A Nice Day

Today was a beautiful day--I got some errands done, played with some new sets and hopefully will sew some curtains tonight. That chore has been on my to-do list for DAYS.

I love vintage images so one of the first sets that caught my eye in the new SU catalog was Puns from the Past. When I mounted the set, I separated the words and mounted them on the side so I could use the images & words separately. It is a little challenging to use the words when they're mounted on the side; sometimes I take them right off the foam and glue only the rubber to the wood with Crystal Effects. That way they don't "wiggle" so much. I made a little quick set sampler with three of the images:

This card uses some retired DP, SU's new Choc Chip grosgrain and Nesties dies. For the scalloped edges, I cut a scalloped rectangle with my Nestabilities, then cut the edges off and mounted them on my card. Image is stamped in Choc Chip.

This card uses Sketch Challenge 190, which I tweaked a little! The DP is Patterns in Riding Hood Red and accented with SU's new edged ribbon and button to match! I added some faux stitching as well. Not too sure about the circle AND the oval, but it's done!

This was the quickest and my favorite card! That's me--quick & simple! Kiwi Kiss and Basic Black cardstock, Bella Rose DP; a tab punch stapled on for the words--how simple can you get? The background was stamped with Sanded also in Kiwi Kiss!

I also wanted to share a RAK with you from Jen at Jet Studio Designs:

Aren't those birds beautiful!? And finally, I just have to share with you a non-stamping photo. This morning I was transplanting an aloe plant my MIL gave me. I grabbed a brand-new bag of potting soil that had been sitting on my porch all summer long, opened it up and this is what I found:

It just sprung out of the unopened bag, just like this! Unfortunately, it's just a weed I think--doesn't smell like mint or basil. Too bad! Have a great evening! I will be in school taking an Excel class tomorrow, so probably no posting! Stop back for the Color Throwdown Challenge on Wednesday!
LeAnne

Dancin' with Dee Challenge

Today is a rainy, hurricany day here in SE PA; we are feeling the effects of Hurricane Hanna.  So what better thing to do than stamp?  I wanted to participate in Sharon's Dancin' with Dee challenge, which was to make something with a 2- or 3-step stamp, preferably flowers or nature.  I dusted off my Kitchen Sink Daisy stamp and set out to make a little altered note book to keep by my computer.  I like to have one handy to write myself notes, especially when I am running low on cardstock, ribbon, etc.  And this is a shameless plug for Maria at Kitchen Sink; she is just wonderful!!!  I lost a teeny little piece from my stamp set and she replaced it FREE!!!!  What awesome customer service!!!  Thanks, Maria!  So here it is:

I know it looks like a card, but it is a little ruled pad.  Here are the details:

• Stamps:  Kitchen Sink Daisy, MFT Essential Sentiments
• Paper:  So Saffron, WW, Kiwi Kiss, Basic Grey LilyKate & Two Scoops
• Ink:  Barely Banana, So Saffron, More Mustard, Chocolate Chip
• Acc:  CB Just My Type folder, Dimensionals, Sponge Daubers

I can't wait to use it!  TFL!
LeAnne

Some Seasonal Postings

I have lots of fall stamps; I just gravitate towards fall & Halloween, and I have so many images, I probably won't ever use them all!  But I was able to break into some today!  One of the projects I have been wanting to do was to make an acetate treat box.  It was on SCS a while back; I'll try to find it.  So this is my first attempt.  I will call it my prototype, as there are things I will change when I do it again, so bear with me!  I also made a 3x3 notecard to go with it--I just love these Crafty Secret images.  Again, it was a quick one with not a lot of thought put into it, I just wanted to play:

Deets:

• Stamps:  Crafty Secrets
• Paper:  Acetate, SU Ghostly Greetings, WW, Basic Black
• Ink:  Palette Noir
• Acc:  Markers, Ink, Aquapainter, Small Oval Punch, Copper Cord, Nesties, Gelly Roll Pen
  

Here's another fall card -- I had actually done this image while on vacation---I was showing my dad how clear stamps work, and just went ahead & finished it.  This is the only stamping I did on my whole vacation!!!  So I assembled it into a real simple card, the only embellishment is the pumpkin up on dimensionals!

• Stamps:  My Favorite Things Falling for You
• Paper:  Retired SU, Shimmery White, Confetti White, Bella Rose
• Ink:  Palette Noir, Close to Cocoa, Asst Earth Elements
• Acc:  Markers, Dimensionals

Thanks for visiting!  I am signing off now as the wind from the hurricane is really kicking up!  Batten down the hatches!
LeAnne

What's Brewin'?

Finally--I was able to do a SCS challenge today!  You can see the details here.  It gave me a chance to use one of my fav Crafty Secrets sets (they're really ALL my favs):  Tea & Coffee.  I started with the coffee cup stamped on Kraft CS in Basic Brown and added the words with the retired SU Rough Edges Alphabet.  I added color & shadows with markers in Pumpkin Pie and Sahara Sand.  The whole image was mounted on PP & Chocolate Chip, diecut with my Nesties.  The background paper was a Scenic Route RAK from Dawn, which I distressed using the DTP method with my Close to Cocoa stamp pad.  Then I stamped all the coffee-themed words from the stamp set randomly in Really Rust, and the coffee beans in CTC.  So much fun making my own DP!!!  I mounted it on a CTC card and added grosgrain ribbons & bows.  The little highlight on the cup is a white gel pen!

Sweet Jen sent me a nice card filled with some MFT Peppermint & Lavender images!   THANK YOU, JEN!!!  I'll try to post her card tomorrow!  So of course, I had to sit right down and make a little note card with Sage Shadow cardstock along with some Wild Asparagus DP.   The image is colored with markers & watercolored with ink in various shades of green, Almost Amethyst & Sahara Sand. I added a little border on the inside of the card so that it would peek out from under the scallop edge on the front.  It was stamped in Almost Amethyst using a border from Inque Boutique's Stitch Fun--another great set!

Thanks for visiting & have a great Friday--I need to ice 3 dozen cupcakes, so I think I'd better get a move-on!

LeAnne

Stacey's Challenge & More

I said in an earlier post that I found Stacey's blog last night and she had a challenge post, her first one:

The colors she challenged us with were Not Quite Navy, Pacific Point, Baja Breeze & Whisper White. The SCS Challenge today was to use specialty paper--something with glitter or flocking or the like. I didn't have any of that, but I sure could add some glitter to paper I had. I also used the Sketch Challenge from last week! So here is my silly little card:

I used a new set called Best Wishes & More, using Baja Breeze and a Wild Asparagus DP (the colors actually match IRL!) that was stamped in Versamark, embossed with Heat & Stick Powder, then DD glitter. I experimented with my new Flower Fusion Too flowers by dying them with Not Quite Navy & Pacific Point ink, mixed with a couple drops of water. It is a fun technique, but very messy! If you have a manicure or are fussy about your nails, wear gloves! Make sure the flower is totally dry before putting it on the card. A little embosser or the tweezers from the Tool Kit are very helpful. I also sponged the edge of the large flower with ink; brads are covered with a mini glue dot & dipped in DD too.

• Stamps: Best Wishes & More, Always
• Paper: WW, Baja Breeze, Not Quite Navy, Wild Asparagus
• Ink: Pacific Point, Baja Breeze, Pacific Point, Craft White
• Acc: Flower Fusion Too Felt Flowers, Silver Brads, Mini Glue Dots, DD Glitter, Heat & Stick Powder, Heat Tool

Well after that, I looked at the inspiration piece again and thought, I want to do another one, using different shades of blue! I had seen on another blog last night (sorry, I can't remember which one to give credit!!) where the negative rubber image from the stamp set was used as a stencil. Now I am sure everybody and their uncles have already thought of that, but of all the pieces I had thrown out prior to assembling this set, none had a really definitive shape. This one had a circle, a leaf and a heart! I could see some possibilities here! Since there was a cute little snowflake in this set, and I just got a new Martha Stewart snowflake punch, that seemed like a fun image to use. Edited to add: I removed the foam from the rubber piece before using it as a stencil!!!

Using my Stamp-a-ma-Jig, I then stamped the snowflake over top each stencil in the same color. I added the sentiment, a little border using the new Cuttlebug Just My Type folder and SU's Scallop Edge punch and finished it off with a snowflake punched from vellum with my MS punch. I daubered it a bit to give it some contrast and added some bling with a rhinestone and DD glitter on the snowflakes. The glitter really doesn't show up, but it's there and it looks so pretty IRL!

I will be trying some other cards using the leaf stencil for fall, too. Thanks for visiting! I feel like these were a real challenge; my mojo must have been left at the Delaware shore! Thanks for hanging in here with me!

Some RAKs and Awards!

Before I show my goodies, I want to let everyone know that my great stampin' friend Shawn, FINALLY got a blog!  Her work has been a source of inspiration and awe to me for as long as I have known her!  So be sure to check it out and leave her some encouraging comments, as I know she is busy and her time is stretched!!!  You can find it here.  While blurfing last night, I came across another great blog from a stamper named Stacey.  You can find HER blog here.  One of my plans today is to do her inspiration challenge--a beautiful necklace in blues!  Can't wait!

While I was on blogging "vacation" I got some beautiful RAKs as well as several awards!  Wow!  You guys are just awesome! 

I received this Blogging Friends Forever award from both Tammy and Kim!  Please be sure to check out their blogs because I constantly get wonderful ideas from both of them.  I don't know how they do all they do!

This award came from NellieMaeii, who is such a sweetie--her creations really bring a smile to my face!

And Haylie gave me this award!  She always plays our Color Throwdown Challenges and really has some cute, fresh ideas!  Who wouldn't love a blog named "P is for Pink"!!!!

Since trying to pass the awards along would be a little daunting, I am passing them along to EVERYONE!  There isn't a stamper/crafter out there who doesn't have something I can learn!   If you want to play, here are the basic rules:

1. Post the logo on your blog.
2. Add a link to the person who awarded you.
3. Nominate 5 other worthy bloggers.
4. Add links to their blogs on yours.
5. Leave a message for your nominees on their blogs.

Thanks again girls!

Now for my RAKs:

This is a diamond-fold card from Dana--you can see another one here.  You'll have to scroll down a bit to see it.  I think I forgot to put the ribbon back on--she had some pretty ribbon tied around it!  The original idea came from Tracy in New Zealand!  Here is what it looks like when it is unfolded:

I love the earthy colors she used! 

And here is a beauty from one of my fellow Rubber Dubbers, Janice:

I love how she sponged the background within the circle--what  a great idea.  Both cards really lifted my spirits!  Thanks, Janice and Dana!

Going to try to get some stamping done today---where does the time go?!  I'll try to post again later!
LeAnne

I'm Back ----with Color Throwdown #9

I am finally back from vacation, finished my antibiotic treatment and ready to get back to stampin'! I got my humongous SU order and am itching to play with my new toys! This week's Color Throwdown uses some of Stampin' Up!'s gorgeous new In Colors: Baja Breeze, Kiwi Kiss and an old favorite, Regal Rose.

I used a new set that is on sale this month, Pocket Silhouettes! Such sweet images, lots of possibilities for this one!

The card is 6x3", and each image is heat embossed with Craft White ink and white embossing powder. It is accented with the wide Baha Breeze stitched ribbon and a new Silver Filigree brad! Faux stitching with my mat & piercer and the white gel pen mimics the stitching on the ribbon. I inked part of the "thanks so much" sentiment as all the words wouldn't fit!

Now lets see what you come up with! If you don't have these exact colors, just play along with something similar! Link it back to the Color Throwdown blog found here so we can all see your creation, or put it on Splitcoast with "CTD9" in your description! Here's what the other girls have come up with:

• Broni - Splashes of Watercolor
• Kisa - Kisa's Paper Cuts
• Tammy - Stamp Happy
• Tracy - Durcan Designs
• Cathy - Crafty Thoughts

• Stamps: Pocket Silhouettes
• Paper: Whisper White, Kiwi Kiss, Baja Breeze, Regal Rose
• Ink: Baja Breeze, White Craft
• Acc: Stitched Ribbon, Mat Pack & Piercer, Gel Pen, Silver Filigree Brads, White EP & Heat Tool, Dimensionals

I have jury duty today--can you believe it? Back from vacation and I have to do my civic duty, so no more stamping today! But hopefully tomorrow I can do a challenge or get to play with some more new things! Thanks for visiting!
LeAnne