Black Tie and Diamonds

This is my second post of the day.  You can see the Viva La Verve post HERE.

Got your attention with that post title, huh?  The card I made last night reminds me of just that.

I created a toile-like pattern using a stamp from Lost Coast Designs, available at Blockheads Paper Arts:

Love it!  It has the same feel as the older Anna Griffin stamps I fell in love with, and aren't available any more.

Here's my velvet "bow-tie", topped with a button from my stash (thanks, Aunt Kay!).  There's lots of sticky Scor-Tape holding this baby together, plus a few stitches.  I glued the whole thing down with Aleene's Tacky Glue when it was assembled. (And here's what a lazy crafter I am:  I only had white thread / needle on hand to stitch this together, otherwise I'd have to go down to the cellar for black thread.  So I brought out a black Sharpie marker and colored my white thread.  ;)

The "diamonds" didn't photograph too well, but here they are!

Does anyone have any suggestions on a good camera to buy?  I am currently using a point-and-shoot Nikon Coolpix S4000, and find it falls short in doing close-up pix.  I've done a little research, and have started asking around.  I'm kind of interested in this Canon, but it's at least $600 so I need to save for a while:

Canon EOS Rebel T2i 18 MP CMOS APS-C Digital SLR Camera 

with 3.0-Inch LCD and EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens

Anybody have any experience with this camera?

Colleen

Stamps:  Lily Flourish - Lost Coast Designs
Paper:  white - PTI; Basic Black - SU
Ink:  Versafine Onyx Black - Tsukineko
Punch:  Lattic Edge - Martha Stewart
Other:  white satin ribbon - Nicole; black velvet ribbon - Michael's; bling - Queen & Co.; button; thread/needle

Viva La Verve #4 - Hugs and Kisses

Here's the final sketch of January for the Viva La Verve challenge (you have one more day if you want to play!):

I'm delighted and amazed that from now on, the fourth and final sketch challenge each month from Verve will be a clean and simple design.  That's just up my alley!  I do find the typical Verve sketches to be tricky.

My Valentine uses retired and oh-so-gorgeous Stampin' Up! paper, a thick strip of their pink grosgrain ribbon, and a few embellishments.  This was a breeze to make!

The die cut is Martha Stewart, sentiment Verve (of course!), and the little glittery chipboard heart stickers are by Recollections.

I'm entering this at Really Reasonable Ribbon too:  use red and pink with a ribbon.

Thanks to all of you who have commented on ways to combat hand pain, and wished me well.  I liked Lisa's "one day on the computer/one day off" approach...though it would be so hard to stay away!!  LOL
I think our strangely-warm winter is a benefit to my hands.  It's going to be 64 degrees here today in New Jersey.  Totally weird!

See you in a little bit with another post for the day, then tomorrow with a brand new Play Date Cafe challenge.  :-)

Colleen

Stamps:  Heart to Heart - Verve
Paper:  white - PTI; Real Red, patterned paper - SU
Ink:  Versafine Onyx Black - Tsukineko
Other:  Pink Pirhouette grograin ribbon - SU; chipboard hearts - Recollections; doily die cut - Martha Stewart; pearls

Ranunculus

Ever make a card "just because"?  This is one of those times.  No challenge, not being submitted for publication, don't even have a recipient in mind.

I was digging through my DCWV Mariposa Stack and found this beautiful piece of paper.  I trimmed it, mounted it on a card base, threw on some lace and pearls and I was done.

I love the lace trims together, and of course, some pearls.  ;)  I added a birthday sentiment inside.

The flower on the paper is a ranunculus, which I've always loved but never had in my own garden.  Here's one I'd LOVE to have:

Image Credit

I took the last several days off from major computer use, to give my hands a rest.  I don't have the results of the x-rays yet, but the good rest definitely helped somewhat.  Goes to show you how much I use my computer: TOO much!  Some people are addicted to their phones (not me, I have a standard issue cell phone), some to Facebook, but I am addicted to blogging.  :-)

Colleen

Stamps:  none
Paper:  Soft Suede - SU; Mariposa Stack - DCWV
Ink:  none
Other:  taupe trim, crochet trim, pearls 

Viva La Verve Sketch #3 - Valentine

Hi everyone!  I'm back with another Viva La Verve sketch, so I can complete my 4 for this month in hopes of winning Verve stamps.  :)  Viva La Verve Sketch Challenge #3 looks like this:

See the ribbon/paper banner extending to the left?  The paper is actually a tag from my daughter's pants.

I trimmed it down, and laid a satin ribbon over the wording.  It's nice to repurpose something as pretty as this!

As for the heart on the sketch...I don't have a heart shaped die, so that was out for me.  Guess I could've used a heart-shaped stamp, but that thought did not cross my mind until I was finished.  Instead, I clustered some chipboard heart stickers from K & Co on a Spellbinders tag.

The edges of the card are inked with Tattered Rose Distress Ink, and a sweet Verve sentiment is a good one for Valentine's Day, I think.

I'm entering this at CARDS create: blog for the new challenge, to use at least 6 hearts.  I've got waaaay more than 6 if you count the embossing folder!

I apologize for not getting around to everyone's blog for a visit.  I am experiencing pain in my hands, mostly my right (which is the "mouse" hand).  I had x-rays taken this morning, and am awaiting results.  After doing some research online, I believe it might be rheumatoid arthritis.  (great.)  My hands are starting to resemble my grandmother's, however, I'm only about half the age she was when her hands looked this way.  I am seriously bummed.  The knuckles right under my fingernails are swollen, tender and painful.  The pinkie finger is stiff sometimes, and hurts to bend.  Like I said, I am seriously bummed.  So...when my hands have good days, I will make my way 'round to all of you, because I enjoy seeing what you have created!

Colleen

Stamps:  Small Phrases - Verve
Paper:  Blush Blossom, Early Espresso, patterned paper - SU; white - PTI; floral clothing tag
Ink:  Tattered Rose Distress - Ranger; Versafine Onyx Black - Tsukineko
Other:  Big Shot; 'Love is in the Air' embossing folder - Cuttlebug; Oval and Fancy Tags Three dies - Spellbinders; ribbon; pearls; stickers - Valentine's Day adhesive chipboard stickers - K & Co.

Play Date Cafe 116 - Psalm 46:1

I had to laugh when I saw the names of our colors at The Play Date Cafe this week:  Plum, Pear and Moldy Cheese!  The Moldy Cheese refers to that interesting shade of blue, as in "Bleu Cheese".

I had a bit of a time trying to find that blue in my stash.  Because I was first introduced to Stampin' Up! at the time I became a card-maker, I always try to see colors according to the SU color charts.  Can't help it!! I thought this blue was somewhere near Not Quite Navy.  So why does my blue look lighter?  I definitely goofed there...but once the lace was glued down, there was no turning back!

The background paper is from my new stash of Anna Griffin goodies.  It is from the Carolina collection.
The Spellbinders Label Eighteen die cut is also from that same shopping expedition.  I used a piece of purple shimmery cardstock from DCWV Luxury Stack for that.

Our sponsor this week is

Head over to the Play Date Cafe to see what the fabulous prize will be!

Sadly, we are saying goodbye to Michele Gross and Andrea Ewen as our teammates this week.  :-(  They will both be missed so much!

Colleen

Stamps:  Psalm 46:1; Notes of Prayer - Verve
Paper:  white - PTI; Carolina patterned paper - Anna Griffin; blue paper, Kiwi Kiss cardstock - SU; purple paper - Luxury Stack - DCWV
Ink:  Antique Linen Distress - Ranger; Versafine Onyx Black - Tsukineko
Punch:  corner punch (name unknown) - Martha Stewart; Dotted Scallop - EK Success
Other:  Venise lace; white satin ribbon scrap; pearls; Big Shot; Labels Eighteen, oval dies - Spellbinders

Viva La Verve #2 - Wedding

I'm a little behind getting my Viva La Verve challenges done, but still okay if I finish before the end of January.  This is Sketch #2 for January:

I combined this with a new-to-me challenge, Jay Gee's Nook.  (thanks for the inspiration, Tammy!) Here is the inspiration picture:

The bits that I honed in on are the fabric design and birdcages on the bottom row, the lacy parasols in the top row, and the keys on the middle row.

The background is a Hero Arts stamp called Large Fabric Design, which is a recent acquisition for me.  I used DewDrop Versamagic Chalk Ink in Wheat on white cardstock.  I love it!

The lace is by Offray, and I wove (weaved?) a ribbon scrap through the holes, then tied it off in a knot on top.  I purposely frayed the edge for a different effect.

This key stamp is from Classic Icons by TPC, bought at Michael's loooong ago (probably two years).  It's the first stamp from this set that has seen ink!

For the oval, I layered on three stamps:  the sentiment and rings are from Verve's Love Story, and the bird cage is from Stampin' Up!'s Nature Walk (another set that I haven't used until now).

I embossed the rings with gold embossing powder, and an accident happened.  The word 'happiness' right above the rings was still wet, though I didn't know it.  Now it's got a speckly, flecked kind of look to it...and I decided it looks alright.  (Heck, I did NOT want to do this panel over; too many steps!)

I'm entering this also at Hero Arts January Contest, where the theme is love.

Thanks for joining me, and I'll see you tomorrow morning with another Play Date Cafe challenge!

Colleen

Stamps:  Love Story - Verve; Nature's Walk - SU; Classic Icons - TPC; Large Fabric Design - Hero Arts
Paper: white - PTI; Early Espresso - SU
Ink:  DewDrop Versamagic Chalk Ink - Wheat; Versafine Onyx Black, Versamark - Tsukineko; Antique LInen Distress - Ranger; Crumb Cake, Early Espresso - SU
Punch:  Acanthus Leaf - EK Success
Other:  Big Shot; oval die cuts - Spellbinders; lace - Offray; ribbon scrap; pearls; gold embossing powder - SU; heat tool

LOVE

I'm back again today, this time with a bold design.

Love my pearls!  (get it?)

I wrapped four challenges in one for this black and white card.

• Moxie Fab World's Cool Tools Punching challenge
• CASE Study - Jennifer Rzasa is the muse, and this is her inspiration card:

• CAS-ual Fridays - use only Black and White in honor of penguins everywhere!

• and create: - use square punches

Glad I was able to do this card in under a half hour, and spent only a little time more for photo editing and blogging.  Whew!

Thought I'd throw in some pictures of Cristabel, since she's black (with just touches of white):

Sun bathing in Mom's craft area

Looking at the girls playing outside

Spying a birdie or a squirrel

Thanks for joining me again today.  :0)

Colleen

Stamps:  All Year Greetings - Fiskars

Paper:  Basic Black cardstock - SU; asst'd patterned papers (donation from my cousin; origins unknown); white cardstock - PTI

Ink:  Versafine Onyx Black - Tsukineko

Punches:  1" and 1 1/4" squares - SU

Happy Holidays

Color Throwdown has a very Christmas-y color challenge this week.  Check out the colors:

I tried to use up some skinny paper scraps (all Stampin' Up!, from those $1 Scrap Bags), and came up with quite the horizontal card:

The holly and ivy cluster is from SU's Sleigh Bells Ring, stamped/colored/and trimmed.

This past weekend we had snow on Saturday, and then a layer of ice (not nice!).  By Sunday, most neighbors had shoveled their sidewalks, so my 10 YO and I took our wagon full of Girl Scout cookies 'on the road'.  We sold 20 boxes, which brings our total sold to 86!  We just started selling cookies this past Thursday, and were given an initial load of 100 to sell.  The ladies at our bank told us to come back on pay day, and we should be able to sell more!

Colleen

Stamps:  sentiment, Seasonal Poinsettias - MFP; Sleigh Bells Ring - SU
Paper:  Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla, assorted patterned paper strips - SU
Ink:  Versafine Onyx Black, Memento Tuxedo Black - Tsukineko; Walnut Stain, Frayed Burlap Distress - Ranger
Punch:  scalloped border - SU
Other:  Big Shot; jingle bell; twine - red and natural, Vintage Wallpaper Embossing folder, lace scrap - SU; Copic markers

Tuesday Trigger - Winter Blossoms

At Moxie Fab World, the Tuesday Trigger challenge photo is this:

Gorgeous paper flowers!  I decided to make my own paper flowers, too.

In fact, I made two versions of this card because I couldn't decide whether I liked the 3D version, or the flat (read:  more mail-friendly) version.

Some close-ups:

Which version do you like better?  I'm entering them both at Moxie Fab World.  I'll let Cath Edvalson decide if either one is worthy of being a Trigger!

Thanks for joining me!

Colleen

Stamps:  Old French Script - Hero Arts; All Year Greetings - Fiskars
Paper:  Very Vanilla, Pink Pirhouette, Crumb Cake, Barely Banana - SU
Ink:  Crumb Cake - SU; Versafine Onyx Black - Tsukineko
Other:  Big Shot, Blossom Party Bigz Die - SU; pearls

Pre-Paid Valentine

Hello everyone!  I have a Valentine to show you today...my first of the season.

I really like how this turned out!  The image is a Blockheads stamp from a set called Nature Medallions.

The stamp has a bee in the middle of the circle, but I transformed this into a Valentine theme by covering it with Martha Stewart Tinsel Glitter and a punched heart.  It's not visible here, but the heart is propped up with a foam dimensional dot.

Of course, I had to add my beloved pearls...a trio in all four corners.  Heaven!

This card measures 4.5" square.  I am linking up to the Die Cutting Challenge over at Moxie Fab World, and to 52 Card Pickup.

I've had such a busy week!  My 10 YO is a Girl Scout for the first time ever, and we just began Cookie Selling Season.  Each Girl Scout is given 100 boxes of cookies to sell, and in two days we've sold 66 boxes!!  So excited.  :)  Just by going to the bank yesterday to change a $20 dollar bill into ones, I sold 7 boxes to the women who work there!  Made me feel so happy.  My daughter and I sold cookies at a table in front of her school yesterday, and I accompanied her with a wagon full of cookies, going door to door on our street in the freezing cold.  (Numb fingers make it hard to count back change.)

Another thing keeping me busy:  making cards for submission to two different magazines.  I wish I could say the ideas are just pouring forth, but no.  If I make one every couple of days, I'm lucky.

Add in a major housecleaning these past few days, and I'm bushed!!

Yesterday I had errands to run, too, and while out I found this Anna Griffin kit of papers and embellishments for $7.99 at Tuesday Morning:

I also scored on big deals at AC Moore, one of the big box craft stores in my area.  I don't have a picture of that stuff to show, but I did get a Spellbinders set for 40% off, a Fiskars stamp set for 50% off, some Hambly Screen Prints, pearls, and canvas circles.  Oh!  And at TJ Maxx, I found this Inkadinkado Circles & Dots stamp set for ONE DOLLAR. (it sells for $7.49 on their website)

One more thing before I end this very long post (my apologies!):  my Paris Collage card earned a shout-out at Just Us Girls the other day.  Yay!

If you've made it this far, THANK you for visiting me today!

Colleen

Stamps:  Nature Medallions - Blockheads Paper Arts
Paper:  Crumb Cake, Basic Black, Cherry Cobbler, Very Vanilla - Stampin' Up!
Ink:  Antique Linen, Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain Distress Inks - Ranger; Memento Tuxedo Black - Tsukineko
Punch:  Heart to Heart - SU
Other:  pearls - Queen & Co.; Fleur de Lis Square die - Spellbinders; Florentine Gold Tinsel Glitter - Martha Stewart; glue pen

Play Date Cafe 115 - Framed Bird

Slate, Moss, Bark, Burlap...I LOVE the sound and look of these colors!  They remind me of a Pottery Barn catalog.  :)  These are the colors for this week's Play Date Cafe challenge, and boy, did I have fun making my card.

I used the Bird In Nest stamp from Blockheads, and stamped it with Memento ink (best for coloring with Copic markers).  It was cut out with a Large Deckled Rectangle die (Spellbinders), and I inked the edges while it was still in the die.

I added Crystal glitter from Martha Stewart to the flowers, and Brownstone glitter to the nest.  It doesn't show up too well in my picture; it looks like the nest has a worm infestation.  ;)

Distressing the edges of the patterned paper was fun.  I actually own a distressing tool now (Tim Holtz brand), instead of using my fingernail.  I tore the paper in a few places, and inked the edges with Distress Inks.

Show us your earth-toned beauties this week by linking up at The Play Date Cafe.  Hope to see you there!

You could win some of the Twinery's luscious twine. :)

Colleen

Stamps: Bird In Nest - Blockheads Paper Arts
Paper:  Wassail - Basic Grey; Julianne, Elegance - K & Co; Very Vanilla, Early Espresso cardstock - SU
Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black - Tsukineko; Antique Linen, Frayed Burlap Distress inks - Ranger
Punch:  floral punch - Martha Stewart
Other:  Large Deckled Rectangle die - Spellbinders; pearls; Copic markers; Crystal and Brownstone glitters - Martha Stewart; gray satin ribbon - Offray; twine - Creative Impressions

Amour

Here I go with a French theme again!

This card is currently featured in the January / February issue of Paper Crafts magazine, in the Quick and Easy Valentines section on page 65:

Right now there is a submissions call for Paper Crafts' Stamp It! issue.  I am busily working on several projects for that.  Sure does take a lot of time to come up with unique ideas, using only current products (I have LOTS of retired products!).  I have four things made so far, and hope to make more, as long as my brain comes up with good stuff.  ;)

Colleen