I am a Ginger Gem!

While checking the Dashboard of my blog today, I noticed that the Gingersnap Spicy Challenge  #128 "Yellow, Red and Brown" had wrapped up and my tag was chosen as one of the 10 "Ginger Gems"! 

Check out the winner's artwork, my tag and other submissions by clicking here:
http://gingersnapcreations.blogspot.com/2011/12/wrap-up-gc128-yellow-red-and-brown.html?showComment=1325010832865#c6777557596612754015

Thanks ever so much! Makes my day!

Sharon

Tim's Twelve Days of Christmas Tags - Day 9

(Click on title of this post to go directly to Tim's blog for Day 9 tag)

For this tag, I stayed with Tim's instructions and didn't try to create a "different take".  Much easier to get them done in a short time,eh?

double click to enlarge pic

close-up of detail

For the background see Tim's instructions for double embossing. I used a Penny Black "Winter Holly" stamp inked with TH Evergreen Bough distress ink, then sponged over with TH Festive Berries, and Brushed Corduroy.

I cut the candle and candlestick using my Cricut from the "Christmas Noel" cartridge. Once the crystal glaze was dry covering the whole candle, I went back and added some more to look like wax dripping.

The verse is from Sizzix Sizzlet #656285 "Merry Christmas"set of three dies. I cut the greenery from several sizzlets dies and Martha Stewart punch. Scrolls are a Quickutz die.

My husband has been following my completion of the tags each day and commented last night that this one looked a bit plainer than the others. I explained that each of Tim's tags was like a mini-class in technique and this one was all about the background. Then he understood!

Sharon
Dec.13/2011

Tim Holtz Twelve Days of Christmas Tags - Day 8

(Click on title of this post to go directly to Tim's blog - Day 8 tag)

Well when I saw Tim's steampunk tag, honestly, I wasn't too enthusiastic about it for christmas. However, after thinking about it all morning, I came up with the idea to make one with a New Year's theme and Father Time, since clocks and cogs would lend itself to easily to this.

double click to enlarge pic

close-up of details

I used the Cuttlebug Clocks folder on Tim's Co-ordination Grey paper, and sanded it to expose the design. Originally I used a piece of silver paper, but I didn't like how it embossed.  There is also silver embossing powder along the edges of the tag.

I downloaded a pic of Father Time from the internet, edited it to sepia tone, resized to ticket size and printed on cardstock. Then I covered it with self-adhesive acrylic (love this stuff - by Quickutz) and used one of Tim's ticket pins. The chipboard clock I had in my stash. The cogs I covered with Brilliance Platinum and gold ink, then clear EP. Adorned clock and cogs with Tim's embellies, and the top of tag with some silver star tinsel for the new year bling.

I cut the Happy New Year with my Cricut from the Wild Card cartridge on Stampin' Up Glitter silver paper. 

I'm happy with my idea and how the tag turned out.

Sharon
Dec.9/2011

Tim Holtz Twelve Days of Christmas Tags -Day 7

(click on title of this post to go directly to Tim's blog - Day 7)

Yesterday, I said I wasn't going to do any more tags as they were taking a lot of time each day....well, "eat my words" LOL!  Last night I did Tag 7.  I enjoyed watching Tim's video on how to use glassine paper. Neat Stuff!
double click to enlarge pic

I pretty much followed Tim's design except for adding a grungeboard poinsetta stained with Festive Berries ink (sizzlet's die)
for the pop of  red.  The verse is a cling stamp from Autumn Leaves Rhonna Farrer, "AL2779 Rhonna's Christmas Card" -11 stamps in set. I dyed the ribbon with Forest Moss DI. The baubles at the top are from my stash of  costume jewellery that belonged to my husband's mom. When we were cleaning out the house, hubby's sisters came across two containers of broken necklaces, bracelets and earrings that they were going to throw out. My daughter always enjoyed playing dress-up with them at Nanny's so I took them home. Being the packrat that I am, I figured the bits and pieces would come in handy someday for crafts.

Sharon
Dec.9/2011

Lucky Day - Random Winner

I just had an email that I was a random winner on the Crafts4Eternity challenge blog for challenge #47 christmas decorations. I had made mittens with the Nesties mittens die.

Not sure what the gift is yet, but the news made my day.

Sharon
Dec.7/2011

Tim Holtz Twelve Days of Christmas Tags - Day 6

(Click on the title of this post to go directly to Tim's blog - Day 6 tag)

Well, I think this might be my last tag for now - I have to say that I would rather craft than do housework, decorate for christmas, bake shortbread cookies, etc. My sisters would not be happy without their yearly gift of shortbread (they don't bake!!!)  I have certainly enjoyed learning new techniques while doing the tags; however, mastering the techniques to get a tag worth posting takes more time than I expected.

Day 6 was all about embossing metal; painting, sanding, distressing with ink and embossing it with clear EP. The folder I used is an older Cuttlebug one - "Holly". I found it quite relaxing painting the image, and the whole process went quite well (unlike the frustration of the cracked finish in Day 4 tag).

double click to enlarge pic

close-up of metal background

My metal sheet is gold (Tim used silver). At first, I was going to leave the background as it was, but then decided to paint it beige. After sanding and distressing with the walnut stain, I'm glad I did that step as it gives a nice, aged "patina".

I think I took more time deciding what I was going to add for embellishments, than doing the technique!  I had several different ideas; using a verse tag/ticket; stamping and fussy cutting a poinsetta. However, I wanted to keep most of the embossed, painted image showing so kept it rather plain except for the decoration at the top.

I'm amazed at the finish after doing all the steps. The tag doesn't seem like it is made with metal - it almost feels like leather! Neat!

Sharon
Dec.7/2011

Tim Holtz Twelve Days of Christmas - Day 5

(Click on Title of this post to go directly to Tim's blog for Day 5)

This tag had a technique I hadn't done before. Tim used his reflection stamps to do a whole background but I decided to try a snowflake image on a smaller piece of acrylic. I used Cranberry and Red Pepper alcohol inks. He said to let the ink completely dry, so I left it for about 10 minutes before stamping with the archival.  I found the archival ink wouldn't rub off. So I did another alcohol background, just barely let it dry, then stamped. The technique worked perfectly revealing the snowflake.  I cut the ornament on my Cricut (Christmas Noel cartridge) out of left-over plastic packaging.


Double click to enlarge pic

close-up of alcohol technique on
back of ornament


On printed Basic Grey Wassail snowflake paper, I stamped an Inkadinkadoo snowflake scroll diagonally across the tag, then sponged the edges with Pumice Stone and Festive Berries distress ink.  Created a little tag with one of Tim's fragments, found a shiny snowflake embellie in my stash, punched a border from coordinating paper with Martha Stewart quilted edge punch, and added a big organza bow. The shiny snowflake looks kind of odd in my picture,as the natural light from window is only picking up half of the holographic shimmer.

I like the red for this snowflake tag instead of blue!

Sharon
Dec. 7,2011

Tim Holtz Twelve Days of Christmas -Day4

(Click on the title of this post to go directly to Tim's blog - Day 4)

This tag sure had a lot of steps!!!  I pretty much followed Tim's instructions and worked at it in stages throughout the day, waiting for the snow cap paint to dry and the crackle glaze. Ended up doing three before I was happy with the crackle.

double click to enlarge pic

Things I did change are
-stamped trees instead of the flourish
-put the acrylic snowflake border towards the outside and used Star Dust stickles over the Snow Cap paint on the edges.

I also didn't use as many embellishments on my tag -left off the tulle button, and some of the trimmings near the bottom and on the snowman's hat.

I thought I had some tulle left over from my daughter's wedding three years ago. You should have seen me. I looked like a whirling dervish checking all the cupboards in my craft room and my sewing bins, but couldn't find it. So I tore some 4" wide organza into 1" strips which made a "shabby chic" frayed edge ribbon. 

I made two of these snowman tags - one is more country with twine and gingham, so I don't want to ruin the surprise for my friend by showing a pic.

Sharon
Dec.4/2011

Tim's Twelve Days of Christmas - Day 3

(click on title of this post to go directly to Tim's blog - Day 3)

My take on Tim's Day 3 Tag:


I got out my verse stamps and randomly stamped over the kraft tag in different coloured distress inks, as I didn't have cut 'n dry felt to try the stamping technique for this tag. Improvisation is the name of the game, eh?
Sponged around the edge with Forest Moss and Tea Dye. Added a chipboard holly and leaf embellie by K&Company, ribbon, twine and bell.

I did try the technique where he wraps his twine around a pencil, & heats it to make it curly. Works great! It amazes me how he thinks of these things!!!!

Sharon
Dec.3/2011

Tim Holtz Twelve Days of Christmas - Day 2

(Click on title of this post to go directly to Tim' Blog  - Day 2)

Here is my finished Day 2 tag:

double click to enlarge pics

close-up of Pearl Mist "snow"
This tag took a little longer than I expected because I wasn't happy with the first background that I made, especially the spritzing of the Pearl Mist to get the "snow" effect. Tim makes it look a lot easier than it is .....when I squeezed the bottle and pressed the mister, I got HUGE drops of stuff on the tag that rapidly spread into puddles. Anyhow, I did manage to get some smaller drops on the second background.Another "boo, boo" happened.  The Pearl Mist spray kind of drifted on to my completed reindeer which I thought was sitting far enough away  (maybe because I was pressing the sides of the bottle?) So he is a little sparkly too, but that's a good thing!

I don't have any kraft resist paper, so I used a section of  page from Tim's Idea-ology Seasonal Paper, and stamped the verse merry christmas and postmark before using the Picket Fence paint dauber.

All in all, I'm happy with this one!

Sharon
Dec.3/2011

Tim's Twelve Days of ChristmasTags 2011 -Day 1

(Click on title of this post to go directly to Tim's blog -Day 1)

I'm so excited that Tim's tags are up and running!! Last year, I didn't have all that much TH product, just a few distress inks. Since the summer I've been buying supplies to get ready for this year's tags. Sadly though, I ordered the pinecone die and it is backordered....SIGH! At least watching Tim's video for the Day 1 tag, now I know how to put the pinecone together once I receive the die.

I followed Tim's instructions for doing the background of the tag on the  Co-ordination cardstock, and really like how this technique turned out. I very tentatively made the slit in my SU "Northern Flurry" embossing folder to insert the tag and it worked perfectly. The sled was created on my Cricut with the "Stretch Your Imagination" cartridge set on real dial size at 3". The winter verse is an older Sizzix Sizzlet cut from silver mirror paper.

double click to enlarge pics



On the bottom edge is Tim's edgeability snowflake die which I cut from SU Glittery paper. A sheet of this stuff is so sparkly, it hurts your eyes to look at it! I love that the glitter is firmly attached and doesn't rub off when cutting or handling. Hope they come out with gold next year.

For the top of the tag, I dyed the ribbon with TH distress ink "Iced Spruce" according to his instructions, added a trinket pin, a round facet and some sprigs from Martha Stewart's pine punch.

I hope this tag evokes the crisp feeling of winter and sledding!

Sharon
Dec.2/2011

Challenges:

Tim Holtz- Tag Day 1

Joans  Gardens  - Tags

Cards Und More #40- Snowflake

Crazy for Challenges - Snow

CCEE Stampers #1148  - Snowflakes

Santa Tag- Rosette made with crimper

I took colour inspiration for this tag from Linda, The Funkie Junkie and her twelve days of christmas tags "funkie junkie" style. I see that these colours are also the challenge over at Gingersnap Creations
double click to enlarge pics

close-up of  Perfect Pearls glimmer


The background is done by patting on a silicone mat TH "Scattered Straw" and "Brushed Corduroy" distressed inks. I also spritzed Perfect Pearls "Biscotti" into the mix of inks, then smooched the tag around in the mixture, and dried with a heat gun. Then I sponged "Fired Brick" all around the edge.

I have been seeing all sorts of rosettes on blogs, and of course, Tim Holtz's rosette die comes to mind, and the Cricut cartridge "Rosettes and Ribbons". Well, I was playing with my crimper last week and thought that this would be ideal for making rosettes! It worked! Just make sure to keep the strip very straight when rolling through the crimper. I almost gave away my crimper some time ago. Just goes to show you never know when something stored in your  craft cupboard that hasn't seen the light of day for quite a few years might come in handy! LOL

I cut a 1-1/2" wide piece of 12" long paper, and used my Martha Stewart small scallop punch along the edge. After punching, this makes the strip approximately 1-1/4" wide. I made valley folds sort of every other crimp - that's just approximate. Then I followed Tim Holtz' tutorial on making rosettes.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gcBUyhGDpO4&feature=player_embedded
The rosette is sponged on the edges and spritzed with the Perfect Pearls Biscotti. For the centre, I cut a 1" circle from brown printed Santa paper (Kaisercraft "Tis the Season") and covered it with Crystal Glaze.

I cut the Santa letters on my Cricut from brushed gold paper using the Storeybook cartridge,  capital font at 1". They sort of look like Tim's vintage letter die strip.

The glitter at the bottom is a new purchase and I love this stuff! It's made by Stampendous, Fran-tage line of products -"Champagne Crushed Glass" chunky glitter. I adhered it with Sookwang 1/4" wide tape.

Background music stamp and ticket stamps are from Tim Holtz.

I like how this tag turned out! 

Sharon
Dec.1/2011

Challenges:

The Funkie Junkie Tag #12

Gingersnap Creations #128 colour  - Yellow, red, brown

Stampacular Sunday  - Anything Goes

Drunken Stampers - Monochromatic

Simon Says- Anything Goes

Fluffles christmas baking

I bought this stamp on sale after christmas last year, and thought it was too cute! This card is going to my sis Kim who loves cats and their antics.


The design is based on the sketch this week at Card Patterns.
double click to enlarge pic




Supplies used were scraps of patterned paper, ribbon, copic markers, buttons, baker's twine, quilted edge punch, Spellbinders Label One, and TH Tea Dye distress ink. There is stickles glitter on the "cookies", but hard to see with the sun shining on the card.

Sharon
Nov.30/2011

Challenges:

Card Patterns:  Sketch #143

Craft Your Days Away #34- buttons and bows

Stampacular Sunday:  Anything Goes Christmas

Mitten Ornaments

My friend Marilyn recently came for a crafting weekend and I borrowed her Spellbinders Mitten die to cut some felt ornaments. She had made me one last Christmas and I thought it was so cute!


I found if I first stitched around the edge of the mitten with my sewing machine, it gave me a line to follow when I hand stitched the blanket stitch edging in  silver embroidery floss.

To decorate them, I used a variety of ribbon, lace, pearls, stickers and bells, along with Tim Holtz fragments :
-red mittens - the images under the fragments are from Crafty Secrets cardstock stickers
-white mitten - I embossed a snowflake,  adhered the fragment over the snowflake,  the verse is a rub-on, then I adhered self-adhesive acrylic over the rub-on to protect it. A lot of work for one tiny embellishment!

Double click to enlarge pics




Sharon
Nov.30/2011

Challenges:

The Paper Variety - Show us your ornaments

Simon Says - Anything Goes

Crafts for Eternity:  Recipe #47 Christmas Decorations

Sweet Stamping Challenge  - Dies/Punches

Shabby Tea Room - Winter Picnic (White,cream, silver, glitter)

Stampacular Sunday Challenge -  #140 Anything Goes

White on White Anniversary Card

My husband's sister & her husband are celebrating their 45th anniversary this coming with weekend with a party at their home. This is the card I created:

double  click to enlarge pics


close up of shimmer


First of all I cut a layer and spritzed it all over with Perfect Pearl "Pearl" mist.  When it was dry, I embossed it with the Cuttlebug  folder "Scrollwork", and cut an oval aperture opening using Nesties large oval.

The wine glasses were cut at 2.25" using my Cricut and the "Stretch Your Imagination" cartridge, page 73. I placed a tiny piece of acrylic behind each top opening of the glass and attached bows on each stem.

Then I stamped and embossed the word "love" on a piece of scrap,  cut it out with Spellbinders Fancy Tags and attached two self-adhesive pearls.

I used Stampin'Up Shimmery White for the background paper.

Sharon
Nov.23/2011

Challenges:

Crop Stop All inWhite #46

Southern Girls Bingo #32 (I used the middle line across "diecuts, gems, ribbon"
I hope that pearls are acceptable as the gem requirement.

Penny's Paper  Craft Challenges #67 - Tie One On (I have tied ribbon bows on the wine glasses)

Winner on Oldie but Goodie challenge!

I had entered my Santa Paws card on the Oldie but Goodie challenge on Nov. 8th.  When I was checking their blog for this week's challenge, while I didn't make the top three, I noticed that my name was randomly drawn to win 5 stamps from Stampelkallen, a swedish rubber stamp company. 

I'm so excited, this makes my day!!

Sharon
Nov.17/2011

Snowman Tag

I was playing with some of my Tim Holtz stuff and created this snowman tag  based on a "debossing" tutorial by Tammy Tutterow but I changed a few steps.
http://tammytutterow.typepad.com/tammy_tutterow/2011/11/tuesday-tutorial-frosty-deboss.html

So here's what I did. The background (TH Tumbled Glass and Broken China Distress Ink) is done using the technique on page 33 of Tim's book "A Compendium of Curiosities". Next I placed the tag in Stampin Up "Northern Flurry" embossing folder, but upside down to deboss the image. This makes indents, rather than a raised surface. In the indented areas only, I spread some TH Rock Candy Distress Stickles, as I didn't have the rock candy crackle paste to spread over the whole tag.  I also spritzed some Perfect Pearl "Pearl" Mist over the whole surface once the stickles was dry. Finally I randomly stamped some snowflakes with Versamark and embossed with clear irridescent EP.  It's so shimmery - wish the camera could capture it!

Tim's snowman stamp is inked in black, then I covered the image with self-adhesive acrylic and fussy cut all around. I wrapped some red baker's twine around the neck to look like a scarf, and diecut a snowflake from  SU Silver Glittery paper to place on his body. The rhinestone snowflake is a dollar store find.

Beneath the snowman, I tore a strip of paper rounding it to give the impression of snow, stamped the verse, and sponged around the edge with Broken China. Added the silver rickrack, and some SU Mica Flakes.

double click to enlarge pic

Sharon
Nov.17/2011

Challenges
Top Tip Tuesday - Tags
Stamps are Us - Bling it on
Whoopsie Daisy - Colours of winter

Santa Paws

The Stamptacular Sunday Challenge this week is a sketch challenge:


double click to enlarge pic


The 2 stamp, clear mini set is by Inkadinkadoo #60-30592 "Santa Dog"  There is also a verse "santa claus is coming to town"; however, I created a verse in Wordpad changing it to "santa paws is coming to town" for a touch of humour.

I created a scene with tree and snowflake stamps, stamped the dog image in the middle, and coloured it with Copic markers. Tim Holtz DI "Weathered Wood" was sponged around the edge. I added CrystalGlaze to the dog's nose, belt and jingle bell, along with white fun flock on the dog's coat.  Star Dust Stickles was applied along the snow lines. I also embellished it with a north pole arrow  brad, green twine and a star button.

The tree and striped paper is from a 6x6 pad Basic Grey "Eskimo Kisses". The red star paper is from 6x6 pad Basic Grey "Jovial".  Martha Stewart Edge punch.

I'm going to give this card to Alex, the owner of the doggy day care where my dog, Penny, boards when we are on vacation and has grooming.

Here's a tip for  Top Tip Tuesday

After using Stickles or Crystal Glaze, this is what I do. I unbend a paper clip to make a straight piece of metal, insert it in the tip of the Stickles and pull upward clearing out any residue, then replace the cap.This makes it much easier to start the product the next time I use it.
Sharon
Nov.8/2011

Challenge


Cards for Men #23- Its Nearly Christmas

Oldie but Goodie - Buttons and Bows

Top Tip Tuesday -Anything Goes Christmas (see Tip in above post)




Tim Holtz Alterations Snow Flurries Edge die

The Tim Holtz snow flurries edge die is also a new toy I recently purchased. I used SU Glittery Silver paper for the die and the snowflakes.  The paper is 12x12 and comes two sheets to a package. I'm loving it!!! The glitter does not come off when using it for die and punch cutting, and it's so SPARKLY!!!!

The stamped image underneath the oval aperture (cut with Nesties) is a Penny Black cling stamp #40-030 "Wish for Peace". I inked it with SU "Not Quite Navy".  I also used Silver Stickles on the image but they seem to pick up the navy blue, rather than being silver - not quite pleased with that!  The embossed snowflake background is a SU folder from last year's catalogue.

My daughter and husband were home visiting for the weekend. The guys are outside doing some carpentry on our garage, so we did some stamping and each made a couple of these cards. She has previously done a little stamping, but not much, so I thought this design would be fairly easy for her.  She was pleased with her efforts and now she has a couple of handmade cards to send out.

Sharon
Nov.6/2011
Double click to enlarge pic


Challenges:

Winter Wonderland - Make your card Glitter/Sparkle

Cas-ual Fridays #27 - panel or design over edge of card

Trash to Treasure Blog Give-away

Linda is a having a birthday give-away on her blog Trash to Treasure. Check out the link by clicking on the title of this post to see the wonderful goodies she is offering and to read what is required. There is a BONUS too, which I would like to be part of as well.


Sharon
Nov. 6, 2011

New Dove Sizzix Die and Embossing Folder combo

I recently ordered this new Sizzix die and embossing folder combo #657361. The dove is quite large when cut - about 4-1/2" wide. After you cut the die, you place it in the embossing folder exactly within the "frame" of the design to create the beautiful embossed pattern. There are several other combos just released - a star, ornament, holly leaves and snowman.  I think they are all very pretty!

Here is the card I created with the dove. I sponged Tim Holtz Tea Dye distress ink all over the raised embossed areas, applied German Glass Glitter to the wing portions, along with a pearl brad, pearl for the eye and ribbon bow on the neck. The verse is embossed directly on the background paper with Fine Gold EP.

The christmas cards I'm recently making will actually be mailed. So I'm trying to keep my embellishments to a minimum to reduce the postage costs of thicker envies.

Sharon
Nov. 6/2011
double click to enlarge pics







Challenges:

Winter Wonderland - Make your card sparkle

Truly Scrumptious #69 - Bingo Challenge. I used the bottom third row -glitter, punch/die-cuts/ribbon

Really Reasonable Ribbon #35 Christmas Theme ribbon/lace trim

CCEE#1144 - four embellishments (ribbon, lace, pearl brad, german glass glitter
.

Christmas Tree Cards


double click to enlarge pic
I found this template for a christmas tree shaped card on-line; however, it didn't download and print off correctly. So I had to go ahead,draw and cut one myself which took a bit of time. It's an odd shape when laid out flat before scoring and folding. After making the first card, I also decided to cut a layer somewhat smaller to glue the bits of paper and ribbon to that piece, then attach it to the main card layer.  This makes it easier to tuck the ends of the ribbon behind, concealing them and making a clean finish.

 It's a great card for using up those small bits of left over paper, scraps of ribbon/lace and your decorative punches!  The pink card on the left has stickles on the dots along the bottom and around the loops of the punched piece which is hard to see in the pic.

I stamped inside "Have yourself a merry little Christmas!"



Sharon
Nov.1/2011

Really Reasonable Ribbon Challenge #35 -Christmas

Tim Holtz Inspired Halloween Tag

I was reading the current Grungy Monday challenge at Studio L3 - Tim Holtz in 10! and thought I would give it a try. Now this is quite a challenge for sure! I planned out the design, set the timer for 10 minutes, then got to it.

I cut out the raven using my Cricut and the "October 31st" cartridge, then cut a 3"x6" piece of Tim's halloween word paper from his Idea-ology 12 x 12 paper pad, ripped both ends, and applied it to a tag. Sponged Spiced Marmalade DI around the edge, followed by Black Soot DI.  I already had a stash of grungeboard bookplates cut from Tim's Alterations Tag die, so this saved a minute or two. Rubbed Versamark over the bookplate and covered it with black EP in which I mixed a few specs of Stampendous Frantage Mica Fragments. They bond when the EP is melted.  You have to be careful and gentle with the heat gun doing this technique - the first time I tried it, the mica bits blew all over the place!

I used my oval punch to cut an orange background for the bookplate, sponged it lightly with Black Soot DI and affixed the numbers (Doodlebug 123's) in the centre. They are sort of white coloured but  pick up the orange shade when glued down. Copper brads on each end, and foam tape pop up the bookplate.

I also cut out a little sign "trick or treat" from Tim's Idea-ology paper, covered it with self-adhesive acrylic, placed it behind the bookplate and underneath the raven.

Finally, I applied Black Stickles glitter to the wing portions of the raven, along with black eyelash fibres and orange glittery ribbon to the top of the tag.

The timer rang when I was applying the stickles and I hadn't covered as much as I wanted, so it probably took an actual 12 minutes to finish. Is this OK for the challenge??  I have never moved so quickly while stamping/creating!!!! LOL

So, thanks Linda for this challenge....it was fun.


double click to enlarge pic
Sharon
October 22/2011

CHALLENGES:

Studio L3 Grungy Monday - Tim in 10

Gingersnap Creations GC123 - Ravens

Going Grey with Scrap-creations Challenge - Tags

All Sorts - Week 128 Halloween

Autumn Trio

On Saturday past, I had a card making afternoon and created three autumn themed cards.

I began by using a new clear stamp by Inkadinkadoo- "Corn Stalks" #60-30561. First of all, I sponged Tim Holtz distress inks Scattered Straw and Spiced Marmalade on glossy C/S, then I embossed the image in black which created fall colours in the plants and the yellow harvest moon. I cut it out with Spellbinders circles.
I embossed Coordination paper with the Cuttlebug Pumpkin Harvest folder #37-1906, sanded the embossed areas, and sponged TH Spiced Marmalade on the leaves and pumpkins. The edge was distressed with TH distressing tool and sponged with the same two colours of inks.

Each card I created a little differently with brads, rafia, punches, crocheted edged ribbon, Sizzix Sizzlet pumpkin & oak leaf dies, chipboard phrase, Spellbinder scallop circles, Spellbinder Curved Rectangle nesties, etc.  The two bottom cards have the fall verse label on  the inside.

The verse label is also a new Inkadinkadoo clear set that contains two phrase stamps- "Autumn Verses" #60-30566.

double click to enlarge all pics



I am entering the first card "Fall Gold" into the following challenges:

-Stamptacular Sunday Challenge: "Fall Photo Inspiration  #132
-Friday Mashup #26: Fall & Brad
-Dragon Den: Fall into Colour
-Pals Paper Arts #113: Heat Embossing

Sharon
Oct. 3/2011





Autumn Squirrel (Mojo Monday Sketch #207)

I've had this squirrel stamp by Uptown Design for quite a number of years, and it is still one of my favourites for autumn cards, and colouring. I followed the sketch at Mojo Monday, although I turned the sketch vertical, and made it somewhat square rather than long and narrow (in order to fit in my envies!).

double clic to enlarge image


Challenges

Really Reasonable Ribbon - Autumn

Friday Mash Up #24 - Autumn

Sharon
Sept. 20/2011

Wedding Card

Here is a wedding card I made this week, sort of clean and simple? I used two different white cardstocks (Bazzill Bling and SU White Shimmer) , printed romance paper that I had in my stash sponged with gold ink, and one inch wide organza ribbon overlaid with white satin leaf ribbon. I created the flower with the Tim Holtz Tattered Flower die -there are 10 layers of organza and the petals were slightly heated with a heat gun which makes the ribbon curl on the edges. The pearl brad is from "Eyelet Outlet". In order to match the white & gold theme, I used a gold Krylon marker to paint and cover the silver edge colour of the brad. The tag is Spellbinders "Fancy Tags" and the verse is embossed with fine gold EP.

I entering my card into two challenges as follows:

Polkadoodle Challenge #37 Whiteout

Craftyribbons Challenge#2 Anything Goes

double clic to enlarge pic
Sharon
Sept.17/2011

Hello Stamping Friends

It's been quite a while since I posted anything, except for the beach theme tag in the previous post.  We have moved back to town from the cottage and I'm looking forward to getting in the swing of Fall. Of course that mean stamping! LOL.
I'm thinking of Hallowe'en and autumn theme cards, and it's not too early to be planning for Christmas as well. I've been having fun the past hour reading all the posts that I've missed and seeing all the wonderful things you've created!

First up though....I have to make a wedding card for my husband's niece whose big day is September 24th. It's still in the planning stages. Once made, I'll be sure to post and hopefully it will meet a few challenges as well.

Sharon
Sept.9/2011

Summer Beach Tag

I made this tag earlier in the summer and didn't get around to posting. There are still a few good beach days left in Nova Scotia and the ocean is quite warm....our summer didn't really arrive until mid August.
So maybe you won't think it too strange to be showing this tag in September! LOL

The vintage style stamps I found in an office supply/art store in Bradenton, Florida while visiting Anna Maria Island in May. All the images (except the beach sign) are from the set called "Retro Oceanside" by TJ Designs Rubber Stamps. There are 15 cling red rubber stamps in a large cd type case. Here's the link to the website:
http://www.tweetyjill.com/productcart/pc/viewCategories.asp?idCategory=4

I did a freehand watercolour scene of sky and ocean on the background of the tag, sponged the edge, then stamped the various images in Tim Holtz distressed ink. The girl was stamped on a separate piece of cardstock,torn, sponged, and mounted on the tag. She is very glamourous with black stickles on her bathing suit!  I have a grainy embossing powder that I like to use for sand which was sprinkled randomly along the bottom. Bits of actual beach glass, shells, a button and fibres completes the tag.  On the back is stamped "Listen to the ocean, it beckons you" from the same set.

Sharon
Double click to enlarge pic

September 9,  2011



Sad Farewell -Let's Ink It Up Challenge Blog

Suzanne has announced today that she is closing down LIIU due to her ill health. I enjoyed working with her along with the other Design Team Members, and seeing all the talent there is out in blogland.

Suzanne, I'm sending huge cyber hugs and positive thoughts for your full recovery.
Take care,
Sharon
May 29, 2011

Let's Ink It Up "Team B" -Challenge #15

The next challenge for Let's Ink It Up is by our design "Team B".  To be in with a chance of winning a fabulous prize, the theme for this challenge is:
 
" Focal sentiment and a 3D flower" 

Remember that we are a rubber/clear stamping challenge so no digi stamps please
this time. We want to see the sentiment as the focal point of your project.


 
Here's a little info from the lovely Anne at Kreativ Hobby
Kreativ Hobby
We are a Norwegian rubberstamp producer – with more than 1000 different designs. In our webshop you will find all our rubbestamps under the category “STEMPLER”. All prices are in Norwegian Kroner. We ship worldwide and all information regarding international shipping is on our website: http://www.kreativhobby.no/
The winner can choose 4 rubberstamps from Kreativ Hobby Design. Value app. NOK 200 or  $35

So hop on over to Let's Ink It Up blog and take a peek at the beautiful cards created by design Team B. Comments are always welcome!

Sharon
May 15, 2011

Let's Ink It Up Challenge #14 Embellishments

We are back from our two week vacation at Anna Maria Island, Florida. The temperatures were from 85 to 93F most days, but not humid, as there is always a nice breeze blowing off the Gulf of Mexico. Hubby and I had our long beach walk most mornings followed by a swim. Then some beach time in the afternoon with two or three swims as the sun was so hot. Our friends from Sweden and Ohio were there again this year, and we had lots of laughs with them!

Let's Ink It Up Challenge #14 is Embellishments. Remember... NO DIGIS are allowed. We want to see stamping! The sponsor is Annabelle Stamps who is donating a $20 Gift Voucher. Here is the store-
http://www.annabellestamps.blogspot.com/ 


Well as promised in my last post, here is my card for the challenge, although it is somewhat late...the challenge is almost over!
Double Click to enlarge image
 I did a masculine, time themed card. Had very inky fingers after this project. LOL! For the background, I did sponging with Tim Holtz distress inks (Antique Linen, Tea Dye, Forest Moss and Shabby Shutters, and randomly stamped various clock stamps & and a flourish.Also distressed and inked the edge all around.

I did Tim Holtz' Rusted Grunge technique on the round chipboard frame,embossed a clock in black on the center circle,cut out the clock hands with my Cricut. The banner triangles, mounted on a thin brown ribbon held with brads, are stamped with a woodgrain stamp, sponged with Tea Dye and Forest Moss, and the
alphabets are stamped with Pine Needles.  The little embellie at the top right corner is a clock stamp covered with Crystal Glaze, cut out and mounted under a Tim Holtz metal sprocket. The advertisement is from a sheet of specialty paper which I sponged Distress inks to age it further. For the tag, I embossed the verse in black detail EP, and sponged Forest Moss around the edge. May Arts ribbon.

Sharon
May 10/2011