing up to do the SCS color challenge. I re-found my Paper Piecing punch! I HAD to have it, you know? Well, sad but true, when I punched the colored, stamped image that I planned to use, I find that the edges of the pieces are a bit gnarled. Figuring it was just me, I tried again. And again. And again.

I then decided to try the ol' aluminum foil sharpening thing, the whole time thinking, "This is odd. I never used it. How could it be dull?" Did not work.

So, I contact my demo, and she contacts SU! I realize the punch is retired and all, and my hopes are not really high. They say I should try to punch through the foil 40-50 times (I laughed, too) and then try punching through wax paper (because I did not use it, they felt that might have caused it some ill effects). If it still won't work, they will replace it with another punch, up to the $13.95 I paid for it in '04 (or '05?). Look in your catty and see if you can find any of the larger punches with that price anymore. Exactly.

This is my photodocumentary of the closest I can come to a Three Stooges episode. Enjoy:

The first photo was taken when I was hopeful. It was around the 5th punch. Getting the foil out of the punch was fun {sarcasm}. Next shows a good punch with wax paper. The last shows what it does to cardstock (same result with DSP).

These pics show what the punch's metal looks like at the point of cutting. I think there is some problem there. To be certain, I lubricate the punch, to rule out that as being the issue. It is, most definitely, not the problem.

I shall keep the blog posted as to what happens. I officially give up. {sigh}

SCS Color Challenge 152

I started overconfidently today. This card has been ripped apart and renegotiated at least four times. I think I really like the simplicity of the final product. It was the Real Red that kept throwing me (we had to use Apricot Appeal, Ballet Blue, and Real Red). At first, my base was white, and it was driving me nutty. Eventually, it evolved to red. I aso had an unfortunate Crop-A-Dile experience, as the plan was to have a row of eyelets. It was not to be!

Size: 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 inches

Paper: Ultrasmooth White, Read Red

Inks: Ballet Blue, Apricot Appeal, Real Red

Stamps: What Could Be Better? (SU!), Vertical Stripes Background (Hero Arts)

Embellishments: Red grosgrain (Xyron backed on bottom)

Sentiment: Rub-ons from various Making Memories sets

Au Chocolat Cootie Catcher

Yes, indeed. Leave it to Martha Stewart to come up with a lovely table ornament from a junior high girl's best way to see which boy likes her... the cootie catcher. She calls it a "fortune teller."

This was today's technique challenge on SCS. It was a fun blast from the past. Be careful, though. The "pinacle" of the ornament tended to tear through. Heavy cardstock not recommended.

Paper: Au Chocolat SU! Designer Series Paper; Ultrasmooth Vanilla

Ink: Chocolate Chip

Stamps: Big Pieces (SU!), Little Pieces (SU!)

Embellishments: Brads for flower centers from Hodgepodge Hardware

Featured Stamper CASE

The featured stamper is chosen every Sunday on Splitcoaststapmers. This week's featured stamper, Renee, had a lot of great stuff in her gallery. The challenge for Sundays is to CASE a posting of the featured stamper's gallery and/or blog. Imitation being the highest form of flattery, yes? So, here is my CASE of one of Renee's cards. I changed a few things, but her basic design is still there, as well as many of her color choices. Alas, this will be used as a sympathy card, but a beautiful one, I guess.

Size: 5 1/2 x 4 1/4 inches

Cardstock: Brocade Blue, Cranberry Crisp, Ultrasmooth White

Stamps: Mixed Bouquet (SU!), Cherish Word Border (Hero Arts), You Make Me Happy (SU! on Cranberry matting)

Techniques: Paper piercing in corners, ticket punching with use of 1/2 inch hole punch

Inks: Cranberry Crisp, So Saffron, Chocolate Chip

Well, well, well

The other day on SCS, the challenge was to be inspired by the Super Bowl. Many people created many different things. Some used colors, others used generic football stuff. I, however, knew a card had to be made for my brother, a diehard Giants fan. Many on SCS thought the card was creative. Some sent me condolensces that the card was great, but the Giants would lose.

So, this morning, it is great to post this card here and proclaim:

GIANTS WIN! GIANTS WIN! GIANTS WIN! Patriots hopes for an unblemished season dashed.

Scrap Your Walls

We finally celebrated Christmas with the in-laws yesterday. I decided to venture into the world of framing scrapbook pages. I bought some great frames at Micahels (today they are 40% off... grrr). I knew what pics I wanted to use, but I had to think of their homes for papers and embellishments. I like how they both turned out. Similar, but slightly different, yes? I also gave them these ornaments, previously showcased on Karen's blog.

Left Frame:
Matting: Chatter Box Scrapbook Walls - Courtyard Flowers; SU! Mellow Moss cardstock
Base: Bazzill brown textured cardstock
Lettering: Basic Grey Periphery punch out letters
Brads: American Crafts copper mini brads

Right Frame:
Matting: SU! LeJardin Designer Series Paper and SU! Baroque Burgandy cardstock
Base: Bazzill (can't recall color) textured cardstock
Lettering: Cricut Alphalicious (used LeJardin paper and Baroque Burgandy cardstock for shadow)
Brads: SU! Build a Brad

Inspiration Challenge 113 - Waves

This card is made for the Inpsiration Challenge 113 for February 2, 2008. Here is the room that was to inspire the card. It made me think of being by the ocean on a mild day... perfect for sleep and definitely different than the killer winter here.

What I used that I did not know: I put my vellum sentiment through my Xyron 510. I saw on DIY Scrapbooking that this could be done, and I feel so stupid that I had never done it before. It is flawless. No more vellum tape! Hooray!

Size: 6 x 6
"Helper": Monochromatics by Pamela Lambie
The "helper" provided the textured cardstock, the vellum accents, and the coordinating eyelets
Other embellishments: textured paper (a gift from a fellow crafter), sheer white ribbon, ColorBox Chalk ink pad in Ice Blue to ink edges of card and vellum

Join me!

Inspired by the virual community on Splitcoast Stampers and my good friend and phenomenal Stampin' Up! (SU!) demonstrator, Karen Kelly, I decided to start my own blog. How about that?!

Much of this will be for my crafting. Some, I am sure, will dip in to other things. Come, enjoy, comment... or not.