GCA #115 - The Colors of Christmas!!!

Hello all!!!  Did you think I forgot??  I really didn't didn't, but I got pulled away by two very adorable and lovable little boys yesterday!!!  However, on to the stamping today!!

This week the focus is on the colors of Christmas.  Traditional colors, like:

RED
GREEN
GOLD

You may use any combination of these colors, or or just one, but your creations for this week must include one of the colors above.  Of course, neutrals may be added as needed.

The card I have to show you today covers 4 different challenges!!!!  The first is CC299 on SCS.  The colors are Real Red, River Rock and Old Olive.  The second is SC309 on SCS.  The sketch calls for a square card and I went with it!!  The finished size is 5.5 x 5.5.  This is one large card!!  The third is for Shelli's monthly challenge on her blog, So Shelli.  She is the co-founder of SU!  The challenge this month is techniques.  And of course, the fourth is for the GCA!

Most of the details are pretty obvious, but I want to talk about the techniques I did on here.  The most obvious is the Torn Frame technique I learned from the Technique Junkies.  It really is easy to do and makes a wow for your images.  Another one, and one of my favorite, is watercoloring with my Watercolor Wonder Crayons!!  I used my blender pen to pull off the color from the crayon and onto the image.

It's a little difficult to see, but I used the Champagne Mist shimmer paint for the tree ornaments and around the scallops on the sentiment.  I used my stylus, dipped it into the paint and then dotted the shimmer paint where I wanted it.  The background dsp is from Presto Patterns, which I highlighted with Real Red and River Rock.

And the last technique on here is the hot new trend with ribbon: scrunching/ruffling!  This is so much fun to do and very easy once you get the hang of it!  When you give it a try, be prepared though, because you do use more ribbon than you think you will!!!  The bow was tied using my bow-maker.

Upload your creation to either your blog or to an online gallery and post a link to your creation to this blog entry by December 11, 2010 at 12 midnight. I will choose the winner the next day. If you upload your card to SCS, PaperCraft Planet, Stampin' Addicts, Stampin' Connection (for SU! demos) or Stamp TV, please put GCA115 in your keywords. That way everyone can see all of the wonderful creations at once!

Even if you can't make the drawing deadline, PLEASE feel free to participate in the challenges and upload your creations at any time. I would love to see it! And yes, my challenge is open to everyone who visits, even if you live outside the US!



Happy Stamping!!!!

~~~Ann~~~~

GCA #113 - The Colors of Fall!!

Hello all!!!  Another wonderful Sunday afternoon spent with my stampin friends.  This was the second in a two class series to complete Christmas cards.  I'll post pics of them soon.

Since this is the last full week of November, and Thanksgiving is Thursday, I thought we would focus on the beautiful colors of fall.  Most of the color is gone from Michigan now, but I still like these colors.

For your creation this week you need to include at least one of the following colors:

BROWN
GREEN
ORANGE/RED
YELLOW

You can use any color variation of these colors, I'm just listing the "general" colors.

My card I created for a "wonderful friend" of mine who is very dear to me!!  She is also having a bit of a difficult time and I just want her to know that she's in my thoughts.  This also uses the colors from the CC295 over on SCS of: Cajun Craze, Peach Parfait and Early Espresso.

My card base is Espresso layered with Peach Parfait dsp.  The Cajun Craze was punched with the double ribbon punch.  The sentiment panel is Very Vanilla and stamped in Cajun Craze.  I also sponged the edges with Cajun Craze.

I was playing around with the new cork sheets and my big shot, so that is how the leaves ended up on here.  The other leaves are punched from Wild Wasabi using the 2 step bird punch.  The Wild Wasabi piece was ran through with the Lattice Square die.  A piece Chantilly lace and some tiny pearls, finishes it off!!

The sketch is from Stampin' Connection, SCCSC38.

Upload your creation to either your blog or to an online gallery and post a link to your creation to this blog entry by November 27, 2010 at 12 midnight. I will choose the winner the next day. If you upload your card to SCS, PaperCraft Planet, Stampin' Addicts, Stampin' Connection (for SU! demos) or Stamp TV, please put GCA113 in your keywords. That way everyone can see all of the wonderful creations at once!


Even if you can't make the drawing deadline, PLEASE feel free to participate in the challenges and upload your creations at any time. I would love to see it! And yes, my challenge is open to everyone who visits, even if you live outside the US!


Happy Stamping!!!!


~~~Ann~~~~

GCA #94 Winner is....

.... Cindy from Cre8tivecindy with her Strawberry card.  She made the most delightful card with wonderful stitching on it!!  Cindy please send me your address to pinkstamper06@yahoo.com and I will get a stampin' goodie package out to you!

Thanks to everyone who played along again this week and to my new players!  You all are much appreciated!

Up Next:  GCA #95 - The Feel of Independence Day!!

Don't forget, I will have an awesome blog candy up the week I am at convention in Salt Lake City!!!  That will be the week of July 19 - 25th!  I am so excited to go and offer you blog candy!!

Happy Stamping!!

~~~Ann~~~

GCA #54 - Watercoloring!!

Hello all!!! This week we are trying our hand at watercoloring!!! Now don't start moaning and groaning, as this can be achieved in may ways!

For example:

* Watercolor Wonder Crayons

* Re-inkers

* Ink off your lid cover

* Using actual watercolors!!!

And many more, which if you visit the Resources section on SCS you can find complete tutorials.

I am not a great watercolor person myself, but I do like to use my Watercolor Wonder Crayons and a blender pen to get that effect. You can also use an aquapainter or a regular paintbrush. Of course, having open line images goes without saying!!

Well, this isn't a new card, but one I had in my archives! (Did get the camera though!!) I used my watercolor wonder crayons on here and a blender pen. This is my "go to" choice for watercoloring, but I have used my blender pen and ink lids too. This set is from Treehouse Stamps and I'm not sure it's still available. The cardstock colors of Cameo Coral, Apricot Appeal, Mellow Moss and Creamy Caramel are from an old CC on SCS.

So, the challenge this week is to make a card, project or scrapbook page with any type of watercolored images, upload it either to your blog, or to an online gallery and post a link to your card to this blog entry as a comment by August 22, 2009 at 12 midnight. I will choose the winner through a random drawing and post the next Sunday.

Even if you can't make the drawing deadline, PLEASE feel free to participate in the challenge and upload your creations at any time. I would love to see it! If you upload your card on SCS, Stampin' Addicts or Paper Craft Planet, please put GCA54(NO SPACE IN BETWEEN GCA AND 54) in the keyword section.That way everyone can look at all of the creations at once! If you've been waiting to join in the fun, jump on in and have some fun!! And yes, my challenge is open to everyone who visits, even if you live outside the US!!!

Happy Stamping!!!

~~~Ann~~~

GCA #50 - Full of Surprises!!

Hello everyone!!! Here we are at the 50th Getting Creative with Ann Challenge!! I just can't believe that I've made it to 50 challenges so far, and I just love doing this!! I am so happy to have inspired so many people and I hope to keep inspiring you with many more challenges and projects I put up on my blog!!

Now, as I promised there is an awesome, (well I think it is!), stampin goodie package up for grabs this week. Now you can see what you are working for this week!! Here's just a few of the items in the package:

* Ribbon jar full of many different ribbons

* Pack of Delicate Dots dsp (SAB 09)

* Brand new/Never used Lizzie Anne Designs stamp set - Joles Fleurs

* Set of 10 cards by me : )

* And various odds & ends

For the challenge this week, it is a combo of 3 things!

First, is the sketch. I love sketches, and finding new ones, but I also like to go back to old sketches and do them with new stuff!! So, for this part click on the SCS Sketch Challenge link and check it out!! This is SC134 and it is a Tent Topper card!! If you've never made one before, they are fun and addicting!! To help get your creative juices flowing, check out the SC134 gallery.

Second, you must use only the colors of Orange, Yellow, Green and White on your card. Any shades of these colors will work, and they DO NOT have to be specific to SU!

Third, and final, is NO FLOWERS!!!!! You cannot use flowers of any kind, either with stamps, designer paper, die cuts or embellishments. I know I have way too many flower stamps and so I need to move outside that comfort zone, and I thought I would take all of you with me!!

So, for this week's GCA you need to create a card, project or scrapbook page that uses all of the criteria above, upload it either to your blog, or to an online gallery and post a link to your card to this blog entry as a comment by July 25, 2009 at 12 midnight. I will choose the winner through a random number generator and post the next Sunday.

Even if you can't make the drawing deadline, PLEASE feel free to participate in the challenge and upload your creations at any time. I would love to see it! If you upload your card on SCS, Stampin' Addicts or Paper Craft Planet, please put GCA50(NO SPACE IN BETWEEN GCA AND 50) in the keyword section. That way everyone can look at all of the creations at once! If you've been waiting to join in the fun, jump on in and have some fun!!

Today is my new catalog Open House and I am busy finalizing everything for that, but as soon as I can I will get a sample up for you and a look at the stampin goodie package!!!

Happy Stamping!!!

~~~Ann~~~

GCA #48 - The Basic Tools!

Hello all!! I hope everyone had an enjoyable 4th, and safe one!! For this week's GCA, we are focusing on those basic tools we all had when we first started stamping!!

I have been using my crimper A LOT these days, and every time I use it I remember why I like it, but many times I forget to use it!

Both of my samples for you are using the crimper, but you DO NOT have to use a crimper. Any basic tool you really haven't pulled out and used in awhile is perfect! Remember when we used a light box and stylus for dry embossing? So make sure you're tools are basic!

My first sample I made during the week I spent in Indy for training. I took 1/2 of my stamp room with me, I think! I'm sure the hotel staff didn't know what to think! But, I had a lot of parts and pieces of things and used them to create some cards, and this is one of them!

The black piece was put through the crimper, length wise and not real tight, to create a subtle textured BG. The rest just kind of went together by chance, and there it is. I kept trying to put something at the top of the card, but nothing ever looked right and now I like it just fine! Actually, it is one of my favorites!

My second sample was created for this weeks Color Combo challenge on SCS: Kraft, Night of Navy and So Saffron to make a quick and simple thank you card for a co-worker. Actually, my layout/design came from a shirt she was wearing one day!! The only stamping on here is the sentiment. All the rest is Big Shot or punching!! I used my Simple Flower embosslit and Little Leaves sizzlet for the main images and to add a little texture, I crimped the So Saffron layer.

Again, I used the new set Teeny Tiny Wishes for sentiment. I am so loving this new set, and I can't seem to stop using it!! There is a sentiment for almost any occasion in there. The polka dotted ribbon I used is the new Crushed Curry gg. Yummy isn't it?

So, for this week's GCA you need to create a card, project or scrapbook page that uses any of your BASIC TOOLS, upload it either to your blog, or to an online gallery and post a link to your card to this blog entry as a comment by July 11, 2009 at 12 midnight. I will choose the winner through a random number generator and post the next Sunday.

Even if you can't make the drawing deadline, PLEASE feel free to participate in the challenge and upload your creations at any time. I would love to see it! If you upload your card on SCS, Stampin' Addicts or Paper Craft Planet, please put GCA48(NO SPACE IN BETWEEN GCA AND 48) in the keyword section. That way everyone can look at all of the creations at once! If you've been waiting to join in the fun, jump on in and have some fun!!

Happy Stamping!!

~~~Ann~~~

I'm So Sorry - CC223

Hello all!!! I was able to squeeze in the color challenge for this week on the actual day it was posted!!! I should be cleaning, but dirt will always be there!!

Well, this card did not end up as I originally planned it, BUT I do like the end result, even though it is a sympathy card for stampin' sister who just lost her mother.

I wanted to play with my new stuff, which I did, but as I was playing with this I realized the colors are very soothing for a sympathy card.

I used the large image in Razzle Dazzle with the Baby Wipe tech using Ruby Red and Baja Breeze re-inkers. You can't tell very well in the pic, but I then took the baby wipe and went around the edges of the main panel. Once done, I ran it lightly, through my crimper.

The "apron" piece is up on thick dimensionals, as is the bird.

As you can see in the second pic, I did up the inside too!!

Happy Stamping!!!

~~~Ann~~~

Happy Birthday Mom!!

Hello all!!! Tomorrow is my mother's birthday and this is the card I made for her.

I finally inked up my Sense of Time set that I've had for almost a month now! When I bought this set I immediately thought of all the male cards I could make, and what is the first card I make?? For my mother on her birthday!!!

I also used CC214, (Bordering Blue, Choc Chip & Pink Pirouette) which doesn't necessarily lend itself to a male card. Not all men like pink, and I as I was working on this I thought this would be perfect for my mom. I used some new socket hardware by Tim Holtz, I just had to have, when I saw them!! They go so well with this set! And I finally put my hands on the three butterfly punch by Martha, and I used that as well!!

The sketch is SC224, and I attempted to do the "Out of the box" technique with the clock. Not sure I achieved the complete look I was going for, but I do like how this turned out.

Happy Stamping!!

~~~Ann~~~

GCA #31 - Time to get Sketchy!!!

I know, I know what a goofy title, but hey it got your attention right?

Hello all!! This week we are using one of the first sketches introduced for the Sketch Challenge on SCS!! I've made cards with this sketch before and I ALWAYS have trouble getting a good end result! But, I saw a card on SCS by Vera that uses a similar layout and decided to give it another try!

So for this week's GCA we are using the sketch layout from SC38. Click on the link and it will take you to the thread for SC38 and show you the layout.

On my sample I combined a couple of last week's challenges into one card: CC207 - Pumpkin Pie, Summer Sun & Kiwi Kiss; WT207 and my GCA!!!

I just love the colors of the CC for last week! They are very retro felling to me and give off a 70's vibe!! And I think they are very fresh and springy and I am so wanting spring to arrive!!!

The WT for last week was Frugal Finds! All of the cardstock I used on here came out of my scrap bins, the thick foam dimensionals under the circle panels is one large square cut into two different pieces and the dimensional under the flower is from the edge of a pack of SU! dimensionals. No need to overdo on those when no one sees them! I'm very frugal with my ribbon too, and I try very hard not to cut more than I need as I always trim the ends! And my copper edge circle tag I've had forever!!! It's an old/retired tag from SU!

My inside was sponged with Summer Sun and then I stamped the vine from Fresh Cuts in each of the colors and the flower in Pumpkin Pie and Summer Sun. I then stamped a flower on the textured Summer Sun, cut it out and adhered it over the vine ends!!

To be entered in the challenge drawing, make a card with SC38, upload it either to your blog, or to an online gallery and post a link to your card to this blog entry as a comment by March 6, 2009 at 12 midnight. Please also include the SC38 in your keywords when you upload!! I will choose the winner through a random number generator and post the next Saturday or Sunday.

Even if you can't make the drawing deadline, PLEASE feel free to participate in the challenge and upload your creations at any time. I would love to see it!If you upload your card on SCS, or Paper Craft Planet, please put GCA31(NO SPACE IN BETWEEN GCA AND 31) in the keyword section. That way everyone can look at all of the creations at once! If you've been waiting to join in the fun, jump on in and have some fun!!

Happy Stamping!!!

~~~Ann~~~

GCA #26 - Say it with Stamps!!!

Hello everyone!! This week for the GCA the only stamping allowed is with the use of sentiment stamps!! NO flowers, hearts, birds stamps, etc. can be used! Only your sentiments! If you look around your stamp room I'm sure you'll find plenty of items/ways to create your card! You CAN use die cuts of flowers, birds etc on your creation, but the only actual stamping is with your sentiment stamp!

I'm finishing up my sample for you right now and will post a pic shortly! I was out too long yesterday enjoying the the beautiful sunshine and doing some shopping, which I haven't done in awhile!!! Found alot of great deals! ETA: Now my samples are done!! I have 2 for you!

My first sample I started on Tuesday for CC202: Bravo Burgundy, Regal Rose and Kiwi Kiss. Then WT202 was posted for finding ways to may your current dsp into "fancy" dsp! So I took my quickie glue pen and outlined all the tulips on my dsp, on the two cut out tulips and then decided to try TLC202: Tacky Glitter! You can click on the two challenges to find out more info on them. Lets say I have more glitter all over me and the room, than what is on my card!!! LOL! My sentiment I chose to use here is one of the newest stamps from Treehouse Stamps. I really like this sentiment as it really focuses one to what life is all about!

My second sample was designed my a sideline demo, Laura Miller, which we created during our recent Snowflake Social with our upline, Joyce Feraco. I just love how simple and easy this card was to make! NO stamping at all!!!! Sometimes we need to have quick and easy! The strip of dsp is the new Raspberry Tart, which is luscious!! The felt heart was cut out with one of the heart dies for our Big Shot. My sentiment on here is a rub on from the Eastern Blooms set, now retired.

I hope these samples give you some inspiration for creating a fantastic card with stamping only your sentiment!!!

To be entered in the challenge drawing, make a card using only sentiment stamps for your actual stamping, upload it either to your blog, or to an online gallery and post a link to your card to this blog entry as a comment by January 30, 2009 at 12 midnight. I will choose the winner through a random number generator and post the next Saturday or Sunday.

Even if you can't make the drawing deadline, PLEASE feel free to participate in the challenge and upload your creations at any time. I would love to see it!If you upload your card on SCS, or Paper Craft Planet, please put GCA26(NO SPACE IN BETWEEN GCA AND 26) in the keyword section. That way everyone can look at all of the creations at once! If you've been waiting to join in the fun, jump on in and have some fun!!

Happy Stamping!!


~~~Ann~~~

Some of my favorite things are...

.... COFFEE and SWEETS!!!!

This week for the Limited Supplies Challenge on SCS, Judy took inspiration from lyrics from the Sound of Music! When creating your card you are to use some of favorite things, but on a limited basis!!! She even gave us a list, which I too kept checking to make I stayed within the "rules"!!

Limit: Your creation should have your favorite things!

Stamps: no specific theme, but should be one of your favorite companies, or your favorite set or images

Cardstock and ink:Your favorite color combination using three colors (neutrals can be added in addition to the three, if desired). Designer paper is fine, as long as it is mainly the three colors (or less) you have chosen.

Embellishments and tools:TWO or THREE of your favorites from this list:1)brads/eyelets/hardware (so if you use both brads and a metal frame, that still only counts as one since they are listed together); 2)punches; 3)ribbon/trim/cord/twine; 4)Nestabilities/Big Shot/Sizzix/Slice/Cricut/Cuttlebug; 5)flowers (paper or otherwise); 6)chipboard/grungeboard; 7)piercing/faux stitching/stitching ; 8 ) glitter/embossing powder

Technique: No limit here, but if you want to use a favorite technique too, that would be great!

So for my card here I used:

* Stamps: Thanks a Latte by Treehouse Stamps. This is my favorite of Ashley's stamps, and I LOVE coffee and sweets!! I could drink coffee all day long and if sweets were a food group, I'd be in heaven!!

* Cardstock: My favorite color combo is pink/brown, but I also really like Pumpkin Pie!!! So pairing these three colors together was a no brainer with the new Sweet Always dsp I just received!!!

* Embellies/Tools: Well, I LOVE my punches!! So I went punch crazy here using my MS scallop border, ticket corner, 1 1/4" and 1 3/8" circle punches. I used buttons as my embellies, but now I see they aren't on the list!! Oh, well!

* I did paper piecing on the coffee cup with the Sweet Always dsp and popped up the cup portion with dimensionals. That is one of my favorite techniques, as well as sponging my cardstock. I really like to add sponging to any white cardstock, as I feel it takes some of the glare from the white away!! I also used Crystal Effects on the coffee, steam & cherries to make them more "real"!

As you can see on the inside of my card I added more of the dsp using my MS scallop border punch and used the "leftover" strips as added dimension. Some stamping with the cupcakes and coffee bean, and wa la!!

Take a minute and check out LSC201 and make a creation with some of your favorite things!!

Happy Stamping!!!

~~~Ann~~~

Happy New Year!!!!!!

Hello all!! I hope everyone had a joyful, and safe, New Years 2009!!! I had BIG plans for stamping yesterday and today, but life got in the way and I only managed to create this one card!! But, it incorporates 3 SCS challenges into one card! Don't do that very often.

I love this sentiment, now available from Treehouse Stamps, and think it is the perfect one for sending out a New Years hello!

Challenge #1 is CC199: Bravo Burgundy, Handsome Hunter and So Saffron. I like it when challenges make me use Bravo Burgundy, because I don't reach for it too often. I wish it had a little less brown in it and a little more red. But I do like it paired with the So Saffron and Handsome Hunter.

Challenge #2 is SC209. I adjusted my panels slightly to accommodate the sentiment. It's not often I make the sentiment the focus of the card, but this one deserves it! On the first BG panel I used Handsome Hunter layered with WW, which I stamped the tulip and small heart on. I then ran it through my CB with the Swiss Dots folder, distressed the edges and inked over with H. Hunter ink.

The large WW BG panel was put through the CB with the Houndstooth folder, edge distressed and inked with B. Burgundy. The narrow strip in the middle is So Saffron with SS dsp. I used a piece of new felt ribbon I picked up at Hobby Lobby on the clearance table! It matches HH almost perfectly!

The sentiment panel is B. Burgundy embossed with the Textile folder. I wanted some of the BB panel to show, so I made it larger than the actual sentiment panel and S. Saffron dsp piece. The main WW panel is also edge distressed and inked with H. Hunter ink. I also used my color spritzer on here.

Challenge #3 is WT199. This was to use silver on your card in some way!! Either with cardstock, dsp, stickles or whatever! Just as long as you used silver. I used three different mediums of silver. One, I used silver stickles on the four corners of the main image panel and on the bodies of the butterflies. Two, I used silver cord tied around the HH felt. And third, I used silver cardstock for one of my butterflies! The butterflies are punched with a MS punch. The tulip I colored with my markers, stamped onto WW and cut out.

As you can see with the inside photo, I stamped the tulip twice and placed a butterfly punched from embossed Bravo Burgundy above. The edges were inked with So Saffron. I like how this carries the colors and such into the inside of the card and it doesn't look so "naked"! So don't forget to stamp inside your card!

Happy Stamping!!!!

~~~Ann~~~

Oliver and Olivia are ready for Valentine's Day!

Hello all!!! I hope everyone had a fabulous Christmas Day yesterday!!! Mine was spent very quietly and peacefully. I got some more unpacking done and actually got things hung on the walls!! And yes, I even got some stamping done! (What gave that away?)

The color challenge on SCS this week was to use Orchid Opulence, So Saffron and Cameo Coral. These are definitely colors I would not have put together on my own!! I don't use Orchid Opulence a lot anyway!

My card also uses the Dirty Dozen's sketch challenge for December! Jesse chose this sketch and I really like it! My card here is a 5 1/4" x 5 1/4" square, but I want to try this out on a regular sized card.

I used the new Owlentine set from Treehouse Stamps (I know, again!), but this time as an actual Valentine card!! I thought the colors from the CC were perfect for making a Valentine card.

I used two CB folders on here, but they got covered up quite a bit! The leafy branch is on the large shimmery white panel and floral fantasy is used on the cameo coral piece.

I received the tiny heart stick on rhinestones from my secret Goofy Gobbler last month. She (Carol) sent me a package with all sorts of different rhinestones. Not sure how well you can see, but I also put one on the heart inside the "O" of the sentiment!!

I used my watercolor wonder crayons to color the owls and for shading. I love to use my WWC on Shimmery white, as they color so smoothly.

If you get a chance check out the SCS Dirty Dozen this month! It's open to everyone for the month of December.

Happy Stamping!!!

~~~Ann~~~

Christmas Cards everywhere!!!

Hello everyone!! I have two cards to share with you today! I find it much easier, and less frustrating, to make my Christmas cards at various times so I can make them each individual. Sometimes this plan works and other times it doesn't!!! : )

My first sample is for SC202 on SCS this week. Fantastic layout and so many possibilities! I used the Scandinavian Season set and matching wheel which is currently available in the Holiday mini. I also included CC192 with this card which is to use Pacific Point, Basic Grey and Certainly Celery. I love to use non-traditional colors on my Christmas cards and this color combo certainly qualifies!! I also use Shimmery White on here, white is just fabulous to use with Christmas/elegant cards.

I stamped the tree in Certainly Celery and then used my Choc. Chip marker to go over the tree trunk. I then stamped the tree again in Pacific Point and just cut out the flower, which popped up on a dimensional

To add some bling, I added a crystal rhinestone to the flower center and mini green rhinestones to the corner of the sentiment panel. I had a hard time trying to figure out where to place that panel as I didn't want to cover up my tree!!

To make the snowflakes two toned, I did the Rock n Roll technique on them. I like this effect.
My second sample is one I made for FS85 on SCS!! I know I am posting this late, better late than never right? This is also for CC185 on SCS and for CCNov1008 on Paper Craft Planet!!

What is Paper Craft Planet (PCP) you ask?? Well, just follow this link here and you can discover this wonderfullt amazing new stamping community too!!!! Check it out and let me know what you think!!

My second sample uses the set Wise Men Seek Him by Treehouse Stamps. I love this set as it conveys the meaning of Christmas so well for me!

I colored in the 3 wise men with my SU! markers and highlighted the star and candle with the Bashful Blue marker. One the Very Vanilla panel I used the snowflakes folder from last year in my CB and shaded with Baja Breeze.


Happy Stamping!!


~~~Ann~~~

It's here - GCA#9!!! Paper Pieced lately?

Hello everyone!! Sorry for the delay on getting this week's GCA posted, but I've had some computer issues! All is well for now!

This week the challenge is Paper Piecing! This is a simple, fun, yet still packs that WOW punch to your creation. For a detailed tutorial visit SCS resource forums on Paper Piecing.

While most paper piecing is done with patterned paper, you can also paper piece with solid cardstock. This just adds to the WOW of your creation!

On my sample here I have done both. And remember you need an outline image stamp to get the best results with this technique. I used one of the newest sets from Treehouse Stamps - Olivia's Christmas - which is now available on their site! You must check them out as so many of their sets are perfect for paper piecing! I also used CC#183 - Going Gray, Riding Hood Red and Green Galore. With these colors I couldn't help but make Christmas cards!!

This card is also my card for FS#84 - LazyLizard AKA Liz!! She is a sweet person and leaves the most sweetest comments on everyone's creations! Please keep her and her family in your thoughts and prayers as they are recovering from Hurricane Ike!! You can see the Liz's card I cased here.

I changed:

* Colors and stamp set

* Theme of the card

* Placed my ribbon and swirl clip in a different spot

* Added a background panel

To start with you need to stamp your main image first, and build from there. For Olivia's wings I stamped the image onto retired dsp by SU!, Charbon. I like the effect the small pop of polka dots gives on here. For the scarf, I stamped the image onto Green Galore cardstock and then used my white gel pen to color in the dots. I then stamped the bow onto a piece of Riding Hood Red and cut that out.

I used my snowflake embossing folder and the Cuttlebug Smoosh technique for the background image. I then went around the edges with Going Gray ink to create more contrast.

I can't wait to see what everyone comes up with using this creative and fun technique!

To be entered in the challenge drawing, make a card/project using the posted colors for your motivation , upload it either to your blog, or to an online gallery and post a link to your card to this blog entry as a comment by September 20, 2008 at 12 midnight. I will choose the winner through a random number generator and post the next day.

Even if you can't make the drawing deadline, PLEASE feel free to participate in the challenge and upload your creations at any time. I would love to see it!If you upload your card on SCS, please put GCA9 (NO SPACE IN BETWEEN GCA AND 9) in the keyword section. That way everyone can look at all of the creations at once! If you've been waiting to join in the fun, jump on in and have some fun!!

My thoughts and prayers go out to everyone who is dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Ike and the recovery process.

Happy Stamping!!!

~~~Ann~~~

GCA#8 - Creative Color!!

Hello everyone!!! This week we are playing with color! I was looking through some of the old Color Combos from SCS and landed on CC55. I was looking for some colors I haven't used in awhile and that would definitely be Pink Passion and Pixie Pink!

So the colors are:

Pixie Pink

Pink Passion

Chocolate Chip

Close to Cocoa

Now you have your choice here of using either Chocolate Chip and Close to Cocoa or only one of them. If you do not have the pinks, use what you have that is closest to them! I'm flexible! I just want us to have fun and use these colors to get us stamping!! If you upload to SCS, don't forget the CC55 along with your GCA8!

I'll post my sample later, once my son returns my camera!! I swear he has it more than I do!!

To be entered in the challenge drawing, make a card/project using the posted colors for your motivation , upload it either to your blog, or to an online gallery and post a link to your card to this blog entry as a comment by September 12, 2008 at 12 midnight. I will choose the winner through a random number generator and post the next day.

Even if you can't make the drawing deadline, PLEASE feel free to participate in the challenge and upload your creations at any time. I would love to see it!If you upload your card on SCS, please put GCA8 (NO SPACE IN BETWEEN GCA AND 8) in the keyword section. That way everyone can look at all of the creations at once! If you've been waiting to join in the fun, jump on in and have some fun!! I can't wait to see what everyone comes up with!

I'll have the 10,000 hits blog candy details up later today!!!

Happy Stamping!!!


~~~Ann~~~

Butterflies & Lattes - What a perfect combo!

Hello everyone!!! I have 3 cards to show you today!! Yes, I have been busy stamping up a storm, but my camera was MIA for awhile so I had to wait to take pictures.

The other day I was going through my scrap bins, yes I have bins, and was astounded to see how much useful cardstock I had! And to explain, I have my scraps stored in plastic shoe boxes according to SU! color families. Little anal-retentive, but most nurses are!! So I decided to challenge myself to see how many cards I can make using ONLY pieces from my scraps! Here's what I've done so far!

My first card is for this week's color challenge on SCS: CC182 -Monochromatic. Sometimes I have a very hard time using this kind of color scheme, but in the end I like how this turned out! The colors I used are More Mustard, So Saffron reg & dsp and Barely Banana with Whisper White as my neutral. I didn't have a set layout to begin with, but just played around with my scraps and such, and went from there. All three circle pieces were found in my scraps which is how I came up with the panel for the butterfly.

I am just LOVING my new SU! scallop edge punch and use as often as I can! It certainly makes short work of creating scallops, but what an impact it gives! I used my Paisley background stamp on the white panel and then spritzed it with my So Saffron marker. The Word Window pieces are each of the colors and then I used Barely Banana brads. The butterfly panel is up on dimensionals and I them stamped the polka dotted butterfly in More Mustard on Barely Banana, cut it out and adhered with Tombo glue. Iused my new SU! set - Flight of the Butterfly.

The next card is for Ashley's weekly challenge: BWC20. This week she presents a sketch for all us. You can see the sketch on her blog here. A simple and easy sketch to try!

I used the soon-to-be-released set: Friends & Lattes! Love this set, but then anything having to do with coffee makes me happy!! This set will be available on Friday, September 5th!! Again, I used my scallop edge punch on the large square, but only to make a frame and not punch out the entire piece. Then I just layered my other pieces inside.

I seem to have an obsession with cutting this coffee cup and the steam out, as you will see in the next card too! I colored the coffee cup with my SU! markers and then went over it with my white gel pen. The coffee cup and the scalloped edge square are all up on dimensionals. The steam is glued to the corner of the cup and then just rests on the upper left corner of the square.

And my last card for today is for the Sketch Challenge on SCS: SC192. A simple and clean sketch, but with many possibilities to it!! Again, this card is made using only scraps from my scrap bins, which made the overall size of this card 5 1/2" x 4". The Sage Shadow piece was just a tiny bit narrower, but overall I like how the card turned out!

As I went searching through my scraps, I came across this retired dsp from SU!: Wintergreen, and seeing how it matches the Sage Shadow and Kraft, I used it. And who doesn't love a hot cup of coffee on a cold day? (Too bad it's 90* here in Michigan this week!!!)

Again, I colored the coffee cup with my SU! markers and then cut it out, along with the steam! I found these wonderful aged copper large eyelets at Hobby Lobby and just had to have them! I used a strip of chocolate stitched ribbon (non SU!) where the two dsp's meet.

The entire image panel is up on dimensionals, as well as the coffee cup and steam. I did some paper piercing around the Kraft layer, but with the shading I'm not sure how much you can see.

That's it for today!! Must get back to working as I am working from home this week.

Happy Stamping!!

~~~Ann~~~

Let's Celebrate!!

Hello everyone!! The card I have for you today has special meaning for me! I created it using my 3 new, and FREE, sets from SU!!! How did I get 3 free sets you ask? Well, let me tell you.

I entered, and won, the August Stampin' Success contest entry: Tricks or Treats. For this category you were to create a 3-D Halloween project. At first I wasn't going to enter since the only SU! Halloween set I had was Booglie Eyes, and it's retired!

But, remember when I did the Bag in a Box tutorial? After I created my 2 samples for here, I thought this would be a neat project done for Halloween! Actually, for any holiday this project is great. But I still needed a Halloween stamp set, so I called one of my sideline demos, Judy T., and asked her if I could borrow her Batty for You set. I so wanted to order this set last year when it came out, but I had Booglie Eyes and I didn't need 2 Halloween sets.

Now I can't post a pick of my winning project, yet, but I will after the October SS is out later in September. I must say I about fell off my office chair when I read the email from SU! stating I had won!

So, what sets did I win? I choose 2 brand new Fall-Winter sets and one that just came out in the Spring-Summer book.

* Flower Fancy

* On Your Birthday

* Frames with a Flourish

All three sets were used on this card, along with SC190 and CC180 -Ruby Red, Close to Cocoa & Blush Blossom and WT180 - All Torn Up.

I started with the Blush Blossom piece from stash that was already stamped with Canvas in Close to Cocoa and then followed the sketch. To cover up the dividing line of the Ruby Red/Blush Blossom piece, I used a strip of Blush Blossom and my scallop edge punch on each side to create the ruffled look. I then layered it with a piece of white taffeta.

I just love how the sentiment fits just right into the circle frame, which fits in the 1 3/8" circle punch!! And yes, I cut out all those flowers and leaves to make this!

I hope you enjoy and am inspired to create your winning projects!!

Happy Stamping!!

~~~Ann~~~

Have a Witching Halloween - Oh My!!

Hello everyone!!! While I've been busy stamping this week, I haven't had time to upload anything!!! Tonight I have 1 of the cards to show you using a new set from Treehouse Stamps!!

This is for Ashley's Brainwave Wednesday Challenge she does every week. And yes I realize it's Thursday, but I finished this up last night and was just too tired to post it!!!

I used the Creepy Crawly set, which is available now from Treehouse Stamps. This is an adorable Halloween set with great sentiments and images. BWC20 this week was a sketch, and to see that sketch check out Ashley's blog!

I went with CC181 this week of Kraft, Rose Red & Black. I wasn't sure how this would turn out for a Halloween card, but I like it! I stamped my witch's hat in Black Staz on and used the "Out of the Box" technique to show it off more. Not sure how well you can see, but I also cut out the spider's legs! Look real close! I also stamped the hat again onto Rose Red dsp and cut out the larger circles and glued them onto the hat. I used my gel pen to color in the smaller circles. I then used my white gel pen on the black bottom piece to make my "Faith dots"!

The bat was stamped onto Rose Red cardstock, cut out and adhered using foam tape. The entire main image panel is up on dimensionals.

The swirled background is a small stamp with this set, and I just stamped it several times until I liked the coverage. I did "stamp off" once onto scrap paper and then stamped my card, in Rose Red ink.

I also am using up retired SU! ribbon, which is the polka dotted Pomegranate on here. The sentiment was stamped "full strength" in Rose Red and the star was stamped in black stazon onto Rose Red dsp.

Don't forget about this week's CGA! I'd love to see your creative idea based on the bedding!

Happy Stamping!!

~~~Ann~~~

Rockin Oliver Owl BWC16

Hello everyone!!

It's Wednesday and you know that mean Ashley's BWC is here!! I combined the color challenge on SCS (River Rock, Soft Sky and Very Vanilla) with the BWC sketch and this is what I came up with!

The stamp is a soon-to-be released stamp from Treehouse Stamps, called Oliver Owl. He will be sold as an individual and the sentiment is also available as an individual. Both of these, and more, will be released on August 7th!! I will be showing you more sneak peeks in the coming days.

I decided to try something different on this card, and I must say I really like how it came out. This is my first attempt at the "Out-of-the-Box" technique. I was never quite sure how to do this and honestly, I almost cut off Oliver's head last night while trying to do this!! I may just offer this technique up in one of my Getting Creative with Ann challenges!!! Be on the lookout!!

I ran the Soft Sky background panel through my Distressed Stripes CB folder and then used my distressor tool on the edges. I also distressed the edges of the smaller sky panel under Oliver.

To create Oliver I stamped him in Choc. Chip craft and embossed in clear. Some of the parts didn't embossed very good, but you get the idea. I used my simple SU! markers for coloring all but his belly. His belly was colored with the Soft Sky ink pad and blender pen. I then stamped him again, cut out and colored his wings, and put them on with dimensionals. The entire panel of Oliver is on with dimensionals, and then thicker foam squares were used on the entire panel of Oliver.

I used choc. chip polytwill and wide gg to breakup the colors some, and then added a touch of Very Vanilla taffeta.

Hope you like it!! I really like this sketch and have a swap card ready to go for convention with this sketch. And yes I know that convention is next week!!!

Happy Stamping and be sure to check out the first Getting Creative with Ann challenge just below!!!

~~~Ann~~~