The Cheerful Stamp Pad

Challenge # 35 - "Romance is in the Air"

2012-02-12T23:10:00.000-06:00

This post will stay at the top while the challenge is running. Please scroll down for more current posts.

Here we are almost in February and our attention turns to love. The challenge this time is "Romance is in the Air".

In the past challenge we had some wonderful entries, but they did not follow the theme. I don't have many requirements and my themes are usually pretty broad, but you really should make sure that you have followed the theme as I want all entries eligible to be a winner.

Here are some ideas for you by the Design Team.

Vicki

My card uses an image I have had for a while and I am not sure of the origin. I started with a basic card. On that I placed some decorator paper with white stars on a a blue background. On top of that is a layer of lace. The image is on a blue mat and the same blue cardstock was cut into scrolls with a Spellbinders die. As a finishing touch, I added three flowers I found in my stash.

Sharon

I needed to make an engagement card for some friends so this was a perfect challenge for me!!

Papers are from a new 6 x 6 Bo Bunny pad which were great for this vintage style card with co-ordinating embellishments.

Cindy

For my card, I wanted to use one of my collected vintage images and this sweet cupid girl went perfectly with a sheet of kraft base paper I've had for over a year (American Crafts--LOVE Many Splendored). Of course I used Walnut Stain Distress Ink to shade all the elements and distress the card edges. I stamped the sentiment on velum and hand cut into a banner. I also used the DI to tone down the twine on the button.

Michele

It is time for making Valentine's Cards! I love to give cards to friends and I make as many as I can. With this card, romance is definitely in the air. The image is a free download from ArtFreebies (another website by June of Dezinaworld!). I used a beautiful piece of origami paper over the red card stock (looks hot pink in the scan...) and I decorated with flowers. Enjoy and spread the love!

Valerie

Hello everody, Valerie here. I have made a tag in Victorian romantic look, with lace, vintage roses, hearts and a cupid. Have a good week you all!

Petra

Romance is in the air ... and aren't they sooooo sweet .... stamped (stamp by Heindesign) on white card, coloured with Koh-i-noors and Copics and layered on FancyPants Design papers.

Jenn

Jenn's card uses a large heart-shaped sticker made of gemstones, mounted onto Kraft cardstock and sprayed with Bubblegum Pink and Cherry Glimmer Mists. That piece was mounted onto a Kraft card, also spritzed with Bubblegum Glimmer Mist and Spun Sugar Smooch Spritz. Rub-on sentiments are from Stampin' Up!

Of the Heart is graciously sponsoring the challenge "Romance is in the Air". They are the originaters of the International Stamp-a-Month Club - which started in 1995. There is no sign up fee, no contract and it's only $10.95 a month plus $2.99 shipping. FOUR choices each month, too!

One of my favorite things that Of the Heart carries is 3D paper tole sheets. They are reasonably priced and are so much fun to use and the paper tole gives an elegant look to your cards. Of the Heart is known for their card kits, which they have consented to give as a prize to the randomly picked winner of this challenge.

Don't Hug Me So Tightly

2012-02-11T12:38:00.001-06:00

"Don't hug me so tightly." Can't you imagine that is what this kitty is crying out? This cute image is from Just Some Lines. I placed the image on a matted diecut and attached it to a daintly-dotted piece of cardstock. As added touches, I included a little twine and some rubbery-type flowers. The acrylic sentiments reads "Hug, hug, hug". With the right sentiment inside, I think this makes a really cute get-well card.

Flower Tag

2012-02-09T22:33:00.001-06:00

This is a flower tag I made recently using the cute flower pot image from Just Some Lines. This is definitely a mixed media tag. It used fabric, cardstock, an area distressed with ink, foil and completing the tag is paper lace made with a punch. The flower pot of flowers was colored with Copic markers. After coloring, I did a little fussy cutting around the image. I attached two sets of acrylic sentiments which read "Share" and "Remember to Share". I really enjoyed working on this one.

My Heart Flies to You

2012-02-07T21:24:00.000-06:00

Here is another Steampunk type card with an image and sentiment from CS Designs. The heart is colored with Copic markers. The wings are some I made and cut out of cardstock. I put some pop dots under the heart to give her a little dimension. The sentiment was put on a tag and a polka dot ribbon finishes the card.

My Heart is Dangling

2012-02-06T23:18:00.003-06:00

Here is a card that is a little unusual. This one has a dangling heart. .The front of the card is very simiple. It has only a mat. My designer paper is full of hearts of various shades of red, and messages of love. I made a simple holder for the heart by using one of my Spellbinders and made a circle from cardstock. On top of that is a pearl brad. From the brad a silver cord is hanging. The heart was then attached to the cord by another brad. The heart is an image from CS Designs. Using my Copic marker I colored part of it red and in one of the squares I put a little bling with Stickles.

Chris of CS Designs is having a "All You Need is Love" challenge on her blog Art with No Boundaries. You still have a number of days to join in on the challenge.

I am entering this in Basic Grey's Valentine Challenge.

It's Love

2012-02-05T22:22:00.001-06:00

Yes "Romance is in the Air" is still here. Our challenge is running one more week so you have plenty of time to enter. We have some more inspiration for you.

Vicki

My card uses one of my favorite crafting items 3D paper tole flowers. This is an item that my sponsor for this challenge Of My Heart carries. It is hard to see in the photo, but the flowers have 3-4 layers. I used liquid nail which is clearer than silicone to separate the layers. I think the additon of the flowers really gives a romantic feel to my card. The image is from Dezinaworld. I did quite a bit of cropping on the image. Lastly a little of baker's twine finishes off the card..

This card is also being entered in Crafting When We Can's Love Challenge and Gingerloft Challenge Love is in the Air challenge.

Michele

I decided to make some tags for week 2 of "Romance is in the Air" and I really had a lot of fun with these. I stamped the colored tags from Shabby Cottage Studios with a stamp called "dream text"from Stampendous. The vintage images are from Dover Publications (every week they share free images!). As you can see I've also used various other embellishments from my stash of Valentine themed goodies. I'm loving this theme and I hope you are too.

Sharon

I've used a tag die cut to make several "layers" of tags to mount this great vintage image on along with some scraps of paper, skeleton leaves, love ticket and old lace. I love the vibrant colours of the image so I tried to make the embellishments compliment those bright colours.

Cindy

"LOVE Hanging"

This hanging was created on a metal sign and blinged up with lots of "love"-ly elements! Every piece was altered...either with Distress Inks/Stains or alcohol inks. The roses started out as white wedding flowers that I altered using Distress Stains and Stickles.

Petra

Romance without words

The card is built around an image from: On The House. It is so telling and so very romantic. I cut it with Nestabilities oval shapes and glittered it around the edges. I layered it on Authentique patterend paper cut with a Sizzix Tim Holtz Alteration die and adorned it with some paper and fabric flowers and a lace bow.

Using Scraps

2012-02-02T22:41:00.001-06:00

Art with no Boundaries is having a challenge for using your scraps. I did a little recycling with this card. For my embellishment I use s two leaves from a sprig of decorative flowers that I had for Christmas. Somehow it got left out of the Christmas decoration boxes. Instead of diggin out the box I took two of the leavves and placed them on the card. Along with the leaves scrap jewelry was placed on the card. It is a part of an old earring that my mother had.

The image on this card is from CS Designs' digitals. The geisha was colored with Copic markers. I have entered this in The Stamp Man's challenge "Embellish it".

A Little Steampunk Love

2012-01-30T14:05:00.000-06:00

I made a little steampunk love card using CS Designs' digitals. The image is one of their Expressive Hearts. I started first with a mat of designer paper on a basic beige card. On top of that I put a square layer of solid designer paper. Next came the image which was colored with Copic markers and finally a birdcage cut with a Tim Holtz accented with small brass brads. The CS Designs' sentiment completes the card. I had a little fun with this one.

You will find this card and other Expressive Hearts on the CD Designs' blog "Art with No Boundaries". Go have a look.

Challenge #34 - "Birds of a Feather"

2012-01-29T00:50:00.003-06:00

There are so many bird images around so everyone should enjoy this challenge. Let's see what you might have--an eagle, owl, cardinal, blue bird or even a stork? Don't forget you can have a flock of birds too! You can use a stamp, a digital, or a one-of-a-kind bird that you create yourself. Also, if you don't like birds, you can use only feathers! The list is endless so let's see what is in your storehouse of creativity.

In the meantime here are some projects from the Design Team.

Vicki

For this card I cut out two of the birds that Alpha Stamps has on a sheet of embossed birds. I looked at them for a long time before I could decide how I wanted to use them. I started with a card base and put two different designer papers on as a mat. I also used sone paper lace I made with a Martha Stewart punch on the background mat. I had this yellow flower for a while now, but had not used it so I thought this would be the perfect embellishment. Now what to do with the birds. I decided to make a nest for one of them with rafia paper. Next I placed on bird on the nest and another flying in to her. As a final touch I put the saying " A Chattering Bird Builds No Nest". This was the perfect sentiment. It too came from Alpha Stamps.

I put up a couple of views this time as I wanted to show off my nest! I am also entering this in Gingersnaps Creations' GC#132 "Soft Yellows and White" challenge.

Sharon

I've made my tag with great bird images from a Dezinaworld Collage Sheet. The background of the tag is 4 different coloured Distress Inks direct to the card. I've added some little stickers to make the sentiment and some fibres at the top to finish it off!

Cindy

"Time to Fly"

For this challenge I created a practical piece of art....a luggage tag!

I used a laminate sample as my base and protected the tag with acetate sheets. The back of the tag has all the important ID information. For more details and a picture of the back, click over to my blog.

Valerie

Hi everybody, Valerie here. I have made a tag with a mini tag on it, using images from Crafty Secrets, which has been decorated with pink ribbon, lace, roses, and a feather.

Petra

This is such a wonderful theme giving a feeling of spring. I made a card with My Minds Eye paper which made such a brilliant base. After layering the patterend papers I stamped the edges with Artemio stamps before positioning the printed feather image from the Graphics Fairy which I put into a wooden frame. The finishing touches are a die-cut stamp from Whiff of Joy and flowers from Prima Marketing.

Jenn

Jenn made an arch using an image from A Day for Daisies, sentiment is a digi image from CS Designs.

Michele

My collage card features various designer papers, borders and stickers. I am a huge lover of our sponsor Alpha Stamps and own many delicious images from the company but when it came time to do this project I realized I didn't have any bird images. I'll have a great bird project featuring an Alpha Stamp image next week. For this week the lovely peacock postage stamp comes from Stamp Zia. Birds are wonderful creatures and are great fun to create with. I'm looking forward to seeing your creations!

My challenge is being sponsored the next two weeks by Alpha Stamps. They have a wide assortment of collage supplies beginning with beautiful cardstock to detailed images and wonderful one-of-a-kind embellishments. If you want something special to use in your artwork, I am sure you will find it in their online store. Thank you Alpha Stamps for your sponsorship and they have offered a wonderful group of items for the winner which will be chosen by random generator. Whether you are a beginner or an advance crafter you have a chance to be my next winner!

Happiess Is....

2012-01-25T14:04:00.003-06:00

Here is a card I made for Digi Darla's "Happiness Is..." challenge. It will be ending soon, so drop by and enter. This cute image is one of her digitals. It is colored with Copic markers. The card was embellished with a very dainty ribbon. The sentiment was computer created. I had to pick this image as my youngest daughter is expecting at the end of March. I hope you like.

Black and White Tag

2012-01-24T15:38:00.000-06:00

Here is a tag I made using black and white papers and cardstock. The two shapes on the tag were cutouts in the cardstock for a previous project. I underlay the printed paper the the webbed cardstock in the cutouts. The stripped tree and the sentiment are from CS Designs Digital Stamps. It was difficult to show, but the tree is filled with diamond Stickles. The final touch was the use of a black and white polka dot and a white ribbon.

More Birds

2012-01-23T00:14:00.003-06:00

Here are the Design Team's creations for the second week of "Birds of a Feather" challenge. We really want to see what you can create. So go to the top post and submit your entry.

Vicki

I created my card with a scrap of paper on which I had previously done an embossing and webbing technique. I had used gold webbing and blue embossing mixed together. For the card I started with a cream cardstock base, and on it I placed a part of a French music sheet. On that I put the scrap of webbing cardstock at an angle. On top of that is a bird image from Alpha Stamps. I just love the bird collage sheet from Alpha Stamps Finishing touch to the card are a couple of flowers resembling those in the image.

Jenn
Jenn made an ATC.

Sharon

I've used a great collage sheet from Lisa's Altered Art to print onto my simple little tag and have then overprinted with the bird quote. I've stapled some fibres to the top to finish it off - it's nice and flat so would make a great bookmark!

Michele

Birds are the best and Alphastamps offers so many fabulous images to work with. The bird image and the text here are from Alphastamps. The rest of the embellishments are stash items. You still have a week to play! Please join in.

Cindy

I had a such a great time making this tag! So pretty and so easy! The image and wording are from our sponser...Alpha Stamps. I took a white tag and laid strips of Tim Holtz Tissue Tape onto the tag. I lightly distressed the tape with Victorian Velvet and Tattered Rose Distress Inks. The metal bird and leaf embellishments are also from Tim. The roses are those wonderful resin pieces and they went perfectly with the image. The ribbon is seam binding colored with Spun Sugar Distress Stain

Petra

The focal point for my card is a wonderful image from this month's sponsor Alpha Stamps. I love the tranquility and the colours of the image. Not to distract from the image I kept the surrounding features to a minimum. I stamped some lettering (Kaisercraft) on a square white card. The edges of the image are distressed with gold ink and then layered on black card. To give a little bit more depth I added some German Scraps and a little bling.

A Winter Card

2012-01-22T16:45:00.000-06:00

Here is a card I made a couple of weeks ago which I never posted. It is a graphic from Dezinaworld of two girls in the snow with a large muff. The graphic had a lavendar tint to it so I put it on a lavendar piece of cardstock to bring out the color in the image. The small flower is from an unknown rubber stamp I borrowed from a friend. I did not stamp the entire image as I wanted just a part of it in the corner. As a final touch I used two brads on the upper right side.

My Art

2012-01-18T09:01:00.001-06:00

The sentiment on this card says it all. "My Art Has Opened Many Doors". This is so true. Even though we haven't met in person, I have made so many friends through posting my so-called "art" on my blog and participating and hosting challenges. I feel closer to some of you than my local friends and most of you leave such kind comments on my blog.
This card uses a digital from CS Designs. It is one from Chris' "Express Yourself" series. She is also having a sale of Buy 2 and Get 1 Free. It will end on January 31, so hurry over to her site.

In the background is a graphic of a door that I have had for a while so I don't remember where I got it. I used some small flowers as an embellishment and put them in increasing sizes to emphasize the 3D effect of the background. The digital image is showing off her art, a cut heart on a ribbon.

If you have a chance, drop by to CS Designs' blog Art with No Boundaries and enter her challenge "Express Yourself".

Winner for Challenge #33 - "Let it Snow"

2012-01-17T18:30:00.002-06:00

As most of those who enter my challenges know, I notify the winner of each challenge. However, in this case the random generator picked #18 Tinchen. I am unable to contact her as there was not a link to a blog. If Tinechen will send me an email at vickiromaine@yahoo.com and give me her last name and her email I will see that she gets her prize.

Tinechen, you have until noon Friday (US CST) to contact me. If I do not hear from you a new winner will be chosen and contacted.

Challenge #33 - "Let it Snow"

2012-01-15T06:00:00.003-06:00

Happy New Year everyone! My new Design Team is starting off the new year right with a familiar theme. "Let it Snow" They are showcasing some great images from Dezinaworld. The images are from a newly released sheet. Aren't they beautiful?

Vicki

I thought this was the perfect image for a wall hanging. My picture doesn't show it, but the canvass is completely covered with lace. I first made a wash of Gesso and acrylic paint and then applied the image. Afterwards, I completely covered the background with lace. The word "snow" was from an embellishment that I found at Wal-Mart. It was a border, but I cut it apart and used on the word with a couple of snowflakes.

The flower is made with a Tim Holtz die and was cut partially from glitter paper and partially from blue cardstock. Behind the flower are some blue and silver ribbon loops. Finally I finished the wall hanging with just a couple of snowflakes cut from glitter paper.
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Sharon

I've altered a drink coaster with Gesso and paint and stippled blue paint through some sequin cut out to make the background look like snowflakes. I used some textured pink paper and little "Winter Wonderland" tab also from Dezinaworld plus some pink braid to make a little hanger and finish off the bottom.
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Petra

Hope you had a wonderful Christmas and a very good start into the New Year! I had the pleasure to play with some wonderful images from Dezinaworld, this month's sponsor at the Cheerful Stamp Pad. These two girls look so sweet together with snowflakes swirling around them. To continue the snowflake theme I used a 'giant' cardboard snowflake as base. It is glittered with Stickles Star Dust and layered with musical note paper (Kaisercraft), a little rosette made of crepe paper and the image which I glittered around the edge with Stickles as well. The final touches are some blings and a printed sentiment on some patterned paper (CosmoCricket) cut with Nestabilities labels.
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Cindy

Living in northern Michigan's snowbelt, I love to decorate with snow items after the Christmas decor comes down. I wanted something I could hang on a pegboard so I came up with this little piece.

First I cut the frame out of chipboard using my Cricut and Sure Cuts A Lot program. I painted it white, added crackle paint and sparkly Stickles. I then cut acetate snowflakes which I pounced pearl alcohol ink over. I attached them to the frame using 3-D ScrapDots. The large snowflake has a clear gem in the middle and all the flakes have Liquid Pearl details. The photo was printed on cardstock, matted and placed behind acetate. I stamped "Snow" on top of the acetate and finished with a beaded hanger.

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Michele

I love Dezinaworld images and there is such a great variety of treats to choose for your art. I loved the pinks in this image so I set it off with pink and silver papers from the Paper Temptress. I kept it simple since this lovely image is so special.

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Jenn

Hi - I'm Jenn, and I decided to stick with the "Let it Snow" Christmas carol as my theme, so I used some musical DP from My Mind's Eye. I printed my sentiment and image on Very Vanilla cardstock and roughed them up with brown ink and Log Cabin Smooch Spritz to maintain that vintage look. Vintage brads were the final touch.

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Dezinaworld

I am thrilled to have Dezinaworld as my sponsor for my first challenge in 2012. The majority of the images that the Design Team has used in the above creations are from the image sheet that they just released. Go to their site and check out all of their wonderful images. I am sure you will find something there that is perfect for your next project. They will be furnishing a very nice prize for the winning entry which will be chosen by the random generator.

Ocean ATC

2012-01-11T09:00:00.003-06:00

Here is a little ATC I made for Jenn's "Ocean" theme challenge at Wicked Wednesday. My image and sentiment are both from CS Designs. The image has a watery look as I made it into a waxed image. I can just see her looking out a glassy peephole.

More Warm Ladies from Dezinaworld

2012-01-09T09:50:00.001-06:00

We are beginning the second week of "Let it Snow" The DT has made a few more inspirational pieces. Now we want to see what you create using snow as the theme. All of the women dressed to keep warm are lovely digitals from Dezinaworld. The challenge will close at midnight on January 15 so you have plenty of time to enter.

Vicki

I decided to make a collage tag. I had started the background of this tag about a month ago and was hestitate to finish it as i didn't know what else I wanged to do. This girl with her sled was the perfect answer. A couple of punched snowflakes was the final touch.

Michele

I love this "Winter Warmers" set from Dezinaworld and could not resist making another piece with it! For my ATC I also used a Dezinaworld background called "Fur." I used some Tim Holtz tissue tape, a lacy border and a little blue snowflake from a border set by K & Company. Please join the fun!

Petra

Another delightful image from this month's sponsor Dezinaworld - I used it to create a little card. The base is A6 white card which I layered with patterend paper from BoBunny. After attaching the image I added a doily, a strip of patterend BoBunny paper and a corner embellishment for the image. Buttons, small satin ribbon, big bold letters covered with Star Dust Stickles and little glitzy snowflakes are the final touches for the card.

Sharon

I've used another beautiful image from June's "Winter Warmers" collage sheet along with a background which is also from Dezinaworld. I've sponged "worn white" paint over the entire card to look like snow!

Cindy

I made a tag using the foil/acrylic paint embossing technique Tim Holtz demoed in his recent "12 Tags of Christmas". On top of that is a foiled chipboard frame that I glued Diamond Dust glitter to. I printed this cutie with her sled on cardstock and mounted it to the frame behind a piece of acetate. A foil rosette, fabric brad and vintage tinsel top the tag. Painted and stamped bingo markers spell out "Snow". The bottom of the tag is finished with sparkly lace and more tinsel.

Valerie

Hi you all. I have made a tag from patterned paper, covered with a piece of blue sparkly gauze. I have kept to snowflakes for the decoration and 2 little TH houses. The whole tag has been framed, to make it look like the view through a window!

Jenn

This is Jenn - I made a simple little mini card, sprayed my cardstock with Cherry and Bubblegum Glimmer Mists, added some pink pearl stickers and pink ribbon, and kept it simple.

A Thank You Card

2012-01-05T13:34:00.000-06:00

I love the images from Dezinaworld, my sponsor for the current challenge. Their images are so versatile. You can do so much with them. This lovely lady wears a victorian hat with many feathers. I did not use any particular technique for this card as the image is the main focal point.

I made this card for a special friend as a thank you for giving me a large pack of kraft-colored cardstock for Christmas.

Happy New Year

2012-01-01T12:57:00.001-06:00

Here is a little ATC I put together for Wicked Wednesday's ATC challenge Happy New Year. The brass hands on my old "clock" show wear as they have been around a lot. The olive in my drink is a green bead that was the perfect size. I printed out my tiny calendar and used a Bingo marker to mark the day. Happy New Year!

An Expanded Design Team

2011-12-29T06:35:00.005-06:00

I am sorry to announce that one of my DT members Barbara Washington has dropped from posting on my blog. I will miss her posting her beautiful artwork. I wish you well Barbara in your new ventures.

Vicki Romaine

T he Cheerful Stamp Pad

I am so glad to be starting a new year of blogging with an expanded Design Team. It has been such a fun year. Just think. I wouldn't even be knowing these wondeerful ladies if I had not been blogging. I do not have the talent that these ladies have, but am thrilled that they accepted my request to have them on my 2012 Design Team. Please welcome them and come back to see their creations and join in on the challenges which start again Jan 2.

2012 Design Team

I have three DT members returning this year. They are Petra Berendsen, Michele Storm and Valerie Jael. Now, I am excited to announce three new members joining my Design Team. They are Cindy Pointe, Sharon Rogers, and Jenn Borjeson

*New Members*

Cindy Pointe

I've been a painter for over 20 years and had hesitated getting into papercrafting as I "already had enough hobbies", but my sister became a Stampin' Up demonstrator and I received lots of product by helping her out hosting a party and then letting her pay off a washer with stamps! I basically just fiddled around making a few cards now and then. Since I don't have kids I didn't think I "needed" to scrapbook. That all changed when my sisters, Mom and I created a scrapbook for my Dad's 70th birthday and I really enjoyed it. So...I made scrapbooks for my dogs! And then for trips. Now I scrap everything that is meaningful to me. A few years ago I got a Cricut to make scrapping easier and then discovered Sure Cuts A Lot. What a revelation! I could make anything I wanted from paper! Now I design SVG files that I offer for free on my blog and sell. As for painting, I still love it but I find myself papercrafting more and more. I've recently moved into multi-media artwork where I can use ALL my paint and paper supplies and am loving it!

In January 2011 I started my blog, www.creativepointe.blogspot.com, so that I could show my projects in paint, paper and other media. I also share SVG files, tips and techniques there.

I live in northern Michigan with my supportive hubby and bulldog Millie and am counting the years until I can retire from my day job and hang out in my studio full time.

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Jenn Borjeson

Hi there - my name is Jenn Borjeson. I'm 40 years old and I live in Worcester, Massachusetts in the USA with my husband and our 2 kids. Trevor is 18 years old, a freshman in college - and Cassidy is 16 years old, a junior in high school. I've been stamping for 10 years now, I made almost strictly cards for many of those years but have ventured into art journaling, mixed media, and other things over the past year or two and have been having a blast with it. My latest obsession is ATC's (Artist Trading Cards) and I run my own ATC challenge blog called Wicked Wednesdays. I LOVE digi images and have amassed quite a collection! I am currently on a few design teams (Dilly Beans, Just Some Lines, Jellypark, and Desert Islands Crafts) and am an alumni designer of Michelle Perkett Studio. I am also currently carrying the pink torch as a guest designer for Amber Ink.

I work part-time at the local community college and I love to read, Stephen King is my all-time favorite author. I blog regularly at www.stampinangeljenn.blogspot.com and I'm addicted to Pinterest, Facebook, and surfing my fellow crafters' blogs.

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Sharon Rogers

Hi – I’m Sharon from Australia – I’ve been crafting and cardmaking for half my life! I love to make anything and everything and as well as papercrafts I like to create with fabric. I like to work with all styles but particularly love vintage and collage but I make a lot of sassy and quirky creations too. I have way too many rubber and digital stamps, paper, embellishments and creating items in general! Thanks to Vicki for having me on her Design Team and I hope I can inspire you and make you laugh with some of my creations!

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*Returning Members*

Petra Berendsen

Being a bit of a craft addict I immensely enjoy anything to do with crafting - especially papercrafting, crocheting and sewing. My creations range from ATCs and cards to full 3D projects whereby I always try to incorporate some stamping, paint and paper-piecing.

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Michele Storms

I fell in love with stamping when my son was in elementary school and we got some stamps for a school project he was doing. He is now in college and a few years ago I started stamping again and got interested in mixed media as well. Now I've been blogging for a year and a half and I love the connections I've made in blogland. I'm lucky to live in the beautiful Pacific Northwest with my husband and I have fulfilling work in the public service field. Challenges are a great way to build your skills so I thank everyone in advance for joining in!

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Valerie-Jael

Hi everybody. My name is Valerie-Jael. I come from England, but have been living in Germany, near the Rhine, for many years. I am addicted to painting, drawing and crafting. I have been blogging for 2 years, and haven't regretted it yet. I like to use lots of photos in my art-work, and am fortunate to have lots of old family photos.

Merry Christmas from the Design Team and Challenge #32

2011-12-28T07:00:00.000-06:00

The Design Team from The Cheerful Stamp Pad wants to wish you a Merry Christmas and a Joyous Holiday. They have posted one of their Christmas cards for you. Even though this is not a challenge with a "prize", we encourage you to enter one of your Christmas cards below so everyone can spread the "joy" and we can enjoy your card. You may also post your favorite Christmas tag, ATC or other project..

Vicki

I am posting this card to send out my best wishes to everyone this Christmas. I am thrilled to say that this card became one of the Ginger Gems on the Gingershanp Creations' Raffia challenge. My unique raffia is red raffia ribbon that I purchased at Michaels. The image was heat embossed with PK Glitz crystal embossing powder which looks beautiful on black cardstock.

Michele

This Nativity scene came from a Christmas collage sheet from Twisted Papers. I'm sorry to say that the sheet did not identify the artist of this scene but it looks like something from the Italian Renaissance, don't you think? I kept this simple to keep the focus on the holy family. Just some gold and red card stock and some gold stars to represent the star in the east. As we approach Christmas and reflect on why we celebrate, I hope you'll find time to join this challenge. Merry Christmas!

Petra

This is one of my very favourite Christmas ornaments. The idea and instructions for this little gift came from Stempeleinmaleins. The idea is brilliant and it is so well explained that it is really easy to create. All you need are 12 little cones (paper: Basic Grey), a backing (Kraft card) and an embellishment to decorate it in the front (stamps: Elzybells) - and, of course, some ribbon or thread to hang it somewhere. For this project I chose to keep with earthentone colours and a tartan scheme which went well with the Kraft card and the little blings and glitter.
Wishing you and your loved ones a wonderful and enjoyable Christmas, Petra. x

Barbara

My card features the three wiseman, a stamp from Tim Holtz's collection, stamped and embossed on some wonderful paper from Club Scrap. The star in the corner is cut from some antique gold glitter paper using an older Spellbinders die (one of the first I purchased years ago). The sentiment is from Hero Arts.
This will be my last DT posting on Vicki's wonderful blog. I'm off to follow some personal pursuits that are taking a lot of my attention. I've enjoyed working with Vicki and the great design team, and I've enjoyed visiting the blogs of so many talented artists over the past year.
I'm sending out warm wishes to you all for a wonderful holiday season and for a happy and healthy new year.

Here is Valerie! Warm Christmas wishes from me too!

Challenge #32 - "Merry Christmas"

Take this opportunity to post your favorite Christmas card or project that you created this year. We would love to see it. Since postage has gotten so high, use our challenge to post your best wishes for the season. Also, I would love for you to become a follower of my blog.

A Note From Frosty

2011-12-23T11:29:00.000-06:00

Here is a little card I made with an image from Octopode Factory and a digital from Gecko Galz. I colored the little snowman with Copics and placed him on some designer paper that looked like a cold wind blowing.. I am using the cutesy card on Bella Creations challenge.

Fosty is bringing a note to everyone saying "Merry Christmas"!

A Steampunk Christmas

2011-12-22T00:54:00.004-06:00

Here is a little Steampunk Christmas ATC I made using a Christmas tree image from Octopode Factory. I put it on a wild background that I had gotten off the net a couple of years ago. The little reindeer is a piece of balsa wood which has been twisted into various shapes and curves. The 25 is for Christmas Day and it is two Bingo tokens.

I am entering this in Wicked Wednesday's Steampunk ATC challenge.

Last Challenge Entries

2011-12-22T00:25:00.000-06:00

Those of you who entered my last challenge which was sponsored by InLinkz, don't forget that if you do not have an account with them, you are eligible for a free trail. There is no obligation after the trail account with them. Therefore, if you are interested, contact them at aris@inlinkz.com Just memtion that you entered the challenge sponsored by them on The Cheerful Stamp Pad.

Digi Darla Posts a DT Call

2011-12-19T00:01:00.001-06:00

Digi Darla is seeking additional members for their design team. If you are interested in joining in, you can find information on it here. She has some delightful stamps which are fun to color.
Here is a card for her current challenge, Silver Bells. My bells glisten with silver Stickles and a garland of pine branches and red ribbon. The image is on a mat cut by a Spellbinders die an then applie to a mat of decorative stripped paper.

Second Week of Christmas Greetings

2011-12-17T09:52:00.000-06:00

We begin a second week of the "Christmas Greetings" challenge. The greeting should be the focal point of your project. InLinkz is the great sponsor of this challenge and they have offered a wonderful prize. Look below at the beginning of this challenge and note what they are giving away. Almost any blogger can use this prize.

While you are at it, don't forget to become a follower.

Vicki

I did not use any particular technique on this card. However, it does have an antique appearance. I destressed the edges of my decorative paper and stamped the greeting with Versamark ink and embossed with gold embossing powder. The stamp is by Stampers Anonymous. The two holly sprays with bells is are from an old world Santa designer pieces I bought from Alpha Stamps

Barbara

Since Christmas is only two weeks away, I decided to go with a very traditional Christmas greeting and image. The angel with music collage and the sentiment are wonderful stamps from Club Scrap. I stamped the image and words in sepia. The background is a beautiful neutral paper with raised gold dots.

Michele

The center of my greeting represents my greatest wish: "Peace on Earth." The stamp is by "Stamps Happen." I stamped it in black on a piece of scalloped card stock, did some coloring with pencils and then distressed it with some Antique Linen ink. I placed that on some holiday-themed designer paper and all of that on some bright red card stock. This is a great challenge so please join in!

A New Look

2011-12-08T23:32:00.003-06:00

If you are a follower of mine you will notice that I have a new look. This was not planned. My computer went POW( and I had to get a new one. With the new system my blog did not look right so I had to change.

I am so sorry that I have been late in showing our newest winner. It is Patricia O'Hagan. Her ornament was picked by the Random Generator. I so sorry Patricia that I am just putting up your entry as a winner.

Just a reminder....the latest challenge is just below this post.

Challenge # 31 - "A Christmas Greeting"

2011-12-05T06:00:00.010-06:00

If you do any challenges on your blog, you will love the prize for this challenge. Below I give all the details, so read them carefully. The theme this time is "A Christmas Greeting" The greeting is to be the focal point on your project. I would like to see that one thing stand out. Also, I really would appreciate your becoming a follower if you are not already.

Below are some inspirations from the Design Team to get you started.

Vicki

This is a very simple card to make. I red-embossed the greeting and then used a gold pen to bring out the word NOEL. I then embossed around the greeting using one of my folderws, but not the greeting itself. It was then placed on a red mat and then on top of a plaid Christms paper. I don't use plaid much, but I like the way this turned out. It is very simple, but makes the greeting the focal point of the card. I put two green stones to pick up the green in the plaid. I don't feel additional embellishments are needed.

Petra

A German Greeting

which translates into: Merry Christams and a happy New Year. I know this is a bit more than just a Christmas greeting but quite traditional in Germany. I used a A6 white card which I layered with patterend cream card and BasicGrey paper which I dry-embossed with a Cuttlebug embossing folder and highlighted the raised areas. The sentiment is stamped (stamp: Heindesign) on off-white slightly textured card. The finishing touches are Stickles around the edge and some blings. Happy Crafting.

Valerie

Hello, here is Valerie. I have made a large, square card with a very centrally placed sentiment. I have used papers from the DCWV Christmas Combo Stack, and added some red ribbon and a vintage Santa image.

InLinkz is giving away a 6 month subscription to a winner AND one month subscriptions to everybody else (who doesn’t have an account yet). After this month expires the winner does not have any obligation toward InLinkz and they do not need to extend their account. I will be notifying InLinkz of the winner and as usual I will send the winner an email to let her/him know he has won. If you enter the challenge and do not have an account and wish the monthly prize, you must notify InLinkz yourself.

This is a great prize ladies so take advantage. I have allowed my DT to submit an entry this time as the winner will again be picked my the faithful random generator and they do a lot of work witihout compensation.

Challenge #30 - "Who's Wearing Santa's Hat?"

2011-12-04T23:44:00.001-06:00

This post will stay at the top while the challenge is running. Please scroll below for more current posts.

We usually see Santa wearing his hat. However, from time to time we see so many cute images on the net and Christmas cards of different people and animals wearing Santa's hat. Show the Design Team who you have seen with his hat. The hat can be on or can be held; just make sure Santa's hat is on the project.

You project can be a card, tag, or anything you choose as long as we see Santa's hat. While you are entering, please go to my sidebar and follow my blog.

Guest Designers

I have two guest designers from Bugaboo Stamps this week. They are Jackie Rakoski and Yvonne (Scrappy)

Jackie

Yvonne

Cheerful Stamp Pad Design Team

Vicki

My card features two little children wearing Santa hats. This is one of the cute images from Bugaboo, my sponsor for this challenge. The digital was colored with Copic markers and then placed on a solid red mat. That was then placed on a torn piece of designer paper. a string of sequins gives a little glitz to the card.

Petra

Isn't he cute and he looks sooooo cheeky... Mr Santa with his white fluffy beard and red hat ready to go down the chimney with lots of toys! For my little tag I used one of our Sponsor's digi stamps. The image is printed on My Mind's Eye patterend paper and a second time on white card stock so that I could cut out Santa and house and layer it with some foam pads onto the digital image for a bit more depth. The image is coloured with colouring pencils and Copics ... and, of course, lots of glitter and some cotton wool for the Santa's beard and eyebrows.

For the tag itself I cut various My Mind's Eye papers with Nestabilities, layered them, attached the digi stamp and as finishing touch put some baker's twine around the image. I have made a tag of a very happy looking Santa wearing a hat decorated with holly, and ready to distribute his presents.

Valerie

I have made a tag of a very happy looking Santa wearing a hat decorated with holly, and ready to distribute his presents. The Santa image is a vintage Christmas scrap, you can still buy them at the stationer's here in Germany. The holly leaves and stockings have been cut using Sizzix dies, and the background paper is from DCWV. The stockings have been tied at the top with a ribbon, and the holly placed with a red bow to complete the festive look.

Aren't these little elves adorable! Both of them are images from our sponsor Bugaboo Digital Stamps. The minute I saw them I thought that they would look so cute hanging on the Christmas tree, so I made these ornaments as my project using the images. I printed the images on a transparency. I colored the images using markers and cut them in a circular shape the size of the ornaments. I rolled up each transparency around a pencil and fit them inside the ornaments. I used the pointsettia stamp (Heartfelt Creations) and the corresponding dies (HC/Spellbinders) to cut out the flowers for the ornament top.

Michele

It is the time for giving! This cute digi girl from Bugaboo had a joyous time shopping and wrapping and is now off to deliver her gifts. I colored her with pencils, gave the piece an angular cut and affixed the digi to designer paper with a holiday feel. This digi makes me think of the happy times being with family and sharing surprises. I hope it is a happy time for all of you.

Bugaboo Digital Stamps

Now for my terrific sponsor - Bugaboo Stamps. Click on their name in the previous sentance and it will take you to their site. Bugaboo has some great digital stamps as you can see from the above examples by the Design Team. I am sure you will find something there you can use in your next project. If you have a chance, take a peek at their site.

Also, a big thank you to them for sponsoring this challenge.

They are giving away 7 stamps so you don't want to miss entering this challenge.

Christmas is in the Air

2011-11-30T11:50:00.002-06:00

I am really getting in the mood for Christmas. We are running a little slow at decorating at my house this year as we usually do it Thanksgiving Day. However, today we are going to pull the boxes from the garage. You can imagine how many there are as I have all my stuff from 49 years of collecting. I still have the first angel I bought the first year we were married Would you believe she is in almost perfect paper mache shape after 49 years!

I hope to post a couple of cards today. The first one is a card using an image from CS Design. You will find this card on Art with No Boundaries. Chris has a great challenge going. It is Red and Green. Go and take a look at her blog and see the inspirational projects of her design team.

My card uses one of the winter images and I also put one of the Christmas sentiments on a Spellbinders diecut. The fringe was made with a Martha Stewart punch and I inked the larger of the two Spellbinders mats with a gold painter's pen. I used Copic markers for coloring. The background paper is a piece of recently purchased Christmas paper.

More People and Things Wearing Santa's Hat

2011-11-28T07:00:00.002-06:00

This has been such a fun challenge and my sponsor Bugaboo Stamps has given us such cute images to use for this challenge. Santa's hat is really been worn by some unusual "characters". If you haven't joined in yet, you are missing a fun challenge. Who have you found wearing Santa's hat? If it (they) are not wearing one, you are able to make a hat for your character as that is permissable in this challenge.

Here is where the Design Team found Santa's hat.

Vicki

Here is another cute image from Bugaboo Stamps. This little lady is carrying a candy cane on top of a quited background of various Christmas papers. She is colored with Copics. I started to add some embellishment to this card, but I felt the various papers were enough. If you haven't had a chance yet, go to the link above and visit the Bugaboo site. I am sure you will find something there that will be the perfect image for you.

Michele

Here is another darling Bugaboo digi. I colored this sweet teddy bear and his hot cocoa with pencils. After cutting it out and outlining it with a red Sharpie I placed it on some designer paper and then placed that on red cardstock. I'm finally getting into the spirit of making Christmas cards and I hope you'll also join the fun.

Valerie

Here is Valerie. I have made a little painted wooden bird wearing Santa's hat this time. I used white acrylics for painting, edged with inka gold. Added a white ribbob, some flowers, a bow tie, and - of course - Santa's hat . so he can bring good cheer.

Petra

Somehow this challenge seem to trigger the cute side in my crafting (lol). I have had this High Hopes stamp for ages but have not really used it much. But this little cat is just so puuurfect for this challenge .... The base is an A6 card layered with Echopark patterend papers. For the middle part I used a Martha Stewart punch on Echopark papers and overlaid it with ribbon from the East India Company. I stamped the little Santa cat and the sentiment onto white card and cut it out. The circles are cut from the same white card and then embossed with the snowflake Cuttlebug embossing folder. I mounted the image and the sentiment and - as it is Christmas - added some glitter.

Two Winners - Here's Why

2011-11-23T21:52:00.002-06:00

If you will notice, I have posted two winners for Challenge #29 "Trees". Lacey's entry number was picked first by the randon generator and she refused the prize as she has an online store and felt it would be unfair to accept the prize. Therefore, I used the random generator again and it picked Carla's entry.

Thank you to both ladies for entering and I have posted both in the winner's spot on my sideline.

For all who do not know, I always notify the winner of my challenges. That way you don't have to keep looking back to see if you won. I hope everyone likes this and I encourage you to please follow my site. The more followers; the more challenges.

It's Cold Outside

2011-11-22T13:17:00.002-06:00

Here is a cute card I made with Chris Stern's new image at CS Designs. It's she cute? Chris has a new challenge going on at her blog Art With No Boundaries. It is Christmas / Winter using red and green.

Take a peek through all the new images at CS Designs as Chris has put up a number of new sentiments just in time for you to use for Christmas and the upcoming winter season.

Well enough of posting today as I am off to go shopping. I desperately need some Christmas-looking paper and cardstock. I thought I had some stashed away, but I can't find it. The best way to find what you have is to go out and buy more!

Challenge # 29 "Trees"

2011-11-20T23:00:00.002-06:00

For this challenge we are going to look at "Trees" Your possible images are endless. There is the autumn tree with leaves turning their many colors, There is the tree that has lost all of its leaves. And deep in the forest in the dead tree with part of one of its limbs broken. If you head south, you will see the palm trees. Then there is the evergreen which stays so pretty and full all year long. As we head to the end of November and the beginning of December, we think of the Christmas tree all decorated with tinsel, ornaments and lights.

What type of tree can you show us? Here is the Design Team's thoughts on the subject.

Vicki

My card uses one of Digi Darla's images. This tree is a symbol of one's childhood with the swing hanging from one of its branches. I had a little trouble trying to color it as I wanted it to have fall colors . I used my Copic markers and tried to show the colors of the leaves.

This card uses a technique called Stacked Nesties. I had never done this one before, but I am pleased with how it turned out. The greeting is an acrylic greeting sayng "Remember".

Barbara

For this week's challenge I chose one of my favorite tree stamps from Kitchen Sink Stamps. It's actually a multi step stamping image. I just think that the result looks like the trees you find in nature during the autumn season. The sentiment is from Stampscapes. The background is waterstamping on distress ink. The stamp used there is a leaf background stamp from Heartfelt Creations. I really love autumn colors; why does winter have to follow!

Petra

I am not quite sure why but I felt Christmassey this week ... maybe because I started to bake Christmas cookies. So it turned into a Christmas Tree. The card base is relatively simple with layering some October Afternoon papers and some ribbon and lace from my stash. The tree itself is assembled from paperbeads whereby I also used October Afternoon patterend paper. I embellished the tree with littel blings and a little glittery star.

Michele

I was feeling very autumn-y as I approached this project. I stamped this tree by Stampscapes on several different types of card stock with several different backgrounds trying to strike the right mood. Finally this version was the winner. The card stock is already a delightful pumpkin color. I wanted the image to be indistinct so I stamped it twice, once with markers and once with ink. I added additional coloring with markers. This is a simple card, just some beads and a little winged heart charm to finish it off. Trees are an excellent subject for a challenge. I hope you'll join in.

Valerie

Here is Valerie. I have made a simple winter tag. The top half of the tag has been distressed with faded jeans and stormy skies, the snow has been embossed with Utee white, and the farmhouse and small tree has been stamped on top with archival black. Then added a TH branch tree die cut, which has been cut into 2 pieces and glittered with ice stickles in silver.

Digi Darla Stamps

I am so pleased to announce that my sponsor of this challenge is Digi Darla Stamps. You can find her site my clicking on the name above. There are many digitals on her site and she gives quite a few away from time to time. I think you will find her site very appealing. Go take a peek at her site and join in on her challenges.

The winner of my challenge will be picked by random generator and she will receive three digitals.

Ornaments

2011-11-17T09:41:00.000-06:00

Here an ornament I made for the Gingersnap Creations' ornament exchange. They are snowflakes. I took some glittery snowflakes as my base. On the front side is a silver embossed die on which a red bird and some trees were stamped. On the back side is stacked nesties with the words "Season's Greetings". I hope the ladies who receive them in the swap like them.

More Inspirations for the "Trees" Challenge

2011-11-14T09:54:00.001-06:00

This is the beginning of our second week of the "Trees" challenge. There are so many tree stamps out there. Let's see what you can create with one. This challenge is being sponsored by Digi Darla digitals. They will be giving away some digitals.

Vicki

This card uses a technique that I haven't used before. It is Collage Circles. It really makes a nice background. The trees, which is a Hero Arts stamp, above have been embossed with Tinsel by PK Glitz. As a final touch I added a rafia ribbon that I found recently. I didn't realize that you could get rafia as a ribbon or twine on a roll like ribbon.

I am emtering this in Gingersnap Creations' GC#126 Spicy Supply Challenge Rafia.

Valerie

I have made another tag for our *trees* theme. I used a TH texture fade folder after spraying the card with different blue tones. I put the green directly into the folder to colour the tree. Then I gave the tree some sparkly frost with ice stickles, added a few stars, and a hungry wild boar looking for something to eat.

Michele

This card features a stamp by Stampscapes and is simply done using a distressed ink background and is placed on some Paper Temptress Kraft Brown Paper Bag card stock. I don't know the origin of the chop stamp. This forest scene is peaceful and it makes me smile. The trees near my home were ablaze in yellows, oranges and reds but they are just about to be in winter mode. Time to cozy up with a cup of tea and do more stamping!

Angel Wall Hanging

2011-11-12T14:12:00.001-06:00

Here is another project I just finished. It is a wall hanging using the newest image found on CS Stamps. She is Angeline. I thought she would be perfect as a snow angel. I really like the way my background (that is where I always panic) turned out this time. I used a mixture of gesso and acrylic paint. The picture doesn't show it, but the two colors are in slight swirls. The snowflakes are a combination of different kinds that I had. Some have a slight pick irresdiscent color, some blue and some are made from glitter cardstock. I like the combination of using different flakes.

Angeline was colored with Copic markers, and her wings have been Stickled. Her body is dimensional as I layered one over top of the main image. Cutting out her curls really took time, but she still has them all. I felt Angeline had to be standing on something; therefore the cloud of cotton.

Completing the wall hanging is a silver rope hanger and a ruffle on which the snowflakes have collected. If you haven't had a chance to visit CS Design lately, you must take a peek at all the original designs Chris has created.

Raven

2011-11-11T21:07:00.006-06:00

I used a digital of a raven from Graphics Fairy for this card. The group of ladies I get together with each month are always making fun of my saving scraps. Other than the base card, the background is made completely with scraps and I think it makes an interesting background. The largest paper in the background is Faux Barnwood, the green is a piece of Camouflage. The rust, orange and black pieces are scraps of cardstock that I added just to bring more color

If you think the raven is giving you the "eye", he is as I placed a wiggle eye on him.

I am using this card to enter Gingersnap Creations' GC123, Random Redhead Challenge Raven.

A Little Camouflage

2011-11-11T17:31:00.002-06:00

I have made a number of items lately, but haven't had a chance to post. Therefore I thought I would try to do a little catching up in the next couple of posts.

First, is a card that uses the camouflage technique on the background paper. As an added touch to the card I included a couple of gears. I stamped the old car using distressed ink to make it look old The car image is from The Stamp Pad and the greeting is by B-Line.

The camouflage technique takes just a little time, but it is one of my favorites.

I am entering this in Heart Song Inspirations' Anything Goes.

Challenge # 28 - The First Thanksgiving

2011-11-06T15:48:00.002-06:00

The challenge this time is "The First Thanksgiving" There are so many possibilities. You can use so many different images. Just for example, there is the ship, The Mayflower, food, Pilgrims, cornucopia, Indians, corn, and of course, giving thanks.

Vicki

My card is an easel card. I chose the turkey as my first image as the wild turkey is what the Pilgrims had. It is a stamp from Inkadinkadoo and was colored with Copics. The greeting "Happy Thanksgiving" is a VAP stamp. The easel card is a very easy card to make using the Scor-Pal scoring tool and it sits up nicely so the main image can be seen at a distance which placed on a table. The colors I chose for the card and matting were those found in a woods or forest and were compatible to the coloring of the focal image.

Valerie

Hi, Here is Valerie- I have made 2 tags for Thanksgiving. The background of each tag has been distressed with inks and sprays in wild honey, spiced marmalade, barn door and forest moss. The first tag has been decorated with some stamped leaves (stamps from Lavinia) and then with some sack linen, a German scrap, some decorative leaves and the text *Give thanks to the Lord for He is good*. The second one has a similar distressed and stamped background, to which I have added a flower fairy tag, some leaves, and another German scrap. I have printed a Native American and a Pilgrim Father with his child onto transparency foil, and laid them over the background. The text this time is in Hebrew, means *Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, for He loves the world* and is spoken *Hodu L'Adonai ki tov, ki le Olam hasdo*. Here's wishing you all a happy autumn and Thanksgiving!

Petra

It was a good pumpkin year and the last ones are still to be harvested from our allotment! I am always very grateful for this vegatable as it is not only very tasty but also good fun to grow and to play with (lol). The base is a Kraftcard layered with Kaisercraft paper and an image from The Graphics Fairy. Lace, ribbon, flower, bling and wooden leaves come from my stash. The letters are from BoBunny. Thank you for looking!

Michele

I've also made a tag in honor of this special holiday. My piece is representative of the harvest. I've got some brown packing material affixed to my tag along with a bit of decorative paper from my stash. Then I placed a vintage image of squashes and a hand offering a gift of flowers, both from the now-defunct Paula's Kits Club. A bundle of raffia finishes it off. It is always good to think of the things you are thankful for and this holiday offers a welcome moment for reflection.

Barbara

I really enjoyed making this card. First I got to use one of my favorite Thanksgiving stamps. It's from Paper Inspirations. I've had it for years and it's wood mounted so I'm not sure it's available any more. I also got to use my Tim Holtz Autumn Gatherings die for the side border. The image is colored using Copics. The leaves were colored using Pan Pastels. The image panel and border were adhered to a brown panel and then to a kraft card base. It's hard to believe that Thanksgiving is right around the corner, but then anytime is a good time to be thankful.

Starting the Christmas Season

2011-10-31T13:46:00.000-05:00

I am always so late in making my Christmas cards and little gifts, but this year I hope to get things done without being in a rush at the last minute. Well, in any case here is a start. This post will have a lot of pictures which I hope you will enjoy viewing.

It is my Christmas Box, one which will hold candy and after it is eaten, becomes a greeting card. Using your Scor-Pal is a must for this project. Stamps used include those from Inkadinkadoo, Stampabilities, and Heartfelt Impressions.

Outside the box

Another view

Inside holding candy

When all the candy is gone.

A view of the different images

The greeting

Even this post was a little long, I hope you enjoyed it. If you did, please enter my upcoming Christmas challenges as I and the Design Team would love to see what you are making this holiday. I will be running my Christmas challenges a little earlier this year.

Thanksgiving Inspirations

2011-10-31T09:40:00.000-05:00

Here are some additional inspirations for your "First Thanksgiving" entries. We are looking forward to see what you create.

Vicki

When I think of the Pilgrims, I think of simplicity. Therefore, I decided to make a very simple and classic card. I'm not sure where I got the digital of the ship as I have had it for a long time. The ship has been put on a black mat and then placed on gold cardstock.

As I make my Thanksgiving cards, I think about the many ways I am thankful. I have so much to be thankful for. One of them is that I have made so many friends - more than I could possibly have imagined- the past couple of years as a result of starting this blog.

Petra

Thanksgiving is not only a time to be grateful for the everything we have but it always reminds me of my childhood days. When the crops were harvested and the fields laid bare, every day we would hope for some windy weather and then we would go out with our kites and have competitions which kite would fly highest (lol). In this spirit I kept my Thanksgiving card very simple (paper: American Craft, stamps: Waltzing Mouse) but added some little friendly kites.

Michele

I've made another tag for this Thanksgiving challenge. One of my favorite Thanksgiving themes is the cornucopia or "horn of plenty." This stamp comes from MadRat Rubber; she is a huntress with her beautiful dog and her cornucopia full of goodies. To me it represents all the things we have to be thankful for. In addition to having a home and food in times when many do not, I am also extremely thankful for the time and the ability to craft.

Face

2011-10-26T00:09:00.001-05:00

I love working with faces. This card is using a face from CS Designs. This one is Sea Nymph. She is put in a diecut frame which has been modified to fit the size of the card. I love the way the nymph peeks out from underneath the starfish She is colored with Copic markers. The background uses designer paper which looks like sand. I used on the paper Highlight Cuttlebug technique which uses an embossing folder and then is highlighted with walnut distressing ink.

A couple of colorful paper flowers give additional color to the card.

I am entering this in Our Creative Corner's Fabulous Faces.

New Design Team Member

2011-10-25T15:01:00.004-05:00

I am so pleased to announce that I am now a member of the CS Designs Stamps Design Team. These are one of a kind digital stamps created by Chris Stern. These digitals are very unique and are so much fun to use. You should go to her site and see all the different digitals and visit her blog Art with No Boundaries to enter the challenges and to see the inspirations created by me and the other members of the team.

I am so excited to be a part of this group of ladies as they are all so talented. Thank you Chris, for letting me be a part of this wonderful group.

My card portrays the season, The image is called Solitaire Mummified from CS Designs. I really like my greeting. It is from the "Family" background paper. It reads "nothing is scarier than family". Coloring was done with Copic markers.

I cannot resist. I thought I would send this card to my daughter who just recently moved to St. Louis as all my other children are still near by in the Nashville area. She will get a laugh from it as it is SO true.

I am entering this at Shopping Our Stash and Gingersnap Creations' Horror Stories.

Turquoise, Purple and Black

2011-10-24T00:02:00.000-05:00

I made this card today for the Gingersnap Creations challenge. Turqoise, Purple and Black. However, before I could post, company dropped by and I didn't get it posted in time. Oh well, that is the breaks of the game when one waits until the last day to enter a challenge.

In any case, I wanted to show my combination of colors. I am fairly please with the way it turned out. I made an easel card using a Stampin' Up medallion stamp as the focal point. I decided to turn the Spellbinder dye sideways instead of up and down like I usually see it. It gives it an Asian feel.

I made the easel card into a birthday card for a friend. I hope she likes it.

Challenge # 27 - Halloween

2011-10-23T22:00:00.001-05:00

I have decided to continue my challenges. I hope everyone will continue to enter these challengess if for no other reason than enjoyment and to have their entry posted in my winner's spot at the top of my sidebar. From time to time I will surprise the featured entry with a prize, but one will not be given for every challenge.

They will continue to run for a two-week period. So you have plenty of time to create something.

October brings out all the witching and spooky images. So with nothing more said, here are some ideas from the design team.

Vicki

My card features a design from CS Designs. The artist, Chris, has a number of images with different type masks in her Solitaire collection. On thist card is the Mysterious Butterfly. She was colored with Copic markers. I made the mask dark since this was to be a Halloween card. Also I think it makes her look like a Super Hero character ready to jump into action and go trick or treating. The image was placed on a black mat over some Halloween paper with spiders on it. To carry out the blue ghoulish color, I added a blue flower.

Valerie

Hi Everyone, Valerie here. This is a Calendar page I made for a friend. She got the calendar as a new year present, and I make her a page each month- This is the October page with a Halloween theme, as it is my fave holiday. For next week I will show you a little album I am making.

Michele

I love making Hallowe'en cards and this year I found lots of cool new images to work with. This image came from http://www.geckogalz.com/ a company I just discovered. I enjoyed pulling together cool ribbons, papers and other embellishments to make one of my first holiday cards for this spooky season. If you're making Hallowe''en cards anyway you ought to just come on along and join this challenge!

Barbara

It's that time of year when the Wicked Witch of the West (Stampsmith) becomes a popular character. It's the witching season of Halloween. Here she flies past the moon and is backed by a panel embossed with Tim Holtz' Halloween texture fade highlighted by the newly released seedless preserves distress ink. (Don't you just love that color.) Backing up the image is an orange metal panel which I crimped using a wavy crimper.

Falling Leaves

2011-10-23T13:18:00.003-05:00

Here is a little card I made with Darla's cute little kitten watching the leaves fall. I put the image on multiple different layers and colored the image with Copic markers. Additional leaves were punched from paint chips and added to the card.

This card was created for Digi Darla's Fall challenge and I am also entering it in Simon's Says Stamp and Show's Show your Stripes and Gingerloft Challenge Fall

Star Card

2011-10-20T14:31:00.007-05:00

Here is a card that needs your Scor-Pal scoring tool. It is easy if you have one. It is made of a couple of interlocking folds.

I did not do any stamping on this card. The outside has purchased dimensional fall embellishments which I cut apart to use on the different flaps. On the inside is some scrollwork, also purchased and some leaves punched out of different pieces of cardstock. The greeting itself was computer generated and the greeting and the mat for the greeting were cut with Spellbinders. To finish out the card, I used a little lace.

If you like this card and wish to learn how to make it, then you need to go to my sidebar and push on the purchase button for the 3D and Fun Folds Dd. There are approximately 70 techniques on this CD. What a bargain!

Below are different views of the card:

The Outside of the Card

Closeup of Some of the Embellishments

The Opened Card

Closeup of the Greeting

If you would like to learn 70 techniques from one CD, don't forget to go to my sidebar.

I am entering this in Scor-Pal Guest Designer challenge.

Step Into My Parlor

2011-10-19T16:07:00.003-05:00

"Step into my parlor" said the spider to the fly. This card brings that saying to life. I took black cardstock as my mat on a purple card base. Before gluing it to the base I wrapped it with twine. On top of that I placed my imaqge from CS Designs which was colored with Copic markers.

On the right side I made a shrine or "parlor" which is held closed by the greeting. When open, the parlor is filled with spiders on a commercial web. In the corner is a pumpkin gritting its teeth.

I am entering this in Paper Take Weekly. Forever Night and Creative Card Crew challenges.

Second Week of Halloween Challenge

2011-10-17T14:10:00.001-05:00

Here are some additional inspirations for your Halloween entry. You have a week left to create something creepy, ghostly or scary. It does not have to be a card. It can be anything including an ATC, wall hanging or a canvass.

Vicki

This time I made a little sweet treat hanger. I highlighted the embossed web with black ink. I like using it over printed designer paper. The little witch watching over the treat is by CS Designs.. She is colored with Copic markers. Having a Scor-Pal scoring tool makes this an easy project.

The little holder is a "sneak peak" of one of the new projects on the Technique Junkies' 3D and Fun Folds CD. It has 70 techniques on it and can be ordered from my sidebar. This is one CD you don't want to miss.

Petra B

BOO

... a truly sweet Halloween BOO! When I saw the image from Bumble Buttons, I couldn't resist it. It is just too cute. I made the image the focal point of my card and layered it on patterend digital paper (Chrystal Wilkerson) and black card. To scare you I added the BOO buttons from Karen, the Graphics Fairy and stamped some little tiny spiders from Elzybells onto the card. Happy Halloween!

Michele S

I had fun using stamps and collage for this week's creation. I used fun papers and stckers for my design and two of my favorite Halloween stamps. The dancing Jack-o-lantern guy is by American Art Stamps and the howling cat is from 100 Proof Press. Trick or treat?

Hi Valerie here. I have made an autumn / Halloween tag. The tag has been distressed with wild honey and spiced marmalade and the background has been stamped with a script stamp and some flourishes. the flower basket is also hiding a little skull, and a witch is taking off to do some mischief.

My Day

2011-10-11T10:28:00.000-05:00

Here is a type of card I have not made recently. It is a birthday card. Since today is my birthday, I thought I would make one to remind me that I am a little older. However, I already realize that each morning when I get up and I move a little slower. I am thankful for each day and each year I get.

I used a piece of altered designer paper I had on hand on the right side of the card and took a piece of trim off a candle for the center trim. The little lady is colored with Copic markers.

Two for One

2011-10-10T16:20:00.001-05:00

I am doing a double-post today. Both of these card features a design from CS Designs.

Where do you think those witches get their hair styled? Well at the Stylish Witches Salon of course. Above is a digital advertisement for the salon drawn by Chris Stern of CS Designs. The salon also does a little tatooing and after midnight or during the full moon you can get a discount. I may have to try this place out as my hair always looks like it has been caught in a web.

To create the card I did two types of webbing. Firstly the paper on the left has gold spray webbing with embossing powder sprinkled throughout. Then it was put through a crimper. The paper on the right has benn embossed with a web folder and highlighted in gold.. At the bottom of the card is a "ribbon" punched from printed paper. I finished the card with a flower made from newspaper which I thought was the perfect touch since that is where I probably would have found the advertisement.

My second card features Chris' Mask of Webs. I wanted her to pop on the card so I put her on a purple web background and placed only element in black around her. She is colored with Copic markers. The fence is from Martha Stewart. I have used this fence a number of times and it looks great in settings other than for Halloween. The tree is part of a diecut someone gave me.

I am entering these in Crafty Cardmakers' and Make It Monday- Anything Goes.

Art with No Boundaries Challenge

2011-10-04T17:29:00.012-05:00

Art with No Boundaries, a blog by CS Designs has a new challenge. It is Halloween. CS Designs has some wonderful new designs for Halloween. You have got to drop by and take a peak on their site here.. For my sample I chose to do a stand-up scene.

For my little scene I took a fence that made up 1/4 of a pink wooden Easter basket and painted it with midnight black acrylic paint. I then printed my little Priscilla, a CS Design digital on heavy cardstock so she would stand up and have some body. The little pumpkin is a 3D sticker and my ghost is a piece of cotton which has been given eyes with a dot of the black paint.

On the back I put an easel so it will stand up. I hope you like this little Halloween decoration which can be placed on a table.

I am entering this in Forever Night Challenges' Freaky Friday Challenge # 11 and Clear It Out's Halloween challenge. I have also entered I Did It Creations' Halloween Challenge and Digital Tuesday's #131 We Like to Party! as well as Tuesday Throwdown's Halloween.

Challenges

2011-10-03T12:48:00.000-05:00

I have been posting a challenge every two weeks for almost a year now so I have decided to stop challengs with prizes on a every two-week basis . I will continuing having challenges from time to time, but not on a regular basis and many will not have candy. With the economy like it is, it is understandable that it is not quite as easy to find sponsors. I do hope you will continue to participate in my challenges with the "prize" being " enjoyment". If you are associated with a company or would like to offer some small prize for a challenge, please contact me at vickiromaine@yahoo.com

Now for the winner of "Be Transparent" It is 2amscrapper. Her entry is in the winner's spot at the top right hand corner of my sidebar. I hope you enjoy your small gift.

Thanks to everyone who has become a follower and who have participated in my challenges.....please continue.

Blue and Brown

2011-10-03T09:36:00.000-05:00

Here is my inspiration for Darla's Brown and Blue Challenge. It is a very simple card and can be done in no time at all. The main image is one of Digi Darla's and the greeting is by Finders Keepers. I colored the main image with Copic markers. She is placed on a mat which has been put at an angle.

Trick or Treat

2011-10-02T20:12:00.000-05:00

Here is a little card for Halloween. I usually do not make very many Halloween cards, but this is giirl dressed in her pumpkin outfit is irresitable. She is Priscilla, a digital, from CS Designs.

I began my card with a web embossing folder and embossed the black cardstock. Then I used white ink to highlight. Next I cut out my little chain from a brand new punch and I realized that the links could be interlocking when put on top of each other so I put one orange chain on each side of a black with dots one.

The image was cut with an octagonal die and place on a medallion circle cut with a punch. She was colored with Copic markers. As a final touch I added a weird-shaped pumpkin to the side. Also, what is a web without a spider?

I am entering this on Forever Night Challenges' Anything Goes and I Did It Creations' Halloween Challenge.

Challenge # 26 - Be Transparent

2011-10-02T20:00:00.000-05:00

This post will stay at the top until the challenge closes. To see my moew current posts, please scroll below.

This challenge will be the last one on a regular two-week basis. For the near future, I will host a challenge from time to time as I obtain sponsors. This will give me as well as my Design Team a break so we can get ready for the holidays. Also, I have some other obligations that I wish to direct my attention. I do hope you will come back each week to see what I have posted. And who knows it may be a challenge! Thanks to each of you who have entered from week to week. It has been fun seeing what everyone has created.

This challenge is called "Be Transparent" You can put anything on your project that you can see through. This might include a glass button, a piece of acrylic, a transparency or even a plastic window.

Vicki

This card uses the quilt technique. I thought the colors of the squares were great for Fall. Faux stitching connect the squres. The verse about the one red leaf is from CS Designs. Since this challenge is "Be Transparent", I put a piece of acrylic over the first two words of the verse. The red leaf was punched and distressed ink was used to obtain the red color.

I hope you are ready for Fall as it is on our doorstep, waiting to come in.

Petra

Here I used a transparency in an easy and simple way by cutting a transparent tag, stamping on it with a little snowflake stamp in a more or less regular pattern (stamp by Heindesign) and embellishing the tag with a Nestabilities star (paper by Memorybox), a little snowflake charm and some ribbon.

Michele

The thing that is transparent here is my clear buttons. I never worked with paper dolls before in a mixed media creation so I had the idea to use clear buttons as connectors for the body parts. This creation starts with a canvas which I collaged with pretty papers. Then I added my doll. The doll pieces came from Paula's Kits Club (sadly no longer in business). I made her torso with designer paper from my stash. I only ended up using two of the buttons on her, for her arms. But I decorated around the canvas with additional clear buttons at each corner, along with other goodies. Have fun creating with clear or transparent items!

Barbara

To create my window card I cut windows in my base card and in my overlay. I used a piece of packaging acetate for my window image. I used the Technique Junkie technique Acetate Smooch from the Dec "09/Jan '10 newsletter for my image. I stamped the image (from Artistic Outpost Wonderland Collage) in Stazon on one side of the acetate and used Smooch paint to color the image. The front panel was embossed using a texture fade and highlighted with walnut stain distress ink. I added my sentiment which was done on my label printer. I think this makes a fun belated birthday card.

Valerie

Hello! Valerie here. I distressed my tag with TH inks, stamped the background with a collage stamp and a script stamp - both from LaBlanche - and added a vintage image from a German Ladies' Magazine from 1899. The image has been covered with a film strip printed onto acetate. The bunch of flowers is from Jolees.

Craft Fantastic

Additional Transparent Inspirations

2011-09-26T00:40:00.000-05:00

Ok ladies, don't be intimated with the title of this challenge. As you can see below at the DT inspirations that your entry does not have to use a complicated technique to be a part of the challenge "Be Transparent". You still have a whole week to enter.

Vicki

I wanted to make a window for my sample this time. However, I didn't want to put it in a card as that is where most people put their windows. I put mine in a tag.

I started my tag by using black cardstock and embossing it with an embossing spider web folder. I then highlighted it with white ink. Next came the window.

The window was cut with a Spellbinders die and then I covered it with a plastic sheet. Afterward I placed the image behind the plastic. The image is little Priscilla from CS Designs. She was colored with Copics. Her hair is decked with Fall leaves and she carries a pumpkin and a spider..

I finished off the tag with a ribbon of rafia and a couple of stickers in the spider web.

Valerie

Hi, Here's Valerie.
I have printed the row of houses (Hampton Art Stanps) onto a scrap of transparent packaging materal using Stazon black, and made a blue window frame round it, to make it look like the view out of a window.

Petra

You might ask where is the transparency ... I know, it is not easy to spot because of my photographic skills or the lack of! The little bird sits behind a transparent window. For my little wall hanging I reused an old Kraft window envelope and layered it on patterend paper (Echo Park and Prima Marketing). the stamped images are stamps from Stamper Anonymous and Kaisercraft.

And the Winner iis...............

2011-09-20T19:05:00.000-05:00

For the challenge "Let's Reuse" I asked the members of my team to give me their vote for the top 3 entries. The one that was voted the most by the team is the box that was reused by Cindy Pointe. I will say that there were many entries that also deserved to win. However, I am afraid I had only one prize being donated. I really appreciate everyone sharing her talent at reusing items that would ordinarily hit the trash. You are definitely a creative group. Congratulations Cindy.

Challenge # 25 -"Let's Reuse"

2011-09-18T23:50:00.000-05:00

This post will remain at the top during this challenge. Please scroll down for more current posts.

This challenge is a little different. The Design Team wants you to pick something unusual and recycle it on a project. After the challenge ends, the Design Team will pick the most original recyclable. The winner will not be picked by random generator this time. So look around and see what you can find to recycle.

The Design Team below has given you some great ideas. Go take a peak and then enter this fun challenge.

Vicki

I took a quick and easy approach to the "Let's Reuse" challenge. Look a the white strip down the left side. Can you tell what it is. It is part of the wristband I had to wear at the hospital the last time I had a spinal injection. I cut it to the size I needed, trim the end to match the other end, and put shiny stone brads in every other hole. I used adhesive and attached to the card. This made a neat embellishment to the card and got rid of the wristband. Hopefully I won't collect any more wristbands anytime soon. The sentiment is a CS Designs digital.

Barbara

I love recycle challenges. It's always so much fun to come up with something recycled and to see what others use to recycle. Today I made a wall hanging of a basket of flowers. What did I use to recycle--my favorite Coke Zero cans. All of the flowers and leaves were cut from the cans using a Spellbinders die. They were colored using alcohol inks. Brads were used for the centers and then covered using distress stickles. The board I used can almost claim to be recycled. I bought it decades ago when I was into tole painting. The whitish background was done by painting the section with gesso and stamping it with a basketweave background stamp. I did a light touch over with wild honey distress ink. The basket was die cut from a piece of wood paper. Let's see what recycling you can come up with.

Valerie

Hi everybody. Valerie here. I have made a simple tag from a piece of corrugated cardboard, some paper from an antique book, a piece of string, and a scrap of lace from an old tablecloth. The image is a vintage German scrap. I recycle a lot; first and foremost because I hate to waste things, and secondly it is just such fun to make something pretty from *waste*. Happy creating you all!

Petra
Paperbeads

Almost every day there is advertising material in the post. Normally this goes almost straight away into the recycle bin but sometimes the paper is quite nice because of its colour, texture or even the size. And definitely perfect in re-using it for some paper creations. Here I used an A3 soft furnishing brochure for creating some paper beads (first time ever!). I love the process of making them: cutting the paper in small but long triangles (just with a scissor to keep it simple), rolling the paper very tightly over an old knitting needle in more or less regular/irregular shapes. I love the way each bead turned out so differently. To give the beads some more stability and to smoothen the surface I varnished some of them with glossy accents and some with modge podge. And then .... they are ready to use (lol). I made a little charm with some left-over fabric, some little beads and and an old safety pin. Happy recycling! x

ClearScraps

ClearScraps has graciously consented to offer a package of acrylic coasters as the prize for the winner of this challenge. They carry a wide range of acrylic pieces, such as frames, books, coasters, and miscellaneous shapes. Click on their name above and visit their site.

Steampunk Tag

2011-09-16T14:54:00.002-05:00

I haven't worked with many tags lately so I thought I would create one today. This is a little on the steampunk side. The main image is by Octopode Facotry and the bird is by Stampotique. This tag was done for the Gingersnap Creations' Spicy Supply Challenge "Crimpers". I had to dig deep into one of my stash drawers to find my crimper as it has been ages since I have used it. The green scrape of paper is what I used my crimper on. I think is adds a lot to my tag. Additional embellishments used are a couple of Bingo tokens, a small dimensional flower and an old type hook and some rafia.

Below the picture of the whole tag is a closeup of the main image which I colored with Copic markers.

Ocean Waves

2011-09-14T23:21:00.001-05:00

I love this sentiment. It is from CS Designs, a digital stamp company. The starfish which are part of the digital are colored with Copic Markers. A small pearl was placed on top of a couple of them to give them dimension. The waves are an embellishment I found on sale in a discount store. They are dimensional also and the foam on the waves are highlighted with glitter. The bubbles and shells are also part of the embellishment.

As a final touch I did a little faux stiching on the Spellbinders Nestie

Asian Influenced Card

2011-09-12T21:52:00.002-05:00

Here is a card that I recently submitted to CS Designs as Guest Designer for September. It is another Asian card. This is a card that was created with a classic style in mind. The image is Framed Geisha 2 by CS Design. She is colored with Copic markers. The image is placed on a background of designer cardstock on which I did a technique call Cuttlebug Highlight using an embossing folder and gold ink. As an added embellishment, I included a scroll made with a Spellbinder diecut. Small thin corners of gold foil add a final touch.

I am submitting this in Crafty Boots' "Anything Goes" challenge.

More Recyclables

2011-09-12T06:41:00.001-05:00

It is so much fun to get rid of clutter (which I have so much of) by recycling. Here is your chance. If you have usless things laying around, take a double look and see if you can reuse them in a project for this challenge.

Vicki

This time I did a little recycling of something we all find so easy to accumlate - the local newspaper. I hope you like my flower on this card as it was made with this week's edition of my local newspaper. I started to airbrush a little color to it, or add a little spray glitter. However I decided against it as I wanted to carry out the grey in the mat and the dark eyes of the image. My little princess is from Octopode Factory. The greeting is by Stampin' Up. Coloring was done with Copic markers.

Glance at the ideas below of the Design Team and look around your home. I know there is something there you can recycle. It does not have to be on a card. You can create an ATC, wall hanging, cover a journal, or any other project you like. Most of all, tell us what you have recycled.

Michele

This creation came about because I was looking for a particular item I was dying to "recycle" for a project and instead of finding what I was looking for I came across quite a stash of old tickets. I thought the tickets would make a wonderful collage and I'm very happy with the results. The vintage image was a free download from Art Freebies; this lady looks like she would enjoy using some tickets! You've got another week to join this fun challenge. I hope you do!

Petra

For this tag I used three main recycled ingredients: a bottle cap from a fancy bottle of Belgian honey beer, corrugated packaging card and a receipt for a shirt. I kept the receipt because the paper has a nice texture and is so thin that you can see the printed lines on the back of the paper. I gave it a warp pattern with That Special Touch of mask and distress inks. The bees (Percy & Bloom) and the bee hive (Graphics Fairy) are printed onto the stencilled receipt. Afterwards it was simply layering the images on a piece of burlap ribbon and the corrugated card, positioning the bottle cap and stamping a little sentiment.

With Sympathy

2011-09-07T17:39:00.002-05:00

This is a card I made for a close friend who lost someone in her family this past week. I hope she likes it and that it shows I care. If of all I embossed the designer paper which was the background mat. I highlighted it with cranberry ink. Next I wrapped the mat with a piece of lace which was punched from white cardstock.

I then stamped my sentiment which is by Stampin' Up and then cut it out with a Spellbinders die. I cut a second mat using the same die, but a little larger. Finally I layered flowers on top of each other giving the flower spray dimension. There are approximately 3 layers for each flower. Finally a little bow was added to the flower stem. The second picture was a little difficult to take to show the layers. I found it hard to click the camera with one hand and hold the card with the other without moving. It is like patting your head and rubbing your stomach at the same time.

I hope she likes it.

I am also submitting this card to Let's Ink It Up who is having a Design Call.

Asian Card

2011-09-06T09:54:00.000-05:00

I went a little of the top with embellishing this card. The image is called Framed Geisha 2 from CS Designs and she is colored with Copic markers. Since she is looking to the side, I wanted something to draw her attention. Thus is the netting made with a net-type ribbon. It is anchored with two buttons. The image is matted and put on a background paper of oriental flowers and shapes.

The card is entered into Art Without Boundaries' "Anything Goes", Stammtacular Sunday Challenge's The Sky is the Limit", and Card Making Mama's "Use a Digital".

Challenge ##24 -" Portraits"

2011-09-04T23:00:00.001-05:00

I hope everyone likes the variety that I have tried to put in my challrngs. This time we are thinking about portraits..These should be "head shots" using your stamps or digis. It should not have the whole figure shown.. And yes, you can have animal portraits also.

Vicki

Every time I thnk of portraits I think of old ones that may have been found in someone's attic. This is the thought as I made my card. I took the designer paper and did a little Cuttlebug Highlighting on it in gold ink. It blended in perfectly with the paper, but gave it a little more dimension. The image was distressed and torn a little to give that antique portrait appearance. I finished the card off with a lace ribbon.

Barbara

For my portrait image I chose Marie Antoinette from Stampsmith. Isn't she regal looking? I stamped her on glossy cardstock. (Sometimes the glossy affects the scan with a checked look, but she looks like a photo in real life.) Behind Marie is a vellum doily cut using a Cherry Lynn die. The background is paper which is embossed with glitter flowers. To finish off the card I added a bling fleur de lis made from pearls (Prima)

Michele

For my Portraits and; People Challenge piece I grabbed a favorite Stampsmith stamp -- an image of Diana Ross & the Supremes. Stampsmith images are mostly gorgeous photographic images. They have a lot of movie stars and famous musicians in addition to many beautiful vintage images. So here are the original "dream girls." Colored with markers and enhanced with colored pencils, I cut out my image and placed it on designer paper. I added the hearts (stamp is by Hero Arts), some flowers, lace and shiny, sequin-y stickers. I hope you'll join the fun creating art involving people or animals.

Valerie

For my DT piece I have made an altered canvas, perhaps rather unorthodox for this theme. The canvas was one which had already been used and *stripped* to give it a new lease of life. I made a background of torn paper which I painted with gesso. There was some gold leafing round the canvas before, so I left some it as it was, and painted the rest with gesso, which turned it a nice greeny grey colour. For the main picture I have used a postcard of a self protrait of Stefan Lochner, which is one of the wonderful pictures in Cologne Cathedral, painted in the middle of the 15th century. The pictures of the woman and the hands underneath it are part of some wonderful carvings in Bamberg Cathedral, carved my the great master Veit Stoss at the beginning of the 16th century. I used different embellishments - lace, sack-linen, some torn pieces of a map, some prima leaves, a flower made from antique book sides and coated with Utee, and two Rafel Angels. And of course, one of my little leopards is running through the picture. At the top I have used a silver brooch, which has a small piec of Roman glass in it, bought from the Roman-German Museum shop in Cologne.

Petra

Beauty without Words

This Lady has been tempting me since I had bought the stamp (La Blanche). I stamped her with Memento ink onto Prima Marketing paper without any further colouring and then layered it on patterned paper. The edges of the paper is slightly distressed. The embellishments are mainly from my stash, the charm from Robin and the embellished lace from Lucy. The flower is made of lace, cheese cloth and a fabric bloom.

Stampsmith Art Rubber Stamps

The Stampsmith is known for the super realistic photostamps but also carries a wide variety of images. They do custom stamp work as well. You can see the lineup at www.stampsmith.net (the website will be updated and revamped soon) and you can see the movie star photostamps here: www.stampsmith.net/ssstamps.htm. Email estelle@stampsmith.net with any questions or to order.

Stampsmith is graciously offering the winner, who will be chosrn by random generator, a $10 gift certificate.

Garden Wall Hanging

2011-09-03T22:36:00.003-05:00

Here is a wall hanging that I completed recently and had not gotten around to posting. The background to the wall hanging was created with a number of acrylic paints The faces in the flowers are from CS Designs as well as the bee and sentiment. The dragonflies are diecuts. An observant person will notice that the dragonflies were created in reverse of each other. Below you will see close-up shots of the wall hanging.

I have entered this in Simon's Says Stamp and Show's "Anything Goes" challenge. Also, I am entering "Use a Digital" in Card Making Mamas. and Creative Inspiration's "Anything Goes, Set 3"

Paper Piecing Portrait

2011-08-30T18:37:00.000-05:00

Here is a card I made a while back using paper piecing. The image is called Asian Square Masami / Beautiful from CS Designs. I tried to do a little paper piecing on rhis. I think doing this technique on a digital is much harder than on a regularly stamped image.

A piece of lace punched from a Martha Stewart adds a contrasting color to the card. I really like using green and purple. As a final piece of embellisshment I strung some green beads and attached it to an old button.

Under the Sea

2011-08-29T10:18:00.000-05:00

Here is a card I created for the 2nd week of CS Designs' "Ocean" challenge. You can find the challenge at the blog Art Without Boundaries.
Using the nymph image I created an underwater scene. The main digital was colored with Copic markers. The designer paper used as a background is water themed. The fish and seaweed are stickers and in the background is a spirelli using one of Chris' spirelli templates.

You still have two days to join in on the fun with the challenge. You do not have to use a digital from CS Designs. You just have to an ocean-themed project.

Another Week for Portraits

2011-08-28T22:46:00.000-05:00

You have one more week to enter my challenge which is being sponsored by Stampsmith Art Rubber Stamps. Below is some more inspiration. So get to your crafting supplies and enter my challenge "Portraits".

Vicki

This is one of my first stamps I bought it a number of years ago. The plate was labeled Chix Art Beauties. After stamping, I used three sizes of a Spellbinders die to frame the image. The framed image was placed on a mat of designer paper. The floral arrangement in the corner was made with a couple of Spellbinders to create the scrollwork. I accented the scrolls with some triple-layered flowers. A small acrylic greeting, "dream", sits in another corner.

Petra

A Different Portrait

This time I did something completely different - no stamping at all but I used some of my own photos. My I introduce you to Nele .... she is a rescue dog from Egypt and belongs to my brother. He took her a few years ago and now she is quite an old lady but absolutely lovely and adorable. And this is my tribute to her.

I printed the images in a black frame and mounted them on various layers of corrugated and black card and Dovecraft paper. The sentiment is cut from the patterned Dovecraft paper and glued to a corrugated nestabilities cog whereby the edges of the cog are slightly distressed with black ink. The finishing touches are some little doggy buttons, button thread and ribbon knots from my stash.

Getting Some Shopping Done

2011-08-26T18:53:00.000-05:00

My card shows CS Designs' Lulu as she does her shopping. I gave her a split green background with a little sequin waste and with a flower on top. The digital and the mat behind it were cut with a Spellbinders die. The mat was made with some printed designer paper giving the card extra color. Lulu herself was colored with Copic markers with a touch of Sticklers to give her and her bags a little glitz. The simple word "shop" was made with some beads.

A New Bookmark

2011-08-26T16:45:00.001-05:00

Here is a bookmark that I made for Bella Creations Oh La La bookmark challenge. The main item we had to use is a bathing beauty image from Gecko Galz In the background I used a ink dragging technique. I also used a few nautcal stickers, a punched sea horse and an acrylic sentiment along with a little lace and bow to bring out the theme.

I am Pleased to Announce....

2011-08-22T19:20:00.005-05:00

I am pleased to announce that I have been a Guest Designer for CS Design during August and will be returning as a Guest Designer for September. Chris of CS Designs has a brand new blog called Art with No Boundaries. The blog has a nautical / ocean theme challenge running at this time. You will have to drop by and see what the different designerss made for the theme and put in an entry.

Here is a card I made using one of Chris' sentiments not related to the challenge..

When we traveled out West in our motorhome for 3 to 4 months at a time, we would stop and walk the many trails. I know whenever I saw a sign on the path, I was anxious to see how far we had to go. That time gave me the inspiration for this card. I used spray webbing with embossing powder to give the appearance of woods behind the sign.. The brace for the sign was made with a couple of Spellbinder dies.

Those were good days and I wish I could do it again.

Digi Darla's Wings and Things

2011-08-21T19:20:00.002-05:00

Here is a little card I made as inspiration for Digi Darla's "Wings and Things" challenge. It is a very quick and simple card. I used her dugital of an angel and colored it with Copic markers. The image is placed on a double diecut mat. The lacey paper trim was made with a border punch. The sentiment was a bought alphabet embellishment. If you have a chance, take a hop to her site and enter her challenge.

Challenge #23 - " Petals"

2011-08-21T00:00:00.000-05:00

Everyone loves flowers. I am amazed at God's creation. There are so many types of flowers. They all seem so delicate yet some of them can last the entire summer. Some are bold with wide petals and some have very small and delicate petals. Here is your chance to show off your favorite type. Your flowers may be stamped, cut by hand from paper or cut from a die. They may also be bought embellishments. You may choose to showcase one or many. The choicr is yours.

Vicki

My card is made with one of the images from Glitterbabe, my spionsor. I thought it would be interesting to put the flower inside a flower Nestie. The coloring was done with Copic markers. The card uses a technique called Curled Corner. The greeting is a Stampin' Up stamp.

You will notice below that Barbara used the same image as I. Neither of us knew that we were using the same digital. It is interesting to see the different approach two people can use on the same digital.

Valerie

Here is my rose card for the *petals challenge* The rose from LaBlanche - has been stamped with archival black and coloured with water colours , The petals have been sprinkled lightly with some soft glitter. I have stuck to a simple one layer card.

Valerie

The tag has been distressed, stamped with a background script stamp, and some flourishes. I have then added some flowers, buttons and a Tim Holtz decoration!

Petra

A Lady in Style ... as soon as I had seen the image of the Lady (all images are from The Sum of All Crafts) I knew I wanted to use it for this challenge - together with a wonderful fabric flower (tutorial here). I cut a tag using a flowery digital image whereby the bottom edge is punched with a Stampin'Up edge punch. The basic tag is layered with the Lady image, the fabric flower and a little Eau de Cologne label. Voila!

Barbara

This was a fun card to make. I used a digital image from our sponsor Glitterbabe and the technique Vellum Sentiments from the current Technique Junkies newsletter for this card. I first printed the daisy on white cardstock and colored it with Copics. I cut a piece of vellum the size of the image panel and embossed the frame using an embossing folder. The sentiment was stamped on the vellum. Brads were used to adhere the vellum to the image panel. Everything was adhered to the yellow card base.

I am so pleased to announce that my sponsor for the "Petals" challenge is Glitterbabe Digis. GLITTERBABE DIGIS is a digital stamp store specializing in a variety of images. Steph Hughes leans towards whimsical in her drawings and cover just about everything you need for any occasion. All her images are done in jpg, png and tif format. She strives for quality product and works hard to give her very best. She has tons of fun with it and she hopes you do too.

Glitterbabe has graciously offered a $10 gift certificate. Make sure you click on the logo above and visit her store. I am sure you will find something there that is perfect for your next project.

New Blog on the Net

2011-08-16T09:21:00.000-05:00

There iw a new blog on the net, It is Art with No Boundaries and it is having it's first challenge.This week's theme is the Ocean, Aquatic, Nautical. Look at all the possibiities you have here...anchors, ships, shells, mermaids. The list is endless so you must join in on the fun.

The challenge rules are very easy and simple. You do not have to use a CS Designs stamp to enter the challenges on this blog, but do drop by and see Chris' art stamps she has for sale. In any case, pick up the logo below and pass the word.

This is my card for the first challenge. It, of course, uses a CS Design stamp. The bright coloring was done with Copic markers. The background reminded me of a quilt pattern so I colored it accordingly. The colors I used were for sand, netting, sun and coral which are all part of the beach.

I could not find the seashells that I have in the garage from the many trips to the beach, so I made my own out of paper and put in a couple of pearls with a pearl pen.

Don't forget to check out the new kid on the block - Art with No Boundaries

More Flower Petals

2011-08-15T15:51:00.000-05:00

I have had wonderful response so far to my challenge "Petals". Here is a little more inspiration for you. However, if you haven't entered yet, you still have a week to do so. My design team has made a few more creations to get the juices flowing.

Vicki

This card uses a flower image from Glitterbabe. It also features a little airbrushing which I did not only behind the flower, but also on the greeting. As an added touch are little gold fillagree corners and a flower with a butterfly.

This card has a littlke of a western touch as the back mat is copper cardstock. Also, the single flower with the airbrushing remimds me of the single flowers I have seen in the desert.

Michele

I agree with Vicki -- flowers are awe-inspiring. For my "petals"creation I started with a background created using the collaged circles technique from Technique Junkies (I guess I still have circles on the brain from our last Cheerful Stamp Pad challenge!). I used the calla lilies digi-stamp from Glitterbabe Designs which I decorated with colored pencils. I used a few other embellishments -- ribbon, a sweet bird sticker and the word "wonder." As I said. nature is a wonder! I look forward to seeing more of your wonderful creations.

Valerie

Here is a LO I have made, using the same stamped rose as last time (from LaBlanche) and carrying on the theme of petals.

I used a photo of my Mum and my eldest sister, taken about 1939 /40. For the background I have used a sheet of 12 x 12" ceramic card - a speciality stamping paper. First I stamped the rose and the owl each twice with resist ink, and let it dry before rubbing over the paper with a mixture of ancient paper, Victorian Velvet and Forest Moss inks. I sprayed it too with some garden fairy green from My tattered angels, before wiping the colour away, leaving just a faint colour and the images showed up white, Then I stamped again, using Victorian velvet for the roses, and Forest moss for the other images. The roses have been embossed with bridal embossing powder, and the owls and clocks with perfect pearls in gold. After they were heat set, I wiped the rest away with an old nylon stocking, it gets rid of the excess powder in no time! You can't see too much of the resist printing, as the light is not ideal, but you can see the white shadows. I used different embellishments - netting, flowers, lace, some prima leaves and some acetate butterflies and a corner. Was relatively quick and easy to make!

Finding Inspiration

2011-08-11T22:19:00.000-05:00

If you think about stamping and card making all the time like I do, you will find inspiration in very odd places. The other day, I was in a fast food restaurant and I noticed a tent advertisement sitting on the table. I went hone and started working on one. I didn't like a head sitting on top of a pyrmid so I used a dress pattern I had for the body. The "tent" doll will sit on a table just like the advertisement.

The digital (face and sign she is holding) are the two parts of a digital by CS Designs. Go have a peak at the unusual designs there.

Coloring was done with Copic markers and around the doll's waist I used the Glitter Roll technique

Bright and Bold

2011-08-09T15:10:00.000-05:00

Here is a bright and bold card I made using Spirelli. The main image and sentment are both from CS Designs. Coloring was done with Copics. This is so colorful that it is bound to cheer up the recipient.

Wall Hanging

2011-08-08T12:38:00.000-05:00

I haven't previously made very many wall hangings, but I thought I would try one illustrating the sentiment "The Path to a Friend's House is Not Long".

This wall hanging is using the unique digitals from CS Designs On it I put two shrines (or houses) with each containing an image from Chris' Expressive Hearts group. The sentiment is also from CS Designs. Below you will see a full view of the wall hanging as well as close-up shots of different parts.

Challenge #22 "Going Around in Circles"

2011-08-07T22:00:00.000-05:00

The challenge the next two weeks is "Going Around in Circles" The only requirement is to have a circle on your project. The more the better. Here are some ideas from the Design Team. I hope you have fun with this challenge.

Vicki

Very seldom do I make a card without a mat behind the image, but I thought I would do it this time. My card is showing LuLu from CS Designs starting her Christmas shopping. The greeting, which is perfect for the ocassion, is from my sponsor Create with TLC. The small circles under the ribbon have a little spray webbing on them and the little lady is colored with Copic markers. Notice all the jewels she is wearing as she dresses very fashionablely when she shops. The ribbon is a piece I salvaged from a gift I received last Christmas. This makes this usable as an entry in CS Designs' Recycled Christmas challenge.

Michele

Circles are wonderful -- I've noticed that I use them often in my work even without thinking about it. To get started with this challenge I went to the TLC Creations website because they are the challenge sponsor. I found and bought some very fun goodies. The products are made available in a couple of different formats so you have some flexibility in using the digital sheets. This creation is something a little different for me. I used a sheet from "My Garden Set Papers" and several circle images from the "Summer Sherbert Set." In photoshop I dragged the circles into the background paper sheet in a random fashion. I love the background this created. I then printed it and adhered it to some lovely Paper Temptress card stock after cutting with decorative scissors. I liked the background so much I really didn't want to mess with it but in the end I attached a nice K & Company butterfly. I hope you'll join the circles fun!

Petra
Misty Circles

Circles - as many as possible, the more the better - this is a wonderful challenge as cicles are so versatile and come in so many disguises. To create the background on my card I used the circle mask from 'that special touch of' and some Cosmis Shimmer chalk mists. I secured the mask with some low-tack tape onto some thick aquarelle card and sprayed it with three different colours. As the card is slightly textured and my spraying needs a bit more practice the finish is not uniform. I mounted the card onto some green card. To finish the card I added some raffia, some paper flowers and a button. Hope you will join us and have some 'circle fun'.

Barbara

The sentiment is from Create with TLC. I thought it was amusing and somewhat a bit of truth. I used the sketch from Mojo Monday with its prominent circle for the layout of my card. The background is done using a Tim Holtz texture fade. The image stamp and metal wheel is also from his collection. The Steampunk flavor adds a bit of fun.

Valerie

I have made a tag to accompany a wedding gift. The background has been distressed with TH inks in stormy skies, Victorian velvet, wild honey and forest moss. I used a flourish stamp and a *Love words* stamp for the background, and added 2 rings, a heart and a white rose. The wedding rings are the symbol for eternity, as they have no beginning and no end.

I have a terrific sponsor this time. Create with TLC. The owner is Paulette and she is a Paper Crafting Addict!

She has been crafting digitally for over 15 years. She loves combining the technical aspect of computers with the creativity of the mind and coming up with something fun or inspiring or just plain thought provoking. She gets bored really easily, so she is constantly challenging herself to think of new creative things and ideas and sayings to share with all her followers.

Her Store is ........Create with TLC and her blog is Create with TLC. She loves sharing lots and lots of freebies, so everyone can pass on a little TLC~!. You will find her site quickly by clicking on the logo above

Paulette has generously offered a $15 gift certificate to the winner of the "Going Around in Circles" challenge.

One Day Left for Circles

2011-08-06T20:03:00.001-05:00

Hello everyone. You have one day left to join the challenge "Going Around in Circles." If you have not submitted an entry to the challenge yet, I hope you will do so. Create with TLC is offering a great prize, a gift certificate. So pull out your punches or stamps and make some circles.

This is a quick card which uses a few circles in a single-layer card. The stamped images are by Stanpin Up.

On the Dark Side

2011-08-01T21:52:00.000-05:00

A couple of weeks ago someone asked if I had ever tried to color on the "dark side" Well, I finally got brave and did it. The image on this tag is from CS Designs. I don't know why I made it purple as my stash of purple paper is very limited. I finally found some paper I thought went with the image and then ended covering most of it up! Such is life. If you have a chance, go over to Chris' CS Designs. You will find some great unique images there.

More Circles for You

2011-07-31T19:11:00.001-05:00

I hope everyone is having fun with circles for this challenge. If you haven't joined in, maybe the sample designs will start the creativity flowing.

Vicki

I decided to use the Depth of Field technique on my card. The unicycle is a stamp from Artistic Outpost and is being entered in their July referral. The greeting is by Create with TLC, the sponsor of my challenge this time. Have you been to Paulette's site yet.? Not only is she giving away a gift certificate, but she has many freebies and a store full of goodies.

Barbara

body I actually got a chance to use a new technique before the newsletter arrived. I am the guest designer at Stampotique for the month of August and for my first card I used the collaged circles for the background. I did add some gold webbing. You can see the card with more detail on my BLOG

Petra

Let's Go Circling

How many circles can you add to a card? The answer has to be: a lot. I used an A6 white slightly textured card as base and layered it with digital paper from Crystal's and Kraftpaper from Pink Petticoat. As next step I stamped a whole stamp sheet from Crafty Individuals on to the Kraftpaper. After deciding where my circle cutouts would go I started to cut out circles in various sizes along the line I had drawn on the Kraftpaper. The little stamped images within the circles are from Penny Black. For the biggest raised circle I used one very fitting sentiment image from our sponsor this month 'Create with TLC': What Goes Around, Comes Around and finished it with a little stamped circle from Waltzing Mouse and a little bling.

Michele

Yes, I love having fun with circles. This card represents summer vacation! The background for this card is my take on the "embellished circles" technique from Technique Junkies. My circle-spiral flower stamps are from Connor's Collectibles. The little circle stamp (in yellow) with the sun face is from Rogue Redhead. The red flower is from Hero Arts. The vintage image of the lady with her travel trunk is from Altered Artifacts. At the top left is a circle that says "summer" -- from our challenge sponsor TLC Creations! It is placed on a little yellow paper flower. I hope you have some happy summer travel planned and I hope you are inspired to enter this challenge!

I made this as my second circle piece:

The text has been *circled* in Word, and printed onto a transparency. Valerie

Paper Piecing

2011-07-29T14:35:00.000-05:00

Here is a card I made a couple weeks ago. On this card I did a little paper piecing, I think this printed paper was a perfect choice for the awning. The little flowers at teh biottom of the window were colored with Copic markers. The stamp for the main image is by Stampabilities. The greeting is a VAP stamp.

Just a Little Spirelli

2011-07-28T23:33:00.000-05:00

Here is a card with a little Spirelli. I was inspired with the Warhol tecyhnique and used Spirelli as a method of showing it. I made the Spirelli shape using my Nestie from Spellbinders. The bavkground of the card is Faux Barn Wood and the greeting is from a stamp made by Stampendous.

Green and Clean

2011-07-21T23:10:00.002-05:00

Here is a quick card I made for DigiDarla's challenge "Green and Clean". The greeting is from an unknown stamp. Of course the image is from DigiDarla. I did not use any particular technique on this card. However I did use a Spellbinder Nestie. Embellishment is a couple of flowers from my stash. I used Copic markers for coloring the image.

I am also entering this in Gingersnap Creations' Color of Money challenge.

I'm Back

2011-07-19T20:28:00.001-05:00

Yes, regretfully I am back from my vacation. I had a wonderful time and wish it had been longer.

The winner of "My Favorite Background" was picked by random generator today. The magic number was #29, Carla Weiland. Thanks to everyone who entered. All the backgrounds were amazing.

Keeping on schedule the next challenge will begin very early Monday July 25. This is going to have a great theme so come back and play along.

On Vacation and Challenge Extended

2011-07-09T19:49:00.001-05:00

Since I am on vacation and enjoying myself, I decided to extended "My Favorite Backgrond" challenge until Sunday night July 17. This gives you an additional week to enter. The winner will be announced July 18. She will receive a great Technique Junkies' CD filled with tutorials.

My next challenge will begin July 25. The theme? Well, it is a surprise!

Challenge # 21 -" My Favorite Background"

2011-07-08T23:48:00.000-05:00

This post will remain at the top as long as this challenge is running. For current posts, please scroll down.

How excited I am to have hit 100 entries on this past challenge! Thanks to everyone who entered. The entries were amazing. They were all so different. Since I hit a 100 entries, I will send a small prize to a second winner and put her project also in my winner's spot on the sidebar.

The challenge the next two weeks is a little different in a couple of ways. Firstly, I will be going on vacation before it is over. I didn't want to cut the challenge period short as I am leaving on Friday before it closes. Therefore, I will announce the winner the 18th of July. As usual, I will notify the winner by e-mail and post her project in the winner's spot. There will not be a challenge July 11; the next challenge will be July 25

Now the theme--"My Favorite Background". You can either create an original background yourself or you can use one of the techniques from Technique Junkies, my sponsor. You do not need to show how it was done, but either give the name of the technique or tell that you used-- ink, chalk, markers, etc.

Below are the inspirations from the Design Team at The Cheerful Stamp Pad:

Vicki

I love to play around and make new backgrounds. My first card is the result of doing that very thing this afternoon. I uses one of my favorite tools, my embossing folders. I call this Glassy Baroque. When working with backgrounds I personally like to have very little covering them up. This card uses a digital from CS Designs and was also done for a "B" challenge on that blog.

Vicki

My second (above) is completely different. This time I used Cuttlebug Highlights, a Technique Junkies technique.. I would guess I have used this technique more than any other. It was done on the blue cardstock to make the white stars. The digital is from DigiDarla for her" Lady in Red" challenge. The background curtain was a digital from Digital Collage Sheets. I thought this wouldd be perfect for my patriotic card for the July 4th holiday coming up.

Barbara

Oh, I'm in my glory. It's a challenge to use favorite background techniques. The only problem I have is deciding which background is my favorite. You see, I love creating different backgrounds using different techniques. I've been a member of Technique Junkies for years, so I try lots of backgrounds. My card today actually shares two very different techniques. The background panel is done using the technique Createx-Creations from the April-May 2008 TJ newsletter. Just smoosh some Createx paint between two pieces of glossy black cardstock and wonderful things happen. The image and sentiment are from Artistic Outpost stamps. The background behind the image is called Pulled Glimmers from the Jun/Jul 2010 TJ newsletter). This is a technique I use quite a bit in my work. I love the glimmery look and the lightly colored background behind a black image. I look forward to seeing the techniques you love.

Here is Valerie. One of my favourite backgrounds and painting techniques is the 5S method - splodge, smudge, smear, spray and scratch. Here I have used some metallic acrylic paints, and then sprayed with some spiced marmalade, diluted with water. Then comes the fun part - heating and bubbling. Use your heat gun, watch the paint bubble and twist and crack and make new effects. When it was dry it looked like this:

I then distressed the edges with some TH inks in stormy skies and forest moss, and stamped some floral motives (LaBlanche) at the bottom edge. Then I added a setting sun made out of a scrap of material, and a die cut tree and bird in black, and a few black flowers. Then I put part of a leopard strolling in from the left side, and finished!

Valerie

Petra

Versamark Resist Technique

Creating backgrounds myself instead of using pretty papers seems to become more and more part of making cards, atcs, ... . For this card stamping with Versamark ink and Non-Sequitur stamp, embossing with clear embossing powder, Faded Jeans Distress ink and ironing with my iron was all what was needed for the background. This is such an easy technique and I so love the result. I mounted the background onto a plain square white card. The stamped image is from Red Lead Paper Works which I only coloured around the edges with Faded Jeans Distress ink. The finishing touches are some ribbon and a little house charm.

Michele

I love Technique Junkies! I;'e been getting the newsletter for about three years now I think. It is not possible for me to name a favorite technique. I don't even think I can identify a favorite technique per newsletter! For today I have created something using the very first Technique Junkies technique that I ever tried-- Depth of Field. My stamped image is from Rogue Redhead Designs, the new "Floriculture" sheet. The embellishments are all from K & Company. I would encourage you to subscribe to Technique Junkies. You will learn a lot of fun new ways to make your creations beautiful!

Now for my great sponsor, Technique Junkie Newsletter. Pat Huntoon, with the assistance of her Design Team, publishes a newsletter every other month which is packed with numerous techniques. It is professionally printed on glossy paper with many pictures and step by step instuctions on how do to the many techniques. It is perfect for the beginner to the expert stamper.

From time to time Pat produces a CD and it is one of these CDs she is giving away. If you are really serious about learning how to stamp and make your cards look great, you have to get the newsletter and belong to her Yahoo group. The newsletter is also available online.

If you feel at lost for this challenge, then you really need to join Technique Junkies.

This challenge is open to everyone. You do not have to belong to Technique Junkies and any type of background is acceptable for this challenge......just get messy and have fun!

Travel Bookmarks

2011-07-07T17:59:00.000-05:00

I received my travel bookmarks from the Gingersnap Creations swap. The first one is from Eve, the second is from Kathleen. The third, with an oriental theme, was unsigned. The fourth bookmark was one of my own bookmarks returned to me. Thank you ladies for your great creative work.

Whimsical Flower Card

2011-07-06T17:42:00.000-05:00

I had a couple of minutes while clothes were washing so I put this little card together with a whimical flower on it. The center of the flower is a digital image from CS Designs. I made the card for the Red and White Challenge. Coloring was done with Copics. The saying is also one from CS Designs. You should drop by and take a look at her site. There are numerous unique images.

More Background Ideas

2011-07-03T19:24:00.000-05:00

Here are a couple of more backgrounds to inspire you for the challenge "My Favorite Backgrounds" which is now running. My card showcases Spray Webbing. This is a quick and simple way to make a background. Sometimes I spray it heavy, then sometimes I like it light like it is shown here. My image is from Stampers Anonymous. Coloring was done with Copic markers.

Vicki

This card is also for Gingersnap Creations #105 At the Mall challenge. Some of us have a life passion with trying on clothes. However, that is one thing I hate to do. I would rather try my luck and bring it home and see if it fits.

Valerie

http://bastelmania-craftattack.blogspot.com/

I made a tag using alcohol ink after playing around a bit yesterday. This makes a quick and easy background. I used yellow, black and gold, and blew the spots of color with a straw to make them spread. Then I added the yellow lady, an image from my stash, after giving her a background of hologram card to make her stand out better. Added a few pearls, a spotted feather, some lace and an old earring as charm. Quick and simple to make!

Petra
Mask and Distress Inks

I used 'that special touch of masks' square mask which I moved along while applying three different Distress ink colours (Spiced Marmalade, Shabby Shutters, Scattered Straw). Not to cover up the background too much I kept the layout very simple and just stamped a few images with Distress ink Black Soot onto the background (stamps from 7Gypsies). To enhance the background colours I mounted the little tag on black card.

Flower Box

2011-07-01T23:37:00.000-05:00

I don't know why I decided to take on a large project right before going on vacation, but I did. I would work on it a while and then pack a few things, then work on it again. I will probably be missing half my clothes when I open my suitcase.

The entire box is made with double-sided cardstock. Around the top is a piece of lace I bought a while back and now I wish I had a couple of spools of it. I just love the way it looks around the top of things.

The butterfly is a recycled piece. The greeting which is from CS Designs is on the top of two mats. All three were cut with a Spellbinder die.

This is a close-up view of the greeting which is part of the new Garden Collection at CS Designs.

This is the inside of the box. It reveals the other four digitals that are included in the CS Designs' Garden Collection. This group just came out and it had such possibilities. All the digitals were colored with Copic markers. Each individual graphic is on four layers of cardstock.

Since the greeting is about friends being flowers, I decided to fill the center with flowers. The flowers, made with a Tim Holtz die are touched with Stickles to make them shine on the tips of the petals. If you have a chance to visit CS Designs, you will find this collection along with other outstanding digitals.

Challenge #20 - Things with Wings

2011-06-26T23:44:00.000-05:00

The challenge this week should bring out all sorts of creativity. Our first inspiration is from Valerie, my guest artist. I am so pleased to have this talented lady as my guest artist this week. Below Valerie's creation are the creations of the Design Team. I hope you enjoy.

Guest Artists - Valerie-Jael Tups

For this challenge I have made a tryptich out of cardboard, which I have called "fairy tale magic*. The cardboard has been partly peeled, painted with gesso, and then drizzled with a bit of cream coloured metallic paint to give more texture. After distressing with TH inks in wild honey, faded jeans, forest moss and Victorian velvet, I heat dried it all, which makes the metallic paint bubble and twist.

I have used different elements for decorating, as I wanted to give a fairy tale atmosphere - trees flowers, Hänsel and Gretel, Little Red Riding Hood, owls and birds and butterflies. The trees - made with the TH die cut, have been embossed in copper and silver, and divided up over the tags, as has the *wicked wolf*.

Design Team

Here is a little inspiration from the Design Team.

Barbara

This week our challenge is Things With Wings and our sponsor is Moonlight Journey. I was in a bit of a playful mood as I was working on my card. I decided to use these gentlemen from the Faerie Explorers Collage Sheet against a background from the Celestial Views ACEO Backgrounds. Moonlight Journey has many beautiful collage sheets and many have winged things. I just thought that these guys made me smile. The background also features butterflies which also have wings. To make this card I layered the background on a white panel and then on a brown card base. The sentiment is from Club Scrap. I cut out the two explorers and the chest. The chest was adhered to the background and the two winged guys were popped to give dimension. I hope I gave you a reason to smile today

Petra

This is a new little journal I did bind myself. Once the book was finished it was the perfect shell for a little decoration using Prima Marketing papers and a sweet little image from the Vintage Catnip. The edges of the paper layers are slightly distressed.

Vicki

Here is my inspirational card. The lady and wings are digitals from Moonliught Journey, my sponsor for this challenge. The background is a Technique Junkies technique, Distressed Glue. I tried something new on this card. I embossed the wings in UTEE. This not only makes them shine, but makes the wings ceramic looking.. This was my first time using my new Melting Pot and I only burned my finger once!!! I'm looking forward to really learning how to use my new toy.

Moonlight Journey is sponsoring another challenge. Click on the image above to go to their site. There you will find loads of great digital sets and individual sheets. Go take a peak and see what all they carry.

"Things with Wings" is the theme for this challenge. Oh, the possiblities. Anything with wings is acceptable. Here are just some ideas....Natural things like bees, birds, airplanes, fairies and of course you can put wings on unnatural things like people.