Beate's Weekend Sketch Challenge #55

Wouldn't you know it... I needed to make some masculine cards this weekend, with separate sentiments on each one (thank you to hubby's boss, birthday for hubby's co-worker and LOVE YOU to hubby). And since all three of these guys are golfers - well, you can see where I got the idea for the theme!

So, I decided to partake of Beate's Weekend Sketch challenge - this is my first for Beate's challenge... how fun! More challenges each week... like I'm strengthening for a marathon or something... HA!

OK - here's my card. The whisper white layer is 8 1/4" x 8 1/4" (which will fit nicely into a long business size envelope)... I folded the white layer in half and got to working on my card.

The "little something" I love about this card is the golf ball. Yes, that was embossed (Swiss Dots embossing folder) with my Cuttlebug... but on golfs ball there are inverted dents... so I turned my paper over before heat embossing it (with versamark and clear embossing powder)... cute, eh?! I'm pretty darn proud of that idea.... see the gloss on the golf ball in that close up shot?! I was giggling to myself thinking - "Wow - you've got a little bit of genius in you today!"

Then I snapped back to reality and realized I was burning my finger w/ my heat gun! HA!

Details, details...

Stamp sets: The Back Nine, Spring Solitude and Frames & Flourishes

Colors: Basic Gray, Kiwi Kiss, Whisper White and Not Quite Navy

Other: Urban Garden Designer Series paper, scallop edge punch, 5/8" chocolate chip grosgrain ribbon, versamark, clear embossing powder, small Niji waterbrush, stampin' dimensionals and Cuttlebug / Swiss Dots embossing folder

My version of the calendar on pg 11 of the new SU catty!

(EDITED to include: due to popular demand, a post for tutorial and supply planning tips will be up here in the next few days. I've also made a case/calendar to hold these in that doubles as gift-wrapping. I'll provide measurements, etc on what I've come up with for my version of this calendar.)

If you've seen the BEAUTIFUL calendar in the new SU Fall/Winter catalog then you'll recognize this. I cannot take credit for this AT ALL. Got get your catty - go straight to page 11 -- DO NOT PASS GO, DO NOT COLLECT... well, you know the drill.

My first order from this new catalog contained all of the necessary items to make this calendar: Urban Garden Designer Series Paper ("DSP"), Roof Garden Accents & Elements, Blooms Again die cuts and the Upsy Daisy stamp set.

Does anyone else love this as much as I do?! The SU colors that coordinate w/ this DSP are Basic Gray, Kiwi Kiss, Baja Breeze and Not Quite Navy. I just LOVE this DSP (and most of the rest of the new DSP's)... and will be making a lot of items with it... maybe even a few more calendars?! (Hmm... Christmas IS just around the corner!)

Taylored Expressions Cupcake Challenge #31

Once again, having so much fun w/ Taylor's Friday challenge (Cupcake Challenge - although you don't have to use any cupcake stamps)...

The first image is the sketch of what the challenge should mimic. And then I used one of my most endeared stamp sets - which is great for several thank you cards I need to get out this weekend.

And one more eloquent touch I'd like to point out as it's a bit tough to see in this pic... on the round red layer (the heart)... after stamping the image with red ink I went back w/ my small waterbrush (thanks for the recommendation Emily - check out the "Stuff I Like" section on her blog) and colored in the heart to give it some more depth... likey?

Details, details...
Stamp sets: Sage Advice and Frames & Flourishes
Colors: Basic Black, Bordering Blue, Riding Hood Red, Basic Gray and Whisper White
Other: 5/8" white organdy ribbon, ticket corner punch, Earth Elements brads, Cuttlebug / Swiss Dots embossing folder, horizontal slot punch and small waterbrush by Niji

Color Challenge... (WSCC4)

And yet another color challenge - and wow am I having so much fun today. It's Saturday... it's a long weekend... and I'm holed up in my happy stampin' place (aka the back patio). I'm not coming out until it's time for me to cook a scrumptious dinner.

I came up for a breather to get this posted ... oh, and I needed some more water! HA!

Yes - you guessed it ... I used my shiny-shine technique (cuttlebug/embossing folder, then versarmark ink and clear embossing powder and heat her up...) on the pink layer. Can you tell I'm in love w/ this right now?! (Just look back... oh, at the last dozen posts or so and you'll see how infatuated I am w/ this technique...)

OK - enough... I gotta go. My stamp table is calling again... I've got the music jammin' and I'm on a roll. Don't talk to me... ;-)

Details, details...
Stamp set: Spring Solitude
Colors: Perfect Plum, Sage Shadow, Pretty in Pink and Whisper White
Other: ribbon slide, 5/8" white organdy ribbon, corner round, horizontal slot punch, Cuttlebug / Textile Texture and Swiss Dots embossing folders, versamark, clear embossing powder and stampin' dimensionals

Take flight, baby! (And Saturday Scraps Challenge LASSC03)

Can anyone guess where I got the inspiration for this project?! Seriously - can anyone?! ;-)

As soon as I saw the cover for SU's 2008 Fall/Winter catalog I started dreaming about my own version of a similar 3d project. In fact, I've got a very large white butterfly hanging above my work space that I free-handed (kindergarten style - fold card stock in half, drew half of butterfly on one side and cut it out. that first one was a bit rough and crude looking - but it was a start!). During the week of Convention I just had to play with this idea and the cute lil' butterfly has been calling my name every so often ... so while she still hangs there for inspiration.

Well, I couldn't sleep this morning - so I was up around 4 am. And finally all of the rest of the details came together. I've had this World Market frame sitting in my "unloved frames" pile for quite a while now. And how perfect was it for THIS project?! I will proudly display my work of art in the kitchen next to the beautiful flowers my hubby brought home for me yesterday. It's going to be a great weekend - and I'm kicking it off in high style! So, let's TAKE FLIGHT baby!

The gloss on the butterfly? Another display of my new FAV shiny-shine technique (yeah, that's my own name for the technique - ROFL!)... I dry embossed (with my buddy the Cuttlebug) and then stamped the whole image w/ a Versamark pad and covered w/ clear embossing powder. Warm up that heat gun, and voila!

You may also notice I used SCRAPS to finish off this project... so this is my post for my Saturday Scraps challenge. Again, no rules for this challenge - no time frame either .... just hoping to inspire at least oen persion to make a quick project from some scraps sitting on the table top! So, go use 'em and leave me a comment w/ a link to what you made! (If you are posting a pic on Splitcoast use keyword LASSC03.)

Details, details...

Stamp set: Spring Solitude

Colors: Very Vanilla, Close to Cocoa, Kiwi Kiss and Baja Breeze

Other: Blooms Again die cuts, very vanilla 5/8" grosgrain ribbon, white embossing powder, Cuttlebug / Textile Texture and Swiss Dots embossing folders, art wire and non-SU jewel embellishments.

Joy Fold card...

I ran across this tutorial and just had to try it...

Beate Johns has been an creative inspiration to me, mentor if you will, for a very long time... and she doesn't even know it! This world of blogging is amazing... I can learn from someone else and they don't even know they are inspiring me. Well, here's another example of that...

Beate posted a tutorial of this fun Joy Fold Card on Splitcoast Stampers ... find it HERE. And one of the other blogs I stalk posted some pics of her version (Thanks Deb)... and based on Deb's pics I made my own version of this card. And when I went back on Deb's blog to say thanks for the inspiration I found a link to Beate's tutorial... now how did I ever miss that in the first place?! I tell you... it's true what they say about getting older, the memory is the first to go!

Anyhow... here's my version, although the measurements are just a smidge different... you get the idea.

As you'll see in the second picture (on the darker "Taken with Teal" layer) I scored the card stock and then did my new FAV shiny-shine technique (hit the whole piece of card stock with versamark, followed by clear embossing powder and then heat 'er up!)... like it?

The black dot you see in the last image is a small 1/2" round magnet piece that holds the smaller layer on top of it when closed. There are many ways you can keep that layer closed... as you'll see in Beate's tutorial... but I had some magnet sheets hangin' around so I decided to use them! Nifty, eh?!

Details, details...

Stamp set: Happy Harmony and Frames & Flourishes

Colors: Tangerine Tango, Taken with Teal and Whisper White

Other: Baja Breeze Designer Series Paper, Versamark, clear embossing powder, non-SU embellishments and SU's magnet sheets and 1/2" circle punch

Once again, embossed / stylized flowers...

I am so loving this embossed layer - a full layer of card stock. The sheen and shine really deepens the color of the card stock... plus, I'm drawn to shiny objects! HA! So here's another fun card using this great technique.

I first ran the More Mustard card stock layer through the Cuttlebug with the Stylized Flowers folder. But there's another step in there - can you see it? I also used the technique of inking up the Cuttlebug folder before putting the paper in. Yep - even more vibrant color! Next, I stamped the whole layer w/ a Versamark pad and embossed w/ clear embossing powder.

Details, details...

Stamp sets: Frames & Flourishes, Fresh Cuts and Best Yet

Colors: Riding Hood Red, More Mustard, Kiwi Kiss, Tangerine Tango and Very Vanilla.

Other: Cuttlebug / Stylized Flowers embossing folder, 5/8" chocolate chip grosgrain ribbon, kiwi kiss double sided ribbon, ticket corner punch, stampin' dimensionals, versamark pad, clear embossing powder and non-SU jewel embellishment

Quick Cuttlebug scallop cards

I needed to make some quick "Thank you" cards for some packages I was sending out and wanted to use up some scraps while I was at it. This is what I came up with... I'll be making lots more of these! They sure were fun!

Details, details...
Stamp sets: Frames & Flourishes and Happy Harmony (SU retired)
Colors: card #1 - Baja Breeze, Kiwi Kiss, Basic Black and Whisper White. card #2 - Garden Green, Basis Black, Basic Gray and Whisper White
Other: Cuttlebug / Nestabilities large scallop dies, SU ribbon, stipple brush and Stampin' glitter

To emboss or Not to emboss?! That is the question?

Well, what do you think? Which card do you like better? The only difference between the top two pics and the bottom two pics is that the Garden Green layer has been embossed w/ Versamark ink and clear embossing powder. Really! That's all!

What a dramatic effect for a quick additional step...

Details, details...
Stamp set: Close as a Memory and Frames & Flourishes
Colors: Handsome Hunter, So Saffron, Garden Green, Apricot Appeal, Really Rust, Chocolate Chip and Very Vanilla
Other: Cuttlebug / Stylized flowers embossing folder and 5/8" very vanilla grosgrain ribbon

Faux Crayolas - sorry Crayola and Staonal!

And no, it's not a new technique. It's a gag gift (sorry Crayola and Staonal - but you really should be flattered) for a co-worker. We have a year-end process at my "day job" with a strict deadline - and if people don't meet that deadline we have to reject their requests. This policy-driven, procedure-abiding co-worker keeps insisting he's going to, and I quote here, "write in red crayon 'REJECTED' on a fax cover sheet and fax back to the submitting firm if they miss the deadline"...

So, of course I had to put something fun together for him - and of course I had to use SU supplies to do it! I searched high and low for some over-sized red crayons. Who knew construction sites needed to use waterproof red crayons?! Hmph! I found these crayons (in boxes of 8) at a rather decent price. So, today I peeled the old labels off each individual crayon, put my own personalized label on (for said co-worker), and made an over-sized box to hold 24 of these huge crayons.

Yeah - this is a little bit of the ol' practical joker coming out! You shouldn't be surprised - you knew she was in there...

Details, details...
Colors: Summer Sun, Garden Green, Handsome Hunter and Real Red
Other: Cuttlebug / Nestabilities scallop dies, Sizzix Serif alpha die, number stamps

I LOVE YOUR BLOG Award...

What a nice surprise for me today - I received an award from my friend Gina!!! What an honor - I see this award on others' blogs - and I totally agree because of their stunning work! But wait - now it's MY turn?! Woo hoo! So off I went to find 7 blogs that I check out nearly daily - but who haven't already received this award recently... and so many of them have! Here it goes....

Here are the rules for accepting this wonderful blog award:

1. The winner can put the logo on their blog

2. Link the person you received your award from (see the link above)

3. Nominate at least 7 other blogs

4. Put links of those blogs on yours

5. Leave a message on the blogs of the people you have nominated

So this is who I am awarding this "I (heart) Your Blog" to:

1. Valita at Valita's Designs
2. Lori Craig at her blog

3. Deb at Paper, Ink, Scissors & Stamps

4. Jay at her blog

5. Taylor at Taylored Expressions

6. Kerry at her blog

7. Bev at Bevithia's blogspot

There are so many reasons I wanted to nominate these ladies - one inspired me to think outside the box when dry embossing (using non-stamping supplies to emboss), one inspired me to finally get involved w/ blog challenges, while another gave me invaluable info I couldn't find anywhere else, etc... the list goes on and on. I've been so inspired from all of these ladies lately and I had to let them know.

Now - make sure you pass it forward and continue to inspire! Thanks again to Gina for my award!

Blog Candy WINNER

And the WINNER is... Cindy Vernon who said: "I love this stand. I think that I would use it exactly like you do, for recipes! You decorated it so cute too!" Cindy - I'll mail this out to you (along w/ some other goodies from my stash) when you provide me with your email address. Have fun!

More info on the stand above:
Original blog post: http://tisdalestamps.blogspot.com/2008/08/6x6-recipes-and-really-cool-stand.html
Where this stand came from: http://www.bingamanwoodcrafts.com/pages/Items%20For%20Sale.htm (Disclaimer: I do not know the individual making these stands, I am not receiving any sort of compensation for recommending this site and he does not know I'm giving away a product of his.)


And a pic for the day - this is a pic of one of my recent uses of SU's rub-ons. I had this old flower pot that I've used to hold just a gaggle of tools (pencils, bone folders, scissors, etc)... and it was looking like it needed some bling... so I found my rub-ons and found a phrase I would like to see for inspiration while I stamp. Follow your heart.... (and I just noticed the picture s a tad blurry ... sorry!)

Taylored Expressions Cupcake Challenge #30

Pictured first is Taylor's sketch for the challenge. Rules: follow the sketch to make a card or non-card project, but you don't have to use cupcakes if you don't have any (good, 'cuz I don't have any).

The second picture is my submission - quick and easy this time. I had a busy weekend and didn't have the time I wanted to really dedicate some good free-spirited creativity to this. But I still wanted to participate... so here's my simple creation.

For more on Taylor's inspirational blog: http://tayloredexpressions.blogspot.com/

Details, details...

Stamp set: Puns from the Past

Colors: Pacific Point, Kiwi Kiss, Baja Breeze, Whisper White and Basic Black

Other: blender pen and black brads

Saturday Scraps challenge (LASSC02)

G'morning sunshine!!! Ready for a scrap challenge today? I'll be posting a new challenge every Saturday. Leave me a comment and a link to your project (cards, scrapbook page, non-card project) using scraps! No other rules... just use up some of the scraps!!!

Did you hear that?! It was my squeal of happiness when I stumbled across these $1.00 notebooks at Joann's on Thursday! Like I needed another project to work on... but I figured they would make for STINKIN' ADORABLE Hostess gifts for my upcoming workshops... and I get to deliver the first one today! I can't wait to see Kellye open her little bag of goodies... mostly because I want to see her ooh and ahh over this adorable note book. So, I added a little bit of color and some SU embellishments and VOILA! Now, should I hit up every Joann's store in a 30 mile radius and stock up on these little gems or what?!

Details, details...

Stamp set: Happy Harmony (SU retired)

Colors: More Mustard, Sage Shadow and Chocolate Chip

Other: Filigree brads, label punch and mini library clips

BLOG CANDY for 5k+ hits!

Since starting a gallery on SCS I've noticed that a lot of people are checking me out! Seriously - while I've stalked SCS and left only 5 comments in the past two years.... I finally decided to jump on the band wagon and post a gallery there! Since then (only YESTERDAY morning) I've had over 400 hits on my blog! And, at this rate, by this weekend I'll have hit the 5,000 mark! (At the time of writing this my blog has 4,907 hits.)

While many other blogs have hits in the 100k zone - this is huge to me! My measely 5k hits has made my whole week! I had no clue that stamp- and scrap-crazed women watched SCS so much... do you all work? is there any housework to get done?! OR are your homes falling apart and you are just about ready to get fired for surfing websites from the workplace?! HA! LOL!

No, seriously - it's so touching to get feedback for inspiring others to get to their crafting places and be happy for a while. So, with that said - I'll be offering up my first blog candy to a random selection of the people who leave comments about how they are going to use this stand... 1 lucky recipient (by random selection from my DH) will be the winner of this Blog Candy.

There will be more info on this receipe stand provided in the post about the blog winner.

How to win: post a comment here about how you would use this stand. Here I am using it as a recipe stand. Winner will then receive stand and 10 - 6"x6" page protectors (brand new from SU) so they can make their own project! (recipes not included - those stay with me)

Thanks ladies... in a moment of true candor, I had not wanted to put my work "out there" because so many of you are so great. Honestly, I was a bit intimidated to open myself up for criticism. I know - ridiculous thought. But still the thought was there. So, I'm working on that...

Leave me a comment! And HAPPY FRIDAY!


Hugs, Lori

KWerner's color inspiration #19

This is my first time participate in Kristina's color challenge (her challenge is based on the colors in the very first picture on this post). However the challenge was to use these 3 base colors: Basic Black, Basic Gray and Whisper White. The fourth color was for us to pick out on our own and add to the mix.

And I sure had fun! I've been watching others participate here... initially totally intimidated by the FABULOUS creations people were posting. So here goes nothing...

As you can tell from the images I ended up making two different versions... one with scored marks on the white layer - and one without. Which one is your favorite?

Details, details...

Stamp set: Upsy Daisy and Frames & Flourishes

Colors: Basic Black, Basic Gray, Whisper White and Real Red

Other: ticket corner punch, filigree brads, earth elements brad, stampin' dimensionals, versamark, clear embossing powder, small circle punch, wide white organdy ribbon, ribbon slot punch, mini library clips and scoring tool

Tuesday's Color Combo challenge (CC180)

Today I decided to do my first Splitcoast Challenge... problem? I can't seem to figure out how to upload my picture to the correct gallery... or is it an "album"... and where do I enter my keyword of CC180 so that my picture is "found"? Oh, I'm somewhat embarrassed... I cannot figure out how to post pictures for this challenge for NOTHING! Anyhow... it didn't stop me from making a card today.

The challenge? Use the following colors together: Ruby Red, Blush Blossom and Close to Cocoa. I love this color combo... which is a good thing 'cuz I might have given up after being lost for hours in the halls of SCS with no posts or pictures or albums or galleries to show for it. I'm going to have to tackle this posting thing this week... I feel so left out at this point! HA!

A note on the doilie I used - this was a plain white doily that I found at Michael's in the Wilton baking section. Well, I simply inked up my brayer w/ Blush Blossom and ran over the doilie several times for a slight tint.... then hit the edges w/ the stipple brush and chocoloate chip ink.

Details, details...

Stamp set: Dreams du Jour and Baroque Motifs

Colors: Blush Blossom, Ruby Red, Close to Cocoa, Very Vanilla, More Mustard and Sage Shadow.

Other: plain white paper doilie, blender pen, ticket corner punch, stipple brush, paper piercing tool, foam pad, Cuttlebug / Nestabilities scallop circle punch

happy fall colors!

I know the first day of Fall isn't technically until Sept 22nd... but here's how I figure it... if Michael's can have CHRISTMAS stuff on their shelves already, then I can get out my fall decorations! Hmph! So, thus I did. I lit up my Fall Foliage candle ... I got out the Pumpkin Spice scented tarts... I made my award-winning white chili for dinner last night... and the candy corn has taken up residence on every flat surface in the house.

And if I'm going to go to all of that work to welcome in the brisk morning breezes, the cooler evenings, and everything else that ensues… then of course I must find a way to bring out the creative side of Fall as well.

Since Fall is my FAV of the 4 seasons... the first stamp set that came to mind was "Happy Everything"... I made two cards....

And here I'd like to highlight that the round scallop is actually a foam pad (Michael’s)... I ran it through my Cuttlebug along w/ a Nestabilities scallop die and voila! Yes, it's that easy. So, here's the rest of the...

Details, details... (card #1)
Stamp set: Happy Everything and Stems & Silhouettes jumbo wheel
Colors: Bravo Burgundy, More Mustard, Really Rust, Sage Shadow, Basic Brown and Very Vanilla
Other: ticket corner punch, foam pad, satin ribbon, blender pens, stampin’ dimensional and Cuttlebug / Nestabilities scallop die

Details, details... (card #2)
Stamp set: Holidayss & Wishes and Stems & Silhouettes jumbo wheel
Colors: Bravo Burgundy, More Mustard, Really Rust, Sage Shadow, Basic Brown and Very Vanilla
Other: ticket corner punch, foam pad, 5/8” chocolate grosgrain ribbon, blender pens, stampin’ dimensionals and Cuttlebug / Nestabilities scallop die