So Outrageous!

Hello Friends!

Hope your weekend was fun and productive!!  I had much on my plate, but here it is 1:00 a.m. and I'm happy to say pretty much everything was accomplished!

Since it is "Anything Goes" over on the Woodware USA Blog this week, I created an outrageous Valentine Card!!  I used the WWUSA sentiment from the "All Through The Year" set and some awesome new "Swirls" Woodware Peel-Offs that I got in the mail last week to play with  (yay!!  Peel Offs!).

The heart-shaped part of the card was made with Cricut "Cindy Lou" cartridge and then embellished with many pearls, flowers, the peel offs and a bow.  I mounted the embellished, shaped panel onto a Chocolate Chip card base that I embossed using SUs! Framed Tulips EF.  The DP on this card and crocheted flowers are also SU! 

Hurry over to the Woodware USA Blog and submit your Challenge Card entree to be entered into the drawing at the end of the month for a free stamp set!! 

TFL, I'm so glad you stopped by!

Love You Card and Dots

Hi All,

I was at the office supply store yesterday and they had boxes of 3-1/2" x 6-1/4" envelopes on sale so I grabbed a box; they just looked like a cute size for cards that I didn't have!  So this is my first one that I made in this size.

I used BG "Green at Heart" 6x6 paper pad and coordinating dimensional stickers.  I stamped the sentiment from Studio G (Series 46) three times - once on So Saffron CS, once on a green print and once on a purple print from the Green at Heart DP.  Used these to paper piece a few of the letters.

Finished it up with peel-offs in the corners and up top!

This card is for todays Inspiration Challenge over on SCS.  Stephanie found another really great webstore for inspiration called "Blue Carrot Shop" just amazes me what's out there and yet to be tapped!!  I chose this retro orange dotted bowl for my inspiration piece.

The dots are 3/4" circles randomly arranged across the bottom.  I cut the layout out with the Top Note die from SU and embellished the dots with buttons and rhinestone flowers.  The little bird is from Hero Arts and the sentiment is from SU Trendy Trees. 

TFL, I'm so glad you stopped by!

Experimenting with the Marker Technique

These are more cards I made using markers directly onto the stamps and then stamping onto glossy paper.  (See my post from earlier this week.)  The effect is really crisp and clean when you see it IRL, not sure how much comes across virtually!

The two roses above were actually an experiment.  I tried out two different "qualities" of glossy paper.  The one on the left is the recommended "High Glossy" paper -- I purchased it from Lisa Yang (Local King Rubber Stamp) when I bought her Chicks stamp set.  The one on the right is photo paper that I got from the $1.00 store.  There is definitely a difference, although I don't know if anyone but the stamper would notice, especially since someone receiving one of these would not have the other to compare it to.  But in the photo above, can you see how the colors of the rose image on the left are more softened and blurred between colors?  That tends to look better than the hard lines like the one on the right.  But again, I don't know if anyone else would really notice, so if it's not in your budget to buy a high-quality glossy paper for this technique, I wouldn't worry about it.  Go with the glossy you have.

Side Note:  So as you can see, I went to town again with more of my Peel-off stickers (from Frantic Stamper) on the card on the left.  Can't be helped, they're addicting and I bet if you saw them yourself you would have a better appreciation for them!!  LOL!!  I love them!!

I also tried the technique on a stamp that is not solid -- typically you would stamp this image and color it in.  Instead, I scribbled marker directly onto the rubber -- and I really didn't try to follow the lines so much.  I just kept coloring the parts of the image as best as I could identify them (hard to tell when you can only see the rubber!).  When I turned it over to stamp it onto the glossy, I was pleasantly surprised that it looked half-way decent.  I actually missed a few areas, but in the end, I don't think it's that noticeable. 


Here's the image mounted onto soft sand and coral textured Bazzil papers: 

Both the stamps in this post are BRAND NEW!!  The rose is Penny Black "The Look of Love" and the Birdhouse is Impression Obsession.  Both of them, and many many other fabulous new ones can be found at Frantic Stamper... seriously, you need to check out all the new stuff there!! 
Hugs Everyone!!  Thanks so much for stopping by!

Birds is the Wird

Fresh from the GASC in Arlington, I came home with my arms full of new goodies and some extra time to play!!  Mr. Holtz was there hanging with the ladies and dazzling us with his fine talent and cool toys!!  I ended up getting his bird cage die and impression folders.

The card I made with the bird cage die was really fun. The cage die cut is large and it comes with it's bird so it easily fills up most of the front of the card for fast and easy designing!

The die cut through 4 pieces of brown CS like buttah. I layered 4 of the cages with fun foam (you know that crafty foam you can get at Mike's that is sticky on one side only, really thin?  That stuff is great for multi-layering!!) and placed it on the center of a piece of DP from Webster's Lullaby collection (Yummm!!).  I ran the die through again with more Lullaby DP to cut out a bird.  I sponged the edges of the bird pieces then slipped him through the bars of the bird cage, similar to the example on the die packaging.

Then the really fun part!!  Returning to my current obsession with peel-offs, I dressed up the cage and added a faux chain with those fabulous stickers!  Don't know if you can see the chain winding from the top of the cage down the side, but it's there and looks really cool!!

Dressed up the peel-offs with some half back pears and called it a card!! 

This card is for a couple of challenges this week, the IC (Layla Grace) and Just for Fun Rubber Stamps Color Challenge # 14 -- a monocromatic card, any color.  From the Layla Grace website, I chose this Oilo Nursery Bedding display  as my inspiration.

I used some Bazzil monochromatic greens and more of the Lullaby Lane DP that I got from the GASC this weekend. Stamped the bird cage and gnarly branches in the background from the "Birds at Home" set by Clear Art Stamps (another grab from the GASC).

Added YET ANOTHER peel-off, this time a white, lacy peel-off border, to finish off the edge across the top of the DP.  (And yes, there are more cards to come using peel-offs so get over it!!  LOL!! )








OK, just one more bird card!

This is for the Featured Stamper Challenge on SCS this weekend.   Congrats to this week's Featured Stamper "NikkiSchmaltz" whose amazing gallery is well worth the time to browse!I I chose this gorgeous "Vere Penny Lane" card of hers to CASE because I was running out of time this morning!! Otherwise, I would have kept on oohing and ahhing all day through her work!!

Used similar ribbon treatment, kept the color scheme and layout but switched out the materials for what I had in my own stash -- including more of the Lullaby Lane DP!. Changes include using a label shape instead of oval for the main image, adding a prima flower, and using a different scallop punch for trim at the bottom.

TFL, I'm so glad you stopped by!

More Graduation 2010

These are tri-fold cards that have a small envelope attached on the inside that is the perfect size to tuck a gift card, check, or cash! 

The card base is 4-1/4" x 11", is scored at 4-1/4" and 9".  I used a border punch to create a decorative edge and stamped the flap to decorate.  A black panel of textured CS was layered onto the larger, bottom section and embellished with a row of mini-star Peel Offs.

I created a white and black circle panel using Nestibilities circle dies.  I stamped the main image from SU's "Great Grads" set with Versafine Onyx Black ink.  I added teeny tiny peel-off stars to the circular sentiment around the "G" for just a little bit more pop.

The Graduation Cap is created using a Sizzix Thin Cuts Graduation Cap and Tassel die. I shaped the bottom half of the die cut into a curve and attached it with dimensional tape.  The little tassel is from a package of discontinued Martha Stewart embellishments

This is the inside of the tri-fold card.  The little 2-3/4" x 3-1/2" envelope is attached to the inside flap and another peel-off is used to seal it.

TFL, I'm so glad you stopped by!

More Peel Offs! Somebody Stop Me!

Supplies: Peel Offs by Sticker King and Magenta Style. Sentiment is "Hugs and Wishes" by SU.  Ink: SU Blue Bayou and Copics.  White, Black and Pacific Point CS - all SU.

Inspiration Challenge time!!  This week's website was a really great choice: Two Lumps of Sugar!  So many gorgeous patterns for inspiration!  I was specifically looking for something that would inspire my use of more Peel-offs.  I know!!  I'm obsessed!

Anyhow, found this fun pattern called "Bum Classic" and went with it.

I layed out a stained glass peel off design on white CS, then colored in the flowers and leaves in the colors matching the pattern I had chosen.






I'm telling you, Peel Offs make life so easy and cards so quick!! You gotta try 'em!!  And I bet you even have some lost among your stash somewhere that you've never used just like I did!!  BUT -- If you don't a GREAT resource for them is Frantic Stamper!! 

TFL, I'm so glad you stopped by!

Graduation 2010

This year we have a boat load of grads among our friends and family!  This is a card I just finished today with more new stuff that I wanted to show you that came from Frantic Stamper!

The DP is Basic Grey's new Basics Kraft Paper 6x6 pad!  Love love love this set of basic background papers.  Masculine cards are never easy to design but this collection really motivates and inspires some masculine creativity!

The exploding gift image is from Inkadinkado Birthday Sentiments.  I stamped it in Colorbox Chalk Dark Brown ink.  Several of the stars and dots were accented with similarly sized peel-off stickers! 

The grad cap is a Sizzix Sizzlet cap and gown die.  I shaped the bottom half of the die cut into a curve and attached it with dimensional tape.  The little tassel is from a package of discontinued Martha Stewart embellishments that I got at Big Lots awhile back. 

This sentiment here is a "Dazzles Greeting" Peel Off by Hot off the Press.  I am having so much fun with peel-offs recently, I don't know why it took me so long to use them!!  Go to Frantic Stamper (look under Stickers category) to see lots and lots of fun ones -- they are super cheap and great go-to resources when you need just a bit of "pop"!!


The design of this card is inspired by the following challenges:

Midnight Madness Sketch (MMSC52)
Incy Wincy Designs (Anything Goes)

TFL, I'm so glad you stopped by!

Basic Grey Cappella Rocks!!

Hosting the IC over on SCS once more this weekend (thanks Stephanie!!).  This week the inspiration website is  Huset Shop.



My card for the IC this weekend was inspired by this rich print by Lisa Bengtsson Baronessa.




Received my new goodies from Frantic Stamper JUST in time for this challenge so of course I had to use them to make this card!!  :)  Everything -- top to bottom, inside and out -- on this card can be purchased from Fran  -- you must visit her store!!  The most current and unique supply of goodies on the web and her customer service is impeccable!!  Tell her I sent ya!!  ;)

So here's the deets:

All the DP is Basic Grey's newest Cappella line!  Oh my!!  I think this is my most favorite BG collection ever!!  The colors are earthy and soft, romantic and vintage all at once!  Wow!!  I also used the fun coordinating Cappella Ribbon Doilies.  The doilie ribbons are delicate paper and adhesive backed -- gotta love it!!

Made the oval with Nestibilities and stamped it with the Happy Birthday sentiment from Inkadinkadoo's Personal Impressions Sentiment stamps.  I stamped the sentiment twice, once in Ranger Walnut Stain and once in StazOn black to get a vintage looking color of ink.  I highlighted it a bit with a white Signo Gel pen.

To make the ruffle around the oval, I cut two 3/4" DP strips from the Cappella pack and ran it through my Fiskars crimper (you remember those things, right?).  I adhered the long ends together and gathered the ruffle along one side until it arched around to fit the frame of my stamped oval.  I applied ATG tape to the back of my oval so the gathered paper would be sure to stay put! 

Next I used EK Success Embossed Curve border punch along the bottom of the solid cream colored DP.  Layered it onto the patterned piece, then applied the moss colored ribbon doilie to the seam.

Then I used these fun and intricate Cruly-Qs peel-offs by Sticker King! If you haven't used peel-offs, DO IT NOW!!  They are so versatile, forgiving, easy to use, and cheap ($1.99)!!  Fran has tons of them in her store...these particular ones are Item #SK-123071G from the Frantic Stamper in case you're interested!  I am going to be going back for more!!

I decorated the corners and scallop border of my card with my peel-offs, and as you can see from the photo of the peel off sheet above, there are still plenty more stickers left to use for more projects!

Adhered the ruffle-framed Oval to the card using dimensionals and finished it with a fabulous Fleurs De Prima flower (Item #PRI-ROS2-539320 Belle Artes Butterfly).


These things sparkle like nothing else!  They have teeny glass bits (seriously chunky) that stand out from a mile away!!

Hope you like the card!  And come join me in the IC this weekend!! 

TFL, I'm so glad you stopped by!