Hawaiian Birthday Wishes~

My neighbor, and good friend, Kelly asked me if I had, or would make her, a Hawaiian themed birthday card for a co-worker. So while I didn't have any on spare Hawaiian cards on hand, I pulled out this set, SU!'s Do the Hula (retired) and showed it to her yesterday, yep, just the ticket, she loved the images.

I found this lovely patterned paper at my LSS, it's unbranded, no strip identifier or anything, (not good advertising in my book), but it's made by Making Memories. It's a great double-sided card stock weight paper. My preference as many of you know is heavy weight patterned paper; I just won't buy the paper weight paper, it's a quirk I guess, but I prefer the feel of the heavier stock. I selected my colors for the card based on the colors in the paper. After adhering the 3 patterned papers, I wrapped a length of green (unknown color by Fabric Barn) ribbon around the card, finishing it off with a knot.

The palm tree is stamped in Adirondack Espresso and colored in with Copic markers, 3 of the fronds are elevated with dimensionals. The 3 coconuts are dusted with Camel flock (Cornish Heritage Farms). The sentiment from Green Grass stamps is stamped in ColorBox Rouge chalk ink and accented with 5 piercings underneath. The finished image is layered on Prism Classic Orange, 2 pink brads are added to the upper right for balance, and the finished panel is layered onto the patterned paper base with dimensionals, which is layered onto the white base with dimensionals. Yes, 3 layers with dimensionals. It's not being mailed, so height isn't a concern, thank goodness!

I hope it fits the bill!

V.~

Supplies: Stamps: SU! Do the Hula (retired), Green Grass (Card Greetings set, retired), Inks: Adirondack Espresso, ColorBox Rouge, Paper: Neenah Solar White, Prism Classic Orange, Making Memories Tropical, Hibiscus, Palm Tree, Accessories: Flock, Grosgrain ribbon, Pink mini brads (StarlitStudio), Mat pak, piercing tool, Dimensionals

Featured Stamper, Yo Yo Celebrate~

So it's a soggy Sunday here, makes for a lazy day, and perfect for heading over the SCS and Beth's Featured Stamper Challenge. I'll dive into the book, Dance of Death by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child, I am reading a little later. I started it last night and couldn't put it down!

Anyway, the objective of this challenge is to select a card from the gallery Beth has selected for the week and tweak a card from it, changing at least 2 things. I chose this card from Mary Jo's gallery and tweaked it by:

1. Stamp set and colors
2. Simplified the focal layers
3. Changed the ribbon from black and white to striped wasabi.

As with any card I showcase here, if you click on it, it will open it up in a larger format. The Soft Sky flower image from the set is barely perceptible in the smaller format, but is visible if you click. The branch is stamped in wasabi, the bird guava, and the sentiment is black. After layering the image onto pomegranate I added black mini brads to balance out the black from the sentiment and the running words behind the image layer on the card base. The image panel is then layered onto a scalloped guava layer with dimensionals before adhering to the card, again with dimensionals. I just love dimensionals! I made 10 cards with one piece of the patterned paper, more cards for my stash!

Supplies are basically SU! with the exception of the white card stock which is Neenah Classic Crest Solar White. It's a nice sturdy card stock, substantial enough for the base, and doesn't collapse like Whisper White. Black mini brads, available through StarlitStudio, and Nestabilities Scalloped Square die round out the non-SU! products.


Happy Sunday!
V.~

Supplies: Stamps: SU! Spring Solitude, A Little Birthday Cheer, Ink: Adirondack Pitch Black, SU! Groovy Guava, Wild Wasabi, Soft Sky, Paper: Neenah Classic Crest Solar White, SU! Purely Pomegranate, Groovy Guava, Darling Doodles DSP (retired), Accessories: Nestabilities Scalloped Square die, Wasabi Striped Grosgrain, Black mini Brads by StarlitStudio, Dimensionals

A Good Egg~

Whoever said computers will make our life easier did not have a dud computer out of the gate! I've been struggling since Sunday with our new computer, and without going into details, I insisted on an exchange yesterday for a brand new one out of the box, not a rescue of the existing dud. This one, so far, is zooming like it should. But all the problems meant for double time as far as reloading old info and programs. I'm making headway, but lost about what seems like 30 hours fighting the other one.

Okay, back to why I posted today.... I finally had time to play with a new SU! set, A Good Egg, this morning. To heck with my to do list! This will be an upcoming project at Stamp Nite in a couple weeks; a gate fold card and matching envelope pouch. The pouch is a project done at an SU! event and was posted on SCS. You'll find the tutorial here: Envelope Pouch
and here: Amanda's Blog great pictures for those who need a better visual. The chickie has been paper pieced with Barely Banana for his cute little fuzzy body and patterned paper, Flowers for You, for the cracked egg.

I've a curiosity to post about, as many of you know I use Feedblitz for subscribers if they choose to subscribe via that format. Feedblitz tells me when I have a new subscriber (woot woot) and tells me when someone unsubscribes and their reason if they choose to share it. So, this last week, I had 2 unsubscribe: one gave the reason of too many posts, the other: not enough posts....anyway, I found it humorous, it certainly shows you can't please everyone, can you?

Well, back to the Clean Sweep of the stampin' supply overflow in the den closet. I recently cleaned and sorted the stamp area out in the family room, so it's nice and organized again, but the den closet has been in dire need for some time. So everything is out in the garage and I'm sorting. It's a tedious task and brings into focus that I impulse bought way too many things!

V.~

All supplies are SU!: Stamps: A Good Egg, Ink: Certainly Celery, Regal Rose, StazOn Jet Black, Paper: Certainly Celery, Regal Rose, Whisper White, Barely Banana, Flowers for You Designer, Accessories: Stampin' Write marker Pumpkin Pie, Celery Grosgrain, Rose Grosgrain, White Gel Pen, Mat Pak, Piercing tool, Small Cello bag, Envelope, Tag Punch, Dimensionals

It's time for another DD challenge, brought to us by Jami from SCS! Be sure to check out the gallery here: DCS208

Give a Shout Out!!!

Challenge Focus: Stamps Designed by Fellow Dirty Girls. -OR- alternate option - use any fellow Dirty Girl's gallery creation as an inspiration to semi-CASE something of your own (be sure to link it in your post).

Required Element: Spring Color Combo - whatever feels like Spring to you!

Restricted Element: NO CuttleBug/Big Shot/Wizard or similar diecut/embossing machines.

So I chose to use my stamping idol, Anna Wight's, Posies for You set for the flower, and Plaid, a new background stamp by Christine from All that Scraps.

Image was stamped in Versafine Onyx Black and watercolored with reinkers and a watercolor brush. Butterfly was highlighted with white gel pen dots on the wings. Flower head and pot are up on dimensionals. I kept the layout clean and simple so Anna's image pops!

Thanks, Jami, for another fun challenge!

V.~

Supplies: Stamps: Posies for You © Anna Wight for Whipper Snapper Designs, Plaid Big Ol' Backgrounder by All That Scraps, Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, SU! Cool Caribbean, Paper: SU! Cool Caribbean, Basic Black, Neenah Solar White, SU! Just Delightful and Polka Dots and Petals Designer Paper, Accessories: Reinkers, Watercolor brushes, Black mini brads, Dimensionals

Peace.

Rest in pain free peace, my dearest Sandra. I will miss you.

Always

Featured Stamper Squared

Yesterday was the Featured Stamper Challenge over on SCS, so I quickly played and made this card. Then we went computer shopping as our dinosaur of a computer was quickly fading. I spent the rest of the day getting set up, I forgot how much work is involved when you get a new computer. Even with an external hard drive, there is so much to do.

Anyway, we now have a ginormous monitor that I think is bigger than my first tv set! LOL

So, keeping this quick, the card is a 5" x 5" River Rock base, Vanilla layer is cut slightly smaller and adhered. Three 1 3/4" squares of SU! Ginger Blossom designer paper are adhered and slightly rumpled, a clear button added to the lower right square. Images from SU!'s Hostess Set Spring Solitude are stamped in SU! Cameo Coral and Groovy Guava, sentiment in Chocolate Chip using my SAMJ to get perfect placement in the upper left vacant square. A bit of River Rock ribbon and this challenge is finished.

Back to the computer and retrieving files.....

V.~

All supplies are SU! and available in the current Idea Book and Catalog.

Thomas Kinkade and a CHA sample~

This is by far my favorite project I put together for Liz and Richard, owners of Cornish Heritage Farms and the Thomas Kinkade line of stamps for use in the booth at CHA. What started out as a vision in my head for a tag request turned out exactly as I envisioned. I miss it already, but know it's found a loving home with them.

Quickly, A Perfect Summer Day was stamped with StazOn Timber Brown on glossy paper and colored in with Adirondack inks (in various colors) using a ColorBox stylus tool, a few white gel pen highlights, then covered in clear embossing powder. Layered on a Prism Suede Brown layer that has been distressed and the completed image layer is attached to the tag with dimensional foam. The tag itself is constructed out of chipboard and covered in Prism Willow Medium card stock that was stamped with the Weathered Wood Backgrounder in Adirondack Pesto dye ink. Add a jumbo eyelet and an assortment of fibers, jute, a bead and ribbons by May Arts and the tag is complete.

Now, off to look at the Featured Stamper Challenge and see who Bethie has picked today!

V.~

Supplies: Stamps: A Perfect Summer Day © Thomas Kinkade for Cornish Heritage Farms, Weather Wood Backgrounder © Cornish Heritage Farms, Ink: StazOn Timber Brown, Adirondack dye inks, Paper: Prism Willow Medium, Suede Brown, Glossy, Accessories: Jumbo Eyelet, May Arts Jute, Ribbons and Fibers, Glass bead, Dimensional Foam

Monkey Love Box of Cards

Monkey Love, a new set by C.C. Designs of All That Scraps, was revealed while I was up at CHA. This morning I had time to play with this fun little set. I decided on a love set all packed up in a fun box for presentation. Sharon Johnson (notimetostamp) provided the box inspiration, her beautiful sample was in the Scor-Pal booth at CHA, and wow, irl, looks a zillion times cooler than on her blog! What a fab project, Sharon!

Anyway, a fun box, 3 fun cards and envies, sitting out on a desk, a pretty cool gift set! As I have mentioned in the past, gift sets generally have a commonality, something that unifies them if they are different cards; here it's papers, ribbons and brads. Stamps, ribbons, and patterned papers are available at All That Scraps, inks are Adirondack, Versafine, and SU!, Cardstock is SU! and Neenah, Accessories are May Arts and SU!

Have a wonderful weekend!

V.~

Supplies: Stamps: Monkey Love, Big Ol' Backgrounds: Plaid, Hearts, and Polka Dots © C.C. Designs, Ink: Adirondack Pitch Black, Versafine Vintage Sepia, SU! Certainly Celery, Pretty in Pink, Craft White, Paper: Neenah Solar White, SU! Certainly Celery, Chocolate Chip, Pretty in Pink, patterned paper Coco Collection by 3 Bugs in a Rug, Accessories: Copics, May Arts ribbon, SU! pink mini brads, Piercing template and piercing tool, Tag Punch, Dimensionals

Thanks! by Unity Stamp Company

Intrigued. That was my reaction to a new company that debuted at CHA, Unity Stamp Company. AJ, a fellow SCSr and new friend, was in their booth and showed me just how this system works, like I said, very intriguing. Angela and Christian's new line is definitely combining my love of wood mount with the ease of an acrylic mount system. Having been raised on wood mount stamps, I love the solid, comfortable feel of a wooden stamp. Clear stamps and unmounted red rubber have the wonderful feature of reduced storage, but the blocks I've owned up to this point, well, not so comfortable. In addition to this block system, Unity Stamps have an interesting array of stamped images that come unmounted as shown in this picture and also on what they term wood cassettes. See their website to view the full line of product.

So, Angela and Christian were so nice and generous, a few samples to take home and give a whirl, thanks to AJ, too! Anyway, another quick play when I should be getting back on schedule around here....I just NEED to stamp right now, it has been too long away from the stamping area and I missed it! Not as much as I missed my family, but pretty dang close!

So quick deets: Leaf images are stamped in Adirondack Lettuce and Oregano dye inks, Thanks in Espresso on Neenah Solar White. Matted on Prism Suede Brown, pierced, and adhered to the card base. Base is Amy Butler papers and Michaels $1 spot ribbon find.

Intrigued, yep, that's the word! I wish Angela and Christian the best of luck in their new adventure! Take a look at the link above to see them, their gorgeous children and their product line, including AJ and the other design team members.

V.~

Supplies: Stamps: Gratitude = Joy, Circle of Thanks by Unity Stamp Company, Inks: Adirondack Lettuce, Oregano, and Espresso dye ink, Paper: Neenah Solar White, Prism Suede Brown, Amy Butler patterned paper tablet, Accessories Mat pak and piercing tool, $1 Michaels satin ribbon, Dimensionals

Posies for Anna

My list of things to do upon returning home still has items yet to be crossed off, but I haven't stamped in a week, so I wanted to play a little this afternoon. Especially with the wonderful new set I just got from Whipper Snapper, Posies for You by Anna Wight. Now, I've known Anna online and by telephone for quite some time and have been an enormous admirer from the get-go. Well, I was so fortunate to meet her and spend time with her this past week at CHA. She's as wonderful in real life and so down to earth and friendly, I {heart} her even more if that is even possible!

Anyway, in addition to my new Posies for You set, I finally broke down and tried Copics......need I say more? I now own a very small assortment of colors, and more will be finding a home here eventually. Wow! I was sold on the first try and just had to get them. All it took was watching my friend HB color with them and asking her if I could just try them....and I was sunk. They are so velvety, the feel is wonderful, the color so pure and no lines....I may fall in love with coloring again!

Anyway, just a quick card, but it satisfied my need to stamp!

eta: if you were here earlier, the card has changed a bit. It needed some movement on the right side of the panel, so a sprig of the flowers were stamped, cut out, and added to the card with dimensional foam...and adding a touch of Stickles gives it a bit of sparkle....ahhhh, much better.

V.~

Supplies: Stamps: Posies for You by Anna Wight for Whipper Snapper Designs, Inks: Adirondack Pitch Black, Paper: Neenah Solar White, SU! Almost Amethyst, SU! Basic Black, SU! Designer Paper (retired 6 x 6 sample pad), Accessories: Scor-Pal, Copic markers, SU! Ribbon, SU! Black mini brads, Dimensionals

The Scor-Pal Family~

Here's a quick picture that was taken yesterday morning before the show opened on the last day. Diana Crick, creator of the Scor-Pal, and her husband, Roy, are the nicest people and we had such a great time together at the show! Missing from the picture are Brandon, their son, and his wonderful wife, Jaylene. They left on Tuesday to head back to Canada.

I had a lovely time demonstrating in the booth, saw a number of old friends, met some new friends and had such a wonderful time.

Now back to reality, laundry, unpacking, and all that stuff that needs to be done when you've been gone for 5 days.

Stay tuned for some projects made with new and exciting products from the show, and more pictures of some of the people I spent time with!

V.~

Scor-Pal's Envelobox

It's Wednesday and almost time for me to be heading up to Anaheim and CHA. I've been busy getting ready to go and not stamping much. However, over at SCS in the Scor-Pal forum there was an interest in the envelobox that Diana (creator of the Scor-Pal) designed. So after a bit of fiddling with the measurements, here is the finished example. It will be coming with me to CHA and the Scor-Pal booth, along with an assortment of projects I've done with the Scor-Pal.

Anyway, here are the directions:

Scor-Pal Envelobox

Paper size 8 1/4” square. Use a heavy weight double sided paper.
1/4" Scor-Tape™

Step 1:
In each step pay attention to the placement of the point of the paper.
Align top point at 6". Ensure bottom point is also on the same groove. Score at 3" and 9".
Move point to 6 1/4"". There isn’t a mark (line up between 6" and 6 1/2"). Score again at 3". Move point to 5 3/4", score at 9".

Step 2:
Turn the paper a quarter turn, align top point at 6". Ensure bottom point is also on the same groove.
Score at 3 1/2", 3.66" (the inverted [upside down] triangle) and 8 1/2". (three scores in all).
Move point to 6 1/4". There isn’t a mark (line up between 6 and 6 1/2”). Score at 8 1/2" and 11."

Step 3:
The score lines intersect along the edges. At this point cut out a "V" shape, cutting to the inner score line of the intersection. Cut on the outside of the score lines.

Carefully fold each score line on one side. You are forming the edges of the box. Fold the remaining 3 sides in the same manner Fold and form box. The score at the 11" mark is the bottom flap. This will tuck in. Glue the bottom flap to form an envelobox. Tuck in the folded edge. Insert your card, close and glue the top flap.

Double sided papers work great for these as the outside and the inside are both attractive, and there is enough patterned paper left over to create 2 or more cards and decorate the outside of the envelobox. This completed box fit 2 moderately embellished cards and envelopes. It's wrapped with a length of organdy ribbon for presentation and to keep the back flap closed. You could certainly use envelope glue, a sticker, or make a wax impression as well.

Well, as much as I would like to post between now and when I leave for CHA, it's not going to happen, the list is much too long! I'm going to be gone 5 days, no kids, no hubby, meeting lots of friends, and having a blast with Diana in the Scor-Pal booth!

Until I get back, Happy Creating!

Valerie

Supplies: Stamps: SU! Fundamental Phrases (for tag), Ink: Versafine Vintage Sepia, Paper: K&Co paper pack from Michaels, Accessories: Organdy ribbon, oval pinch, linen thread, distressing tool.

Always on my Mind

It's a quiet evening over here, Morgan is off down the street at a friends, Jay and Brett are watching Star Wars (sounds are reverberating around the house from the surround sound!), so I hit SCS to see what was happening over there.

Low and behold, Bethie had already posted Sunday's Featured Stamper Challenge. So I played quickly. Tomorrow is a big football day, maybe that's why. We are having a few over for the game and munchies, it will be fun!

Now the past few FS cards I've made I have mass produced. Even though I created this card rather quickly, it is a one of a kind for a one of a kind dear friend. I'm not going to go into specifics, just to say she's dying and hasn't much time left.

Unfortunately due to several reasons, I cannot make the trip to see her, so I plan on writing her a letter to express how she has impacted my life and made me a better person for having known her.

Sometimes cards come together so quickly and come out exactly like envisioned - I love when that happens. That is what happened tonight, this card was made in about 15 minutes because I just felt it when I looked at the inspiration card. I knew what I wanted to do. Even though my final interpretation is quite different from the original, the feel of the card is there. The card is pretty self explanatory, however, I will say the bird was kissed with Canvas and then stamped, to give it the same feel as the patterned paper.

She is always on my mind, and forever in my heart.

V.~

All SU! Supplies: Stamps: Always, Canvas (bird is kissed), Ink: Blue Bayou, Soft Sky, Old Olive, Paper: Soft Sky, Old Olive, Whisper White, Porcelain Prints DP, Accessories: Olive brads, Soft Sky ribbon, Mat Pak and piercing tool, Circle punch, Distressing tool, Dimensionals