It's in the Bag!

It has been sometime since I played the featured stamper challenge, and wasn't really planning on playing this week either. But I did go see who the featured stamper was this week ... it is Kim aka blondie090277 ...... I enjoyed looking through her gallery she has some wonderful cards in there. Anyway I discovered her Sunburst Dandy's Tote that she created and decided I would make one too.

As per the rules of this challenge I had to change at least 2 things to my project, here are the changes I made:

• changed my colors from blue & brown to pink & brown
• I made my purse so that it could open ... Kim's I believe is sewn together.
• Use a brad for my flap rather than a button
• Used grosgrain ribbon rather than satin
• Added a flourish stamp to the bottom right corner of my bag
• Decorated the inside of my card

Here is what the inside looks like for my card.


Edit: I have had a couple of queries as to the measurements for this card so I thought I would add it here in case any others had questions too.

1. Start with a 5 inch square card.
2. Find the centre at the bottom of the card (the fold) and then measure 1.5 inches on either side of this mark.
3. Take a ruler and line up the top corner and the 1.5 inch mark and cut along this line.

I added my DP to the top portion of my card prior to measuring and cutting that way I didn't have to measure a second time.

I made mine so it would open ... but the one I CASEd (link provided above) was sewn closed so you can use as a little bag to hold something inside.

Recipe:
Stamps: Flourish - Autumn Leaves; Sentiment - Darcie Stamps
Papers: White; Chocolate Chip - SU; DP - Basic Grey
Other: Black Ink; Chocolate Chip SU Ink; Brad; Brown Grosgrain Ribbon; Magnet

Anni-VERVE-sary Sketch #11

It's day 11 for the Verve Stamps Anni-VERVE-sary 12 days of sketches. This time I chose a Penny Black stamp to use on my card, again it has been a while since I have used this stamp.

I used my square nestabilities for the layers of my square panels. The olive panel was created using the spots & dots cuttlebug embossing folder.

Recipe:
Stamps: Hedgehog - Penny Black; Sentiment - Papertrey Ink
Paper: Black; Real Red, Vanilla & Old Olive - SU; DP - Scenic Route
Other: Black Ink; Black Grosgrain Ribbon; Circle Punches; Spots & Dots Cuttlebug Embossing Folder; Square Nestabilities

That Old Black Magic!

That old black magic has me in its spell, that old black magic that you weave so well ...............
Sorry I can't help it creating this card reminded me of that song "That Old Black Magic".

Anyway back to my card, it is Monday which of course means it is time for another challenge with my goofy CCEE friends. I played with this technique back in June for one of our other CCEE challenges and it definitely put a spell on me, so when I had to come up with challenges for everyone this month I thought it would be a fun one to do.

OK so what is the technique I used here ... it is called Black Magic ... hence me singing the song earlier in the post. It is a technique that is really easy to do and I think you will agree that the results can be amazing.

Don't forget you can see all the other girls cards over on our CCEE Stampers blog. We would love for you to play along too ... all you need to do is make a card using the black magic technique and post a comment on our CCEE Stampers blog. If you upload to SCS don't forget the keyword which is CCEEC.

I have created a quick tutorial for you so you can try this technique if you want to.

Black Magic Technique

You Need:

• Black card
• White Pigment Ink
• Coloring Pencils
• White Gel Pen
• A solid type stamp
  

1. Stamp your image onto black card using white pigment ink. Allow this to dry either by leaving for 30 mins or heat setting.

2. Use your coloring pencils to color over the white ink of the stamp image ... you can use more than one color to create shading if you wish.

3. Here is the my sample all colored .... you can see that I shaded the flowers with 2 different pinks and also the leaves and the birds.


4. Finally grab your white gel pen and use it to outline your images. I just outlined the top edges of the flowers, a little highlight on the leaves and birds.

That's all there is to it!

**********

For my card I stamped the birds on a separate piece of black card and colored them. I then cut them out and layered them over the bird image on my main piece so that the wings, tail etc are 3D.

I also used the new argyle cuttlebug embossing folder to create the background on my card. And the layout is based on this weeks sketch challenge over on SCS.

Recipe:
Stamps: CardArt Decorative Birds - Hero Arts
Paper: Black; Pretty In Pink, Rose Red & River Rock - SU
Other: White Pigment Ink; Pretty In Pink SU Ink; Pink Grosgrain Ribbon; Corner Rounder; Hole Punch; Pink Brads; Argyle Cuttlebug Embossing Folder; Colored Pencils; White Gel Pen; Foam Tape

Spooky Greetings!

Hi and happy Sunday to you all. It's time for another MFT sketch challenge, this is my card I created for it. I used some of the stamps from the new Monster Squad Set which were released by MFT Stamps last week. Aren't these the cutest little "monsters" you have ever seen!

I used the "boo to you" cuttlebug embossing folder to add texture to the purple card ... yes it is actually lavender lace not the blue that it looks here.

Recipe:
Stamps: Monster Squad - MFT Stamps
Paper: White; Black; Lavender Lace & Pumpkin Pie - SU; DP - Unknown
Other: Black Ink; Orange Brads; Black & Pumpkin Grosgrain Ribbon; Boo To You Cuttlebug Embossing Folder; Foam Tape

Anni-VERVE-sary Sketch #10

Wow it is hard to believe that it is already day 10 for the Verve Stamps Anni-VERVE-sary 12 days of sketches. I have been having a lot of fun with all these sketches and also doing my own personal challenge of trying to use a different stamp company for each sketch I do ... this has meant me getting out some older stamp that I haven't used for some time.

My card today uses an image of Tigger that I have had for a number of years now .... I was going through my stamp drawers trying to decide what stamp to use for this sketch when I saw this one .... I wanted something that was thinnish in length to match the sketch and this one just jump out to me as I was opening and closing the drawers.

I used the new 'forest branches' cuttlebug embossing folder on the 3 orange panels behind Tigger once I had embossed these pieces I sponged over black ink to give them a look like a tiger.

Recipe:
Stamps: Tigger - All Night Media; Sentiment - Unknown
Paper: White; Black; Pumpkin Pie - SU; DP - Crate Paper
Other: Black Ink; Circle Punches; Forest Branches Cuttlebug Embossing Folder; Black Brads; Foam Tape

You Take the Cake!

Yet another sketch challenge ... this one is for Taylor's of Taylored Expressions ... Cupcake challenge she does each week.

I decided to keep with the cupcake theme, seeing I have so many cupcake related stamps and selected this fun Stampendous Shoe/Cupcake stamp. The pink panel at the top of my card was embossed using the houndstooth cuttlebug embossing folder. I didn't need to add a sentiment to my card seeing one was included with the image so I added a flower in its place.

Recipe:
Stamps: Birthday cake/shoe - Stampendous
Paper: White; Close to Cocoa, Pretty In Pink, Regal Rose & Close to Cocoa DP - SU
Other: Black Ink; Pink Brad; Pink & Brown Flowers; Foam Tape

Anni-VERVE-sary Sketch #9

Just popin' in to say ...... hmmmm that I am still having fun playing the Verve Stamps Anni-VERVE-sary 12 days of sketches. My card today is for sketch #9 ... wow have I really being playing this for 9 days already.

I am still trying to use different companies for each card so today I selected some stamps from Darcies Rubber Stamps ... I just love their cute little bears. I stamped the bear in the popcorn bowl twice on white card and once on wild wasabi card and cut out the bowl from the wasabi card and the paws and popcorn word from the while and layered them onto the green bowl.

The scallop layer was created using my rectangle nestabilities ... cutting two rectangles and joining to get the size I needed for my image. The wasabi panel on the left of my card was embossing using the houndstooth cuttlebug embossing folder and then I sponged over the raised areas with wild wasabi SU ink.

Inside the card I have stamped a verse that says: "Just popin' in to say....." I will probably add the words happy birthday or whatever when I know who and why I am giving this card to.

Recipe:
Stamps: Bear in Popcorn & Jumping Bear - Darcies; Sentiment (inside) - Cottage Stamper
Paper: White; Morning Marigold, Close to Cocoa & Wild Wasabi - SU; DP - Crate Paper
Other: Black Ink; Wild Wasabi SU Ink; Green Brads; Rectangle Nestabilities; Houndstooth Cuttlebug Embossing Folders; Foam Tape

Happy Moose Day!

My card today is for this weeks Hanna Stamps challenge over on the Hanna Stamps members forum of SCS. This weeks challenge was my favorite type of challenge ... a sketch challenge. You most probably already figured I liked sketch challenges ha!

I used my Riley stamps and also one of the sentiments from "Things Riley Would Say".

Recipe:
Stamps: Riley with Pram & Things Riley Would Say - Hanna Stamps
Paper: White; Certainly Celery, Close to Cocoa & Pretty In Pink - SU; DP - Unknown
Other: Black Ink; Square & Long Rectangle Nestabilities; Forest Branches Cuttlebug Embossing Folder; Pink Brads; Pink Flowers; Green Brad; Foam Tape

Anni-VERVE-sary Sketch #8

Another one bites the dust! That is another sketch for the Verve Stamps Anni-VERVE-sary 12 days of sketches. We are now onto day 8 .... yahhhhhhhh!!!! Julee has also given those of us that want them the pdf file with all the other sketches on them so hopefully I know what I will be doing during the weekend. I did mirror image the sketch to allow for the direction this bella's leg was facing, but other than that the sketch is exactly the same.

While I am creating these 12 cards using the Verve Stamps sketches ... I am also trying to use different companies stamps for each one of them. Today I used one of my Stamping Bella stamps which I haven't used for a while .... I do love this cupcakeabella image.

Recipe:
Stamps: Cupcakeabella - Stamping Bella; Sentiment - EK Success
Paper: White; Cool Caribbean, Pretty In Pink & Rose Red - SU; Euphoria DP - Basic Grey
Other: Black Ink; Pretty In Pink SU Ink; Pink Grosgrain Ribbon; Swiss Dots Cuttlebug Embossing Folder; Oval Nestabilities; Blue Brads; Glitter Glue; Foam Tape

Anni-VERVE-sary Sketch #7

OK well maybe some of you can "read me like a book", enough to know that I would sooner or later be uploading my card for day 7 of Verve Stamps Anni-VERVE-sary 12 days of sketches.

This one took longer because I got sidetracked last night creating another card I need for a challenge on Monday ... so I didn't start this one till this morning.

This card uses the new Flopsie set called "This is My Story" which was released by MFT stamps yesterday .... isn't is just so cute!!!!! I think this card is pretty self explanatory so I will get straight onto the recipe for you.

Recipe:
Stamps: This is My Story - MFT Stamps
Paper: White; Black; Real Red - SU; DP - Imaginisce
Other: Black Ink; Red Grosgrain Ribbon; Corner Rounder; Hole Punch; Foam Tape

One Happy Kid!

I can't decide why this little guy is happy ... maybe it is because school is out ... maybe it is because he is going back to school after summer holidays (you can see I am thinking school since I used that designer paper & also added the pencil button etc on this card). Of course I guess he could be happy for some other reason but it doesn't really matter.

The Our Creative Corner team issued sketch challenge on their blog on Saturday which I have wanted to get to all week. And I finally got round to doing it.... I used this cute little kid stamp which is from alota Rubber Stamps.

The circles were created using the circle nestabilities dies. The background on the blue card is Cornish Heritage Farms writing paper background which fits this theme well.

Recipe:
Stamps: Kid & Sentiment - alota Rubber Stamps; Writing Paper B/G - CHF
Paper: White; Bordering Blue & Real Red - SU; DP - Unknown
Other: Black Ink; Bordering Blue SU Ink; Circle Nestabilities; Red Grosgrain Ribbon; Oval Punches; Pencil Button; Red Brads; Creative Memories Curve Cutter; Foam Tape

Have a Howling Time!

Hi again ... are you ready for another MFTeaser ... today is the day that My Favorite Things release 5 new sets. Today I have created a "Box in a Bag" .... if you would like to create one of these you can find a tutorial on Cambria's Blog. The stamps used here are from two sets, Nature Calls and What's Your Sign ... both sets were designed to work together. The sentiment actually says "Have a howling good time" however the word "good" wouldn't fit on my oval without it looking too cluttered so I left that part off.


My Favorite Things is having a New Release Cocktail Party on Wednesday, August 6 from 9-11 p.m. Eastern time. This month there are FIVE new sets being released and some great new ribbon added to the store.

*The Girl Who Wants It All special for the The Aug Collection, which is one of each set being released, is $65.

Head over to the MFT forum on SCS to find out all the details and to find out how YOU can be the next MFT Guest Designer. We hope to see you there on Wednesday night.

Recipe:
Stamps: Nature Calls & What's My Sign - MFT Stamps
Paper: White; Always Artichoke & Chocolate Chip - SU; DP - Unknown
Other: Black Ink; Tab Punch; Oval Nestabilities; Jumbo Eyelets; Always Artichoke Grosgrain Ribbon; Cloud Scissors; Sewing Machine; Foam Tape

Anni-VERVE-sary Sketch #6

Six down and six to go ... that is for the Verve Stamps Anni-VERVE-sary 12 days of sketches. Today is day 6 of this special series of sketch challenges.

When I first saw this sketch last night I immediately thought of using this Riley Witch image which I had already stamped out & colored onto a circle for a couple of months now. It probably isn't the best type of image to use for this sketch ... something that doesn't go right up to the edge of the circle would probably suit this one because of those centre bands ... but anyway here it is.

This one also needed some corner treatment on two of the corners so I grabbed my older photo corner punches which haven't been used for ages. The centre bands have also been run through the cuttlebug using the forest branches embossing folder.

Recipe:
Stamps: Witch Riley - Hanna Stamps
Paper: White; Black; Elegant Eggplant & Pumpkin Pie - SU; DP - Unknown
Other: Black Ink; Black Brads; Photo Corner Punch; Circle Nestabilities; Foam Tape

This Old Guitar!

This Old Guitar ... don't worry I ain't gonna sing LOL .... but this card does remind me a little of a song that John Denver used to sing ... and actually I am now listening to it while I write this blog post. Oh I miss John Denver!

My card today combines two challenges, firstly it is for this weeks sketch challenge over on SCS. I am not sure what it is this week but a number of sketch challenges seem to be favoring triangles ... not that there is anything wrong with that but it is just interesting that I have made 3 cards this week with triangles when I normally don't make any.

The other challenges is the color challenge over on SCS ... it was a farewell to the SU In Colors as it is only a few days before the new catty is out in the US which means new In Colors for everyone up there. I am not farewelling anything just yet as in Australia these In Colors will remain current until the end of March 2009. But anyway it was fun to play along and I used Blue Bayou & Soft sky.

I used the allegro cuttlebug embossing folder to create the background on my soft sky panel.

Recipe:
Stamps: Guitar Edwin - Magnolia
Paper: White; Soft Sky & Blue Bayou - SU; DP - Crate Paper
Other: Black Ink; Allegro Cuttlebug Embossing Folder; Blue Brads; Foam Tape

Hanging Out With My Ghoulfriend!

I am still having fun creating my halloween cards using some of the new stamps from My Favorite Things. These stamps will be released this coming Wednesday 6th August. My card today is using Taylor's of Taylored Expressions Cupcake Challenge sketch.

I used my rectangle and circle nestabilites to create all my layers for this one. I added texture to my purple layer using the new forest branches cuttlebug embossing folder. I added stitching around my designer paper & purple layers, I am having lots of fun with that sewing machine. And for those that know I hate sewing ... this is still card making so it is ok LOL!


My Favorite Things is having a New Release Cocktail Party on Wednesday, August 6 from 9-11 p.m. Eastern time. This month there are FIVE new sets being released and some great new ribbon added to the store.

*The Girl Who Wants It All special for the The Aug Collection, which is one of each set being released, is $65.

Head over to the MFT forum on SCS to find out all the details and to find out how YOU can be the next MFT Guest Designer. We hope to see you there on Wednesday night.

Recipe:
Stamps: Totally Witchin' Set - MFT Stamps
Paper: White; Black; Pumpkin Pie - SU; Velvet - Bazzill; Beggars Night DP - Reminisce
Other: Black Ink; Black Grosgrain Ribbon; Lime Brads; Circle & Rectangle Nestabilities; Forest Branches Cuttlebug Embossing Folder; Sewing Machine; Foam Tape

Anni-VERVE-sary Sketch #5

Well it is day 5 for the Verve Stamps Anni-VERSE-sary 12 days of sketches and here is my card using sketch #5.

This was a pretty quick card to create ... most of it was done while I was cooking dinner last night which is probably why the potatoes almost boiled dry ... oops. Luckily they were saved before that happened haha!

I kept to a monochromatic theme for this one using really rust for the designer paper and card used here.

Recipe:
Stamps: Dog & Sentiment - The Cat's Pajamas
Paper: White; Black; Really Rust & DP - SU
Other: Black Ink; Forest Branches Cuttlebug Embossing Folder; Black Grosgrain Ribbon; Rust Brads; Foam Tape

Anni-VERVE-sary Sketch #4

OK I am back with my fourth card for the Verve Stamps Anni-VERVE-sary sketch challenges ... 4 down 8 to go ... will I get there is the question ... I am certainly trying! At least I am all caught up now ... so I should only need to post one per day from now on ...that is the plan anyway.


This one uses one of the Sweet Ebony stamps by Sugar Nellie ... I just adore these stamps .... isn't she a cutie! I used the new floral screen cuttlebug embossing folder to create the texture on the blue layer.

Recipe:
Stamps: Sweet Ebony - Sugar Nellie; Sentiment - Papertrey Ink
Paper: White; Elegant Eggplant, Cool Caribbean & Real Red - SU; Euphoria DP - Basic Grey
Other: Black Ink; Floral Screen Cuttlebug Embossing Folder; Square & Circle Nestabilities; Purple Brads; Foam Tape

Totally Witchin'

Hi I am back today with another MFTeaser to share with you. Again I have combined two of the new MFT stamp sets that will be released this coming Wednesday 6th August. The sets used here are called "Totally Witchin' & Monster Squad".

My card today is a diagonal double pocket card, there are actually a number of fantastic tutorials online on how to create this card ... even a video one if you need it. Here is a good tutorial created by Claudia Rose on SCS. These are really fun to make.


The first thing I did to create this was to cut my designer paper to size and fold it according to the directions in the tutorial.



I then created my tags .... to do these I sponged on Soft Sky SU ink onto my white card and then I stamped the images in black onto my card. I loved how the soft sky ink matched my DP so well. I layered my tags onto black card and then used my tab punch to create tabs to attach to each of the tags.


I used my oval nestabilities to create the layers of my main image on the front of my card.

I wanted my card to open and as I couldn't using Claudia's second option which then gives you a card that opens. For me to have folded it that way I would have ended up with the front part of my card black & I didn't want that so I just attached my card to a folded black card.


My Favorite Things is having a New Release Cocktail Party on Wednesday, August 6 from 9-11 p.m. Eastern time. This month there are FIVE new sets being released and some great new ribbon added to the store.

*The Girl Who Wants It All special for the The Aug Collection, which is one of each set being released, is $65.

Head over to the MFT forum on SCS to find out all the details and to find out how YOU can be the next MFT Guest Designer. We hope to see you there on Wednesday night.


Recipe:
Stamps: Totally Witchin' & Monster Squad - MFT Stamps
Paper: White; Black; Spellbound Haunted Forest DP - Scrapworks
Other: Black Ink; Soft Sky SU Ink; Oval Nestabilities; Black Eyelets; Black Grosgrain Ribbon; Word Window Punch; Tab Punch; Score It Board; Foam Tape

Anni-VERVE-sary Sketch #3

Down by the Station early in the morning, see the little puffer bellies all in a row...... oops sorry I couldn't help myself, that tune came into my head while I was creating my card and of course I had to share ;) .

This is #3 of the Verve Stamps Anni-VERSE-sary sketch challenges ... I thought it was about time I got Billy out to play. Maybe I will give this to my DH cause he likes trains.

Recipe:
Stamps: Dress Up Billy Set - Pink Cat Studio
Paper: White; Chocolate Chip, Buckaroo Blue, Cranberry Crisp & At Home DP - DU
Other: Black Ink; Brown Grosgrain Ribbon; Corner Rounder; Foam Tape

Laugh Clown Laugh!

Happy Monday everyone, I hope you all had an enjoyable weekend. Well as you know on Mondays I always do a challenge with my goofy CCEE friends on SCS. As it is a new month that means that we get a new hostess, this month I get to issue all the challenges each week .... I can't wait to see what they do each week.

Anyway onto today's challenge:

I like acetate or transparent card ...... you can find a tutorial for this in the resources section of SCS, if you have never done them before. Click here for the Acetate Card Tutorial.

I was also checking on special holidays for this time of year and notice that it is "Clown Week" 1 - 7th August each year in the US & also that Lucille Ball was born on the 6th August .... so my challenge this week is:

To create an acetate or transparent card that has a humorous theme to it. You can see my friends cards on our CCEE Stampers blog. Don't forget you can play along too, just leave a comment on our CCEE Stampers blog so we can check out your card and if you upload to SCS please use the keyword CCEEC

As you can see I decided to use a clown on my card, I think we all know how humorous clowns can be and it definitely fits in with it being clown week. The stamp used here is a cheap one I purchased a few years back ... it is actually a series of 6 clowns. I used my long rectangle nestabilities to create my layers for the clown panel. The turquoise scallop layer is actually attached to the inside front of my card to hide the adhesive used to attach the clown layer.

The dotted paper is attached to the inside back panel, again with the turquoise being on the back to hide the adhesive. I stamped the word laugh all around the 3 sides of the front of the acetate card using black stazon ink. I used star punches to create the star accents on this card.

Recipe:
Stamps: Clown - Unknown; Laugh Sentiment - Hero Arts
Paper: White; Real Red & Tempting Turquoise - SU; Dotted DP - Pebbles Inc
Other: Black Ink; Star Punches; Red Stripe Grosgrain Ribbon; Blue & Red Brads; Long Rectangle Nestabilities; Foam Tape