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Saturday, May 31, 2014

HIMCR #151 - Freestyle

Hi, all my crafty friends and family!

Do you know what today is?

It is the 5th Saturday of the month and that means not only is it time for another challenge over at Hiding In My Craft Room . . . but it means that this week the challenge is "Freestyle" (or anything goes). This week our sponsor is Scrapper's Delight and the winner will receive three (3) digital images!


For this week's challenge, I chose a digi image called "Flower Basket-1" from Scrapper's Delight.  I chose it because I absolutely LOVE sunflowers.  And since this was a "Freestyle" challenge, I decided to get out my Big Shot and my metal die cuts and put together a card.  Here's what I came up with:


The paper I used was from Paper Temptress (Iridescent Cryogen White, Gold & Dark Chocolate Mica/Metallic, and Vintage Silver Lustre papers).  I am unsure what the name of the metal dies and whether they are from Lifestyle Quikkutz or Spellbinders because I had them in my Artbin storage container without a name with them . . . Artbin is a container with magnetic sheets that hold the metal dies, but doesn't have an area to keep the title page or page with the name in it. I then added a few miscellaneous gems and . . . Voila! I was done!

Remember, you have one (1) week to get your "Freestyle" projects submitted in order to be eligible for the weekly prize which is three (3) digi images from Scrapper's Delight.  We can hardly wait to see what you come up with this week. 

Till the next time I'm up in the night.

Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Clear It Out Challenge - Black

Do you know what time it is?

That's right . . .

It it CHALLENGE time!!!

Once again, it's challenge time over at Clear It Out Challenge.  And Laura, our amazing leader, has come up with another AWESOME-TERRIFIC challenge . . . so easy, peasy, lemon squeezy.  So get out your paper, glue, scissors . . . and let's get crafty!!!

Are you ready?    

I didn't hear you . . . 

Are you ready?

It's CHALLENGE time!!!

Theme:  Black (or shades of black)
Stash:  Stickers (real or faux)
(Please make sure to tell us which)

You have one week (till June 3rd) to get your projects in.

Our sponsor this week is Di's Digis:
click HERE to see their store

Since this week we were able to choose one of our digi stamps to use in our projects, I ended up choosing a sentiment digi called "Sentiment - More Butterflies" by StampArt by Kathryne . . . it actually has several sentiments, so I chose "Life if like a butterfly . . . You can chase it or you can let it come to you" since it seemed like the PERFECT sentiment for a graduation card.   And as you might have read over the weekend,  my daughter graduated this weekend.   Here's how it turned out:

Supplies
"Urban Market" washi tape by Teresa Collins
misc. washi tape in gray and blue/gray chevron
corrugated kraft paper by Fancy Pants
Layering stencil (Speckles - THS021) by Tim Holtz
Archival Inky by Ranger  (Cobalt and Watering Can)
Momento ink in Tuxedo Black

This was actually my first attempt for a different DT project that went up Sunday, but the sentiment I wanted to use didn't fit it quite right . . . so I set this one aside until a bit later. What can I say? . . . I don't like to let things (especially my crafty things) go to waste. :) (If you would like to see how I changed it to make a completely different, but still GREAT card, click HERE.)

When I came back to it, I changed one of the gray washi tapes (from diagonal to floral) and tried it with the butterfly sentiment and it worked PERFECT!!!!  Added a layered butterfly chipboard & a Daisy chipboard from UmWowStudio (my FAVORITE place to get chipboard, flair, masks, inks, etc.) along with some "speckles" of ink . . . and VOILA! I was excited to see how GREAT everything came together. :)  

Remember, you have one (1) week to get your projects in to Clear It Out Challenge to eligible for the weekly prize.  I can't wait to see what everyone comes up with  . . . and how everyone one else interprets "black with stickers" since I used shades of black (the gray) along with black ink and also used the washi tape as a type of sticker.  

Till the next time I'm up in the night.


Sunday, May 25, 2014

Get Inky! - Stamping with Washi Tape

Hi, all my friends and family!!!

How is everyone doing this fine Sunday morning?  I am loving the weather, but am ready for this past week to be done.  It has been so crazy, busy this past week due to daughter's graduation . . . she graduates today. The end of one chapter and the beginning of another.  Which was MY inspiration for the card I just made for the challenge inspiration over at Get Inky! Challenge (aka Blue Moon Creation Crafting Station Challenge or BMCCS).  The current challenge is "Stamping with Washi Tape".  As many of you know, I am a 2x cancer survivor.  Well, the last time I went thru chemo, my prayer was to see my daughter graduate . . . the first time round when she was only 3 weeks old, my prayer was to see her go to Kindergarten and she was what kept me going.  So "the end of one chapter and the beginning of another" has many meanings to us.

Anyway, I just LOVE washi tape . . . there are so many options for it - cards, scrapbook pages, decorating presents, etc. I even used it weekend on my "picture board" for my daughter's graduation open house/party. 

I had a hard time deciding what washi tape to use because my "collection" is so BIG . . . seriously, at last count I was up to 275+ rolls. But after receiving some new washi tape this past week ("Urban Market" by Teresa Collins), I knew had to use it for this project . . . especially since I wanted to make a graduation card and my daughter's graduation class colors were blue, silver/gray and white.  And I used the sentiment "You are the wind beneath my wings" from the Love Bug stamp set by Get Inky!  Here's how it turned out:

Supplies
"Urban Market" washi tape by Teresa Collins
corrugated kraft paper by Fancy Pants
enamel dots from the "Urban Market" collection by Teresa Collins
Layering stencil (Speckles - THS021) by Tim Holtz
Archival Inky by Ranger  (Cobalt and Watering Can)
Momento ink in Tuxedo Black
miscellaneous mini paper clip

NOTE: This was actually my 2nd try on this card, but the sentiment didn't quite right, so I saved my 1st try for another card that you will see on Tuesday. :)  

Since I was using a "naked" layered butterfly chippie from UmWowStudio, I decided to use corrugated kraft paper from Fancy Pants to help pull it together . . . so the butterfly would have something to coordinate with, too. Then I used the Cryogen White paper from Paper Temptress as my base so the corrugated paper would stand out more.  And since I didn't want to make my card bigger so I could see more of the texture of the corrugated paper, I offset the 2nd piece of Cryogen White paper so I would only see about 1/8" on one side and 1/2" on the other of the corrugated kraft paper. A few "speckles" of ink here 'n there, some enamel dots, a mini paper clip and  . . . Voila! I was done. :)

I am so happy with the way this card turned out . . . I just LOVE the blue, silver/gray and white of the "Urban Market" collection and being able to "Get Inky!" with splashes of ink here and there. :)  I hope I was able to inspire you today with my "stamping with washi tape" project.  Remember, you have till Wednesday to get your projects in over at Get Inky! Challenge  . . . I can't wait to see what everyone comes up with.

Till the next time I'm up in the night. 



Tuesday, May 20, 2014

Clear It Out Challenge - Vintage

Do you know what time it is?

That's right . . .

It it CHALLENGE time!!!

Once again, it's challenge time over at Clear It Out Challenge.  And Laura, our amazing leader, has come up with another AWESOME-TERRIFIC challenge . . . so easy, peasy, lemon squeezy.  So get out your paper, glue, scissors . . . and let's get crafty!!!

Are you ready?    

I didn't hear you . . . 

Are you ready?

It's CHALLENGE time!!!

Theme:  Vintage
Stash:  Pearls (real, liquid or faux)

You have one week (till May 26th) to get your projects in.

Our sponsor this week is:

This week I decided to use an image called "A Robin's Christmas" from Stitchy Bear Digi Outlet (created by Delicious Doodles).  After seeing this image, I knew it would be perfect for a vintage card . . . and knew I wanted to do it in a sepia (or aged) tone and then focus on just the front two (2) images in the image to color . . . to make them stand out more.  Here's how it turned out:


To change this image to a sepia tone, I opened it into my photo software (though I have done the same thing in MSWord 2010 by changing the "picture line color") and changed it to sepia (major aged) tone. Then I printed it on Iridescent 89# Cryogen White paper from The Paper Temptress because it would give the image a little shimmer . . . it is hard to get a good picture of the "shimmer" but it is there.

Then using my Distressed Markers in Bundled Sage, Barn Door, Wild Honey & Tea Dye, I colored the first tree and the robin.  I used "Watermelon" Liquid Pearls for the ornaments to give them a bit more dimension and texture.  Then using White Crepe (Ruche) and Dark Chocolate Mica/Metallic paper also from The Paper Temptress, I matted the image and layered it a bit more.

Remember you have one week (till May 26th) to get your projects in to be eligible for the prize from Stitchy Bear Digi Outlet.  Can't wait to see what everyone comes up with!!!

Till the next time I'm up in the night.


Saturday, May 17, 2014

HIMCR #149 - Embossing

Hi, all my crafty friends and family!!!

Do you know what today is?

It is 3rd Saturday of the month and that means . . . it's time for another challenge over at Hiding in My Craft Room.  This week the challenge is "embossing".  And the prize this week is embossing folders. So put away the dishes, clear off your crafty space . . . . and let's get crafty!

This week I did a monochromatic card using Onyx Mica/Metallic paper and Vintage Silver Lustre paper from The Paper Temptress along with several embossing folders from Lifestyle/QuicKutz - Linear, Swirls, Zig-Zag and Bubbles.  Here's how it turned out:


One piece of advice when embossing small section like I did . . . it is better to emboss a bigger piece and then then cut it down to size then to emboss the exact size because if you emboss the exact size, it ends up being a bit smaller or bigger after it's embossed.  Does that make sense?  Example - I embossed a 1-1/2" square and after it was embossed it was just shy of 1-3/8", but another ended up just shy of 1-7/16" . . . not a big different, but when doing a grid card, it does make a difference.

Remember, you have one week to get your projects in to be eligible for the embossing folders.  We can hardly wait to see what everyone comes up with this week.

Till the next time I'm up in the night.

Tuesday, May 13, 2014

Clear It Out Challenge - Your Style

Does anyone know what time it is?

That's right . . . 

It's CHALLENGE time!!! 

Once again, it's challenge time over at Clear It Out Challenge.  Time to put away the laptop and hide those unpaid bills till later (much later - lol) . . .   and get your crafty on.  And usual, our fearless leader, Laura,  has come up with yet another AMAZING challenge for us . . . and it's so easy, peasy!!! So get out your paper, scissors, glue  and . . . 

 Are you ready???

I didn't hear you . . . 

Are you ready???

Okay, it's challenge time!!!


Theme:  Mother's Day (female card)
Stash: Flower(s)

And you have 1 week to play (till May 19th)

This week our sponsor is:



For this week's challenge, I chose a cute digi image of a sunflower called "Pretty Petals" by StampArt by Kathryne . . . it also came with a bonus verse.  Here's how it turned out:


For this card, I used mica/metallic paper (brown & gold) from The Paper Temptress along with her Silver Lustre paper. Added some bling and a flower . . . Voila!  I was done!

Remember, you have one week to get your projects in for the Mother's Day/Feminine challenge . . . and remember NO back-posting. :)  I can't wait to see what everyone comes up with.

Till the next time I'm up in the night.


Saturday, May 10, 2014

HIMCR #148 - Happy Birthday

Hi, all my crafty friends and family!!!

Do you know what today is?

Not only is it the 2nd Saturday of the month meaning it is Super Scraps Saturday over at Hiding In My Craft Room, BUT is is also our amazing leader's (Laura) birthday today and HIMCR is having a celebration with giveaways & fun.  So make sure you stop by to say "Happy Birthday" and join in on her birthday celebration.


I just love Super Scraps Saturday because it gives me a chance to use up my scraps, thus making room for new papers (lol) . . . and one of the favorite things I like to make with scraps are banners. So for this week's challenge, I decided to make a birthday card with banners using my scraps from my "Tell Your Story" 6x6 paper pad collection by Teresa Collins.  Here's how it turned out;

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In addition to the "Tell Your Story" paper scraps, I used Vintage Silver Lustre paper from The Paper Temptress for part of the background (another scrap I had).  I also used flowers from Prima and Petaloo along with some miscellaneous fibers.  For the sentiment, I used "make a wish" from "Simple Sayings" (CM5155) from Stampers Anonymous by Tim Holtz and "Lagoon" ink from Close To My Heart.

Remember, you have one week to get your projects in to be eligible for this week's prize . . . and make sure to stop by to help us celebrate Laura's birthday today.

Till the next time I'm up in the night.

Tuesday, May 6, 2014

Clear It Out - Favorite Style

Does anyone know what time it is?

It's CHALLENGE time!!!

That's right . . . it's time to put the kiddies down for naps (who cares if it's still morning-lol) and get out your paper, scissors, and glue because it's time for a new challenge at Clear It Out Challenge. And once again, Laura, our amazingly fearless leader, has come up with another GREAT challenge for us.  So easy, peasy . . .
Are you ready???

I didn't hear you . . .

Are you ready???

It's CHALLENGE time!!!

Theme:  Favorite Style
Stash:  Favorite product

You have one week (May 12th) to get your projects posted.

Our sponsor this week is:

This week I used a digi stamp called "Beautiful Blocks - Faith" from Bugaboo Stamps . . . I chose it not only for it's simplicity, but also for its message.  Being as I really don't have a "favorite" style other than loving to use LOTS of layers on my cards, I did what I think is a CAS card . . . though some may disagree since there are flowers added to it and there are so many different definitions of a CAS card.  Here's how my card turned out this week:


I used "Tell You Story" 6x6 paper pad by Teresa Collins along with Cryogen white paper from The Paper Temptress that I printed my image on.  I also used flowers from Petaloo and some miscellaneous gems and fibers along with my all-time favorite product - Helmar's Scrap Dots 3D adhesive. :)

All-in-all I still consider this a CAS card since it is so simple, which I LOVE along with the many layers (or mats). 

Remember, you have one (1) week to get your projects in to be eligible for this week's prize from Bugaboo Stamps.  Can't wait to see what everyone's favorite style and products are. 

Till the next time I'm up in the night.

Saturday, May 3, 2014

HIMCR - National Scrapbook Day #5


Welcome back to the 5th and final NSD challenge at Hiding In My Craft Room . . . I hope you are having FUN!!!  NSD challenge #5 is "Thankful or Thank You".

This can be a thank you card or a thank you gift!

The sponsor is A Day for Daisies!


The giveaway is a $12 Gift Certificate to A Day for Daisies.

For challenge #5, I chose a digi image called "A child's prayer" from A Day for Daisies. It reminded me how I am to be thankful in everything  . . . especially in being able to pray where and how I want.  Not many are able to.  Here's my card:


The "white" streaks are actually "glittery" lines I made with a Wink of Stella brush marker in Clear. (NOTE: If you haven't heard or used them before, make sure to check out Inky Moonbeams' next newsletter by Get Inky! (aka Blue Moon Creations) for a review on them. :) To me they represent His light shining down on one of His children praying . . . but other may say it's the moon shining down since it is night.  

Remember, you have one week to get your projects in the each of the NSD challenges in order to be eligible for the prizes . . . and remember each challenge has it's own individual prize.  Can't wait to see what you come up with.

Till the next time I'm up in the night.

HIMCR - National Scrapbook Day #4


Hi, all my crafty friends and family!!!

Welcome back for NSD challenge #4 at Hiding In My Craft Room.  Challenge #4 is "use a critter" on a card, layout, tag, etc. . . . just make sure you use a critter. :)

The sponsor for this challenge is:

The giveaway is 3 Sweet N Sassy digital images.

For this challenge, I chose a digi image from Sweet n' Sassy stamps.  Here's how it turned out:


This is the 1st time I used a die to make a circle card . . . I think it turned out pretty cute!

Remember, you have one week to get your projects in for the NSD challenges at Hiding In My Craft Room to be eligible for the prize(s) . . .each challenge has it's own individual prize.  Can'w wait to see what you come up with.

Till the next time I'm up in the night.

HIMCR - National Scrapbook Day #3


Welcome back to Challenge #3 at Hiding In My Craft Room. NSD #3 challenge is "holiday catch up".  This can be scrapbooking a much needed previous holiday page, putting together some Christmas cards or other holiday cards, tags for an upcoming holiday . . . anything HOLIDAY!!!

The sponsor is Hiding in My Craft Room!!!!
hidinginmycraftroom.com
The giveaway is to be announced!


For this challenge, I did two cards . . . a BEE-day card and a simple CAS Christmas card (one I have done before).  Here's how they turned out:



For the first card, I used a stamp from "Meant 2 Bee" (JCS178) from Darcie's Heart & Home. And I used the Christmas 2013 stamp set from Get Inky! Stamps.

Remember, you will have a whole week to get your NSD projects in over at Hiding In My Craft Room.  Can't wait to see what everyone comes up with!!!

Till the next time I'm up in the night.


HIMCR - National Scrapbook Day #2


Welcome back for NSD challenge #2 
at Hiding In My Craft Room!

This time it is time for a color challenge: Old Olive, Elegant Eggplant, & Melon Mambo!

These are Stampin Up colors but you can use any brand that matches!


And the sponsor is Scrapbook Stamp Society!



The giveaway is 5 Scrapbook Stamp Society images.

I am sorry I don't have a project to share , , , but I can't wait to see what you come up with using the color combination!!!

Till the next time I'm up in the night.


HIMCR - National Scrapbook Day #1


Fo you know what today is?

That's right . . . it's National Scrapbook Day!!!  And to help celebrate NSD, Laurie at Hiding In My Craft Room has put together five (5) challenges for you to participate in.  The will be announced at different times throughout the morning/afternoon.

These first challenge of the day is to do a scrapbook page.  And the sponsor is:

The giveaway is a $100 in DCWV goodies!
And there will be 3 winners!!

How exciting is that?!?!

For my layout, I started out with a kit from The Scrapbook Diaries.  And even though I had lost the instructions, and by the time Janene got me the corrected link to the video tutorial, I was done with the layout, I am not going to claim this as my original work . . .though I do now I added things on my own that were not included in the kit.  Here's how it turned out:


This LO is of me and my daughter . . . we had our pictures taken while she was having her senior pictures done.  It took the photographer less than a minute to get the four (4) photos . . . it was click, comment, click, comment, comment, click, comment, click.  It was so funny because one of the comments she said to my daughter, "You know, you can at least act like you love your mom" (teasing her about hesitating putting her arms around me . . . and as it turns out my favorite photo is the one of the two of us laughing at the photographer's comments.

Anyway, since I didn't have a picture or instructions and I didn't take time to go back to look at the tutorial, I am not sure how close my LO is to the one from the kit (I couldn't even find anything similar yesterday when I went back to find a link to the kit), I do know it is different in several ways.  With kits from The Scrapbook Diaries, EVERYTHING is included even the sprays and mediums.  Well, one that wasn't included in this kit was gesso and I used gesso on this layout to help soften the edges  . . . a technique I learned from another artist from The Scrapbook Diaries last year.  I also added more flowers from Petaloo from my own stash along with some more gems and sprays.  And I didn't use a lot of the supplies given in the kit . . . but out of respect to Janene from The Scrapbook Diaries, I am not going to list the supplies I did or did not use.

(5/3/14 1:06pm - NOTE: After going through my order receipts and comparing LOs I have done, kits in my orders and photos at The Scrapbook Diaries, I think I found the name of kit and of the designer of the kit I had used - "Love You" by Celine Regnier . . . but it is NO longer available from The Scrapbook Diaries.  I then "Googled" both name of the kit and the designer and found a picture of it on Pinterest. Click HERE if you would like to see it. From looking at it, my layout is different . . . what do you think? :) I think I did a pretty good job with NO instructions, picture or tutorial. Even though the original kit is NO longer available, you might be able to contact Janene at The Scrapbook Diaries to see if she would be able to put something similar together or even let you purchase just the code for the tutorial video.  

Remember, you will have one week to get your NSD projects in to be eligible for the prizes . . . and there will be individual prizes for each NSD challenge.

Till the next time I'm up in the night.

Friday, May 2, 2014

Get Inky! - "Mother's Day"

Hi, all my Get Inky! family and friends!!!

There is a new challenge starting today over at Get Inky! Challenge . . . and the theme is "Mother's Day".   Whether it be a card, a layout, altered art or even a bouquet of paper flowers, we want to see it all.  So get out your paper, scissors and glue . . . and Get Inky!

This week I did a simple card for my mother-in-law for Mother's Day using two (2) of Get Inky!'s stamps sets - "Circles of Love 2014" and "Hoppy Spring 2014".  Here's how it turned out:

Supplies:
Rose Quartz mica/metallic paper from The Paper Temptress
Gold mica/metallic text paper from The Paper Temptress
Opal mica/metallic paper from The Paper Temptress
"Summer Stories" 6x6 paper pad by Teresa Collins
Spellbinders "Romantic Retangles (#S5-090)
pink rhinestones from the Lost 'n Found collection by MME
circle paper punches (1-1/4", 1-3/8" & 1-1/2")
Walnut Stain distress ink by Tim Holtz
Wink of Stella brush in "Clear" by Zig-Kuretake 
Copics (R81 & YG63)

For this card, I stamped my faux stitched circles (from "Circles of Love 2014" stamp setbefore punching them out with my 1-1/4" circle paper punch . . . for me, it was easier to make sure everything was centered.  After I stamped my flowers (from "Hoppy Spring 2014" stamp set) and colored them with my Copics, I used my "clear" Wink of Stella brush marker to give the flowers some shimmer or glittery look. 

(NOTE: If you haven't heard or used these brush markers, you really need to try them . . . it gives your project the glittery look without the mess of glitter or the gunky residue of glitter glue and you can even use them on your stamps like ink to stamp.  Watch for a review in the next Inky Moonbeams club newsletter.) And after putting the card together, I stamped my "Happy Mother's Day" sentiment (from the "Hoppy Spring 2014" stamp set) and attached it to my card.

Remember you have till Wednesday, May 14th to get your projects submitted in order to be eligible for the prize.  I can't wait to see what everyone comes up with this time.  So let's Get Inky!!!!

Till the next time I'm up in the night.