A Green Challenge~

I was determined to get the CHF Blog Challenge finished before Monday, the day it's *due.* I had really great intentions, but between a day spent at the fun San Diego County Fair midweek, Disneyland all day Saturday, and hitting the movie, WALL-E, today, I just didn't have time to create the *green* challenge I had wanted to....plus we were really good about recycling everything this week and it all went out on Friday with the garbage truck!

We have a Realtor in our neighborhood who leaves tablets, like the one shown here on our porch, all year long, we have them at every conceivable message space - from the kitchen to the garage.

So I altered one for use at my stamp desk for odd notes and such. I trimmed it down so I didn't have to look at his ad info every time I needed to jot down a note. I made a decorative cover and bound the whole shebang with the Bind It All.

Add a few ribbons and it sure is prettier than a plain ole advertising tablet! While my intentions of creating something more extravagant for the challenge were big, time got away from me this week, so a quick tablet at 8pm on a Sunday night is what ya get! Oh, all papers are from my scrap box, too.

Be sure to check the other members of the CHF Design Team to see how they went Green!

V.~

Stamps: Bloomin' Beautiful by Kim Hughes for Cornish Heritage Farms, Quirky Alphabet by Kim Hughes for Cornish Heritage Farms, Lined Paper Backgrounder by Cornish Heritage Farms, Ink: Versafine Onyx Black by Tsukineko, Adirondack Shell Pink by Ranger, ColorBox Fluid Chalk Lime Pastel by ClearSnap Paper: All Prismatics Razzleberry Light, Intense Kiwi, White, Intense Orange, Classic Yellow by Prism, Tools: Bind It All by Zutter, O ring by Zutter, Precision scissors by Cutterbee, Distressing tool by Making Memories, Stapler, Accessories: Yellow button by My Mind's Eye, , Ribbons by May Arts, A Muse, and from my stash of unknowns

Chalk Question~

huntla1 asks:

Do you use anything to make the chalk stick (i.e. versamark) or do you just layer it straight to the paper?

No, after stamping the image with ink onto card stock, I just apply the dry chalks with assorted flat brushes. After I'm satisfied and have completed the image, I set the chalks with matte sealer.

V.~

ETA: Latisha asked about matte sealer. If you check this post: Always and Forever
you will see a supply picture, the matte sealer that I use is made by Krylon. It merely sets the chalk so it won't smear or rub off.

Streams of Living Water ~

The newest Thomas Kinkade release is titled Streams of Living Water and is available June 24th from Cornish Heritage Farms. Full size and vignette images are the image offerings. I've used both sizes for these samples, the upper card uses the full size image and the lower grouping uses the vignette image.

The sympathy card was created using I Kan dee chalks, Souffle pens, white gel pen accents and a bit of glitter on the water, large tree, and clouds. I refer to the decal from the stamp as a guide for applying the color, changing colors if necessary to make use of what is available in front of me.
Finished card is 4. 1/2" x 6 1/4"

Stamps: Streams of Living Water © Thomas Kinkade for Cornish Heritage Farms, Script Essentials by Mona Lisa Moments for Cornish Heritage Farms Ink: Versafine Vintage Sepia by Tsukineko, Versafine Olympia Green by Tsukineko Paper: Classic Crest Solar White by Neenah Papers, Iced Pink, Willow Light, and Island Mist Dark by Prism Tools: Fiskars Victorian Blade Accessories: Silver mini brads, Distressing tool, Fine glitter, I kan dee Chalks by Pebbles Inc. Asst flat paintbrushes, Souffle pens by Sakura, Inksentials White gel pen by Ranger, Dimensional foam


This ensemble was created using the vignette stamp and a sentiment, Bridge Between Two Hearts, that was released previously which I thought coordinated nicely with this image and the wedding theme of this project. It could work equally well for an anniversary card. I wanted a monochromatic, elegant look for this set and used tones of ivory, gray and metallic to achieve the look. I've trimmed the oval from the frame that surrounds the image. The set consists of a Save the Date note card, Wedding invitation, and a Reply postcard. For fun, a tulle mint table decoration.
Finished sizes are: Save the Date 3 1/2" x 5 1/4", Wedding invite 4 1/2" x 6 1/4" and Reply postcard 3 3/8" x 5 1/4."

Stamps: Streams of Living Water Vignette © Thomas Kinkade for Cornish Heritage Farms, Bridge Between Two Hearts © Thomas Kinkade for Cornish Heritage Farms, Pretty Pattern Backgrounder by Cornish Heritage Farms Ink: Brilliance Platinum Planet by Tsukineko, Versafine Smokey Gray by Tsukineko, Paper: Classic Crest Natural White by Neenah, Fabriano Notecards, Gunmetal Cool Metallics by The Paper Company, Tools: 1" Circle punch by EK SuccessPrecision Scissors by Cutterbee, Piercing tool by Making Memories, Stamp a Majig Accessories: Organdy ribbon, Silver mini brads, Silver ribbon, Silver cord, Silver eyelet, Dimensional foam

Remember you can always click on the pictures for a better view.

V.~

Blissful Challenge~

Good Monday Morning to you! Monday means CHF Design Team challenges, today was using food to inspire a card, project, etc. Those who know me, know dark chocolate is my indulgence, everyday a square or two, it's good for you, you know! I generally have a bag hidden in my stamp area at all times - Dove, Hershey, Ghiradelli, See's....it varies. Always dark though!

This morning, after my coffee and before my walk I created this simple and quick glassine bag for the challenge. I used the colors from the Hershey bag as my inspiration. The temptation to snack was great, but I resisted!

The Glassine bag is stamped with Pretty Pattern Backgrounder that was inked up with an Adirondack Espresso Paint Dabber - it dries so quickly and stays put on the bag! The rest is pretty simple, the flower from Kim Hughes Bloomin' Beautiful is stamped in VersaMagic Perfect Plumeria, the stem which mimics the gold swirl on the bag in Spanish Olive, Enjoy from Paradise Found in Versafine Vintage Sepia, Gold mini brads echo the gold from the inspiration bag. A bit of ribbon and a scalloped square and wouldn't this be fun gift to leave on someone's desk?

8:25 a.m. and Riley is looking at me, it's time for her walk before the temps heat the city~

Be sure to check out the other submissions to this challenge! The CHF DT links may be found on the right side bar.

Happy Day!

V.~

Stamps:
Bloomin' Beautiful by Kim Hughes for CHF
Paradise Found by Kim Hughes for CHF
Pretty Pattern Backgrounder by CHF
Ink:
Adirondack Espresso Paint Dabber by Ranger
Perfect Plumeria VersaMagic Dew Drop by Tsukineko
Spanish Olive VersaMagic Dew Drop by Tsukineko
Versafine Vintage Sepia by Tsukineko
ColorBox Fluid Chalk Creamy Brown by Clear Snap
Paper:
Classic Crest Natural White by Neenah
Crabapple Light by Prism
Suede Brown Dark by Prism
Tools:
Cuttlebug
Nestabilitie Scalloped Square Die
Accessories:
Gold mini brads
Chocolate ribbon
Dimensional foam
Glue Dots
Misc:
Glassine bag
Hershey's Bliss squares

Birthday in Paradise~

Morgan's heading to a swim/bbq/fire pit party tomorrow and this is the card/money holder and coordinated envelope she'll be taking with her. I just {heart} this set by Kim Hughes (for CHF) in case you haven't noticed!

The money holder portion is made the same way as I did the gift card holder a few posts down. Just add an extra inch to create a small pocket, adhere the sides, and then you have a place to slip the one size fits all gift for a teen. For example, this card, finished is 3.25" x 6.5." I cut my card stock 7.5" x 6.5" and scored it at 3.25 and again at 6.5" and simply folded that one inch section up and made a little pocket that I decorated with a strip of the orange striped patterned paper.

V.~

Stamps:
Paradise Found by Kim Hughes for Cornish Heritage Farms
Tag, You're It by Kim Hughes for Cornish Heritage Farms
Ink:
Versafine Vintage Sepia by Tsukineko
ColorBox Fluid Chalk Blue Lagoon and Yellow Citrus by ClearSnap
Versamagic Cloud White by Tsukineko
Paper:
Base: Classic Crest Solar White by Neenah
Focal panel: Spring Willow Light by Prism
Patterned Paper:
Tropical by Making Memories
Tools:
Square punch by EK Success
Distressing tool by Making Memories
Accessories:
Dimensional foam
Orange mini brads


Tool tip: Use your square punch to create the perfect flag for your banner. Just slide the end of your cut strip into the punch and line up your edges to create the flag. Perfect flag every time.

Inside & Out Challenge

June's Dirty Dozen Challenge for alumni or current DD girls. I'll be back in a bit to give the deets, I just looked at the thermometer and at 9:30 it's already 85 and I need to get hoofin' and give Riley her walk.

Okay I'm back, the temp rose 10 degrees in the hour I was gone - oh boy, it's going to be a hot one!

So I almost didn't play this month, just completely forgot about it to tell the truth. At about 8:30 last night I remembered, but wasn't in the mood to play - we'd spent the day at the beach and then the clean-up of 5 sandy kids in the van and I was spent. After my coffee this morning, I decided to throw together a very simple, clean, red, white and blue card. Layout from this week's SCS Sketch Challenge. Minimal stamping was involved.....but I did get it done! As I was tying the fabulous red and white Bazzill ribbon around the card I remembered no ribbon was allowed. Gasping for my breath, (I mean who can be so mean as to say no ribbon *wink*) I created a card stock ribbon band instead, red with a white pierced strip. It works but not nearly as fun as that ribbon!

The perimeters for the challenge were:

Challenge Focus: "Inside & Out"......stamp and decorate both the inside of your card AND the outside of the envelope. (any card size is ok) Please upload two photos.


Required Element: Patriotic element - interpret this any way you like (ex. color scheme, sentiment, image, whatever)

Restricted Element: No ribbon (the horror!)

To view other DD challenge cards head over to SCS gallery and use the keyword: DCIO608

V.~

Stamps: A Little Birthday Cheer Paper: Real Red, Night of Navy, Summer Sun, Whisper White, A Muse Kitchen Coll patterned paper Ink: Versafine Onyx Black Accessories: Cuttlebug and Nestabilitie Star Dies, Red mini brads, Mat Pak and piercing tool, Distressing tool

Inspired in the Round~

The road to completion was a long and winding road today! Monday is a challenge day for the CHF Design Team and today's challenge was a heat challenge. It could be anything heat related, images, tools, etc. I don't think that the warm weather here qualified.....so I used heat embossing instead. And it's still Monday for a few hours here, so I squeaked the challenge in!

Anyway, with school out for summer and the kids around, my morning stamp routine has been shaken up so I need to figure out a schedule that will work for all of us. It's hard to create with Rock Band, Guitar Hero, or Indiana Jones filling the family room. Mornings are typically when I am most creative and the juices are flowing. Finally, late this afternoon, both kids were off with friends, I had a bit of time to see if I could get inspired.

Big Inspirations, a new set that was released last week by Mona Lisa Moments for Cornish Heritage Farms is a wonderful big word set - there are 6 fabulously distressed words and they are perfect for cards, scrapping, altered frames, etc. I've been trying to get ink to this set for several days and made my mind up that today was the day....I knew I wanted to make patterned paper with one, or more of the words, that was about all I knew when I started today's process.

The card just evolved from there....I wish I could describe my process today, but the road was long and had several trips to the circular file until I finally was satisfied with the end result.

I stamped Inspire in Versafine Vintage Sepia randomly over a square of Prism Spring Willow light, and then followed with Versamark in other random areas. Little did I know when I hit the Versamarked words with the embossing powder that it would also stick in a stippled pattern to the sepia words. I decided to go with it and embossed them anyway - and I love the way they turned out, not quite solid, not quite embossed, very stipple-like. After embossing, I added a few stamped words in Versamark alone, as well as a few select areas of sepia again. Then I merely cut the stamped piece with a Nestabilitie Circle Die and finished the card off by adhering it to a piece of Spring Willow Dark. A sentiment strip matted onto Suede Brown Dark and a knot
of ribbon and this geometric card is finished.

V.~

Stamps:
Big Inspiration by Mona Lisa Moments for Cornish Heritage Farms
Ink:
Versafine Vintage Sepia by Tsukineko
Versamark by Tsukineko
Paper:
Prismatics Spring Willow Light, Spring Willow Dark, and Suede Brown Dark by Prism
Classic Crest Solar White by Neenah
Tools:
Heat tool
1/8" hole punch
Distressing tool by Making Memories
Cuttlebug
Nestabilities Circle Die by Spellbinders
Accessories:
Vanilla Cream Embossing Powder by Cornish Heritage Farms
Striped ribbon by May Arts

Strawberries for the dads~

A baker I am not, but I do enjoy making this strawberry shortcake for a special occasions. Tonight we had both of our parents over for dinner (pork tenderloin, roasted squash, salad, and grilled garlic toast) to celebrate Father's Day. Recipe is from Better Homes & Gardens New Cookbook, not the neweset version, but the one I got many years ago. I have the newer one, too, and the recipe is different; it might be as good, but I love the original formula!

Tonight's cake differed slightly from our usual treat as my cake pans have walked away, no where to be found, and I had to use a pie tin instead so the cake isn't quite as tall as it should be. It was still mighty tasty and all that is left on the platter is crumbs.

Happy Father's Day to all dads!

V.~

eta:
Here's the recipe, I am copying this exact as the book states, although I don't do the final three ingredients with the asterisks next to them....

Strawberry Shortcake

6 cups fresh strawberries
1/4 cup sugar
2 cups all purpose flour
2 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup butter or margarine
1 beaten egg
2/3 cup milk
3 tablespoons butter or margarine, softened*
1 cup whipping cream* ( I substitute good old Cool Whip here )
2 tablespoons sugar*

Clean, hull, and half strawberries and put into a large bowl. Add 1/4 cup sugar and stir together, set aside.

For shortcake, thoroughly stir together flour, 2 tablespoons sugar, baking powder, and salt. Cut in the 1/2 cup butter or margarine until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Combine beaten egg and milk; add all at once to dry ingredients and stir just to moisten. Spread dough in a greased 8 x 1 1/2- inch round baking pan, building up edges just slightly. Bake in a 450 degree oven for 15 - 18 minutes. Cool in pan 10 minutes. Remove from pan. Split into 2 layers; lift top off carefully.

(I omit these next steps and use Cool Whip instead of making whipped cream) If desired, spread bottom layer with the softened butter or margarine. Whip cream and 2 tablespoons sugar just to soft peaks.

Spoon berries and whipped cream between layers and over top.

Enjoy!

Click here: Ya-Ya

Signed,
Countess Feisty Pants

New Banner!

Morgan made it for me yesterday! She is a self taught PSE whiz, learning by just playing around. I am AMAZED at what she can do, she creates incredible 'shopped pictures. I can add a watermark and crop a picture and feel accomplished! LOL She took a picture of gerbera daisies, which are my favorite flower, and tweaked them so they look like they were painted, added some brushes and my blog name, and voila! A new banner!

Happy Birthday, Taylor~

Jami organized a virtual birthday party for Taylor (tayloredexpressions) inviting anyone who wants to play to send Taylor birthday wishes. Happy Birthday Taylor!

I used the Friday Cupcake Sketch from her blog to create her card this morning, you can find Taylor's blog here.

Enjoy your birthday, Taylor!

Oh, I'm bringing to the virtual party something Taylor makes that I can never just stop at one handful. AND, I'd never had it until I met Taylor.

Puppy Chow!
Oops, not THAT kind, this kind:


V.~

Stamps: Hey There Cupcake by Stampendous, Oval and Happy Birthday by A Muse, Ink: Versafine Vintage Sepia, ColorBox Fluid Chalk Rouge, Versamagic Pixie Dust, Paper: Classic Crest Natural White by Neenah, Brown Kitchen Classics by A Muse, Loves Me by SU!, Accessories: Brown brads from StarlitStudio, Pink striped grosgrain by A Muse, Chocolate grosgrain by SU!

Many Apples~

A set of 6 note cards for a staff member who is retiring. I'm sure there will be a number of thank you cards to write. Apple image is from The Rummage Bin All Things Fall set also releasing today over at Cornish Heritage Farms.

V.~


Stamps: All Things Fall by The Rummage Bin for Cornish Heritage Farms, Script Essentials by Mona Lisa Moments for Cornish Heritage Farms, Ink:Brilliance Pearlescent Poppy by Tsukineko Versafine Onyx Black by Tsukineko, Paper: Classic Crest Solar White by Neenah Papers, Pismatics Black and Blush Red Dark by Prism, Patterned Paper by BoBunny, Tools: Cuttlebug, Nestabilities Scalloped Square die by Spellbinders, Black Glaze pen by Sakura, Red Hemp, String, White eyelet


Tip: Stamp apple in poppy ink and highlight seeds with a black Glaze pen.

You Spin Me~

New release today, June 10th at Cornish Heritage Farms, Around and Around We Go by Rummage Bin: set of 7 images which includes 4 wacky circle shapes and 3 fun sentiments.

V.~

Supplies:
Stamps: Around and Around We Go by Rummage Bin for Cornish Heritage Farms, Ink: Versafine Onyx Black by Tsukineko, Paper: Classic Crest Solar White by Neenah, Prismatics Black by Prism, Patterned Paper: Flowers Pinstripe by Heidi Grace for Fiskars Brands, Accessories: Dimensional foam, Pennies

Sweet 50th~

A birthday ensemble for a friend of mine who turns the BIG 50 on Friday....note cards, nugget tin, gift card, and a matching tote/tissue ensemble.

V.~

Supplies:
Stamps: SU! Tart & Tangy, Small Sayings, Sweet Shapes, CHF Birthday Centers by Mona Lisa Moments, Lined Paper Backgrounder, Ink: ColorBox Fluid Chalk ink Tangerine, Versafine Onyx Black, Paper: SU! Pumpkin Pie, Soft Sky, Neenah Solar White, Prism Frosted Kiwi, Patterned Paper: BoBunny, Accessories: Cuttlebug and Red Tag Alpha, SU! Orange striped ribbon, Scallop Punch, 1 3/8 in and 1 1/4 in circle punches, nugget tin and nuggets, Distressing tool, White gift bag and tissue, Dimensional foam

Scrapblocks™ and Nugget Wraps~

The perfect combination! I created nugget labels using a 6 x 6 pieces of white card stock stamped with the Perfect Plaid Scrapblock™ by Cornish Heritage Farms in various Adirondack colors. After stamping, trim the stamp piece into 12 perfectly sized 1" x 3" strips, no wasted paper or anything. And it will wrap all the way around the label compared to mailing labels that leave that pesky little gap on the underside. PLUS, the cost savings is tremendous, 36 labels were created with 3 stamped pieces, so ..... well, I'd have to compute the math, but I do believe it's much less than buying labels.

Anyway, I was so glad I figured this out! Today's Blitz Challenge was to combine a Kim Hughes set with any other CHF set. I made these to match that clear tag I made a while ago that will be Brett's gift for his teacher. One of these tins will go inside along with a gift card and set of coordinated thank you cards. I designed the decorative panel to just sit on the top of the tin to conserve paper and make the tins easier for the recipient to open. It's attached with Scor-Tape. Better get cracking on those other coordinated projects as I only have until Wednesday! The other 2 tins are gifts as well, in addition I will be creating a few more before Wednesday to give as end of year gifts. Nothing like having a timely plan. :)

V.~

Supplies: Stamps: Summer Fun by Kim Hughes for CHF, Paradise Found by Kim Hughes for CHF, Perfect Plaid Scrapblocks™ by Cornish Heritage Farms Ink: Versafine Onyx Black by Tsukineko, Adirondack Aqua, Lettuce, Raspberry and Sunshine Yellow by Ranger Paper: Prismatics Intense Azalea, Intense Kiwi, Frosted Teal, Black, White by Prism Accessories: Kiwi striped ribbon by A Muse, Nugget tin, Scor-Tape, Dimensional foam

Winged Challenge

The Kim Hughes Blitz started on Wednesday and I was just too dang busy to play, however, this morning after my coffee and walk I played and finished this card. Folding the laundry can wait a few, you know? Today's challenge, called Wonderful Wings, was to create a project using an image with wings. I picked the owl from Pretty Birds and wanted him just to perch on the edge of the panel. The sentiment is from the same set and stamped on scraps of Prism paper for a dash of color. The "somebirdy" is elevated with dimensional foam for a bit of interest. The little flowers are from The Landing Pad. Two orange brads and striped orange ribbon playfully pick up on his orange beak and tootsies.

Have a wonderful Saturday!

V.~

Supplies: Stamps: Pretty Birds, The Landing Pad both by Kim Hughes for Cornish Heritage Farms
Ink: Versafine Vintage Sepia
Paper: Neenah Classic Crest Natural White, Prismatics: Suede Brown Dark, Intense Kiwi, Frosted Teal
Patterned Paper: Kitchen Collection by A Muse
Tools: Copic Markers
Accessories: Orange mini brads, Striped ribbon by SU!, Dimensional foam

Paradise Thank You~

End of year time at school is a whirlwind of activity....Morgan's last day is tomorrow so it's been finals week around here. Of course Brett doesn't think it's fair she gets out tomorrow and he has to wait until next week. A reminder that she starts a week earlier does nothing to pacify him either. Such is the life of a 1o year old. :)

Morgan has had some really great teachers this year and wanted to acknowledge them with a little end of year gift. I made these 4.25 square gift card holder cards and matching envelopes for her to take into her teachers. Inside are coffee cards or sandwich shop cards. The idea for the matching envelopes came from a couple of sources. My friend Bevie referred me to a blog, The Creative Closet, that showcased them and then my friend Mish added her own twist, and finally here is my twist; the cards have a little decorated pocket to tuck a gift card inside.. Next time I'll follow Mish's advice and make the cards 4" square, it's a snug fit once you get the gift cards inside.

The stamping is pretty simple and doesn't need much explanation. I did keep it all flat, no dimensional foam *GASP* as they would be inside a backpack until the intended class and recipient. I didn't want anything to fall off or get smooshed, you know? To create the pocket is really simple. Just cut your card stock to 4.25 x 9.5, score at 4.25 and 8.5, fold up the pocket and adhere the sides. Add a patterned paper strip for added interest. Surfboard and Palm tree images are from Paradise Found being released tomorrow over at Cornish Heritage Farms, the other images come from Summer Fun and Making the Grade. All by Kim Hughes, love her whimsical images!

Tucked into Morgan's backpack, these went off to school today

V.~

Supplies: Stamps: Paradise Found (available June 5th!) , Summer Fun, Making the Grade by Kim Hughes for Cornish Heritage Farms Ink: ColorBox Fluid Chalk Inks Lime Pastel, Yellow Citrus, Olive Pastel, Chesnut Roan, Rouge, Paper: Neenah Classic Crest Solar White, Natural White, Prismatics Island Mist Dark, Papaya Puree Dark, Baby Blue Light, Intense Kiwi, Baby Blue Medium, Patterned Paper: Double Vision by Creative Imaginations,Torn and Reaction from the Static Collection by Crate Paper, Accessories: EK 1" circle punch, EK corner rounder, envelopes, envelope glue