Sneak Peek at a Pretty Hat!

Tuesday, December 30, 2008

The last day of the year.....wow! Where the heck did it all go?!

Do you make New Year resolutions? I usually don't because why would I set myself up for disappointment? haha I like to welcome in the new year and look forward to what lies in store for us.

I have a sneak peek for you today! This stamp set is being released tomorrow over at The Greeting Farm (previously known as Pink Poison). I think the set is called Pretty Hat and I snapped her up when TGF had a one day only pre-release opportunity the day after Christmas. Isn't she just darling??

I used today's sketch challenge over at SCS (SC209) for this card. I tried a technique that Kim Teasdale likes to use quite often. She heat embosses her images first before coloring. I inked the image with Versamark ink first, then inked it up with my Stazon ink, then stamped it out onto watercolor paper. Then added the clear embossing powder and heat set it. The result is this crisp, speckle-free raised image to work with. It eliminates the messy look you get when you can't quite get rid of all those specks of black ep in all the wrong places! I think this, by far, is the best trick I've learnt this year! It makes watercoloring a snap too because all the water does not runneth over....if you watercolor, you know what I mean! hahaha

Have you heard of digital stamps? They're quite popular at the moment. The Greeting Farm will be offering some exclusive Anya stamps up for downloading starting tomorrow. Head over to The Greeting Farm's blog for some sneak peeks! Also, there are some super fun digital stamps available at Victoria's website too. (You NEED to check out her monster rubber stamps - they're so stinking cute!!)

So New Years Eve for us will be a quiet one this year. We'll be ordering a pizza and watching the ball drop in Times Square from our couch! LOL Trust me when I say that there isn't much else to do in Keene on New Years Eve!

Happy New Year!!!

Supplies:
Stamps: The Greeting Farm 'Pretty Hat'
Inks: Staz On 'Timber Brown', Versamark, Pretty in Pink, Cranberry Crisp, Creamy Caramel, Close To Cocoa, Soft Sky, Vintage Violet
Paper: Canson watercolor, Georgia Pacific cs, Bazzil cs, PP - 'My Mind's Eye -Signature Life Collection - Her "Bloom & Grow" Botanical Bliss/Sunshine Paper '
Access: Sheer ribbon, Kaiser pearls, dimensionals, paper piercer, Zig pen

Twinkling Tuesday!

Who wants to win some blog candy??

You? Me too!!

Well read on and I'll give you all the deets.

Today is Sketch 3 of Madelynn's Twinkling Tuesday challenge and she decided to be very kind to all of us this week! haha (Last week was a toughy!) Below is Madelynn's sketch.

Easy one right?? Well, apparently is was a little too easy because I couldn't decide which stamp to use and what else to add to the card! Urgh! The easy ones are always the hardest! What a lush!

So you can see I 'tweaked' the layout a wee bit. I mirrored the layout and used a sentiment on a strip of paper rather than a whole strip across the middle. Hopefully Jess and Madelynn don't give me the gong for this amount of tweaking! (Take pity on me girls!) The stamp is part of the 'Creatures' set by Starving Artistamps/Doodle Factory and the sentiment is from their 'Quirky' set. I fell in love with this set because it's got some great characters and the matching sentiments are hilarious!

This guys name is Zot. He needs his caffeine in the morning. I can soooo relate! LOL However, I am a morning person, so that's where the similarity ends. I colored him with SU inks and aquapainter on watercolor paper and layered him a couple of times on the kraft cardstock.

So, you wanna win some candy do ya?? hehe...Ok, ok....I've strung you along enough this morning. If you take part in this week's Twinkling sketch challenge, you're in with a chance to win some great blog candy. All you have to do is create your card, upload it to Splitcoaststampers or Paper Craft Planet or your blog and leave a comment on Jessica's Twinkling blog post linking back to your card. And remember - use the keyword 'MTTSC3' when posting to SCS or PCP so we can all find your fabulous work and leave some love! If you'd like to see some more fabulous cards using Madelynn's sketch, blog hop over to the other girls' blogs on the DT (list is on the left)!

Hope everyone has a twinkling Tuesday!!

Supplies:
Stamps: Starving Artistamps/Doodle Factory 'Creatures' & 'Quirky Sentiments'
Inks: Staz On 'Jet Black', Morning Marigold, Real Red, Creamy Caramel
Paper: Canson watercolor, Kraft cs, Bazzil cs, PP - Basic Grey 'Stella Ruby - Drive in the Country'
Access: Brads, Marvy circle scalloped punch, EK Success circle cutter, dimensionals

A Snowman Hedgehog?

Sunday, December 28, 2008

Good Morning! Good Morning!

I hope everyone had a festive Christmas holiday. Did ya stuff yourself with yummy food like I did? Between my husband, me and our daughter we have 2'x1'x1' box full of candy just from our stockings! And not the cheap kind of candy either - Lindt balls, Ghirardelli squares and blocks of Cadbury chocolate! I CANNOT and will not throw good chocolate out, no matter how bad for me! hahaha (Sorry Mary!)

So what did everyone get for Christmas?! I still have a few things coming in the mail this week, but I my main present from hubby was this:My very own 9" mini laptop!!

He absolutely spoiled me this year, no doubt about it! However, if he was being completely honest with himself, he'd admit that he was sick of sharing the 17" laptop we bought a year ago! Now he doesn't have to. Don't worry, he definitely got his fair share of new toys from me. Our three year old got her first Fisher-Price digital camera. Believe it or not, she has been taking some great shots with it. And just when I thought Christmas couldn't have gotten any better; hubby and I each received an IPOD Touch for from his parents!?! An IPOD Touch!? I was absolutely gobsmacked! I've been playing with it ever since. :D It's way cool!

Anyways, thank you for allowing me a small break from blogging and card making to spend some down time with my family. I hope you managed to do the same. :D I have a cute card to show you today.
I used another image I received in a swap. I'm 99.8% sure it's a Penny Black stamp, but after a bit of searching, I couldn't find out for certain. These cute critters are colored up again with my trusty inks and aquapainter and then double matted on some Georgia Pacific cs and Bazzil cs. Then I used some more of the K&Company patterned paper my sweet friend Mary gave me.

EDIT: I was kindly told by a few SCS members that this stamp is infact from Stamping Up and part of the 'Holiday Hedgehogs' set. I would never have guessed this!

I am really pleased with how this card turned out! I love it's simplicity. It does bug me a bit that there's no sentiment, but I don't have one that would be appropriate, so none will have to do! It actually sort of resembles one of Paula Tracy's cards (which I ADORE!) - she MUST be rubbing off on me! I can only hope! hahaha

Hope you're all having a wonderful Monday! I have the week off, so I'm planning a week of card making for the Hanna Stamps release party next week.

Supplies:

Stamps: Penny Black

Ink: Staz On 'Jet Black', Soft Sky, Cool Caribbean, Buckaroo Blue, Real Red, Pumpkin Pie, Creamy Caramel, Close To Cocoa, Chocolate Chip, Certain Celery

Paper: Whisper White, Bazzil cs, PP - K & Company Brenda Walton 'Designer Mat Pad'

Access: Ribbon, Kaliedescope EP, dimensionals

Happy Holidays!

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Over the past week we've been crossing the days off a calendar for my daughter and she's just bursting with excitement today that Christmas Day is finally one more sleep away! I hope you're all done with your shopping and today is a rest day for you all. I have work today (urrgh!), but I'm going to try get off early and spend the rest of the day with family.

I have two cards to show you today. The first one is my take on 8 year old Madelynn's Twinkling Tuesday sketch challenge. Can you imagine how tickled pink she must be to have her very own design team?! It's gotta be better than ice cream!! :D

Well, with all the wrapping that's been going on in my house, the sketch reminded me of a wrapped Christmas present. I tweaked the sketch and created a 5.5" x 5.5" card with it. I made the diagonals in the sketch imitate the ends of a wrapped box and the vertical and horizontal stripes became the ribbon. One of the opposing set of triangles is matted with coordinating patterned paper and popped on pop dots for some added dimension. Now I got a little stuck on what to do for the center panel but then I had a light bulb moment and came up with a tag! I love it when a plan comes together!

Here's another light bulb moment for ya: The criss crosses remind me of the union jack on the UK flag!! If I had a stamp of an old english letterbox (mailbox) that would make a great card don't you think?!

If you want to play along with this week's sketch, remember to leave a comment on Jessica's blog post and a link to your card. If you're uploading to SCS, add the keyword 'MTTSC2' - that way we can easily find all your fabulous creations! Please feel free to visit the rest of the design teams' blogs (listed on the left) for their takes on the sketch. They completed their cards on Tuesday....I was a little slow this week! (It's Christmas!!)

My second card uses the same yummy Wassail patterned paper from Basic Grey. This time I used Rubbernecker's Elf Train stamp and sprinkled some of Martha Stewart's punched snowflakes around. This layout just kind of evolved because I was trying not to cover up much of the pretty paper! I really love how this one turned out!

So that's it from me for this week. I'm looking forward to spending the next few days with family and friends...and with any new stamp items I might be getting from Santa! hahaha I want to thank everyone who's left a comment or who regularly stops by my blog a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS! A big thank you also goes out to Kristi Ferro for plucking me out of SCS obscurity this year! You're the best boss ever! Have a fantastic week and I'll see you all next week!



Supplies:

Card 1
Stamps: Hanna Stamps! 'Sleepy Time Riley', Rubbernecker 'Scroll Holiday'
Inks: Creamy Caramel, Chocolate Chip, Real Red, Cranberry Crisp, Soft Sky, versamark
Paper: Bazzil cs, Very Vanilla, PP - Basic Grey 'Wassail Collection - Snow Dust & Spice Tea'
Access: Ribbon, dimensionals, stickles, Seafoam embossing powder

Card 2
Stamps: Rubbernecker 'Elf Train'
Inks: Cranberry Crisp, Creamy Caramel, Soft Sky, Real Red, Certain Celery, True Thyme,Vintage Violet, Distress Inks 'Black Soot'
Paper: Bazzil cs, Very Vanilla, PP - Basic Grey 'Wassail Collection - Snow Dust & Spice Tea'
Access: Ribbon, MS snowflake punch, Kaiser pearls, dimensionals

Wish I May, Wish I Might!

Ok, so this isn't quite a Christmas card but it has a star on it! LOL Gotta count for something right??


Isn't she the sweetest thing you've EVER seen?? Sadly, I don't own this stamp and up until yesterday I didn't know who made it or how I came to own the image. But I did some detective work and figured out that my colorful Canadian friend Paola owns it and it's made by Penny Black. I have to have this stamp! It was such a treat to color up! I just used my SU inks and my aquapainter again and the star was begging for some stickles so I obliged. Wouldn't it be cute if the backgroun was painted up like the night sky with little twinkle lights all around her??

Strange though, I was also listening to Twilight on my IPOD while coloring her up and she didn't turn all dark and thirsty on me! :D Those bunnies are devious I tell ya!!

I have some fun news for you all too; yesterday Jessica Diedrich, of 'The Whimsical Butterfly' fame asked me to be on her daughter Madelynn's Twinkling Tuesday Design Team! YAY! Of course I said yes! It's a weekly (Tuesday) sketch challenge drawn by Madelynn herself. Since today is Tuesday, head over to Jessica's blog for her daughter's second only sketch. I'll have my sample to show you tomorrow.

Just an FYI, tomorrow will be my last post this week. I'm taking the rest of the week off for family time. Well, it IS Christmas! LOL Only two more sleeps to go!

Supplies:
Stamps: Penny Black 'On A Star #2307K', Studio G mini alphabet set
Inks: Staz On 'Jet Black', Pretty in Pink, Real Red, Morning Marigold, Creamy Caramel
Paper: Whisper White, Bazzil cs, PP - Basic Grey 'Sugared Collection - Attractive'
Access: Ribbon, stickles, dimensionals

Season's Greetings!

Monday, December 22, 2008

Forgive me if it seems I haven't shown you all a lot of Christmas cards this year. It's because I don't own that many. Infact I think I can count all my Christmas stamps on one hand! I was a little surprised myself, but then I had to remind myself that I only got serious about stamping and making cards back in March of this year and this is my first Christmas stamping, let alone blogging! Through SCS and blogger, I have had my eyes opened to the many wonderful Christmas stamp sets and projects that can be created for the holiday season. Aren't there some amazing and talented people out there?! I hope to be a bit better prepared next holiday season.

I do have a couple of Christmas cards to show you this week though. This particular one uses a stamp I found at Michaels. It's by Hero Arts and it reminded me of the Collage Garden stamp set put out by Stamping Up a few years ago. I bought that set on the BST (Buy, Sell, Trade) forum on SCS earlier in the year because I was so drawn to the style.

I first stamped the image with Staz On 'Timber Brown' onto watercolor paper, then sponged over the image with Distress Inks 'Antique Linen'. Then I ran the edge distresser around the edges of the image and sponged them with the Tea Dye ink. I used True Thyme to color in the leaves, and Cranberry Crisp for the berries. The snow in the little picture was colored using Soft Sky. I stamped out a duplicate of the image, cut it out, covered it in Versamark ink then kaliedescope ep and heat set it. The I popped it on dimensionals for some depth. Then as a final touch, I added stickles to the snowflakes and around the edges of the cardstock for some added sparkle. That oh so yummy ribbon came from my good friend Kelly in Florida. She was my secret santa this year and this ribbon was in the lunch pail she made me. (I'll post a picture of it tomorrow for you.) This card is on it's way to my crazy friend in Canada.

Did everyone survive the weekend? We got nailed with two snowstorms. The first one came Friday afternoon and left 6 -8 inches and flurried all Saturday. It didn't let up yesterday and I think we got 12 inches! Hopefully there isn't any more of the white stuff in the forecast before Christmas!

Only three more sleeps until Christmas!

Supplies:

Stamps: Hero Arts 'Collage Season's Greetings K4827'

Inks: True Thyme, Soft Sky, Cranberry Crisp, Distress Inks 'Antique Linen, Tea Dye', versamark

Paper: Canson Watercolor, Bazzil cs, PP - Basic Grey 'Aged and Confused Collection - Vintage Floral'

Access: Ribbon, Stickles, dimensionals, Zig pen, Kaliedescope ep, Tim Holtz edge distresser

A Non Traditional Chrissy!

Friday, December 19, 2008

Good Morning, Good Morning!

Lord do I feel ten times better this morning than I did last night! Remember how I said that yesterday was my work Christmas party/late lunch/early dinner? Well, the fish burger I ordered didn't sit well in my stomach and by 9pm I was hugging the white porcelain! Blah! It definitely wasn't the one pint of Munich beer I had - that tasted good! That's my reason for the late posting today.

Today's challenge (HSC48) on Hanna Stamps is to create a non-traditional Christmas card. This can be done either by using non-traditional colors or by using a regular set and making it Christmassy (Is that a word? It should be!).

I might get the buzzer for this card because it has some red in it, but I thought the majority of the colors weren't very traditional. When making this card, I very quickly realised that the only 'Christmassy' Hanna Stamps set I own is the Ski Bunny set! Ummm ahh! That's so bad! LOL But I made the most of it and used the cuppa cocoa with this fun paper from SEI. If you click on the image, you'll notice that the scalloped panel is not a nestibility but two punched scalloped squares from my Marvy punch. Shhhh! Don't tell anyone, but I don't own a Cuttlebug or any nesties! I improvise!

I came up with two cards for this challenge because I wanted to try using a 'regular', non-Christmas stamp and make it fit the season. The layout for this card is the work of a VERY talented 8 year old girl, Madelynn. She is the daughter of Jessica Diedrich, better known as The Whimsical Butterfly. I thought it was so amazing that she came up with her own sketch for her mum that I couldn't resist playing! So this is my card for Madelynn's Terrific Tuesday Sketch!

I found the main stamp at Michaels, and I believe it's by Stampendous. The scarf is from Hanna Stamps 'Ski Bunny' set. Christmas is beginning to feel a bit like a rollercoaster for me! I kept these cards simple because the patterned papers are so busy.

I hope everyone has a great weekend. We have some more Christmas shopping to do, gymnastics with DD and maybe another round of baking. It's going to be a busy one that's for sure! Toodles!

Supplies:
Stamps: Hanna Stamps! 'Ski Bunny', Inkadinkadoo 'Rollercoaster - 97938'
Inks: Staz On 'Jet Black', Soft Sky, Real Red, Cranberry Crisp, Vintage Violet, Creamy Caramel
Paper: Bazzil cs, Georgia Pacific cs, PP - SEI Holiday Hoopla 'Merry Messages/Rowdy Rudolph', (Polka dot pp from Michaels - unknown)
Access: Ribbon, dimensionals, square scalloped punch, circle punches, paper piercer, zig pen, micron pen

Twilight Bunnies!

Thursday, December 18, 2008

Well, not quite, but that's my explanation on why this card looks a little 'dark'. I was listening to the first Twilight audio book on my IPOD and nothing seemed odd about what I was creating until I had finished the card and stood back from it. Then it dawned on me that my bunnies looked a bit pale and vampire-ish. Ooops!

The bunny is from Pink Poison's 'Wonderland' set. I stamped the middle bunny first, then the two outer bunnies next. Then I created two masks from post it notes by overlaying one of the bunnies with a post it note and traced around him with my exacto knife. Then I covered the middle bunny and one of the outer bunnies with the masks and stamped the bunny thats between them. I continued this until I was happy with the number of bunnies. You can use this masking technique with your flower stamps to create a garden full of them!

We have our work Christmas linner (late lunch, early dinner) at 3pm today. With all the deadlines and people leaving on vacation, this was all we could squeeze in! Anyone else having a Christmas party at their work?

Hope you all have a painless Thursday! :D

Supplies:
Stamps: Pink Poison/The Greeting Farm's 'Wonderland', SU 'Jumbo Wheel'
Inks: Staz On 'Jet Black', Soft Sky, Vintage Violet, Morning Marigold, Pretty in Pink
Paper: Bazzil cs, PP - Crate Paper 'Samantha Collection - IVY'
Access: Brads, dimensionals

Happy Hump Day!

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

How's everyone doing today??

Thanks for leaving comments on your Christmas traditions. I loved reading them. Carolyn and Lori - your traditions definitely humbled me.

Anyone traveling this Christmas? Thankfully, we don't have to travel far for Christmas morning. My inlaws live a hop, skip and a jump from us. Our Christmas evening will be at my husband's Aunt's house in Westfield, Massachusetts so we have about a 1.5 hr drive. My sister in law's parents are traveling from Calgary, Canada to visit their daughter, my brother and my parents in Australia this year. I bet Christmas in the heat will be a bit of a shock to the system! LOL

This card is for all those who may be traveling across country this holiday season. If I had been a bit more on the ball (or less deprived of sleep) when I made this over the weekend I would have added a Christmas tree to the top of the trailer! I was just too busy enjoying being creative again that I wasn't thinking ahead. Riley is traveling to his Christmas destination....hopefully somewhere warm! He's a moose, I know, but he's not your average moose! Maybe he's headed to the Bahamas? Ooo! Yes please!

Did anyone notice my new Hanna Stamps watermark?? I'm so excited to have it!! Beth Silaika of Frecked and Fun fame (and another Hanna girl) made it for me! You may have noticed my general watermark I've started using too. I tinkered around with Photoshop at work (shhhh!) and created that one. It's by no means as special as my Hanna one, but it'll do for now.

Hope everyone one has a happy Wednesday!

Supplies:

Stamps: Hanna Stamps! 'Trailer Riley' and 'Van Riley'

Inks: Staz On 'Jet Black', Cool Caribbean, Creamy Caramel, Chocolate Chip, Distress Inks 'Black Soot'

Paper: PP - Junkitz 'Destinations Paperz "0359-Mini Icons"

Access: Twill ribbon, circle punches, decorative scissors, dimensionals

Christmas traditions

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Do you have any Christmas traditions in your family?

When I was growing up we did the usual Christmas traditions like leaving a plate of biscuits (cookies) and a glass of milk out for Santa and those infamous Christmas crackers would come out at dinner. When I moved to the US, I introduced the crackers to my husband's family who had never heard of them! Now they're on the table every year. Christmas Eve is usually spent at either our place or at a BIL's house. A couple of years ago we discovered that the kids could 'track Santa' on Christmas Eve too! Here's the LINK.

Another tradition we started last year with our daughter was the 'Elf on a Shelf'. Have you heard of this? I heard about it last year and snapped up a copy of the book and the elf! You introduce the book to the kids after Thanksgiving time and the story goes that Santa sends an elf to every boy and girl to watch over them. Then at night, while they sleep, the Elf flies home to the North Pole to report to Santa on whether the child has been naughty or nice. And when he returns the next morning, he sits in a different location around the house and the kids have to find him. My three year old adores him and really gets a kick out telling the elf what she wants for Christmas!


Here's a card I made for a dear friend of mine. She generously sent me some more wonderful Magnolia images which I could not wait to color up!! I wanted to make her a Christmas card with one of the images but not have it appear too 'Christmassy', know what I mean?

I used some double sided SEI paper that had the polka dots on one side and the tulips on the other. I just layered it on some Bazzil cardstock and popped the image on some pop dots for a 3D effect. Then I went looking for a Christmas sentiment and couldn't find anything that fit the space beside the Magnolia image. So I made up one with the Studio G mini alphabet stamps I have from Michaels. It works doesn't it? hahahhaa I used SU's Real Red and Cranberry Crisp on her dress to give it some depth. I faux stitched the edges because my sewing machine is packed away.

Hope my friend likes it! Only 9 days until Christmas now - holy cow! Where the heck did this year go?? See you all tomorrow!


Supplies:
Stamps: Magnolia, Studio G Mini Alphabet set
Inks: Staz On 'Jet Black', Creamy Caramel, Pretty in Pink, Close to Cocoa, Chocolate Chip, Real Red, Cranberry Crisp, Certain Celery
Paper: Bazzil cs, PP - SEI 'Winnies Walls' - "Playful Pansies"
Access: Ribbon, dimensionals, Martha Stewart edge punch, paper piercer, Zig pen, White Signo pen

Good Morning!!

Monday, December 15, 2008

Did ya miss me?? Well, I sure missed you guys! I'm so very glad that last week is behind me and I can get back to the fun festivities of this holiday season! Thank you for all your patience and your well wishes. They were so nice to read during all those hours at work. I got over the worst part of my cold last weekend and spent the rest of the week barely squeaking out a conversation without ending up in a coughing fit. That was better than the head cold I had earlier! Anyway, I ended the week with 66 hours on my time sheet which my bank account will appreciate heading into this week. I still have most of my Christmas shopping to do! Eek!

Anyways,...enough about me, how about a card? This is the newly released set by Pink Poison, who will be formally changing it's name to 'The Greeting Farm' on January 1st, 2009. I don't work for them, but I thought you ought to know in case you google it in the new year.


Isn't she the most sweetest thing you've ever seen?? Those eyes are gorgeous! And the 'shrooms?! The set is called Wonderland. It arrived the Friday before last and sat uninked until this weekend. I hate that! But it was worth the wait because this set is a joy to color! I popped Alice's head on dimensionals as well as the shroom. Some days I struggle with picking paper, but not the day I made this card! The set is very animated to me, so I went straight to my Sassafras Lass paper. It's very colorful and can be a little intimidating to use, but a little bit goes a long way!

Ahhh! I feel so much better now that I've created something! Thanks for sticking with me last week. It really means a lot. I noticed that I have a few new blog friends now. Thanks for stopping by and I hope you find some inspiration here or even a smile or two. Soooo glad to be back!

Supplies:
Stamps: Pink Poison/The Greeting Farm 'Wonderland'
Inks: Staz On 'Jet Black', Morning Marigold, Creamy Caramel, Cool Caribbean, Pretty in Pink, Real Red, Close to Cocoa, Vintage Violet
Papers: Canson watercolor, Bazzil cs, Sassafras Lass 'Life is Beautiful' - "My Dearest", Dream Street 'Enchanted' - "Wish Upon A Star"
Access: Velvet ribbon, dimensionals

A week of work

Monday, December 8, 2008

Happy Monday morning to you all!

I hope you all had a great weekend. I think I spent most of mine in a coughing fit. Blah! My MIL took my sweet daughter all of Saturday while I was supposed to rest. I say 'supposed to' because it didnt quite pan out that way. I ended up cleaning the bathrooms because they were disgusting and then I vacuumed. That wore me out so I spent the rest of the day online trying to put together a photo book for a Christmas present. A word of advice: Don't think puting together a photobook will take one afternoon - it doesn't. I was still at it at midnight last night! Had to get it finished though because my full time job is going to consume every last free hour I have this week.

I work for an architectural company and we have a construction document deadline this Friday, so it's all hands on deck,working ungodly hours (I am expecting to work 14+ hr days). Which means my stamps, ink and blog will have to sit untouched this week. I'm so sorry about this but with my cold, I wasn't able to make any cards ahead of time. I will be back next week though, promise!

Take care,
Sandra

Day 9: Nine Ladies Dancing!

Saturday, December 6, 2008

Sorry for this post being a little late today - I've come down with a cold and I've been walking around in a cloudy daze these last couple of days. Still, since my inlaws have my sweet girl today, I snuck in some stamping time for a special reason - over on Papercraft Planet, Hanna Stamps is sponsoring Day 9 of their Twelve Days of Christmas challenge.

The challenge wasn't to include 9 ladies dancing (although Adela's did - wow!), but you do need to include a lady on your card. I chose to use the sweet teen from the 'Slumber Party' set just released this week.

Sorry if the photo looks a bit glarey - I tweaked it in some software, but my brain can't decide if it's an issue or not! (My brain has switched off today....I'm surprised I can even type today!)

I stamped Hanna once on some watercolor paper, and again on some Whisper White. Then I colored her up on the water color paper with my SU inks and stamped the background of the other with the hearts stamp from the 'Read My T' set. The I cut Hanna out with my precision scissors (which I find is the best to use) and inked the edges with a black sharpie. Popped her on some dimensionals, and layered her over the image I stamped on the whisper white.

The patterned paper is by Sandylion and I found it at my local scrapbook store. The sentiment is also from the 'Read My T' set. I used my circle punches to create the tag and adhered to the ribbon using a jump ring (found at Michaels). If you can, you should play along because Hanna Stamps is putting up a prize for the winner. I believe the challenge ends at midnight EST, so you might wanna get cracking! :D

Hope you're all having a wonderful Saturday. I'm planning to watch the 'Sex in the City' movie while creating a photo book online for a Christmas present. Toodles!

Supplies:
Stamps: Hanna Stamps! 'Slumber Party & Read My T'
Inks: Staz On 'Jet Black', Creamy Caramel, Pretty in Pink, Real Red, Soft Sky, Certain Celery, Cool Caribbean
Paper: Whisper White, Canson watercolor, Bazzil cs, PP - Sandylion 'Candy Stripe'
Access: Ribbon, circle punches, scalloped square punch, jump ring, bead, dimensionals, aquapainter, precise scissors and stickles

Happy Friday!

Friday, December 5, 2008

Morning everyone! It's Friday and I couldn't be more relieved! LOL I have a head cold coming on and I need the weekend to recoup! It's nothing a little Sudafed can't fix.

Today is challenge day over at Hanna Stamps and this week I am your gracious host! (I can say that because it's my blog! LOL) My challenge this week is to create a gift tag. With the holidays right around the corner, and all the presents we'll no doubt be buying, they're going to need gift tags adorning them! They can be any size or shape, but they must have at least one embellishment and the color red on it. Head on over to the thread, HSC46, in the Hanna Stamps forum for these details and a link to the gallery.

I made a couple of tags to show you. Mainly because I wasn't happy with how my first one turned out. Before this, I hadn't made a gift tag ever! So this was even a challenge for me!

My first one uses the newly released 'Pin Up Hanna'. She's wearing a hot little red number! I should put this on a little jar of massage oil for the hubby! hahaha I don't think I need to go into a lot of detail on these tags. They're pretty self explanatory. If you do have a question about them, just leave a comment and I'll get back to you on it, ok? :D

My second tag uses the same mica glitter as the first tag. I've been drooling over Anna Wight's snowflakes for a month now, so I had to give it a try! The nice thing about this tag is that the receiver could end up using it as an ornament! I love sentimental ornaments, don't you?

My (second and) third tag uses 'Sleepy Time Riley'.
I love how this one turned out! I stamped the base of the tag with the snowflakes from the 'Ski Bunny' set in white ink, then stamped over the top of them in versamark and added some Kaleidescope embossing powder for some sparkle. Then I added some stickles to Riley's bunny slippers for even more sparkle.

My fourth tag uses 'School Riley' and it's a tag for some cookies I'll be making for my DD's preschool teachers. They'll get a kick out of him! I made the blackboard from black cs and Morning Marigold cs. The frame was aged with distress inks. I think this is my favorite tag of all.

Ok, so that's all I have for today. I hope your Friday is quick (unless you have the day off work, then I hope it's nice and slow!) and painless. I was supposed to have today off, but I'm working extra hours to be used later in the month.

Tomorrow I'll have a card to show you for Papercraft Planet's 12 days of Christmas challenge - it's sponsored by Hanna Stamps tomorrow! :D Toodles!


Supplies:
Stamps: Hanna Stamps! 'Pin Up Hanna', Sleepy Time Riley, snowflakes from 'Ski Bunny', School Riley
Ink: StazOn 'Jet Black', Various SU colors, Colorbox white ink, Distress Inks 'Tea Dye and Vintage Photo'
Paper: Kraft cs, Bazzil cs, PP - Basic Grey (so sorry - I misplaced the name!), My Mind's Eye Wild Asparagus 'Me and My Sister'
Access: Ribbon, dimensionals, Martha Stewarts 'Mica Flake Glitter', MS snowflake punch and edge punch, wooden snowflake, decorative scissors

Happy Release Day!

Thursday, December 4, 2008

Is everyone excited about tonight's release party?! I know I'll be there with my drink of choice - a glass of wine - and my jammies! What will you be wearing?? Scratch that - I don't want to know. It had better be more than Pin Up Hanna is wearing that's all I can say! LOL

And that is the set I used on today's cards. I chose to highlight the accessories in the set rather than the main image this time around. Don't worry, I'll post another card later in the week featuring the main image.


I absolutely lucked out finding this paper at my LSS! The shapes reminded me of bubbles and then my mind went instantly to the bubbles in the 'Pin Up Hanna' set and then I started singing the line from the Gwen Stefani song 'Bubbly Pop Electric'. Doesn't this song fit the set so well!? Well, then I couldn't resist using that very line for my sentiment. Hubby took one look at the card and said "I don't get it". He's so niave sometimes! haha I stamped the bubbles from the set in the background and popped the corset up on dimensionals.


Here's the other simple card I made but this one uses the pillow and bubble gum. I used yesterday's SCS sketch challenge, SC205, for the layout. Since the overall color scheme was red and pink, I wanted a bit of pop, so I chose a contrasting color for the ribbon. It's funny how these two cards look similar yet they were made four days apart!

Ok, so that's all the sneak peeks I have for you. If you haven't already, pop over to the other DT girls' blogs to check out the goodies there and I'll 'see' you all tonight at the release party! 9PM - HERE!!

Ciao bellas!


Supplies
Card 1
Stamps: Hanna Stamps! 'Pin Up Hanna', Karen Fosters Snap Stamps
Inks: Staz On 'Jet Black, Pretty in Pink, Cranberry Crisp, Distress Inks 'Antique Linen'
Paper: Canson Watercolor, Very Vanilla, Bazzil cs, PP - Daisy Bucket Designs Southern Belle Collection 'Ashley'
Access: Ribbon, dimensionals, scalloped square punch

Card 2
Stamps: Hanna Stamps! 'Pin Up Hanna'
Inks: Staz On 'Jet Black, Creamy Caramel, Chocolate Chip, Real Red, Distress Inks 'Black Soot'
Paper: Bazzil cs, Georgia Pacific cs, PP - My Mind's Eye 'Wild Asparagus - "Merry Christmas" Dots/Blue Paper
Access: Ribbon, dimensionals

Sneak Peek Day Three!

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Who doesn't love Riley?? I know I sure do! And what's better than one Riley on a card?? Two of course! The two Rileys being released this week work perfectly together on a card. Van Riley and Trailer Riley are their names and they make a dynamic duo!


I stamped the two images on watercolor paper, colored them up with SU inks then cut them out with my trusty precision scissors. I then stamped out two extra Rileys, colored, cut and mounted them on the original images for some depth. The patterned paper is a great die cut piece that I found at Michaels. It's in the shape of a road sign, but I cut it down to fit the card. The size of this card is 4" x 8.25", which should fit in a standard sized business envelope.


My second Riley card for you isn't what it appears to be. It's Van Riley disguised as an ambulance! Can you tell? I masked off the back panel window with a post it note (or rather a bit of one), inked him up and stamped him out. Then I colored a scrap piece of watercolor paper in Real Red and Cranberry Crisp, drew a cross over it with a Micron pen and cut it out. Adhere it to Van Riley in place of the window and voila! You now have Ambulance Riley! :D The charm is from Hanna Stamps. If you haven't checked out the charms at the store, you really should because there are so many of them and you're bound to find one that fits your card theme!

Some of my lovely friends left comments saying they wanted to see our Christmas tree, so here it is! The photo doesn't do it justice though. I wish computers had 'smell-a-vision'! I don't need to light any Yankee Candles at the moment because the smell from this tree consumes you as soon as you walk in the door!
Well, only one more day until the release party! I hope to 'see' you all there.....err, I mean HERE! I have my last two sneak peeks for you tomorrow, so y'all come back now yer hear?!

Supplies
Card 1
Stamps: Hanna Stamps! 'Van Riley + Trailer Riley', Studio G 'Mini Alphabets'
Inks: Staz On 'Jet Black, Creamy Caramel, Chocolate Chip, True Thyme, Morning Marigold, Soft Sky, Distress Inks 'Black Soot'
Paper: Canson Watercolor, Bazzil cs, PP - Making Memories 'Passport Die Cut Road Sign'
Access: Ribbon, dimensionals, paper piercer

Card 2
Stamps: Hanna Stamps! 'Van Riley'
Inks: Staz On 'Jet Black, Creamy Caramel, Chocolate Chip, Real Red, Distress Inks 'Black Soot'
Paper: Bazzil cs, Georgia Pacific cs, PP - My Mind's Eye 'Wild Asparagus - "Merry Christmas" Dots/Blue Paper'
Access: Ribbon, dimensionals, jump ring, crutches charm, scalloped square punch, Zig pen

Sneak Peek Day Two!

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Introducing Hanna Stamps! 'I Dream of Jeannie'!

I wanted to show you two cards today because I used only one or two stamps from the set per card and I didn't have the heart to tease you like that! Aren't I nice?! hahaha

My first card uses the genie lamp and sentiment from the new set. I stamped them both on watercolor paper then colored the lamp in Morning Marigold with a wash of Creamy Caramel over the top to make the lamp a bit more tarnished. Then I used Certain Celery and Morning Marigold to create a cloud like effect for the smoke. Lastly, I added some green and gold stickles for some pop. The paper is Basic Grey's new line (available at Hanna Stamps) and let me tell you it's de-lic-ious!

My second card uses just the Jeannie from the set. Look at that waistline - I could have given her a run for her money in my pre-baby days! Nowadays. my boobs wouldn't be the only things jiggling in that outfit! LOL

After watercoloring the image, I used my decorative scissors to create the scalloped circle and the corners were created using my EK Success card creator on some scrap cardstock and cut down to just the bracket. I added a rhinestone to her forehead.

I just wanted to quickly mention too that a very sweet reader of my blog, Michelle W., gave me my first blog award last week! :D I'm so tickled pink by this! I'm passing on this award to my favorite girls on SCS!

Kadie ~ Michelle ~ Karen ~ Lorie ~ Mary ~ Laurie ~ Carolyn ~ Laura ~ Catherine ~ Kim

These are the rules gals:
1. Pick 10 people to pass this award to them.
2. Contact them and let them know that you have chosen their blog for this award.
3. Link to the person who gave this award to you.

Tomorrow I'll have some Moose for you!!

Supplies:
Card 1
Stamps: Hanna Stamps! 'I Dream Of Jeannie'
Inks: Staz On 'Jet Black, Morning Marigold, Creamy Caramel, Certain Celery, True Thyme, Distress Inks 'Peeled Paint, Tea Dye and Mustard
Paper: Bazzil cs, Georgia Pacific cs, PP - Basic Greys 'Offbeat collection - Casual & Radical'
Access: Ribbon, dimensionals, Stickles, Rhinestone stickers, EK Success CardCreator, brads, decorative scissors

Card 2
Stamps: Hanna Stamps! 'I Dream Of Jeannie'
Inks: Staz On 'Jet Black, Creamy Caramel, Real Red, Close to Cocoa, Pretty in Pink, Morning Marigold
Paper: Bazzil cs, Georgia Pacific cs, PP - Bo Bunny Express 'Splendor Swirl and Splendor Paisley'
Access: Ribbon, dimensionals, Stickles, Rhinestone stickers, EK Success Corner Creator, brads, decorative scissors

Sneak Peek Day One!

Monday, December 1, 2008

Good Morning Everyone!!

Are you all ready to see the new sets Hanna Stamps has in store for you all this week?? I know I've had a blast playing with them, so without further ado, let me introduce to you 'Slumber Party'.

This set is a must-have if you have any tween girls! There are 10 stamps in this set and I've used 5 on the front this card. Isn't this one of the cutest Hanna's you've ever seen? And those bunny slippers - too much! :D

First, I stamped out the pillows, the popcorn, Hanna and the sentiment on watercolor paper. Then colored them all in with the SU inks to match the colors in the patterned paper. Next I cut out the popcorn bowl and the pillows and mounted them with dimensionals. I should have taken a photo of the inside of the card for you because I stamped the popcorn bowl and some popping corn on the inside corner for some added pizazz. I'm still getting used to blogging and what I could or should be showing you.

Don't forget to pop on over to the other Design Team girls' blogs to check out their sneak peeks - who knows what you might see?! *hehe*

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend! We had a busy last several days with family. It was nice to have the time off work and spend it with them. Yesterday hubby, DD and I went to a local Christmas Tree farm and scored ourselves a beautiful Grand Fir tree with the most amazing fragrance you've ever smelt! It fills the entire apartment. We spent most of last night decorating it and what a beauty it is!


Hope everyone has a painless Monday and you come back to visit tomorrow morning for another Hanna Stamps sneak peek!

Supplies
Stamps: Hanna Stamps! 'Slumber Party',
Inks: Staz On 'Jet Black', Creamy Caramel, Close to Cocoa, Real Red, Cool Caribbean, Pretty in Pink, Pumpkin Pie, Morning Marigold, Vintage Violet, Distress Inks 'Black Soot'
Paper: Canson Watercolor paper, Bazzil cs, PP - My Minds Eye - Just Dreamy 2 - 'Dazzling "Sugar and Spice" Girl Thing/Connect the Dots'
Access: Robins Nest Dew Drops, dimensionals, decorative scissors