Viva La Verve Sketch #2 - Runway Time

This is my second post of the day.  Please scroll down one 

post for my Blockheads Peacock card.

I'm finally jumping in to play at Runway Inspired.  My friend Tammy plays there frequently. Here is the inspiration picture:

The model is wearing flowers, in shades of red, bright blue, black and hot pink.  I also see a clock in the background, so these are the things I focused on.

Also, I am using the Viva La Verve March Sketch #2:

I now realize I took a little bit of liberty with that skinny horizontal layer.  I forgot to check back, and thought it extended to the left more.  Whoops.

On the red panel, I stamped some flowers from the Paper Girl stamp set (Girls' Paperie).  The clock is also from that set.  This is my first time incorporating canvas on a card.  It's kind of neat!  I bought a set of 3 of these sewn circles from the craft store.

My mother is coming to visit us for a week, beginning this weekend.  She arrives on my birthday (what a great gift!).  We haven't seen each other for almost two years.  This week, I am housecleaning and tying up loose ends of all sorts to get ready for her visit.  Please forgive me if I don't make it around to your blogs to see your new creations until after my mom leaves.

I had trouble picking winners for this past week's Play Date Cafe challenge.  So many entries, so many beauties!  See you tomorrow with a new color challenge.  If you like bright colors, you're in for a treat.  ;-)



Stamps:  (sentiment) Just Sayin' - The Craft's Meow; (clock, black flowers) Paper Girl - Girls' Paperie
Paper: Confetti White - SU; white - PTI; patterned papers from Spring Jubilee - Pink Paislee, Print Pack - SU; (red swirl - unknown)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black; StazOn Black - Tsukineko
Fibers: canvas circle - Canvas Corp.
Other: flowers - Prima; pearls; oval punch - SU
Dimensions: 4.25" x 5.5"

Peacock Background

As promised, I'm back with another card made with the new Blockheads set, "Proud as a Peacock."
You can find the other one I made HERE.

The set includes a background stamp, which I used for this:

I must say, this was hard to photograph because I used lots of shimmer and shine.  Can you see it better in this picture?

I used the Spellbinders Labels Eight largest die to create my card base, then stamped the background.  On each feather, I used Smooch Pearlized Accent inks (purple and green), a Bermuda Bay marker (from Stampin' Up!) and some Diamond Stickles to decorate.  I wish you could see this in person; it's gorgeous.

The inside of the card features small feathers and a sentiment that says "I'm proud of you." (forgot to photograph it; sorry!)

Challenge entered:  For Your Inspiration, and their inspiration picture is this:

I picked up on the purple in the sunset, and the abundance of white and blue.

There's one more card to post from this set.  I'll give you a clue about the color scheme:  think "female" peacock.  :-)



Stamps: Proud as a Peacock - Blockheads Paper Arts
Paper: white - PTI
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black - Tsukineko
Fibers: purple satin ribbon
Other: Big Shot; Labels Eight die - Spellbinders; Smooch Pearlized Accent Inks - Green Apple, SugarBerry; Stickles - Diamond - Ranger; Bermuda Bay marker - SU
Dimensions: 4" x 5.5"

Proud as a Peacock

I just received a brand new release from Blockheads Paper Arts called "Proud as a Peacock."

I made three cards with it this morning, and will show you the others this week.  This set brought out my desire to use iridescent glitter.  :-)

Just Us Girls challenge this week is Faux Embossing.  It's so cool, and so easy!  You die cut or punch out shapes, and add them to your card so it looks as though it's been embossed.  I used a Scallop Square punch.

And this is entered also at CAS-ual Fridays.  The challenge is to use a sentiment as the focal point.

Directions to make this card:

• Make card base.
• Cut a smaller panel of the same cardstock (5" x 3.25"); adhere to base with foam dimensional stickers.
• Punch scalloped squares from scraps and adhere to panel.
• Apply adhesive using glue pen to thee squares, then glitter.
• Die cut label with Big Shot and stamp sentiment; affix gems.
• When glittered squares are dry, adhere sentiment panel to card using foam dimensional stickers.

I decorated the inside of the card too:

If you have any questions on anything about this card or any others I make, don't hesitate to contact me!  My email address is on the right sidebar of this blog, near the top.

Thanks for joining me today!  I'll see you soon with another peacock-inspired card.  :-)



Stamps: Proud as a Peacock set - Blockheads Paper Arts
Paper: Pacific Point, Whisper White - SU
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black - Tsukineko
Other: Scalloped Square punch - SU; iridescent glitter; blue gems - Queen & Co.; glue pen; Big Shot; Fancy Tags Two die - Spellbinders
Dimensions: 4.25" x 5.5"

Thinking of You

The idea for this card popped into my head as I woke yesterday morning.  Wish I could wake up each day this way!

This is the second card I've entered at DYSU's Go Green challenge.

My stepmother's birthday is approaching, and I am putting together an assortment of cards for her to give to others.  This is one of them:

I used an old Stampin' Up! background stamp, Floral.  I still love it.  The sentiment is from Anna Griffin, and I created a "belt buckle" of sorts with a JustRite frame. (I cannot remember the name of the set, I am sorry)

I took a pic of the card with my new Canon, too, and put it side by side with the point-and-shoot Nikon version.

Nikon

Canon

I can see the Canon takes clearer shots, but it also picks up all the shadows.  I didn't even see shadows with my eye when I took the shots.  I have LOADS to learn about this camera (like, I need to buy an external flash, and a macro 50mm lens - cha ching).  Oh, and by the way, the Canon was shot using an Auto Mode.  Aperture is something I need to study up on, which I hear is better than an auto focus feature.

Just a little glimpse into my day:  I am listening to the "Lion King" soundtrack as I write this.  It is incredibly beautiful music, funny too, and I've had a few tears while listening to some of the songs.  The words are so poignant.  When my 13 YO was about 4 or 5 years old, my in-laws took DH, DD and me to New York City to see The Lion King musical on Broadway.  Trust me, I am not usually interested in musicals and plays, but this production absolutely blew me away.  It moved me.

Thanks for being part of my day.  Big hugs to you all!





Stamps: Floral backgorund - SU; sentiment - Anna Griffin; frame - JustRite
Paper: Wild Wasabi - SU; white - PTI
Ink: Wild Wasabi, Garden Green - SU; Versafine Onyx Black - Tsukineko
Fibers: white trim
Other: Botanical punch - Martha Stewart; 1 3/8", 1 3/4" circle punches - SU; pearls; Big Shot; Perfect Polka Dot embossing folder - SU
Dimensions: 4.25" x 5.5"
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Wishes For You & Happy News

First, a BIG hello to the new Followers on my sidebar.  I'm so glad you're here!

Today I'm sneaking in a card close to deadline at CPS Card Sketches.  Here's the sketch:

I'm also entering at 52 Card Pickup, the Ribbon Reel, whose challenge is to use newsprint/bookprint and ribbon on your creation, and at JayGee's Nook.  This is JayGee's inspiration pic --

I focused on the bottom picture, which has bunnies on a book page, as well as the pinks, the flowering tree, and that wreath in the middle.  Reminds me of twine.

See the flower?  That's my homemade "Prima".  I was about to buy a pack of 6 white glittered Prima flowers for $4.00, when a thought hit me.  I went to the wedding section of the craft store and found bunches of 6 wired flowers for $1.50.  I bought two bunches, and used a paintbrush/craft glue/white crystal glitter to create something fancier for cheapier.  ;-)

The brads are from Stampin' Up!.  LOVE those Antique Brads.

This sentiment is a $1.00 stamp, bought at Michael's more than a year ago.  The bold font looks good on this book page (my old Miss Manners book).

Okay, so my happy news is that I bought a new camera!  It just came yesterday.  I didn't use it to take today's shots, 'cause I'm still learning the many features.  It's a Canon EOS Rebel T2i.  Ooooo, I am super excited!  I'm all professional now.  ;-)

More happy news:  THIS card made me "Chic of the Week" yesterday at Just Us Girls.  I'm honored!

Did you think my happy news might've been a DT announcement?  Welllll...THAT one waits until the end of March.  (insert happy grin)

Hope you have a wonderful day!



Stamps: $1.00 stamp from Michael's; corner flourish - Wedding - Hampton Art
Paper: white - PTI; Melissa Frances dp; River Rock - SU; My Mind's Eye Lost & Found Two; book page
Ink: Chestnut Roan - Clearsnap; Versafine Onyx Black - Tsukineko
Fibers: twine - Creative Impressions
Other: flower; Crystal Fine Glitter - Martha Stewart; Antique Brads - SU; pearls - Recollections; Doily Lace punch - Martha Stewart
Dimensions: 4.25" x 5.5"
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Emboss Resist Flowers

I wish you could see these cards in person - they are just full of color, reminding me of Easter Eggs!

I used the Flowers Full Sheet set from Blockheads Paper Arts.

Using the Emboss Resist technique (you can see a tutorial HERE), I stamped each of the three kinds of flowers with Versamark ink on separate squares of cardstock.  For each, I sprinkled clear embossing powder on the images, then used the heat tool to set them.

The fun part was using multiple inks to bring out the images.  Any dye inks will work great; I used my ginormous stash of Stampin' Up! ink pads on these (specific colors are listed in the Details section at the bottom of this post).

Marigolds

The Marigolds card is entered in the Flourishes Timeless Tuesday challenge.  We're to choose 3 colors from this inspiration photo to enter (I chose yellow, apricot and green).

Poppy

Tulips

Each stamped square was mounted on black cardstock, then attached to the card bases with foam dimensional stickers.  And of course, a touch of bling graced each card's corner.  ;)

Thanks for coming by!  Hope you enjoyed these Spring-y creations.



All Cards included --
Stamps: Flowers Full Sheet - Blockheads Paper Arts
Paper: white - PTI; Basic Black - SU
Ink: Versamark - Tsukineko
Other: all bling - Queen & Co.
Dimensions: 4.25" square

Marigold Card --
Ink:  Summer Sun, Apricot Appeal, Cameo Coral, Gable Green, Green Galore, Wild Wasabi - SU

Poppy Card --
Ink: Almost Amethyst, Perfect Plum, Lovely Lilac, Orchid Opulence, Pixie Pink, Elegant Eggplant, Garden Green, Kiwi Kiss, Old Olive

Tulip Card -- 
Ink:  Pretty In Pink, Pixie Pink, Passion Pink, Blush Blossom, Wild Wasabi, Certainly Celery, Mellow Moss

Lucky Birthday

This is my second post today; please scroll down for The Play Date Cafe post.

I share my birthday (St. Patrick's Day, March 17th) with a stamping buddy named Heather.  I made a very green card for her and need to pop it in the mail so it might reach her in time (she lives in another country).

Luckily (get it?), this happens to fit a challenge I just discovered called DYSU.  Their current challenge:  'Go Green'.  It could be that you've upcycled/recycled something, or used green stuff on your creation.

The shamrock was created with new-to-me Close To My Heart stamps, So Lucky.  My friend recently gave the set to me, and I love it!  You can make the cutest shamrocks with it.

Challenges also entered:

• Inspired By:  the green, green photo above :)
• Inky Impressions - Luck of the Irish
• Papercraft Star - Lucky St. Patrick's Day

Thanks for your sweet comments and visits; big hugs to you all!



Stamps: So Lucky - Close to my Heart; Timeless Tags - The Craft's Meow; Punched Tin background - Market Street Stamps
Paper: white - PTI; Kiwi Kiss, Garden Green, dot pattern (Prints Pack), stripe, flourish - SU
Ink: Garden Green - SU; Versafine Onyx Black - Tsukineko
Other: pearls - Recollections; doily - Wilton; oval dies - Spellbinders
Dimensions: 4.25" x 5.5"
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Play Date Cafe 122 - Delightful

Charcoal, Butter and Ash are the new colors this week at The Play Date Cafe.  I love this palette!  It so happens that the DCWV Lemon Flower Stack goes reaalllly well with it, so I chose all my papers from that tablet.

The yellow rose die cut is from Anna Griffin (sigh).  I have a sheet of these and this is the first time I've used anything from it.  One of those hoarding things, you know.  ;)

The stamp is from Fiskars All Year Greetings, which I tend to use often.  It's such a versatile set.

One lucky player will receive the prize from Simon Says Stamp for this challenge!  What a huge online store they have.  For more details on the prize, visit The Play Date Cafe, and check out the whole team's creations, too.

Thanks for visiting!  It's so nice of you to come by.



Stamps: All Year Greetings - Fiskars
Paper: white - PTI; DCWV Lemon Flower stack
Ink: Basic Gray - SU
Fibers: white crochet lace
Other: pearls - Queen & Co.; rose sticker die cut - Anna Griffin; white doily die cut - Martha Stewart; oval punch - SU; Dotted Scallop punch - EK Success; stick pins - Mark's Finest Papers
Dimensions: 4.25" x 5.5"
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Amethyst Birthday

I think my seasonal allergies may be kicking in today.  I woke up with a terrible headache, and after a couple of pain relievers, it still isn't going away.  This will be a (relatively) short post.

Here are the challenges I'm entering:

• Do More With Less - make a multi-loop bow with the Bow Easy
• Mojo Monday - sketch

• Paper Players - 'Spring has Sprung' (I've used lots of flowers)

This is a card-within-a-frame, though it's not my intent to give it away as such.  ;)  I bought the frame at TJ Maxx to use as a prop.  Not liking it too much, though, as it detracts from the card.  Ah, well.  It was worth a try.

There, you can see it better now.  No close up shots from me today.  I need to take it easy and get off the computer!

Thanks for popping in.  I really appreciate your visit!




Stamps:  Birthday Surprise - Verve; Grace background (on strip) - Market Street Stamps
Paper: Almost Amethyst patterned paper, Going Gray cardstock - SU; white - PTI
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, London Fog Memento - Tsukineko
Fibers: gray 1/8" satin ribbon - Offray; lace trim - Simplicity
Other: Big Shot; Grommet Tags die - Spellbinders; doily - Wilton; pearls - Queen & Co.; hydrangea sticker - K & Co; Liquid Pearls - White Opal - Ranger
Dimensions: 4.25" x 5.5"
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Bleach Butterfly

This is my second post for today.  Please scroll down one post for the 

'Inspired by a Catalog Page' card.

Hello everyone!

Blockheads is sponsoring a Bleach Technique challenge right now and if you submit your creation URL by March 21st, 2012, you could win a $25 gift certificate to the Blockheads store!   The winner will be selected by our Design Team.

I did my bleaching on an image from the amazing stamp set called Nature Medallions.

Love this set!  (by the way, did you see my Valentine card made with one of these images?)  

On gray cardstock, I stamped the butterfly-in-medallion image with Versamark ink, sprinkled on silver embossing powder, and hit it with the heat tool.  When the embossing was cool, I used a small paintbrush to paint on bleach straight from the bottle (good old-fashioned Clorox).  

The bleached areas turned a buttery yellow; so pretty!  Then I colored in some of the areas with watercolor pencils and used a circle die cut to cut out the image.

I used some old gathered lace ribbon and adhered it behind the circle with Scor-Tape, then mounted on the card base with dimensional foam stickers.  

The base is Blush Blossom cardstock that was embossed with a Cuttlebug folder from the 'Love's In The Air' Collection, then the edges were sponged with Tattered Rose ink.

The ribbon is from the scrap bag, and just happened to fit the colors perfectly.  :)  Love when that happens.  I sewed a vintage button to the center of the bow.  A couple of Rock Fern Punches add interest to the bow, as well as a pearl/rhinestone stick pin.

Thanks for the super comments you've all left for me lately!  I love to read each and every one, and they brighten my days.  :)



Stamps: Nature Medallions - Blockheads Paper Arts
Paper: Blush Blossom, Basic Gray - SU
Ink: Versamark Embossing ink - Tsukineko; Tattered Rose Distress - Ranger
Fibers: gathered lace; pink satin ribbon
Other: bleach; pearls - Recollections; vintage button; thread; watercolor pencils - Derwent; Big Shot; circle die - Spellbinders; heat tool - SU; silver embossing powder - SU; Rock Fern Punch - EK Success; Love's In The Air embossing folder - Cuttlebug; stick pin - Jenni Bowlin Studio
Dimensions: 5" square

Inspired by a Catalog Page

I've been holding onto the back cover of a Grandin Road catalog for months now, because I was immediately inspired by the composition and the pretty butterfly table.

Obviously, the butterfly table was a big inspiration....

I picked up on the colors of the ad, too, with the creamy walls and white trim, by using papers in those colors.  There's some green in the patterns, taken from the flowers in the vase.

The white flowers in the vase became lace here, and the nest on the table inspired me to choose a bird stamp.

I am entering this in the Just Us Girls sketch challenge; I flipped the sketch vertically:

A word of thanks to all of you who visit my blog.  :o)  I really appreciate your visits!



Stamps: Wishing You - Verve; Bliss - SU
Paper: Crumb Cake, Basic Black, Very Vanilla - SU; medallion print - Garden Party - DCWV; stripe - Lost & Found Two - My Mind's Eye
Ink: Crumb Cake - SU; Antique Linen, Frayed Burlap Distress - Ranger; Versafine Onyx Black - Tsukineko
Fibers: Majesty Lace - Offray; twine - Creative Impressions; vintage satin ribbon
Other: pearls - Queen & Co.; Monarch Butterfly punch - Martha Stewart; Dotted Scallop punch - EK Success; vintage button
Dimensions:  4.25" x 5.5"
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