LOOKIE WHAT I GOT!

Last week, my dear friend and fellow Stampin' Up! Demonstrator, Lorri Heiling gave me this awesome gift set for my birthday! I have been so anxious to share this with you but had to wait until now. You see, Lorri is at the Stampin' Up! Convention in Denver, CO this week and she made these mugs for the gals from our local demo group who are also attending convention. We wanted them to be surprised too. I think I'm safe to post these now, as they have probably received their mugs and are too busy to read my blog! Lorri even called me today from Convention and they're all having a great time! Visit Lorri's blog, Confessions of a Stamping Addict for inspiring ideas!

So what's in this fabulous gift set? In the below photo, on the left is a really cool tri-fold birthday card with a window using the Polka Dots & Paisleys stamp set. It is so cute ... I must CASE it as I've never made a card using these folds. The front center item is a personalized pen which I call "ME ON A PEN". Lorri actually inserted a photo of me inside the pen with a Petals & Paisleys DP background, and ribbon accents on the clip. The back center item is a personalized coffee mug. (see below for details). The item on the right is a magnetic photo holder made from a chipboard coaster. THANK YOU, LORRI !!!

ME ON A PEN!

This cool coffee mug is like a "scrapbook page on a mug"! I love that Lorri stamped my name with Big Deal Alphabet, added prima flowers & brad, and a tab with the word "special". I added a family photo after I took these photos.

Lorri is the Queen of Altering! She is always coming up with brilliant altering ideas! She is one of the most creative people I know!

ANOTHER SCS FS25 CHALLENGE LAURALY CARD

I love lauraly's SCS gallery so much, I decided to case one more card before going to bed last night. Her cards are so inspiring! See previous post for challenge details and links to Laurie's SCS gallery and blog. Here is lauraly's CARD I chose to case this time.RECIPE
Stamps: It's Your Birthday, Riveting
Paper: Uptown DP, Wild Wasabi, So Saffron, Almost Amethyst and Whisper White CS
Ink: Basic Gray, Wild Wasabi
Embellishments: So Saffron Brads, Wild Wasabi Double Stitched Ribbon, Purple Spiral Clip (Target?)
Tools: Cuttlebug & Cuttlebug Embossing Folder, 1/16" Handheld Punch, 1/2", 1 1/4", 1 3/8" and 1 1/2" Circle Punches
Note: Card size is 5 1/4" x 5 1/4"

SCS FEATURED STAMPER CHALLENGE FS25 LAURALY

This week's SCS Featured Stamper (FS25) is Laurie Schmidlin, aka lauraly on SCS. I was so excited to see Laurie chosen as Featured Stamper! I have several favorites stampers on SCS, and have often wondered when they would be chosen as FS... Laurie is one of them! Day after day, Laurie produces fabulous cards that just make your mouth drop! Here are the links to Laurie's artwork: Lauraly's SCS Gallery, Laurie's Blog, Just Give Me Stamps... and HERE is Laurie's card I chose to CASE.RECIPE
Stamps: Office Accoutrement, "THANKS" from Fundamental Phrases
Paper: Notations No. 2 DP, Wild Wasabi
Ink: Wild Wasabi
Embellishments: More Mustard Brads, Wild Wasabi Double Stitched Ribbon, Little Reminders No. 2 Accents & Elements
Tools: Tag Corner Punch, Double Circle Punch
Notes: The More Mustard Center Flower and the circle inside of it are die-cut accents from Little Reminders No. 2 Accents & Elements. It's hard to see in the photo but the word "THANKS" from Fundamental Phrases is stamped in Wild Wasabi on the More Mustard color DP square. Card size is 5 1/4" x 5 1/4".

DAILY NOTES ALTERED NOTEBOOK

Last night, I altered a noteboook I had picked up a few months ago at Michaels for a dollar or two. I always have a notebook at my computer for my To Do Lists and notes. My old one had seen better days. I probably would have made this notebook a little more elaborate if I was giving it as a gift, but needed it to be simple since it will get lots of use! The Stampin' Up! products that make this such an easy project are the Spiral Punch, Round Tab Punch, Notations No. 2 DP, and Little Reminders No. 2 Accents & Elements.The photo below left shows the inside front cover and the first tab marked "THINGS TO DO". The front cover uses stickers from Little Reminders No. 2 "This Belongs To"". The tab sheets are CS cut to the size of the pages inside the notebook, punched with the Sprial Punch, and simply inserted! No need to take the whole notebook apart! Slick!

The second tab is labeled "Don't Forget" for miscellaneous notes. I also covered the back of the notebook, and the inside of the back cover.

RECIPE

Stamps: None (gasp!)

Paper: Notations No. 2 DP, Wild Wasabi, More Mustard, River Rock

Ink: None (gasp again!)

Embellishments: Pewter and More Mustard Brads, Wild Wasabi and River Rock Double Stitched Ribbon

Tools: Spiral Punch, Round Tab Punch

Other: Little Reminders No. 2 Accents & Elements

ANOTHER BIRTHDAY RAK (Random Act of Kindness)

I received this gorgeous hand stamped card in yesterday's mail from my new cyberspace friend, Corie Foster of Creations by Corie! Corie is one of the first bloggers I met when I started my blog a little over a month ago. Not only is Corie a very sweet, kind and encouraging person, she's also a FABULOUS artist! Her blog is so inspiring!

I don't know if Corie knew how much I love autumn colors when she created this card, but these colors are so ME! I especially like her use of the slit punch ... she folded the tab back and added a brad. The chocolate ribbon is looped through the hole created by the slit punch. I love that look! Great scalloped borders on this card too!

THANK YOU, CORIE!!!

GRAND CANYON July 2007

No stamping for me yesterday. My family and I did something we've been meaning to do for a very long time .... now, don't laugh .... this is too weird .... I've lived in Phoenix for over 20 years, and had never been to the Grand Canyon ... until yesterday! Can you believe it? I'm embarrassed to admit that! Isn't it funny how we don't see the things in our own backyard?! It was an easy four hour drive up north ... why hadn't we done that sooner??? Of course, the Grand Canyon did NOT disappoint. God is quite an artist, isn't he?

DARE TO GET DIRTY '07 Brad Bathed

Splitcoast Stampers is celebrating their 3rd anniversary by offering a special forum, created just for this event, The Dirty Dare, where the Dirty Dozen Designers, past and present, are hosting four stamping challenges every day throughout this week, with eight each on Saturday and Sunday. They've created a special gallery just for this event, Dare to Get Dirty '07 for Fan Club Members to upload their completed challenges into. Anybody can view the gallery and comment!

Today, I had the chance to participate in one of yesterday's Dirty Girl challenges, BRAD BATHED CARDS by texasjodylynn. The general idea of the challenge is to use up those Brads!

This stamp set, Born To Ride, is retired and is one I just won't part with yet. The metallic background was achieved by wrapping aluminum foil around CS, placing it inside a Cuttlebug embossing folder, and running it through the Cuttlebug. The "happy birthday" sentiment was stamped with Silver Encore ink, then embossed with Silver Embossing Powder. The Aqua Painter was used to add a Basic Gray shadow on the "road".

RECIPE Stamps: Born To Ride, Riveting, It's Your Birthday
Paper: Basic Gray, Basic Black, Whisper White
Ink: Basic Black, Basic Gray, Silver Encore
Embellishments: Silver Brads, Silver Star Eyelet
Tools: Ticket Corner Punch, 1/2" and 1 1/4" Circle Punch, Cuttlebug Embossing Folder & Cuttlebug, Paper Piercing Kit, Aqua Painter
Other: Silver EP
Note: The Paper Piercing Tool, Mat & Template were used to punch the holes for the rows of brads.

SCS SKETCH CHALLENGE 134

Today's SCS Sketch Challenge 134 was a TENT TOPPER Card. The guidelines are as follows: Cut the CS 4.25" x 8.5" ... Fold to make a 4.25" square ... Use any shape and size you wish for the topper ... Construct your card (topper to 4.25 square base) so it's 4.25" x 5.5".

This is what I came up with. It's difficult to see in the photo, but there is paper piercing along the width of the card above and below the sentiment on the Purely Pomegranate CS, and on the Bashful Blue Circle. The butterfly image is stamped in Purely Pomegranate, then stamped again on another piece of Whisper White ... cut out, and mounted with stampin' dimensionals near the center of the butterly for a three-dimensional appearance.

RECIPE
Stamps: Garden Whimsy
Paper: Purely Pomegranate, So Saffron, Certainly Celery, Bashful Blue, and Whisper White CS, and Cutie Pie DP
Ink: Purely Pomegranate
Embellishments: One Bashful Blue Brad, Three Certainly Celery Brads
Tools: Paper Piercing Tool, Mat & Template, 1/16" Handheld Punch, Circle Cutter, 1" Circle Punch
Note: The flower left of the sentiment is punched out from the Cute Pie DP with the 1" Circle Punch

SCS COLOR CHALLENGE CC124

This week's SCS Color Challenge uses the colors of Pretty In Pink, Regal Rose, and Old Olive.

Earlier in the day, I was inspired by scrapbookgirl44's Bud Basics card using the Reverse Masking Technique, and prepared a card for next week's stamp class based on it. I love the look of this technique, plus it's easy! ... so I decided to use it for this Color Challenge. On this card, I stamped three panels using the Reverse Masking Technique. HERE is a great tutorial for Reverse Masking on SCS. I chose the easy route using post-it notes.

This card uses my all-time favorite set, Bud Basics. Two flowers and leaves are cut out and popped up on dimensionals with Pink Rhinestone Brads in the center. I also used a sponge to add some Pretty In Pink shading within the three masked panels.

RECIPE

Stamps: Bud Basics, All Holidays
Paper: Whisper White, Old Olive, Pretty In Pink
Ink: Pretty In Pink, Regal Rose, Old Olive
Embellishments: Pink Gingham Ribbon, Pink Fire Rhinestone Circle Brads
Tools: Small & Large Oval Punches, Scissors
Other Supplies: Ruler and Post-It Notes, Stampin' Dimensionals or Foam Tape, Sponge
Technique: REVERSE MASKING

BLOG CANDY WINNER

THANK YOU to everyone who left a comment for a chance to win the blog candy offered on my July 20 post! You are all so kind and encouraging! I'm overwhelmed! I can't tell you how fun it was to read your comments ... so keep leavin' 'em!

I used random.org to chose our winner .... the winner is .... comment #26 .... by kathy w !!!! WOOHOO!!!!

kathy w said ...
Nancy, I am a July birthday too! Happy Birthday! I bookmarked your quilt card tutorial; it was very well done with detailed instructions and pictures. I also appreciate the cards you post on your blog. They are great inspiration. Thanks for the chance at blog candy; I would love this stamp!

KATHY W, please e-mail me with your snail mail address so I can get your Big Blossom stamp and altered jumbo paper clip mailed off to you!

8 1/2 x 11 CARDSTOCK and 12 X 12 DESIGNER PAPER ORGANIZATION

A couple of weeks ago, I shared some overall photos of my craft room (see previous post HERE), and promised to show you how I organize my supplies. I thought I'd start off with showing you how I keep my 8 1/2 x 11 Cardstock (CS) and 12 x 12 Designer Paper (DP) organized.

This first photo shows my cutting station. On the countertop are my two Stampin' Up! Paper Cutters. Someone asked me a few days ago which one I use the most ..... honestly, I couldn't live without either one of them! Both of these cutters can be found on page 184 of the Fall-Winter '07 Stampin' Up! Idea Book and Catalog. I use the Tabletop Paper Cutter for most of my cutting. The stainless-steel precision-ground blade never needs sharpening, and cuts so-o-o nicely! I use the Fiskars-style cutter for cuts under 1" and for scoring with the use of my bone folder (see previous Scoring Tutorial HERE). If you own the Fiskars style cutter, it is worth the investment for the additional Tabletop Paper Cutter -- you'll buy LESS replacement blades for the Fiskar style cutter!Underneath the countertop is a standard two-drawer filing cabinet. The top drawer holds all Stampin' Up! 48 colors + 6 In Colors + Basic Black + Whisper White in standard hanging folders. Whisper White & Basic Black are in the very front of the drawer since I tend to reach for those two colors the most. Behind WW & BB are the current In Colors, followed by the 48 Stampin' Up! colors, organized by color families as seen on pgs. 166 and 167 in the Fall-Winter '07 Idea Book & Catalog. I have often thought about re-organizing the 48 colors alphabetically or by color, but am used to the way they are. The bottom drawer contains last year's In Colors, other Neutrals, and Naturals (pg. 179).

Each hanging folder has custom-made tab that I found on ebay HERE. The background of the tab is made from THAT color of CS with the color name, color family, and re-order number which is the first number on the left. I've had my tabs for probably a couple of years ... I think the second number is an old re-order number for 12 x 12 CS.

This next photo shows an inexpensive 5 x 12 plastic bin that holds my CS scraps for about a week until I organize them into the next organization system.

I have a 6 x 9 manila envelope for each Stampin' Up! color (below photo). Each envelope is labeled in the front with the name of the CS color it holds.

All the manila envelopes are stored in an upper cabinet in two shoebox size Rubbermaid containers, alphabetically (with the exception of Whisper White and Basic Black ... they're in the front again). (below photo)

Now, don't laugh at the quantity of scraps I have! Honestly, I DO use my scraps! I guess I've just been stamping for so many years that they just accumulate! Plus, when I'm cutting for classes (20 each of five projects), it adds up!

This system really works great for me though! When I'm working on a project, I can easily pull the manila envelopes of the colors I'm using at the time to use up some scraps! It's not the most attractive system, but it was inexpensive and works great!

Now, onto 12 x 12 Designer Papers ..... first, meet my NEW best friend, my Dymo LetraTag! I bought this puppy about a month ago at Walmart for $19.99, and now wonder how I ever lived without it! My 12 x 12 Designer Paper is organized in Vertical Paper Holders with Dividers (pg. 193) in an upper cabinet. The order in which they are organized is much like they are in the SU Catalog/Idea Book. The contents of each Vertical Paper Holder is labeled on the the outside (with my Dymo). Each Holder has labeled dividers that sort the different DP packs. When I open a new package of DP, I do so carefully in order to keep the shrinkwrap intact. That way, I can store small scraps WITH the large sheets.

I have one Vertical Paper Holder for Double Sided Designer Series Paper (pgs. 170 - 173), one for the Prints Designer Series Papers (pg. 173), one for Retired DP's, and another for Simply Scrappin Kits and Chipboard.

I've had my Vertical Paper Holders for quite some time, and think a couple of them were purchased at a local craft store. Those Holders came with a thick divider/holder. I use those for DPs in which I have more than one pack, and stand them up between the Vertical Holders.

The photo below shows the Dymo labeling on the outside of the Vertical Paper Holders.

The photo below shows the Dymo labeling on the dividers inside the Vertical Paper Holders.

On the inside of the cabinet door in which my DP is stored, I've taped the lists of DP and Simply Scrappin' coordinating colors (see this POST) for easy reference.

DREAM CRAFT ROOM/STUDIO

OMG! I just found pictures of the Craft Room of my DREAMS! You've GOT to see Nichole Heady's STUDIO HERE. Martha Stewart, watch out!!! Not only is Nichole's studio functional and well-organized, it's BEAUTIFUL too! I love all the white with the turquoise accents!

Maybe I need to start calling my room "my Studio" like Nichole does, instead of "my Craft Rooom"? Studio sounds so much more professional! I'm sure you'll look at the photos of her studio over and over again and read every word she wrote - just like I did!

If anyone knows where I can get a pair of scissors like the ones hanging on Nichole's door, let me know! They are so-o-o cool!

Nichole's blog is {capture the moment} . She is one talented stamper (with a gorgeous studio!).

DON'T MISS BLOG CANDY

Don't miss your opportunity to win some BLOG CANDY! Scroll down to the July 20 post for details!!!

SCS FEATURED STAMPER CHALLENGE FS24 annieht

Today's Featured Stamper Challenge FS24 on SCS featured the gallery of annieht. This is Annie's card is chose to case. My card turned out busy ... I'm not real pleased with it. Some days you got it ... some days you don't!

RECIPE

Stamps: Polka Dots & Petals, All Holidays

Paper: Fall Flowers DP, Sahara Sand, Soft Sky, Old Olive, Really Rust, and Whisper White CS

Ink: Really Rust

Embellishments: Old Olive Brads, Soft Sky Double Stitched Ribbon

Tools: Paper Piercing Tool, Mat & Template, 1" Circle Punch, 1/16" Handheld Punch

SWEET 16

My daughter turns 16 in a couple of weeks ... YIKES!!! Where does the time go? My children are growing up way too fast! I've been holding on to the Girlfriend Accessories retired stamp set for several years just waiting to use it on a Sweet 16 card. I still need to come up with another Sweet 16 card for my daughter's best friend who turns 16 in a week.

(The car keys on the metal edge tag do NOT mean my daughter will be getting a car! They simply signify her obtaining her license.)

RECIPE

Stamps: So Very, Girlfriend Accessories

Paper: Regal Rose and Certainly Celery CS, Flowers For You DP

Ink: Certainly Celery, Basic Black, Regal Rose, Going Grey, Lovely Lilac

Embellishments: Certainly Celery Grosgrain Ribbon, Silver Cord, Metal Edge Tag, On Board Simon Upper Chipboard

Tools: Round Tab Punch, Paper Piercing Tool, Mat & Template, Aqua Painter

Technique: Paper Piercing

Notes: The Aqua Painter was used to color in the car keys. Paper piercing along top and bottom. Chipboard edges are inked in Regal Rose.

BIRTHDAY RAKS

I have had such a FUN birthday with several cards in the mail, phone calls, and visits from friends and family! Even though I HATE getting older, it is so-o-o fun when it's your birthday! Reminds me of how loved I am!

I just HAD to share the handstamped cards I received! They are so awesome! This first one is from my friend, Sandy! Sandy and I are band booster moms together, and she loves stamping as much as I do! She has been in Washington vacationing all summer with no phone, tv, computer, etc. It was GREAT to hear from her! Isn't her card FABULOUS?!

This second handstamped card is from my dear friend and neighbor,Tammy. Tammy gave me a gorgeous Brighton necklace too! She is always so over-the-top with her gifts! She is always so kind and caring ... always doing special things for me and my family! Don't know what I'd do without her! Her card is GORGEOUS! The green is so bright and cheery, and I LOVE the polka dot ribbon!
Don't miss your opportunity to win some BLOG CANDY!.......see previous post!

BLOG CANDY * BLOG CANDY * BLOG CANDY

I have reasons to celebrate, and I'm celebrating with a BLOG CANDY GIVEAWAY!!! My blog counter just hit 3000 today, and tomorrow (7/21) is my 43rd birthday! It has been a hoot writing this blog ... I am very much enjoying it!

This blog candy prize consists of an unmounted, brand new Stampin' Up! Big Blossom Stamp from the Sell-A-Bration 2007 mini catalog. This large stamp (the size of a background stamp) is retired and no longer available for purchase. You'll also receive this altered jumbo paper clip.

So how do you enter to win? Simply leave a comment on this post telling me what you would like to see included on my blog ... more tutorials, stamp supply organization, ideas? I'd love to hear any suggestions or comments! Anybody with a US shipping address is eligible to win!

I will draw a winner on Tuesday, July 24 at 10:00 p.m. Each comment will be given a number, and a number will be chosen randomly. So .... leave me your comments and suggestions! I'd love to hear from you!

ROCKIN' GIRL BLOGGER

I've been nominated as a Rockin' Girl Blogger ... not once, but TWICE ... within 13 minutes of each other ... by Gena Contor of My Stampin' Garden and Robin Desko of Rubber Stamped Reflections. I'm humbly honored, ladies! Thank you!!! Now, I am to nominate five other stamping bloggers. Visit their websites! They are all extremely talented stampers!

1. Lorri Heiling of Confessions of a Stamping Addict,

2. Barbara Welch of Creative Stampin' Spot,

3. Debbie Seyer of A Peek Into My Stamping Room,

4. Tammy Denmark of Creative Juices!,

5. Jill Hilliard of Jill's Card Creations.

I'VE BEEN TAGGED

There is a game of TAG going around the stamping blog community. I was tagged by Robin Desko. Her blog is Rubber Stamped Reflections. Great stuff! Visit her blog!

In this game of tag, I am supposed to list seven random things about myself that you may or may not know:

1. I was born and raised a Northwest Iowa farm girl, and have been a Phoenix desert dweller for 20 years.

2. My husband is a Northwest Iowa farm boy. Our small Iowa home towns (pop. 1,500 and less) are only about 30 minutes apart! BUT we met here in Phoenix! Small world, huh?!

3. All the men in my life ... my son, my husband, my dad, my grandpa ... all have birthdays on the 11th day of a month.

4. My favorite season is AUTUMN. Autumn is MY Spring! I think I like it so much because that's when we're coming out of the extreme summer heat of Phoenix and the kids go back to school. Everything seems new! I love the colors of Autumn (if you've ever been to my home, you know this ... my house is decorated in warm fall colors). Autumn is also marching band season (see item #5 for more details). And, of course, I love leaves and PUMPKINS! Love the looks of them, love the taste of them, especially Starbucks Pumpkin Creme Frap, and Cheesecake Factory Pumpkin Cheesecake! My year-round screensaver is a photo taken on an autumn evening of a roadside farmer's market with pumpkins everywhere!

5. I'm a Band Booster Mom. My daughter is in the most incredible marching band program at her high school, and as a result, my DH and I have met the nicest people through the band boosters! Some of them even stamp with me! Woohoo!!!! If anyone ever tells you that marching band is not a sport, they're sadly mistaken! I can't believe the hours these kids put in (usually in 110 degree + heat!), and it IS a rigorous physical activity!

6. I can't stand chaos and clutter. I'm a neat freak, a clean freak, and have to have things just so. I drive my family nuts! I am always busy with something whether it be everyday household chores, a stamping project, a home decor project ... whatever .... I never sit and relax. Even though I'm always doing something, I freak out if it gets to a point where there's not enough of me to go around.

7. Nine months out of the year, you'll find me hopping from one garage sale to the next every Friday and Saturday morning. I love finding a bargain, and find the majority of my ebay inventory at garage sales!

Who to tag next????? Lorri, and Barbara.

THANKS to FAITH!

Last night, I agonized over this card for more time than I care to admit! No matter what I did, I couldn't get it to look right! (I'm still not completely WOW'd with it!) I went from Plan A, all the way to Plan Z until finally giving up and going to bed. Then, this morning, I was reading Faith Hofrichter's Blog, Stampin' with Markie's Mom where she had a FABULOUS card posted using this stamp set, Perfect Princess. Faith's card is HERE. She made it look so-o-o easy. Faith's inspiration didn't stop there! This layout is based on this card of Faith's on SCS. I also picked up a couple of ideas for this card from Faith's OTHER Perfect Princess card on SCS for SC120 HERE. See how talented she is! .... I can barely do one card, and she has done TWO beautiful ones!!! Faith and I also corresponded via e-mail this morning ... her encouraging words kept me from scratching this project completely! Thanks to Faith for getting me through this card! It doesn't hold a candle to Faith's creations, but it's done!RECIPE
Stamps: Perfect Princess, Perfectly Pretty Jumbo Wheel
Paper: Pretty In Pink, Tempting Turquoise, Regal Rose, Lovely Lilac CS, Flowers For You DP
Ink: Basic Black Classic, White Craft
Embellishments: One Pink Fire Large Square Rhinestone Brad, Two each Lilac and Turquoise Ice Small Circle Rhinestone Brads, One Fire Small Circle Rhinestone Brad, Rose 1/4-inch Grosgrain Ribbon
Tools: Ticket Corner Punch
Other Supplies: Stampin' Dimensionals
Notes: * The Perfectly Pretty Jumbo Wheel is stamped in White Craft ink on the Pretty In Pink background piece behind the crown.
* I took an old pair of scissor that I didn't care about to snip off the prong overhang of the brads.

SCS FEATURED STAMPER CHALLENGE FS23 MOTHERMARK

Today's SCS Featured Stamper is Cindy Motherway, aka Mothermark. See her beautiful SCS Gallery HERE. Here is CINDY'S CARD I chose to case.

Believe it or not, there is NO stamping on this card! The flower image is a die-cut accent from Build-A-Flower Accents & Elements, and is popped up on dimensionals. I am in love with the Accents & Elements! The large polka dot DP in the background and the Bashful Blue strip is from Cutie Pie DP. The polka dot DP behind the flower is from Rose Red Prints DP.

RECIPE
Stamps: None, but used Build-A-Flower Accents & Elements in the place of.
Paper: Rose Red, Bashful Blue, Wild Wasabi, Cutie Pie DP, Rose Red Prints DP
Inks: None
Embellishments: Rose Red Brads, Wild Wasabi and Purely Pomegranate Double Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon
Tools: Slit Punch for scalloped border, 1/16" handheld punch
Other Supplies: Stampin' Dimensionals

SCS LIMITED SUPPLY CHALLENGE 124

I must have taken 30+ photos of this card, and just couldn't get the colors to show up well. Sorry!

The sentiment "thank you" is in the center of the top middle flower, and the sentiment "friend" is in the center of the right flower. There is a So Saffron Brad in the center of the left flower. All three flower centers are punched with the 1/4" circle punch and adhered with a Stampin' Dimensional.

Here are the requirements of today's SCS Limited Supply Challenge 124, "Message Bouquets":
Flowers: stamped flowers, punched flowers, silk flowers, etc.
Bouquet: 2 or more flowers
Stamps: sentiments or letters to spell out a sentiment + any backgrounds and flowers
Paper & Ink: any
Embellishments: 2 or less
Tools: any
Supplies Used
Stamps: In The Spotlight (Level 2 Hostess)
Paper: Rose Red, Bashful Blue, Whisper White, Cutie Pie DP
Ink: So Saffron, Rose Red, Bashful Blue, Certainly Celery
Embellishments: So Saffron Brad, Bashful Blue Grosgrain Ribbon
Tools: Scissors, Paper Piercing Tool, Template & Pad, 1/4" Circle Punch
Other Supplies: Stampin' Dimensionals
NOTE: The bold flowers are stamped in So Saffron on Whisper White CS, then stamped in Rose Red on WW CS ... cut out & mounted with dimensionals. Paper piercing along top and bottom of card.

A NEW LOOK

Notice anything different? I finally replaced that standard header on my blog with a custom one! Yep, my DH did this cool header for me! The standard blogger header wouldn't let me keep the "i" as a lowercase letter, and it drove me nuts! I love it ... hope you do too!

I GOT A RAK! I GOT A RAK!

In my mail today was a FUN SURPRISE ... a RAK (Random Act of Kindness) from Chat Wszelaki, aka nitestamper on SCS. Chat is THE most talented stamper and papercrafter that I know! She has been participating in the daily SCS challenges for only a few short weeks but a long-time stamp artist. I'm so glad she's finally sharing her work with the masses on SCS! Wait until you see her GALLERY ... it is AMAZING! She has an incredible eye for color, design and layout! I check her gallery DAILY to see what new creations she's come up with! THANK YOU, Chat!

Chat's thank you card highlights the use of the All About Gratitude Jumbo Wheel (Level 3 Hostess Set '07, pg. 24) in the background, Office Accoutrement (pg. 114), and Seeing Spots (pg. 121), and the NEW In Colors of Groovy Guava and Blue Bayou. She even added glitter to the wheeled background! Isn't it gorgeous?!

SCS SKETCH CHALLENGE 132

Today's SCS Sketch Challenge 132 was completely inspired by blueonblue. See her card HERE. Isn't her card just gorgeous?! I love the way she embossed the Doodle This flower on vellum three times! She did two silver, and one gold. All three flowers are embossed in silver on my card. The DP is Soft Sky Prints. Don't you think they should have named Soft Sky "Tiffany Box Blue"??? That's what it reminds me of!

Here is today's SKETCH.
Supplies
Stamps: Doodle This, Hugs & Wishes
Paper: Soft Sky Prints DP, Whisper White, Clear Vellum
Ink: Silver Metallic Encore
Embellishments: Silver Cord, Rhinestone Stick-On (non-SU)
Other Supplies/Tools: Silver Emboss Powder, Paper Piercing Tool, Mat & Template, Heat Gun, Embossing Buddy, Circle Cutter
Techniques: Paper Piercing, Embossing

Warning: SUNGLASSES Needed to View this Card!

Today's SCS Color Challenge (CC122) was using the colors Tempting Turquoise, Real Red, and Green Galore. I don't even know why I'm posting this, as my judges (my family) all turned their nose up to it. It is so-o-o bright, and darn-right hard on the eyes!

Supplies

Stamps: Sweet Shapes, Happy Everything

Paper: Tempting Turquoise, Real Red, Green Galore, Whisper White

Ink: Tempting Turquoise, Real Red, Green Galore, White Craft

Embellishments: Red Gingham Ribbon, Turquoise Paper Clip (non-SU)

QUILT CARD TUTORIAL

This is the card I posted yesterday for the SCS Technique Lovers Challenge 124. See yesterday's post for supplies used to make this card. At the end of this post is another sample of a quilt card that I made a few months ago. For the purpose of this tutorial, I'll be using the measurements for this card photographed at the left.

cdjkssss on SCS had informed me of an easier way to do this with a Xyron machine. I don't own one of those fancy machines, so this is the primitive way!

Paper You'll Need:

* Black CS (ANY color will do, as this is your base piece and will be covered) measuring 4 1/4 x 4 1/4.

* White CS, 1 1/4" square.

* 7 different designs of DP, four strips each measuring 3/8" inch wide x 3" long or longer.

I mistakenly laid out only six different DP strips instead of 7 for this photo ... sorry!

Find the center of your Black 4 1/4 x 4 1/4 CS at 2 1/8". Draw a pencil line down the center of the Black CS in both directions.

These pencil lines will guarantee perfect centering for your White CS square. Adhere White square to the black square by lining up the points of the white square with your pencil lines.

Cover the entire black square that is still showing with adhesive. I used your basic Scotch double-stip tape (my favorite!).

Align your first strip parallel with the white square. You will have the overhang.

Adhere your second strip (same pattern as your first strip) parallel with the white square and butted up to the first strip.

Continue to adhere your second and third strip in the same manner as above.

Your second pattern selection of DP is simply adhered parallel with the first pattern, working around the white square.

... Then your third pattern selection of DP...

This photo shows what your quilt square should look like after all seven layers are adhered.

This is what the BACK of your black square should look like.

Next, trim off the excess strips of paper with a paper trimmer.

This is what your finished quilt should look like.

The possibilities are endless! .... different sizes, different DP .... Have fun!







This is another quilt card I did a few months ago, using Loves Me DP.