Manitoba Stamper

Unscripted Sketches #146

2012-02-18T00:50:00.003-06:00

.... I can hardly wait to see the cards that are created with this sketch! No matter which way you flip it, the possibilities are endless. And the optional stitching challenge....love it!

My nephew's girlfriend LOVES everything Pink! If it is pink, Pam has it. This card was specifically created for her birthday. For some reason though, the pink cardstock looks faded in some places in the photo....much better in RL!

Sometimes when I look at a sketch I get overwhelmed with ideas. I find that if I taylor the card to a specific individual, the colors, embellishments, techniques just seem to come together easily. Otherwise, I spend hours (and I mean HOURS) jumping from one thing to another.

I enlarged the photo considerably so that the french knots would show up. I used a shiny/silky crochet cotton for the white knots and plain black embroidery cotton for the black cross stitches. The cute polka dot ribbon was a $1 score from Hobby Lobby as was this great embossing folder ($5). I rubbed a dark pink pigment ink over the embossed images (really makes the images pop).

Head on over to Unscripted Sketches , take a peak at what the rest of the DT has stitched together for you and then link up your creations.

Happy crafting!

Unscripted Sketches #145

2012-02-11T06:30:00.001-06:00

Staples, cork & twine - perfect for hubby's birthday card! I used some decorative staples that I bought a kazillion years ago! They were silver so I inked them up with some Black Stazon, then heated them with the heating gun....presto, black staples. The die cut cork 'buttons' are mounted on black cardstock and stitched with black embroidery floss. I added a bit of linen thread (two strands to make it look more like twine) and voila - a quick guy card!

PS..."In real life" the colors are Cajun Craze & More Mustard (honestly, it is not red!).

Happy crafting!

The rest of the DT has 'gone & done it' again with some amazing projects! Hop on over to the blog, check things out and then link 'em up!

http://unscriptedsketches.com/2012/02/unscripted-sketches-144/

Unscripted Sketches #144

2012-02-04T06:30:00.001-06:00

A close up of the panel.

A baby card for Sketch #144.   You have got to stop by, check out the goods and get busy crafting! The DT has outdone themselves with this one!

This card was made specifically for my good friend's daughter who had a baby just before Christmas. Her other daughter had a baby a couple months earlier so she is Grandma twice over within a couple of months....she will be busy!

I love this color combo!  Pool Party, Rich Razzleberry and a bit of patterned paper from an old In Color collection (might be Soft Sky).

The front panel is popped up on dimensionals. I should have taken a side profile picture to show the space behind the vellum and the striped panel.  I wanted to keep the card 'soft' so the embellishments are intended to support the color rather than be the highlight.

I can hardly wait to see the gallery! It is so nice to see more and more people playing along with these fun sketches.

Just click to submit:
http://unscriptedsketches.com/

Happy crafting!

One Layer Wednesday 76

2012-01-30T21:46:00.000-06:00

Okay, okay....I know that this is the third version of this card, but.......

Somewhere in my blog stalking travels I came upon Lisa's awesome blog titled I'm in Haven .

While visiting Lisa's blog, I discovered Simplicity, hosted by the talented Susan Raihala, the master of clean and simple! Susan has taken the time to post several step-by-step, no nonsense, learning tutorials. You really, REALLY have to pay her blog a visit!

So while there, I discovered yet another challenge - One Layer Wednesday 76. Grey, white and a pop of color on a one layer card. Hence, my third version.

I inked up my stamp (Inkadinkado) with two colors - base layer was Basic Grey with Bordering Blue tapped gently on top (Basic Grey alone was too dark). My 'pop of color' is the two wee aqua colored pearls on each side of the sentiment. I wanted to keep the 'pop' somewhat subdued as this is a sympathy card.

....I promise there won't be a fourth version!

Unscripted Sketches #143

2012-01-30T20:35:00.000-06:00

I definitely took an 'unscripted' approach to the sketch this week! But remember, these sketches are just a starting point that will hopefully inspire many different ideas.

I love this stamp and knew that it would work well with this sketch! I stamped the image in the corner to imitate the semi-circle element. The stamp is quite intricate so I wanted to use a small sentiment (sympathy seemed appropriate for the image). The black pen border really grounded the image nicely.

I used Black Stazon on Very Vanilla cardstock. I made the same card (previous post) on white cardstock but definitely like the look of this card better.

The design team has produced some amazing cards this week so pop on over to Unscripted Sketches, get inspired, then get busy creating and sharing your handiwork with us!

http://unscriptedsketches.com/

CFC36: Create a Clean And Simple Project that is only black and white.

2012-01-25T13:06:00.004-06:00

A really simple and quick card that I thought was perfect as a sympathy card. The challenge was to create and clean & simple project. This card does not get any simpler than this!

The stamped image is considerably darker in 'real life'. I am still trying to figure out the best settings on my new camera - especially with white on white.

Here is the link to the challenge. There are over 250 amazing entries, so head on over and check out the goods.

http://cas-ualfridays.blogspot.com/2012/01/cfc36.html

Map to Your Heart Challenge in the Moxie Fab World

2012-01-22T20:46:00.001-06:00

Same card - different photo background

How many of you have done a google search on "crafts made with maps"? There was literally hundreds of pages of trendy projects using old maps - now who would have thunk it? Cath (Moxie Fab World) was bang on when she said that "using maps in your paper crafting is nothing short of all the rage".

I made this card specifically for the Map to Your Heart Challenge in the Moxie Fab World. I have listed the link at the end of the post if you would like to play along.

I actually started by using up one whole map (that dear hubby may be searching for one day) but wasn't happy with the color combo. I then decided to download a map of the city of Winnipeg (capital of Manitoba, about 4 hours from where we live). I printed it in black/white and my color combo was born. This is my DH valentine's day card so I also wanted to keep it masculine (black, white, red).

I might have strayed a bit off track (no pun intended) when I used the map to create a maze on the card so that I could use my creatively punny sentiment:
Our {heart = love} is a-Mazing!!

Although it is hard to see in the photo, the heart is punched out on the main card so that the red glimmer paper (popped up on dimensionals) shows through.

http://www.moxiefabworld.com/2012/01/map-to-your-heart-challenge.html

Unscripted Sketches #142

2012-01-22T20:14:00.000-06:00

Oh dear! This was scheduled to post Saturday morning at 6:30am but it didn't happen!

WOWZERS! Did you see all the unbelievable, super-calla-craftalicious creations this past week at Unscripted Sketches? I can hardly wait to see who has been inspired by this week's sketch!

Another sketch with so many possibilities....and I think I put every single one of those possibilities onto this card :) Honestly, I seriously think that I am way out of my comfort zone here! I really had to work to come up with something I was happy with. Hence, the word challenge!

The cellophane window doesn't really show up in the photo (bottom of the removable tag peaks through the window). The sentiment banner also has a pleat that isn't visible in the photo. The flip side of the tag has a simple To and From stamped on the back - perfect for the recipient of the card to use on a future gift.

My new Stampin' Up Edgelit Die just arrived and I was eager to use it on this card. I cut three different color pieces, glue them together and placed it just off centre, highlighting the nice soft curve of the die. The flowers are from MFT Dienamics.

I really hope you find time to join us this week at Unscripted Sketches. I know that we will be blown away again by all the amazing submissions!

Unscripted Sketches #141

2012-01-14T22:13:00.000-06:00

This week's sketch:

This sketch is guaranteed to generate some awesome submissions this week!

I wanted to use my new Spellbinder Impressabilities - Flower Silhouette as it is such a pretty image. I used velum for a nice soft look. I ran the sandwich through my Big Shot four times to get a nice deep impression. It looks really great when the card is partially opened and the light can filter through.

I 'unscripted' the sketch somewhat as well by going with a square card...only reason is that I don't have any rectangle spellbinders!

I can hardly wait to see this week's cards! Honestly, I check the website for new submissions at least three to four times a day! It is such a good feeling knowing that crafting minds are being inspired all over our world.

Just click on the link below and share your creations with us:

http://unscriptedsketches.com/

Happy crafting everyone!

ric#3 - Gareth Pugh Spring 2012 and Die Cutting Challenge in the Moxie Fab World

2012-01-10T21:01:00.001-06:00

The inspiration (WOW!!!) .... how does she walk in those shoes?

This is my first visit to this challenge blog and I absolutely love everything about the site. Make sure you take a peak at all the submissions - so many talented people happily sharing their creative endeavors with all of us!

(Now, honestly, I can't imagine being out and about in our small community in an outfit like this but what this signature piece might lack in functionality, it more than makes up for it with inspiration!)

Here is the link if you would like to play along:
http://www.runwayinspired.blogspot.com/2012/01/ric3-gareth-pugh-spring-2012.html

I used my Nestabilities (Long Classic Rectangles Large) to cut out the sections of the card front. It did take a bit of planning and measuring to get it right! I used graph paper to draw out my original templates. Please see the pics below:

I am also entering this card in the Die Cutting Challenge in the Moxie Fab World. They have some great challenges (and prizes) going on all week for their Cool Tools Week. Pay them a visit and check out all the great information on the latest and greatest tools. Just click below and get busy crafting!

http://www.moxiefabworld.com/2012/01/cool-tools-week-die-cutting-challenge.html

Unscripted Sketches #140

2012-01-07T06:00:00.003-06:00

I hope that everyone had a wonderful holiday season, surrounded by the love of family and friends.

It is nice to get back into my craft room. Santa picked up on all my "not-so-subtle" hints and I did get a new camera for Christmas....so now the learning begins! Our daughter gave me a crash course but it is definitely going to take some major trial and error to find the right settings.

Another fabulous sketch this week. I actually did two versions of the card. My original intention was to make the card with a portrait orientation but out of habit, I made it landscape and submitted it that way! So, I flipped it on it's side, moved the hearts around (good thing for dimensionals that aren't too sticky) and posted this version as well.

I hope that you have been inspired by the awesome creations of the design team. We would love to have you play along with us this week at Unscripted Sketches. Just click on the link below and share your handiwork with us.

http://unscriptedsketches.com/

Happy crafting everyone!

Unscripted Sketches #139

2011-12-31T06:00:00.003-06:00

Love, love, LOVE this sketch!

Clean & simple....definitely my style. Our daughter and her fiance are home for Christmas so she decided to help out dear old mommy get ahead on my DT duties. She chose the paper colors, the embellishments and the stamp so this card was an absolute breeze to make! I was completely finished the card in under two hours. Believe me, this NEVER happens.....two days is more like it for me. So, thank you Brady for helping me out!

Wishing you all a very happy new year!

Unscripted Sketches #138

2011-12-24T06:00:00.042-06:00

The same card against a different colored background.

The sketch reminded me of window panes so I adapted that theory into a brick wall that took forever to do as I cut out each brick separately, glued them on to the card....only to find that most of them were covered by the 'windows' !!! I added window panes, however, they interfered with the hanging balls so I had to offset the ornaments from the centre. I used sookwang tape (great stuff) to make the glittered balls (green & gold glitter).

The snow covered roof was my way of achieving the uneven top edge of the sketch. I tried to add a sentiment at the bottom of the card, but nothing seemed to fit so I decided that the horizontal lines of the 'bricks' would satisfy the layout of the sketch.

I would like to take this time to wish everyone a very happy holiday season that is blessed with family, friends, good health and of course....tons of food!

Unscripted Sketches #137

2011-12-17T06:00:00.002-06:00

A fun but challenging sketch!

I bought this gift card for our paper carrier last week (free advertising for Walmart) because I absolutely L-O-V-E the colors! The layout of this sketch was perfect for a gift card holder. Because I used the gift card as my inspiration for the colors of this card, I felt that it needed to be front & centre....so here it is! I even added red glimmer dots to the reindeer noses! The embossed background mat serves as the Title/Greeting of the sketch.

I hope you enjoy my creation today. I look forward to seeing your take on this sketch at Unscripted Sketches!

Just click to link:

http://unscriptedsketches.com/

Unscripted Sketches #136

2011-12-10T13:32:00.000-06:00

The sky was the limit with this great sketch!

I had sooooo much fun making these wee books...it fit in perfectly with this sketch challenge. The book does have several pages and is hand stitched down the centre (just like real old books). I distressed the edges of the pages to achieve a well worn, aged look. The wee pair of glasses were fashioned from some thin wire that I found on my husband's workbench. The wire wasn't quite the right color but a can of spray paint fixed that.

Okay, anyone believe that the ribbon is actually Cherry Cobbler....not brown? I really do hope that Santa Clause will bring me a new camera for Christmas. If not, then I am hitting the Boxing Day sales to find one that can actually take a decent enough picture where red is really red!

Take a much needed break from the busy holiday season and show us what ya' got!

Just click on the link below cuz we are really looking forward to seeing your unscripted creations!

http://unscriptedsketches.com/2011/12/unscripted-sketches-136/

Unscripted Sketches #135

2011-12-03T06:00:00.002-06:00

Thanks for stopping by! I decided to stray a bit from my 'norm 'and use some really bright colors. I was also tempted (again) to make a Christmas card but chose this instead. I promise that the next challenge (#136) will definitely be a seasonally themed card.

I wanted to stay as true to the sketch as possible this time and loved the idea of the popped up dice. The sentiment, however, was a struggle! In the end, I settled for plain old "Good Luck".... which actually is a very versatile greeting for a card.

I hope I have inspired you to get busy with your creations for this week's sketch at Unscripted Sketches. We had a ton of amazing cards for last week's sketch . It is awesome to see such great participation!

So pull out the paper, ink up those stamps, grab a nice steaming hot cup of coffee and head to your craft room! We would love to have you share your projects with us this week at Unscripted Sketches (click on the link below).

http://unscriptedsketches.com/

Anniversary Celebration: Sketch Challenge by Julia Stainton

2011-11-29T23:24:00.000-06:00

This is my creation for the Anniversary Celebration Sketch Challenge by the talented Julia Stainton. Ellen is celebrating her 5th anniversary with some great prizes and challenges. You really should check it out!

The Night Before Christmas was always our children's favorite story as they were growing up and they never grew tired of hearing it over, and over and over.....so I decided to make my own wee version of the book.

It is hard to see in the photo but the book does have several pages. I distressed it a fair bit, added a bookmark and hand stitched it down the centre - just like the original books were made. This was just way too much fun to make!

Here is the link to Ellen's blog if you would like to join in the challenges:

http://ellenhutson.typepad.com/the_classroom_new/

Unscripted Sketches #134

2011-11-26T06:00:00.003-06:00

SarahKaye has given us another fabulous sketch to work with this week!

I love this background stamp that I chose for this card....it is so elegant and wedding appropriate! I embossed the image with Silver Pearl (CTMH) powder for a rich and elegant look suitable for a wedding card. The bride and groom are probably a wee bit too contemporary for this card but it was the only wedding stamp that I have!

Please click on the link below to check out the inspirational buffet that the DT has prepared! The sky is the limit with this sketch so get busy crafting and share your creations with us at Unscripted Sketches!

http://unscriptedsketches.com/

colourQ challenge #111...

2011-11-20T11:38:00.002-06:00

Another beautiful color combo! I am always so inspired by the rich 'earthyness' (a new word I made up!) of colors like these.

I kept the card quite simple. I stamped the tree and sentiment with Crumb Cake but it just didn't pop, so I very carefully stamped over the images with Versamark and embossed with clear embossing powder. This deepened the color just enough to give it a bit of depth. You can see the gloss better in the real life card.

I punched the dots from Pear Pizazz, Pumpkin Pie and Rich Razzleberry and randomly glued them on the tree. The Pear Pizazz doesn't show up well in the photo...but it is there.

You just have to visit ColourQ and check out the A-M-A-Z-I-N-G cards that have been submitted. Honestly, I would like to CASE them all! Here is the link if you would like to join in this week's color challenge:

http://colourq.blogspot.com/2011/11/colourq-challenge-111.html

Thanks for stopping by! Have a happy Sunday.

Unscripted Sketches #133

2011-11-19T06:00:00.010-06:00

Another fun sketch that had my head spinning with ideas! This is a piggyback challenge as well. The piggyback challenge is to not use any pre-printed patterned paper so I chose my snowflake Cuttlebug folder for my mat.

I wanted to use non-traditional colors on this card. I punched a donut shape from an adhesive sheet to use as a base for the wreath. I layered the punched branches (aqua, silver, aqua) onto the adhesive circle.....an easy peasy way to assemble the wreath in no time at all!

A bit of ribbon, a bit of bling for the berries and a punched sentiment. Ta da - done!

We would love to have you play along with us this week at Unscripted Sketches.

Just click on the link below and check out what the other designers have created. Prepare to be inspired!

http://unscriptedsketches.com/

Unscripted Sketches #132

2011-11-12T13:39:00.001-06:00

I am beyond thrilled to have been asked to be part of an amazingly talented design team at Unscripted Sketches! Never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined that an opportunity like this would be offered to me. Honestly, I was sure that Arielle had the wrong e-mail address when she contacted me. I sincerely hope that my projects will help to inspire your imagination & creativity!

I love working with sketches! I find that I waste so much time sitting at my craft table trying to decide how to lay out my card. Sketches provide a starting point for my project and can allow great versatility in interpretation just by flipping/rotating the sketch.

The snow has fallen here in Manitoba, so these cute little penguins seemed most appropriate! Heat embossing the penguins gave them a nice rich, dark black color and really makes them pop! The stamp set is Winter Wonderland (Recollections).

I really get excited when I get mail so please feel free to drop me a line anytime!

This is another version of the sketch. I popped a wee chickie into the line-up instead of the penguin.

colourQ challenge #109...

2011-11-06T11:52:00.016-06:00

One day later...added the wee fish, tweaked the oyster a bit and added a star fish!

A fun card for today's challenge. Indigo Blue made me think of ocean, so this is what I came up with!

The clam is made from my scallop circle punch. I would have liked it to be just a wee bit smaller but this was the only size I had. The pearl is four - 1/2" circles glued together and then covered with Frost White All Purpose Liquid Ink (Stampin Up)....looks like a real pearl! The fish are all made out of circle and heart punches. The scales on the fish are from a wee banner punch that I had - how perfect are they?

I covered the sand at the bottom with a clear sparkle dust just to give it some zing. The waves are from my new MFT Large Scallop Die (love it!). Card base is Soft Suede. The sentiment (although a bit cheesy!!!) is computer generated.

Here is the link if you would like to play along:

http://colourq.blogspot.com/2011/11/colourq-challenge-109.html

Have happy day everyone!

Playing in Paradise #39

2011-11-03T00:09:00.006-05:00

A second entry into Playing in Paradise Challenge #39 - Masculine cards or projects! This is a card that I pulled from my stash and is one of my all-time favorite guy cards. I love the different 'masculine' features on this card - the cork mat, the embossing folder, the metal brads, the twine, the stamped image.....

Note: I am having major troubles with Blogger right now so I have switched to the old photo editor (a suggestion I found in the Help section). I really do hope this uploads properly as I already have THREE "where has my photo gone to" issues on the Scrapper's blog. If I have messed up yet again, I apologize and thank you for your patience.

Here is the link if you would like to play along:
http://scrapbookersparadise.blogspot.com/2011/10/playing-in-paradise-39.html

All supplies are from Stampin' UP!

Playing in Paradise #39 and Textured to Perfection

2011-10-27T10:12:00.003-05:00

SANDPAPER = A masculine card with texture!

I just visited the Scrapbooker's Paradise blog and realized that this card is also perfect for their current 'masculine card' challenge. I originally made the card for the Textured to Perfection challenge at the Moxie Fab World.

The first mat is black sandpaper. The second 'mottled' layer was achieved by spreading glue on a piece of cardstock, crumpling up some tissue paper and gluing it onto the cardstock. I then sponged ink on to the tissue, using a metallic pigment ink last to give it a bit of a sheen. The various circles were cut from sandpaper (different colors and textures) with my nesties and circle punches.

If you would like to play along with the Scrapbooker's Paradise masculine challenge, here is the link:
http://scrapbookersparadise.blogspot.com/2011/10/playing-in-paradise-39.html

colourQ challenge #108...

2011-10-26T11:56:00.002-05:00

What a pretty color combo! "Daffodil Delight" jumped right out at me the minute I saw this so I decided to go with a flower themed card. However, the urge to make just one more Halloween card was definitely there!

I used my SU textured paper (hard to see in the photo) as the colors just seem that wee bit more intense! My new dies just arrived from MFT so this was an opportune time to put them to use. The sentiment (the only white color in my project) is from an old SU rub-on set "Love and Happiness".

Again, I went for clean & simple. I'm beginning to think that I might just be defining my style more and more with each passing challenge.

This is a great color combo, so please play along at CQ at the following link:

http://colourq.blogspot.com/2011/10/colourq-challenge-108.html

Hope everyone has a happy day!

CFC25: CAS-ual Fridays, The Clean And Simple Challenge! and 2011 October Papertrey Blog Hop Challenge

2011-10-25T18:58:00.004-05:00

I am entering this card in two challenges, both listed above.

Normally when doing a spotlight technique, the larger image is left uncolored, however, I wanted to highlight the colored pumpkins so I reversed the process and left the inset inchie uncolored!

I stamped the pumpkin cluster on watercolour paper (it is hard to see in the photo). I love the texture that this paper gives an image. The pumpkin cluster is a combination of two different stamps. I used the masking technique to create the image that I wanted.

The pumpkins were colored with Copics. I kept the rest of the card relatively simple to keep the focus on the colored image! A small stamped sentiment and the card was complete.

If you would like to play along at CAS-ual Fridays with this week's sponsor being Clear and Simple Stamps, just click on the link below:
http://cas-ualfridays.blogspot.com/2011/10/cfc25.html

colourQ challenge #107...

2011-10-21T14:10:00.002-05:00

What a great Halloween combo! I wanted to keep this card very clean and simple so I focused on two main colors - Lucky Limeade & Rich Razzleberry. I used my Pumpkin Pie Stampin' Write marker to color in the socks.

The boots were originally stamped in Early Espresso but they weren't dark enough so I went over them with my Early Espresso Stampin' Writer as well (they actually look black in the photo). The 'BOO!' sentiment (that I totally LOVE) is stamped in Early Espresso. I found this little gem at a garage sale ages ago - origin unknown

I found it difficult to capture the true Limeade color. My camera kept wanting to give it a yellowish hue. I finally took the card outside and was happy with the

results.

Visit the ColourQ link below and join in the challenge fun!

http://colourq.blogspot.com/2011/10/colourq-challenge-107.html

HALLOWEEN rocks!

CFC24: Create a Clean And Simple Halloween project with NO orange. Not even a tiny spot!

2011-10-14T23:31:00.001-05:00

This card is quite clean and simple but I use the word 'simple' very loosely!Somewhere in my travels I saw a picture of this tree. Of course, I didn't have a stamp that even closely resembled the tree.....so I photocopied the picture (probably illegal), cut out the tree (believe me it took 4000 hours to cut those branches), traced it onto black cardstock and cut it out AGAIN!

I also hand cut the grass because once again, I didn't have a grass die cut or punch. The moon was punched from Crushed Curry and edged with Riding Hood Red (not orange). I stamped the bat and the sentiment with Stazon ink, ran some Basic Grey paper through an embossing folder and added a couple of brads.

If you would like to play along with this challenge or if you would like to see the awesome Halloween cards that the design team created, then just click on the link below:

http://cas-ualfridays.blogspot.com/2011/10/cfc24.html

colourQ challenge #106...

2011-10-14T21:53:00.001-05:00

This is my second entry into this week's challenge. For this card I used black for the card base, basic grey for the mat, masked a white frame with post-it-notes and sponged my sunset sky with Tangerine Tango & Crushed Curry. I wanted the tree and the sentiment to be a nice deep black so I stamped both with Stazon ink.

I hope this card will "INSPIRE" you to join in the fun challenges at colourQ. Here is the link to challenge #106:

http://colourq.blogspot.com/2011/10/colourq-challenge-106.html

Breast Cancer Awareness Challenge

2011-10-12T15:13:00.001-05:00

A double challenge in The Classroom along with the support of Unity Stamps.

The first is to make certain that you do your self-examinations and schedule a physical/mammogram if you haven't done so yet this year. This first challenge is one that may save your life --- please do it!

The second part of the challenge is to make a blank Thank You note. Please visit The Classroom to find out how you can make a difference to families affected by Cancer. Here is the link:

http://ellenhutson.typepad.com/the_classroom_new/2011/10/breast-cancer-awareness-and-challenge-unity-style.html

I kept my card subtle and simple so that the words written inside would be the focal point of this creation.

colourQ challenge #106...

2011-10-12T00:05:00.001-05:00

Okay, so I cracked myself up when I came up with this caption.....We 'herd" you are moooo-ving !!!

The inside says "to greener pastures".

I just love this cow stamp and figured that just one cow wasn't enough so I did a bit of masking (love this technique) and created a herd! I was having trouble finding a spot for Basic Grey so I used my C1 - Cool Grey Copic marker to create a shadow under each cow (I think I might just be pushin' it a bit here!).

I really wanted to try to look beyond Halloween or fall so this is what I came up with. Hope you like my take on this challenge!

If you would like to play along here is the link to challenge #106:

http://colourq.blogspot.com/2011/10/colourq-challenge-106.html

CFC23 Operation Julie's Smile

2011-10-10T23:57:00.003-05:00

....same card, photographed with a different background....

Operation Julie's Smile is a great place to start for my very first CAS-ual Fridays challenge!

Please visit the link below to read about 'the mission to get Julie her smile back' and also to play along with the challenge.

http://cas-ualfridays.blogspot.com/2011/10/cfc23-operation-julies-smile.html

Hopefully, Julie's days will soon be filled with 'Smiles and Laughter" :)

colourQ challenge #105...

2011-10-09T10:56:00.001-05:00

... oh dear! Company is arriving shortly, my dear sweet hubby is doing the dusting etc. and I am frantically trying to get my card posted!

Rushing does not pay off! I really messed up stamping the salutation and didn't have time to redo the card, my poor little birdie looks like he has been sipping some brandy (note the 'lean') and my camera has made my Pear Pizazz look like Old Olive. I am happy, however, with how the basket worked out. I cut thin strips of choc. chip & black; glued the brown strips onto the black strips and then actually wove the basket, securing the ends behind.

Happy Thanksgiving everybody!

colourQ's 2nd Birthday CASE a Queen Challenge #104...

2011-10-01T15:07:00.001-05:00

My version was cased from a cute card prepared by Cassie Trask show below:

Thanks for the inspiration Cassie!

I hand cut the tree trunk and branches and glued the green boughs (Martha

Stewart Punch) on to the limbs and then added a few rhinestones. I embossed the snowflakes with Iridescent Ice, added a rub-on sentiment and some baker's twine.

Cardstock is Early Espresso, Old Olive, Pool Party and White (all Stampin' Up). The embellishments are as close as I could get to Rose Red (I actually colored the brads with my Copic markers to get closer to the required shade).

Supplies: Stampin' Up, Making Memories, Copic markers, Martha Stewart

Playing in Paradise Challenge #35

2011-09-30T12:19:00.006-05:00

Did someone say 'Distressing' ..... I LOVE DISTRESSING! It is one of my favorite techniques! Something about it, just gives a card a unique look.

I am attaching two photos as one shows the distressing better and the other better reflects the actual colors.

I wanted this card to look really distressed and old. I was aiming for a stone top "coffin" and achieved this by cutting out my coffin shape, covering it with glue and then literally sprinkling sandbox sand on it. After it was dry, I sponged on some black ink, gave it a shot of Vellum glue and then finished with a good dose of hairspray! That sand isn't going anywhere! The webs were stamped with Stazon and embossed.

The "mummy" (who is desperately trying to escape the coffin) is made with Stampin' Up taffeta ribbon that was inked and roughed up a bit with a pair of tweezers. All other embellishments as well as the stamps are from my craft box, origin unknown.

If you would like to play along, plese click on the following link:
http://scrapbookersparadise.blogspot.com/2011/09/playing-in-paradise-challenge-35.html

Hope you like my spooky card!

colourQ's 2nd Birthday CASE a Queen Challenge #104...

2011-09-29T23:08:00.023-05:00

The card I chose to CASE is cQc#74 - Thanks Lindy G for your inspiration!

What a great challenge! My oh my, I had a real tough time trying to choose which card to CASE - they are all so amazing! However, I am quite the Inchie fan and this card caught my eye so I figured I would give it a whirl. Christina did a fantastic job on her card, which inspired me even more!

I wanted to try give the card some depth so I started by embossing white cardstock with the Swiss dot folder. I then punched out 1" squares, then punched various shapes within the inchie, then popped the inchie up on to the required colors of cardstock. I used DMC embroidery cotton to make my grid lines. I tried several different embellies in the upper left hand corner but settled for a simple salutation as anything more was just too much!

All supplies are Stampin Up with the exception of the punches (Walmart, I think) and the DMC cotton.

My post would not be complete without a GRRRRRRRR!!!! Seriously, I took over 100 pictures in every imaginable space in our house AND yard (the neighbors must think I am nutso!) and I had to settle for a 'practise shot' because it was one of the few pictures that showed the details! I am actually showing two photos in an attempt to get a good picture!

Vertical Sketch Challenge in the Moxie Fab World and colourQ challenge #102...

2011-09-14T15:45:00.003-05:00

One card....two challenges....again!

Once again, I decided to create one card to qualify for two different challenges.

This is the last of four sketch challenges over in the Moxie Fab World. Here is the link if you would like to play along - but hurry deadline is Sept 19th:

http://www.moxiefabworld.com/2011/08/vertical-sketch-challenge-in-card-ideas.html

(Note that I have turned the sketch upside down)

The second challenge is over at colourQ and it is Challenge #102. An awesome color combination of Poppy Parade, Basic Grey, Certainly Celery & Temptin Turquoise.

Here is the link to play along at ColourQ:
http://colourq.blogspot.com/2011/09/colourq-challenge-102.html

As soon as I flipped the sketch upside down, I immediately saw trees and a highway....

The wee red car is made up of different sizes of punched circles and popped up with dimensionals. The dotted line on the highway is the punched out sections from a button punch that I have. The trees are cut from Certainly Celery and stitched with a similar color twine from The Twinery. The salutation is computer generated.

Hope you like my card and happy crafting!

Horizontal Sketch Challenge in the Moxie Fab World and Playing in Paradise: Challenge #32

2011-09-13T16:16:00.003-05:00

Two challenges.....one card!

Two challenges ..... one card!

I wanted to play along with both and really didn't have time to make two separate cards so this is what I created to satisfy both challenge rules.

I love this clean and simple sketch from the Moxie Fab World! The photo from Scrapbooker's Paradise instantly made me think of an elegant table setting at a wedding, so I wanted to keep my card both elegant and simple!

Once again, it is hard to tell in the photo but the card base is made from a glossy cream colored cardstock. I used a piece of light cream colored vellum that has thin lines embossed on it. The pink hearts are also made from glossy textured cardstock. I pulled out my quelling gadget, cut thin strips of the pink paper and "quelled" my heart. The sentiment is embossed in silver, although it is hard to see in the photo.

If you would like to play along with the Moxie Fab Challenge please visit the following site:
http://www.moxiefabworld.com/2011/08/horizontal-sketch-challenge-in-card.html

To join in the Scrapbooker's Paradise Challenge, please click here:
http://scrapbookersparadise.blogspot.com/2011/09/playing-in-paradise-challenge-32.html

Happy crafting!

Congrats Baby Card

2011-09-07T16:15:00.009-05:00

My version of a cute wee baby card that we made at monthly stamp club night. Tweaked it a bit, changed the style and made it my own!

All products are Stampin' Up.

Playing in Paradise #31

2011-09-07T16:09:00.001-05:00

I didn't really have time to make a new card for this challenge so I dug around in my "stash" of cards and found this one. It is actually one of my cards that I actually like (I am very critical of my creations)!

Here is the link if you would like to play along:

http://scrapbookersparadise.blogspot.com/2011/09/playing-in-paradise-31.html

All products are Stampin' Up!

Playing in Paradise Challenge #30 - It's Sketch Time!

2011-08-31T16:34:00.005-05:00

Another fun challenge! For some reason, Valentine's Day popped into my head when I saw the sketch. I also opted for non-traditional colors....just to mix it up a bit. This is definitely the earliest EVER that I have had my honey's V-day card ready!

Here is the link if you would like to play along:
http://scrapbookersparadise.blogspot.com/2011/08/playing-in-paradise-challenge-30-its.html

Supplies: Paper - Stampin' Up; Nestabilities; Stamps - Stampin' Up and unknown (sentiment); Punches - Stampin' Up and Walmart; Ribbon - Stampin' Up

Square Sketch Challenge in the Moxie Fab World

2011-08-30T20:54:00.006-05:00

This is my card for the second Sketch Challenge in the Moxie Fab World. These challenges are a great way to get the mojo flowing! I lie awake in bed at night trying to come up with new ideas....Sheesh, eh? (Yes, I'm Canadian) LOL

I am in the middle of making a light box/tent to try to get some good quality photos! The photos just don't show the true colors! So, hopefully, within the next day or two things will be brighter....literally :)

Anyway, please play along by visiting the following link:
http://www.moxiefabworld.com/2011/08/square-sketch-challenge-in-card-ideas.html

Off to make my card for the next round! Ta ta!

Shaped Sketch Challenge in the Moxie Fab World

2011-08-28T15:15:00.004-05:00

This is the card I created for the Shaped Sketch Challenge in the Moxie Fab World. Here is the link if you would like to play along:

http://www.moxiefabworld.com/2011/08/shaped-sketch-challenge-in-get-sketchy.html

I used individual punched circles to create the scalloped border. The "lace" overlay was made by cutting a punched flower in half. The dotted centre circle was punched with my nesties and embossed with the Stampin' Up dots folder. I then punched individual dots from pink and black and glued these over the embossed dots and added thin strips of black to divide the circle into quarters. The centre is a Bow Bunny button embellishment popped up with a dimensionals and has a rhinestone added for some bling. The salutation is embossed and popped up with dimensionals.

Now, I am off to make my cards for the next three challenges. Please visit Moxie Fab World to join in the fun!

Something Other Than A Card

2011-08-23T17:56:00.023-05:00

This is our yard in summer

This is our yard in winter!

Needless to say, I get quite a few more cards made in the winter!

Playing in Paradise Challenge #29 - Paper Punches or Punch Art

2011-08-19T00:12:00.017-05:00

Another fun challenge!

I used four sizes of circle punches (1/8", 1/4", 3/8" & 1/2") to punch out circles from Sookwang Adhesive Sheets. VERY CAREFULLY, I removed the backing and randomly placed the circles on the scored lines. I used three shades of Martha Stewart glitter to cover the adhesive circles. I assure you that the "challenge" part was trying to remove the backing paper on the wee circles without ruining the shape!

This was a very difficult card to photograph! I had to settle for low lighting so that the score lines would show up, therefore the vibrant colors are quite compromised. The card is actually in shades of blue/green with the base being Isalnd Indigo (Stampin Up).

Would you like to play along? Then head on over to Scrapbooker's Paradise to join in the fun! Just click on the link below and get ready to punch!

ttp://scrapbookersparadise.blogspot.com/search/label/PPSC

Supplies: Sookwange Adhesive sheets, Fiskars & Stampin Up circle punches, Close to My Heart (white) cardstock; Stampin' Up Island Indigo cardstock; Martha Stewart glitter; Sentiment - Ditto stamps

Playing In Paradise Challenge 27 - Stencils or Templates

2011-08-09T22:30:00.005-05:00

Wow! This was a real challenge! After 100 million attempts at getting my nesties lined up, this is what I created. I started with plain white Close to My Heart paper. I used a dauber to cover the entire surface with Frost White Shimmer paint. It is really difficult to see the effect in the photo but it is quite pretty. I laid down my "frame" made with the negative images from my Large Scalloped Square and Large Square (nesties). Once again, using my dauber, I sponged on Soft Suede ink. It is quite difficult to keep the color from bleeding under the "stencil" but after several tries, I finally got a nice clean image! I then stencilled the negative image from my Sizzlits Little Leaves in the frame that I had created. I added a few brown dots, a velum butterfly (also daubed with the Frost White Shimmer paint), and the sentiment (stamped with Stazon Ink). I wanted my mat to match the frame so I prepared it using the same technique as the frame. Honestly, this card took 2 evenings to prepare but it was fun and definitely a challenge :)Hope you like my creation!

Supplies: Spellbinders Nestabilities; Sizzlits Little Leaves and Beautiful Wings; Stampin Up Stamp - Love & Sympathy - Stampin Up; Frost White Shimmer Paint, Paper - Close to My Heart,

Playing in Paradise Challenge 26: Tags, Twine and Buttons

2011-07-31T16:29:00.007-05:00

I love using buttons and twine on my projects. I am hoping that this card will qualify for the "tag" portion of the challenge as I used my Stampin' Up Word Window Tag punch for the sentiment. I inked and distressed the edges of the crumb cake square (middle of the card) as well as stamped a background image on it. I was aiming for masculine and I think that this card fits the bill!

Supplies: Stampin' Up Stamps - The Art of Life and Teeny Tiny Wishes; Paper - Stampin' Up - Crumb Cake and Early Espresso; Brads - Stampin' Up; Punch - Stampin' Up Word Window Tag Punch; Twine from The Twinery; Patterned Paper - Basil; Button - from my Baba's button box!

Playing In Paradise Challenge #24 - Color Your World

2011-07-15T02:01:00.016-05:00

First of all, a big thank-you to Laura and the staff from Scrapbooker's Paradise. Personally, these challenges not only motivate me but also give me a starting point for a card or project - something that I often struggle with :)

I am slowly learning how to operate my camera so that I can properly photograph my cards (this picture really does not do justice to the shading on the popsicles). I probably need to ask a 5 year old how to do this !!!

To play along and have some summer crafting fun please visit the following link:

http://scrapbookersparadise.blogspot.com/search/label/PPSC

Supplies: Paper - Stampin' Up and Papertrey Ink; Stamps: Popsicles - Stampin' Up, Miss Anya Collection, The Greeting Farm; Copic Markers; Salutation - Microsoft Works

Playing in Paradise Challenge #22 - Scrapbooker's Paradise

2011-07-05T15:43:00.001-05:00

This was the Father's Day card I made for my father-in-law that depicts his favorite shirt - a thread bare, chambray denim shirt with a well worn polka dot hanky. I used some rough sandpaper on the shirt 'fabric' paying particular attention to the edges. I worked and worked at distressing the paper "hanky" to get a fabric look with frayed edges. It is hard to see in the photo but the edges of the hanky as well as the cajun cardstock have both been distressed. I also used some snaps from my sewing collection that were originally black but I sanded off most of the color to give them a worn look as well. I hauled out my machine and did the stitching in a denim blue color thread. What a blast this was!!!

Supplies: Black & Cajun Craze - Stampin Up; Blue "Denim" is Basil, Polka Dot paper - unknown

iCopic Weekly Challenge #35 Anything but White

2011-06-20T19:45:00.001-05:00

It was definitely a bit more challenging to get the colors right using paper other than white but I think it worked out okay. It is hard to tell but the little mouse is popped up using dimensionals. A list of supplies used will can be provided if requested. Thanks for looking!

Make It Monday #12: Line Frame 101

2011-05-01T16:51:00.001-05:00

One more entry into the Make It Monday #12 Line Frame 101 challenge. Not only did I challenge myself with the Line Frame but I definitely stepped outside my preferred color schemes. I think this will make a great Mother's Day Card.
Supplies: Paper - Papertrey Paper Basics; Copic Multiliner .05; Copic Sketch Markers BG13 and R32; Ribbon and cardstock - Stampin Up; Stamp - Recollections - Mark My Heart

Make it Monday #12: Line Frame 101

2011-04-27T15:03:00.001-05:00

This is only my second challenge ever! Not too happy with how my photo turned out! I had so much fun with this, I think I will try another entry to this challenge :)

Supplies: Paper - Papertrey Ink/Paper Basics, Bitty Dot Basics; Stamps - Stampin Up/Stampabilities; Ink - StampinUp; Copic Multiliner SP .05

Manitoba Stamper

Unscripted Sketches #146

Unscripted Sketches #145

Unscripted Sketches #144

One Layer Wednesday 76

Unscripted Sketches #143

CFC36: Create a Clean And Simple Project that is only black and white.

Map to Your Heart Challenge in the Moxie Fab World

Unscripted Sketches #142

Unscripted Sketches #141

ric#3 - Gareth Pugh Spring 2012 and Die Cutting Challenge in the Moxie Fab World

Unscripted Sketches #140

Unscripted Sketches #139

Unscripted Sketches #138

Unscripted Sketches #137

Unscripted Sketches #136

Unscripted Sketches #135

Anniversary Celebration: Sketch Challenge by Julia Stainton

Unscripted Sketches #134

colourQ challenge #111...

Unscripted Sketches #133

Unscripted Sketches #132

colourQ challenge #109...

Playing in Paradise #39

Playing in Paradise #39 and Textured to Perfection

colourQ challenge #108...

CFC25: CAS-ual Fridays, The Clean And Simple Challenge! and 2011 October Papertrey Blog Hop Challenge

colourQ challenge #107...

CFC24: Create a Clean And Simple Halloween project with NO orange. Not even a tiny spot!

colourQ challenge #106...

Breast Cancer Awareness Challenge

colourQ challenge #106...

CFC23 Operation Julie's Smile

colourQ challenge #105...

colourQ's 2nd Birthday CASE a Queen Challenge #104...

Playing in Paradise Challenge #35

colourQ's 2nd Birthday CASE a Queen Challenge #104...

Vertical Sketch Challenge in the Moxie Fab World and colourQ challenge #102...

Horizontal Sketch Challenge in the Moxie Fab World and Playing in Paradise: Challenge #32

Congrats Baby Card

*Playing in Paradise #31*

Playing in Paradise Challenge #30 - It's Sketch Time!

Square Sketch Challenge in the Moxie Fab World

Shaped Sketch Challenge in the Moxie Fab World

Something Other Than A Card

Playing in Paradise Challenge #29 - Paper Punches or Punch Art

Playing In Paradise Challenge 27 - Stencils or Templates

Playing in Paradise Challenge 26: Tags, Twine and Buttons

Playing In Paradise Challenge #24 - Color Your World

Playing in Paradise Challenge #22 - Scrapbooker's Paradise

iCopic Weekly Challenge #35 Anything but White

Make It Monday #12: Line Frame 101

Make it Monday #12: Line Frame 101

Playing in Paradise #31