Blog Candy, Blog Booty, Blog Freebies, Blog Goodies ... a/k/a FREE Stamps!

Happy Saturday! And, lookie! I have more free stamps from Diva Impressions for you!

If you'd like to win these four vintage-inspired, unmounted red rubber stamps, simply leave a comment on this post and these babies will be calling your house "home!"

Here's how: simply visit Diva Impressions online store, choose which stamp you'd love to add to your collection from Beth's amazing inventory, then return here and tell me which one you love the most! You can click HERE ... a new window will open and you're on your way.

On Tuesday, June 3, I'll choose a winner by numbered comment at random.org.

THE DEETS: If you subscribe to my blog, or have your blog linked to mine, you can enter to win these stamps twice a day ... giving you eight chances to win! Even if you don't subscribe or link to my blog, you can still enter once a day ... giving you four chances to win!

This giveaway is open to everyone ... including previous winners. And, as always, international visitors are welcome to enter.

ALSO: Please number your comments ... and remember to check back on Tuesday evening to see if you've won! Easy-peasy!

Thanks so much for spending part of your busy weekend with me!

~Hugs,

15 Minute Project ... Using the Walnut Ink Resist Technique

TGIF! And, just askin', but was this the longest week in the history of the world, or what? Or was it just me?!?

Today's vintage-inspired "15 Minute Project" was actually created in two sessions. In the first, I used THIS gorgeous stamp from Diva Impression, to create my focal image using the Walnut Ink Resist Technique. Basically, you stamp on your matte finish card stock with clear embossing powder, heat, then treat the paper with lots o'walnut ink. For my complete tutorial on this kewl technique, click HERE.

I matted my card stock with DP from BasicGrey and added my sentiments using matted twill stickers from All My Memories.

Finally, I added some dark brown grosgrain ribbon, and finis! Easy-peasy and ready to serve in just 15 Minutes!

Now, if the weekend will pass as slowly as this week did, we'll be golden!

Thanks so much for spending part of your busy day with me ... and I hope your weekend goes by slowly too!

~Hugs,


Card Stock: Sorbet "Cappuccino" from CutCardStock; Designer Paper: BasicGrey; Stamp: "Sunflower Collage" from Diva Impressions; Ink: Versamark; Walnut Ink: 7gypsies; Sentiments: "Twill Sayings" from All My Memories; Ribbon: Unknown (Obtained in a Ribbon Share); Adhesive: ATG 714

An Over-Stuffed Shaker Card ... A Blog Challenge Entry!

Today's card project was created for Allison's "Suggestive Sunday" blog challenge. This week's theme, "I Can See Clearly Now," called for the use of a clear element, such as acetate, tissue, mulberry paper, or vellum. I chose to use an acetate transparency to create my uber-stuffed shaker card.

I cheated a bit on the shaker box as I used a rubber stamp template to create my box but all's fair in love, war, and blog challenges, yes?

Once I had created my box using DCWV card stock, I overfilled it with microbeads, shiny confetti, seed beads, and fairy dust (just seein' if you're payin' attention).

I stamped the shaker box background panel, my "giggle" word, and the arrows using "Black Soot" Distress Ink. I glued everything down to my card base, and stepped away so as to avoid any damage from an overstuffed shaker box explosion.

I haven't created one of these kewl shaker boxes in for-evuh, so this was a fun way to revisit an old favorite! So, thanks, Allison!

PS: Kids absolutely LOVE these thangs ... and most adults do, too!

Thanks so much for spending part of your busy day with me! You, ummm ... ROCK!

~Hugs,


Card Stock: Xerox 110#, DSWV; Stamps: Arrows by FontWerks, Sentiment by Stampin' Up!, Large Polka-Dot, Great Impressions, and, Shaker Box Template by Art Gone Wild (I just realized this stamp wasn't created by Stamp It! ... Ummm, so sorry about the lab animals); Ink: Distress Ink by Ranger Industries; Beads, Confetti, and Fairy Dust: Unknown; Adhesive: ATG 714

RAK's From Allison ... and a Blog Candy Winner!

WoWZa! Look what I received in today's mail from my BBFF ... All the way from Calgary, Alberta, Canada!!!! Now, I ask you: are these cute or what?!? I love the card ... Allison's coloring skillz rock ... but the little monogrammed notebook is to-die-for! Thanks so much Allison, I'll treasure these for-evuh!

Onto the blog candy winner! I just went to random.org and plugged in the number of comments and random.org said, (well, it didn't say anything, you have to read it):

Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers: 8
Timestamp: 2008-05-28 23:24:47 UTC

Comment number 8 reads, "Hey Deb...I hope you have a wonderful time celebrating the holiday!My favorite stamp at this VERY second is the Magnolia Stamp. One of these days I'm going to take a deep breath and order those expensive beauties.Thank you for sharing your awesome candy and enjoy your day.malieta:)"

Malieta, congrats!!! Please send me your snail mail addy and I'll get your babies home to you posthaste!

Thank you all for entering; I wish you all could win ... and, at the rate we're going, sooner or later, you all WILL win! I'll be posting up more blog candy from Diva Impressions soon ... you guys know how much I LOVE givin' away rubbah!

Thanks so much for sharing your busy day with me ... I'll be back tomorrow with a project or three for you to CASE.

~Hugs,

Bird's of a Feather Flock Together ...

I wonder who's responsible for that cliche? Well, yes, I 'spose I could Google it, but that was really more of a rhetorical question. And these birds actually do look like they'd hang together ... they'd have no choice: the other birds would either kill 'em or laff 'em outta town!

Anyway, today's card project was created for no good reason using a really neat stamp from Magenta. I stamped my image on Xerox 110# card stock then colored it using Copic markers ... wish I could see some improvement in my Copic coloring skillz but so far, nada. I added some detail to the bird's feathers with an extra-fine point white Sharpie paint pen.

I stamped my image a second time, colored three of the images, and used them to create cute little metal-edged tags using ... guess what: a Tag Maker!

I stamped my sentiment, tied a w-a-y bright orange grosgrain ribbon around the card, made a cute little bunny-ears bow, and was done! Easy-peasy and ready to serve in ... a half hour.

Don't forget to enter for a chance to win four kewl Diva Impressions stamps ... simply comment on the post below. And your chances are pretty dang good considering there's only about 20 comments!

Thanks so much for sharing part of your busy day with me!

~Hugs,


Card Stock Base: CutCard Stock; Other Card Stock: Xerox 110#, DCWV; Stamps: Bird Stamp by Magenta, Sentiment by Papertrey Ink; Dye Ink: Adirondack "Pitch Black" by Ranger; Color Medium: Copic Markers, Sharpie Paint Pen; Small Square Tags: Making Memories; Grosgrain Ribbon: Unknown, (Obtained in a Ribbon Share); Tag Corner Punch: Stampin' Up!; Tag Maker by Making Memories; Dimensionals: All Night Media; Adhesive: ATG 714

Blog Candy 4 You ... 4 Beautiful Rubber Stamps!

MAY 26, EDITED TO ADD: Hey, I just discovered that Diva Impressions is having a huge Memorial Day weekend sale! Stamps in every category are discounted, so might want to take a peek and see if you can find a deal on your favorite Diva Impressions stamps!

Hello boys and girls; happy Sunday!

I'm going to be taking tomorrow off to enjoy some family time (see THIS post), so I think it's the perfect time for someone to win some awesome rubber stamps from Diva Impressions!

Simply post a comment on this post ... telling me which stamp company is your current favorite ... and why, and I'll have random.org choose the winning post on Wednesday, May 28.

THE DEETS: If you subscribe to my blog, or have your blog linked to mine, you can enter to win these stamps twice a day ... giving you ten chances to win! Even if you don't subscribe or link to my blog, you can still enter once a day ... giving you five chances to win!

As always, international visitors are welcome to enter ... I'll ship anywhere mail is delivered.

ALSO: Please number your posts ... and remember to check back here on Wednesday evening to see if you've won. Easy-peasy!

AND: If you've previously won some of these kewl stamps, don't let that stop you! Everyone and anyone can enter ... including previous winners.

Thanks so much for visiting!

~Hugs,

Got Any Three's?

I kill me ...

Today's card project was finally created for Allison's "Suggestive Sunday" challenge. This week, Allison challenged us to create a "manly" card. Ahhhh, the dreaded "manly" card ... the curse of the card maker!

I stamped my fishing lure image with Versamark and heat embossed with "Java Jolt" embossing powder, then attached it to a length of natural jute thread using a jump ring. I recycled a twig from my yard for my "fishing pole" and wrapped the opposite end of the jute thread around the twig and glued it in place. I used slivers of dimensionals to mount the lure.

TIP: Always save the excess "stuff" after you've used up your sheets of push-out dimensionals. The remaining sheet of ... well, holes ... can be cut into tiny pieces to use on smaller projects.

My sentiment was created using Velvet Alpha stickers ... I think they're from Making Memories but don't have the original packaging so your guess is as good as mine. The "waves" were created with Fiskars decorative edge scissors and the sea gulls were cut freehand. What's that? They don't look much like sea gulls?!? LOLO, I'm not surprised, I can barely cut a straight line freehand! Oh, that little bit of grey along the top of the "wings" ... I applied just a hint of color using Copic marker W3.

Thanks so much for stopping by ~ and thanks so much for all your kind comments ... you guys make my day!!

~Hugs,


Card Stock: Bazzill, DCWV; Stamp: Unknown Maker; Ink: Versamark; Embossing Powder: Comotion; Copic Marker W3; Fiber: 7gypsies; Twig: Mother Nature; Velvet Alpha Stickers: Making Memories (I thin' ...); Adhesive: ATG 714; Dimensionals: All Night Media; Craft Glue: The Ultimate by Api

It's a Tag! It's a Card! It's a Tag Card!!

Happy Friday ... and welcome to a long, holiday weekend! Hope you have lots of fun stuff planned with your family and friends.

Larry & I will be hangin' out with family at a lakeside picnic, complete with angry fire ants, parakeet-size mosquitos, and dangerous explosives. Should be fun!

Oh yes, fireworks are legal here in sunny Florida and everyone (well, not everyone, but it sure sounds like everyone), takes full advantage of that fact. "Lookie here, Ma! Paw jess blew his dang thumb clear off!" {Sigh ... good times}.

Today's card project was created for the Caardvarks tag challenge. The challenge required that you create a tag project inspired by a month of the year. Which I totally didn't know until just now creating the link-up, lol! Apparently, I read 'tag,' and immediately thereafter zoned out ... I'll blame it on being blonde ... again. Guess I'll say this card was inspired by the month of Spring. Think that'll fly? (hey, a joke!) I can always say "May" ... as in "May I please be allowed to play?!"

I created this cute little birdhouse using an ancient stamp from Stampourri ... I will never leave this stamp 'cuz I love it so. The sentiment, the branch, and the bird images are all from Cornish Heritage Farms, stamped on Kraft card stock and heat embossed with embossing powder that is so old the label has worn away. However, the brown embossing powder used here is still youthful enough that I know who made it: Comotion, "Java Jolt."

Here's a closer look at the birdhouse:



Yes, Veronica, it was a BEAR gluing that teeny-tiny perch on to that teeny-tiny birdhouse ... not to mention gluing that teeny-tiny bird to that teeny-tiny perch! As always, you can click on the photos for a ginormous photo ... um, don't say I didn't warn you!

My leaves were created with punches, my tag was heavily distressed with walnut ink, and the whole shebang is mounted on squishy, (as opposed to not-squishy), dimensionals.

Hurray! Another card that will cost me $4.80 to mail!!! Just one more example of a greeting card that truly IS the gift!

Have a wonderful, safe, and creative weekend ... and please watch out for fire ants, mosquitos, and dangerous incendiary devices.

~Hugs,


Card Stock: Cut Card Stock, Bazzill; Designer Paper: Memory Box; Stamps: "Pretty Birds" Collection by Kim Hughes for Cornish Heritage Farms, Stampourri; Ink: Versamark; Embossing Powder: Blue, Unknown ... prolly older than dirt, "Java Jolt" by Comotion; Fiber: Natural Jute Thread, 7gypsies; Adhesive: VAST quantities of super-strong glue, "The Ultimate," by Api; Scotch ATG 714; Squishy Dimensionals: Scotch Foam Thingies; Various Craft Punches; Die-Cut Machine by Provo Craft; Die, "Nestabilities Large Oval" Collections by Spellbinder's

15 Minute Project ... And an Award to Pass On!

Today's "15 Minute" project was made in a quick second using a die-cut from October Afternoon's "County Fair" collection.

When I saw this numbered "Notes" die-cut, I knew it would be just perfect to incorporate in a card project. I stamped all the sentiments (from Papertrey Ink's Limited Edition Anniversary Collection), using dark brown fluid chalk ink, and attached a scalloped edge binder clip.

I punched my card stock using a SU! spiral punch, then wrapped some natural jute thread around to hold my die-cut in place. I added a few eyelets, more jute thread, and a bit of ribbon and I was done! Easy-peasy and ready to serve in just 15 Minutes!

My rockin' bloggin' pal, Julie, sent me this really neat award:

What a kewl graphic, huh?!? Well, it's time for me to pass the torch, err, .png file. Julie passed the award on to six people who rocked her socks, so I'll do the same:

1st: My talented, super-terrific, wonderfully sweet, always-there-for-ya bloggin' buddy ... Annapurna! I'm proud to be your 'imaginary friend,' Anna!

2nd: She knows all, sees all, hears all, does it all; with both hands tied behind her back and two WJ's wrapped around her ankles ... Allison!

3rd: Sweet, smart, hysterically funny, uber-talented, with glitter everywhere and in her hair ... Jennifer!

4th: A new bloggin' buddy who's fun, friendly, and has some SERIOUS talent! And when I say 'serious talent,' I'm being ... umm, serious. Here ya go, Julia!

5th: A lovely woman who, wherever she blurfs, spreads joy, laughter, friendship, and encouragement. Oh. She also possesses the. most. amazing. coloring. skillz. evuh. ... Risa!

6th: You! You never fail to inspire, encourage, and delight me with your unbelievable talent, your warm friendship, your total acceptance, your willingness to share your ideas and your time, your commitment to the art of stamping, and your constant support. Daily, you challenge me to try harder, work smarter, and to pursue my dreams. Thank you ... now take this and get outta here!

Thanks so much for sharing part of your busy day with me.

~Hugs,


Card Stock: Cut Card Stock; Designer Paper: October Afternoon; Stamps: Papertrey Ink; Ink: ColorBox; Fiber: 7gypsies; Grosgrain Ribbon: Unknown, Obtained in a Ribbon Share; Binder Clip: Unknown, Found in Mt. Binder Clip; Eyelets: American Crafts; Spiral Punch: Stampin' Up; Adhesive: ATG 714

They're Baaack ... A Blog Challenge Entry Featuring, Guess What? MORE Lilies!

I'll be totally honest with you: I'm not really over-joyed with this project. I still think that the concept was good, but the execution ... hmmm, not so good.

Why? 'Cuz I keep thinking that the card could be better if I had stamped the flower stems over the card stock base instead of just on the white card stock, KWIM? I'm soooo tempted to extend the stems across the card base, but I really wanted to keep that area blank in order to have room to stamp an appropriate sentiment. Sigh ... I want it all.

Today's card was created for Sharon's "Stamp Simply" challenge. Sharon's challenge required using three panels on your project ... in any orientation. And, since I had three more of the little lilies hangin' around, I thought I'd use 'em here.

If you'd like a better look at the card, simply clickie on the image. If you'd like more information on how the flowers were created, skip down a couple, three posts for the deets.

I've been dreadin' this: I'm afraid my Mojo has left the building ...

~Hugs,


Card Stock: Bazzill, Xerox 110#, DCWV; Stamps: Flower Stem by Outlines, Blocks by Stamp It!; Ink: Adirondack by Ranger; Twinkling H2O's by LuminArte; Zig Markers; Various Craft Punches, Various Stylus'; Tweezers; Adhesive: ATG 714 and The Ultimate by Api

ETA: And, thanks to Annapurna's heads-up, this card also qualifies for this week's CPS sketch challenge! Hey, things are lookin' up!

Blog Candy Winner ... and The Yogurt Video!

If you read Carol Burrage's blog, you've prolly already seen this video. But if you haven't, or want to watch it again 'cuz it's hysterical, well, here you go:


Okay, now that I've gotten that outta my system, (LOL - that statement is way funnier after you see the video), it's time to announce the winner of the Diva Impressions rubber stamp give-away. I went to Random.org and plugged in the number of comments (not including deleted comments), and got this:

Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers: 9
Timestamp: 2008-05-20 22:58:18 UTC

Comment #9 reads, "Favorite technique, huh? I'd have to say distressing. Right now everything I do needs to be distressed in one way or the other. Love the look and the process. Thanks for offering these great stamps as blog candy. You rock!," and was posted by Sheila D. Congrats to Sheila and please send me your snail mail addy so I can get your new stamps off to you! Oh! And you rock too ... almost as much as J.K.!

Thanks to all of you for visiting, comment, and posting. I have lots more of these stamps to give away ... so check back for another chance to win some time this weekend.

Finally, I quickly wanted to respond to a couple of questions I received about THIS project.

First off, the secret to creating these particular flowers is the punch:

This is called the "Mega Lily Theme Punch" ... I purchased mine some time ago and don't remember exactly where but I believe I found it online. A quick Google search indicates it's still available ...and can be purchased for around $17.00. This punch contains all the lily petals and the leaf.

I shaped my punched petals with a molding tool but a small spoon will work too. I use tweezers to curl the tips and the edges of the flowers and the leaves and a stylus to create veins. The whole shebang is created on a punched snowflake base; if you don't have a snowflake punch you can do what I do, which is I cut a snowflake die in my Cuttlebug and glue all the flowers and leaves in place on the 'fingers' of the snowflakes. And speaking of glue, you want the fastest drying, strongest hold, clear-drying glue you can find. For me, that's "The Ultimate" glue by Api.

And I think that about covers it ... if I can clarify anything for you (and that would prolly be every thing since I'm sure my explanation is as clear as mud), I'm happy to try.

Thanks so much for spending part of your busy day with me!

~Hugs,

Lots and Lots O'Lilies

Happy Monday everyone ... {ducking}. Well, at least it's over, right?!?

Today's card project(s) were created just for the heck of it ... and for my birthday card stash. I've got lots of birthday's in the offing, all female revelers ... all of whom love flowers. And in one case, one who's very favorite flower is the Tiger Lily! Score!!

Using some card stock, a stylus or two, a few punches, and lots of "The Ultimate" glue, these lilies were a snap to make. And they're really a lot of fun to create, too! I added shading and sparkle using some of my lonesome and unloved Twinkling H2O's, and added some spots and dots with a Zig marker.

I stamped my sentiment, from Papertrey Ink's Limited Edition Anniversary collection, on Xerox 110# card stock, then cut and matted using my Nesties in the 'Bug. Gosh, you almost need a handbook to understand "stamper-speak," huh?!?

Anyway, being the compulsive and anal card maker that I am, I couldn't rest with just one color combination:


And you're only seeing three different colors of lily because I couldn't get the fourth ... or fifth ... card in the same photo. I'm scary, huh?!?

The other four cards have been left plain, (if you can call 35 pounds of paper Tiger Lilies "plain") ... I'll add sentiments to them as needed. Havin' a card stash is a beautiful thang, isn't it? And a feeling that only a card maker can understand. That, and the problem we have actually gettin' 'em into the mail ... but that's a whole 'nother thing for another day.

As always, you can click on the images for a ginormous photograph ... and, if you can stand it, here's an even closer look at just the flowers:


Soooooo, that's what I did this rainy (in So Florida), Monday!

Thanks so much for sharing part of your lousy busy Monday with me! And don't forget to enter for a chance to win four uber-kewl Diva Impressions unmounted, red rubber stamps! Simply leave a comment in the blog post, below. I'll be drawing a winner sometime tomorrow evening.

And, can I just say: you guys rock! Ummm, that goes double for you, Julie!!

~Hugs,


Card Stock: Bazzill, DCWV, Xerox 110#; Sentiment Stamp: Papertrey Ink; Ink: Adirondack Dye; Twinkling H2o's by LuminArte; Tools: Various punches (if you want a detailed list, just axe me!), Various Stylus' (ditto), Cuttlebug by Provo Craft, Nestabilities Dies by Spellbinder's, Zig Water Brush, EK Success; Adhesive: The Ultimate by Api

MORE Blog Candy 4 You ... 4 Gorgeous Stamps from Diva Impressions!

By the time you read this post, I'll be frolickin' in a large chocolate fountain!

A dear friend of mine is celebrating her birthday today, and between the two bands, the raw bar, the dessert pavilion (!), and a large, flowing vat of chocolate, I just might have found heaven on earth. I'll get back to you on that ... if I manage to survive!

I have four more beautiful, deeply etched, unmounted, red stamps from Diva Impressions to give away!

If you'd like to win them, simply leave on comment on this post ... telling me what your (current) favorite stamping technique is. That's it! On Tuesday, May 20th, I'll choose a winner.

THE DEETS: If you subscribe to my blog, or have your blog linked to mine, you can enter to win these stamps twice a day ... giving you eight chances to win! Even if you don't subscribe or link to my blog, you can still enter once a day ... giving you four chances to win!

As always, international visitors are welcome to enter ... I'll ship anywhere mail is delivered.

ALSO: Please number your posts ... and remember to check back on Tuesday evening to see if you've won!

I love give-aways!

~Hugs,

Bloom with Abandon ... Walnut Ink Resist Technique

Happy Friday, boys and girls, and welcome to another edition of MACM! No, no, nothing like Kristina's Make a Card Monday. My version of MACM is "Making a Card ... Mess!"

With my art roots being in mixed media collage and assemblage, mess-making comes naturally to me! But with my "spray in a box" technique, this project really isn't all that messy ... and, if you're like me, you already have 20 gallons of walnut ink stashed somewhere in your studio. Today we're gonna put it to good use!

It's really very simple to achieve this look: you'll need white matte card stock, a bold stamp, watermark ink, clear embossing powder, a heat gun, walnut ink, an old shoe box, and a soft cloth or paper towels.

I stamped my "Long Stemmed Lily" stamp three times on Xerox 110# matte card stock using Versamark watermark ink. I covered my stamped images with clear embossing powder and embossed with my heat gun. I followed the same steps with my sentiment stamp.

Now for the messy fun part! Fill a spray bottle with walnut ink (follow package instructions, or ask me for mixing directions, if you're starting with walnut ink crystals). Place your stamped and embossed images in the empty shoe box and spray ... liberally ... with the walnut ink. Then spray again ... liberally. I like to cover the entire sheet of card stock with ink, encouraging lots of little puddles ... that's what makes the piece interesting! Using your hands, rotate the inked card stock, allowing the ink to puddle and pool. Once you're satisfied with the ink's coverage, you're done! Simply allow the card stock to dry naturally ... overnight is best.

When completely dry, simply wipe the embossed areas with a cloth or a paper towel. You might slightly dampen the cloth or paper towel for faster removal. Then use your uber-kewl, walnut-ink, clear-embossed-resist piece in your next project!

This technique is a great way to enhance a vintage-inspired project, but any stamp or style will work here ... with the possible exception of finely detailed stamps. Try it! I'd love to see what you create, so if you do use this technique please post a link in the comments.

Thanks so much for sharing part of your busy day with me; have a great weekend!

~Hugs,


Card Stock: Cut Card Stock, Xerox 110#; Designer Paper: My Mind's Eye "Bohemia" Collection; Stamps: "Long Stemmed Lily" by Hero Arts, "Bloom with Abandon" Cornish Heritage Farms; Ink: Versamark Watermark; Walnut Ink: 7gypsies; Waxed Linen: 7gypsies; Die-Cut Machine: Provo Craft; Dies: Nestabilities by Spellbinder's; Adhesive: ATG 714; Dimensionals: All Night Media

I Think That I Shall Never See ...

... a rubber stamp that I don't need.

Today's card project was created using more kewl designer paper from October Afternoon's "County Fair" collection. Strangely, I'm still not sick of this DP ... yet.

I inked up my JudiKins tree stamp with watermark ink, followed by fluid chalk ink, then embossed with clear embossing powder. I did the same with my D.O.T.S. grass image. In a wild and reckless maneuver, I embellished the leaves using white opal Liquid Pearls.

I added a rub-on sentiment from October Afternoon, die-cut my mats, tied on some dark brown ribbon, and was done! Easy-peasy and almost ready in 15 Minutes!

I've been playing around with clear embossing powder resist techniques and will have a project or two to show you in the next day or so. Get out your walnut ink; we're gonna be makin' a mess!

Thanks so much for sharing part of your busy day with me!

~Hugs,


Card Stock: Cut Card Stock (LOVE this stuff!), Xerox 110#; Designer Paper: October Afternoon, "County Fair" Collection; Stamps: Tree, JudiKins; Grass, D.O.T.S.; Inks: Watermark,Versamark; Fluid Chalk Ink, ColorBox; Clear Embossing Powder: Ranger; Liquid Pearls, Ranger; Rub-On Transfer: October Afternoon; Ribbon: Unknown, Obtained in a Ribbon Share; Die-Cut Machine: Provo Craft; Dies: Spellbinder's Nestabilities; Adhesive: ATG 714; Dimensionals: All Night Media

15 Minute Project ... and a Blog Challenge Entry

Today's "15 Minute" card project was created for Allison's "Suggestive Sunday" blog challenge. This week, Allison's challenge required that you use a stamp that you would normally stamp, then color ... but don't. In other words, no coloring allowed!

I decided to stamp my image on a paint sample card ... allowing me to stay within the challenge guidelines and to add some color to my project ... pretty sneaky, huh?

I love using paint sample cards in my projects! Mostly because they're free but also because they're always so colorful ... usually featuring all the latest designer colors and, like this ^ paint sample card, some really kewl color combinations!

TIP: When stamping on paint sample cards, be sure to use a solvent ink, like Staz-On, to insure that the ink stays put. To prevent smudging your stamped image, lift your stamp straight up ... while holding the paint sample card down with the other hand.

Using scraps left over from the same paint sample card, I punched out some butterflies and cut an oval for my sentiment. Easy peasy and ready to serve in just 15 Minutes!

Thanks so much for sharing part of your busy day with me! And please feel free to ask me any question you might have about stamping in general or stamping on paint sample cards in particular, okeedokee?!?

Hugs,


Card Stock: Bazzill, Prism; Paint Sample Card: Lowe's Home Center; Flower Stamp: Hero Arts, "Pattern Flowers"; Sentiment Stamp: Papertrey Ink, "Simple Little Things" Limited Edition Anniversary Collection; Ink: Staz-On by Tsukineko; Die-Cut Machine: Provo Craft; Die: Spellbinder's Nestabilities "Petite Scallop Oval" Collection; Butterfly Punch: Martha Stewart Crafts; Ticket Corner Punch: Stampin' Up!; Adhesive: ATG 714; Dimensionals: All Night Media

Blog Candy Winner!

Hi everyone ... hope your Tuesday was/is a happy one!

First off, I want to thank all of you who took the time to enter ... and re-enter ... the drawing for the four Diva Impressions rubber stamps!

I went to random.org and:

True Random Number Service
Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers: 33
Timestamp: 2008-05-13 21:22:30 UTC

Comment #33 reads, "33 good morning! back again - looking at Altered art stamps today - I like the Victorian dress negative stamp! very fun stamp!"

This comment was posted by Julia Aston. Congrats Julia! Please email me (see right sidebar for the "Email Me" link), with your mailing address and your new Diva Impressions rubber stamps will be sent to live with you posthaste!

I really wish everyone could win 'cuz I really care for all my regular readers ... soooooo, I think I'll give away more Diva Impressions rubber stamps this weekend! Be sure to check back for that!

I'll be back later ... or tomorrow, with a project or three. Thanks so much for sharing part of your busy day with me; you guys rock!

Hugs,

A Vintage-Inspired "15 Minute Project"

Today's 15 Minute project was created in a flash using designer papers and die-cuts from Daisy D's "Chasing Butterflies" collection, and a Diva Impressions rubber stamp. This stamp is one of four I'm giving away tomorrow ... see my post below. And you still have time to enter to win!

I stamped my image, available HERE, using "Black Soot" Distress ink, then stamped again on my patterned paper. I then cut out and paper-pieced selected areas of my image ... doing so really helps your stamped image to "pop!"

After double-matting my image, I added a polka-dot bow and created a flower by stacking three flower die-cuts, then mounted it to my card using dimensionals. Easy-peasy and ready to serve in just 15 Minutes!

I wanted to answer a stamping question I recently received from Julie P., who asked how I get such dark, rich images when I stamp, especially when using dye inks. The answer is that I actually stamp them twice! How? By using a stamp positioner!

I own two different types of stamp positioners: I use a "Stamp-a-ma-Jig" positioner when stamping images I don't intend to color in and a "Stamp-O-Graph" positioner for stamping images I plan on coloring. And that's my deep, dark, stamping secret!

Thanks so much for sharing part of your busy day with me! And don't forget to post a comment on the entry below for a chance to win four vintage-inspired stamps from Diva Impressions. I'll be drawing the winner tomorrow evening; see you then!

~Hugs,


Card Stock: Bazzill, Xerox 110#; Designer Papers: "Chasing Butterflies" Collection by Daisy D's; Stamp: Diva Impressions; Ink: Ranger Distress Ink; Brad: American Crafts; Ribbon: Michael's; Adhesive: ATG 714; Dimensionals: All Night Media

Some Blog Candy 4 You ... 4 Gorgeous Stamps from Diva Impressions!

As promised, more blog candy from Diva Impressions!! Wowza, aren't these stamps beautiful!?! They can be yours ... absolutely free, mailed right to your stamping room ... well, maybe not right to your stamping room, but definitely right to your home!

These four unmounted, deeply etched, red rubber stamps will be given away on Tuesday, May 13, to one lucky blog visitor. I decided to run the offer a bit longer since a lot of you will be away for the Mother's Day weekend.

So, just like last time, simply visit Diva Impressions online store, choose which stamp you'd like to add to your collection from Beth's amazing inventory, then return here and tell me which one you love the most! You can click HERE ... a new window will open and you're on your way. Then on Tuesday, I'll choose a winner by random drawing.

THE DEETS: If you subscribe to my blog, or have your blog linked to mine, you can enter to win these stamps twice a day ... giving you eight chances to win! Even if you don't subscribe or link to my blog, you can still enter once a day ... giving you four chances to win! As always, international visitors are welcome to enter ... I'll ship anywhere mail is delivered.

ALSO: Please number your posts ... and remember to check back on Tuesday evening to see if you've won!

I'll be taking tomorrow off to celebrate my 29th birthday ... again ... but I'll be back on Monday with a project created using one of the Diva Impressions stamps shown above.

Thanks so much for spending part of your busy day with me ... have a very happy Mother's Day, you crafty Mother you!

~Hugs,

More Monthly Mojo Madness! A Sketch Challenge Entry

Today's card project was created for Poetic Artistry's monthly "Mojo Madness" sketch challenge contest. Click HERE for all the deets and for a look at the sketch I followed. So, goodbye: I know that you'll want to hang around there once you see all of Julee's kewl projects!

It would mean soooo much to me to win this contest as I'm in desperate need of some new Verve Visual stamps but the DH has informed me that he will leave me if I buy one more set of stamps (that he finds out about ). Dang, I'm really gonna miss him.

I stamped my images on Bazzill Kraft card stock using watermark ink and dark brown fluid chalk ink, then heat embossed using clear embossing powder. When cool, I overstamped the blossoms using watermark ink and orange ink on a second blossom stamp, again heat embossing with clear embossing powder. LOLO, got that?!? For a ginormous view of my card, clickie on the photo.

I used DP from Making Memories' Funky Vintage Collection and created flowers, leaves, and a butterfly using various craft punches. The heart was cut in the Cuttlebug using a die from the Nestabilities Large Classic Heart collection.

Finally, I tied and knotted some 1/4" grosgrain ribbon around the paper seam and, tah dah .. finis!

Excuses, excuses. Yes, I know I lied said I'd post some blog candy today but I just (literally!) ran out of time ... in fact, I'm about to run right back out again! But I'll definitely get the stamps chosen, get all the photos I need, and post the stamp giveaway this weekend. No. Really. I promise.

Thanks so much for sharing part of your busy day with me ... have a wonderful weekend! And Happy Mother's Day to all you crafty mothers!

~Hugs,


Card Stock: Cut Card Stock, Bazzill; Designer Paper: Making Memories "Funky Vintage" Collection; Stamps: Paper Salon (a gift from Lauren Meader ... thanks Lauren!), Papertrey Ink, "Spiral Bouquet" Collection; Ink: Versamark, ColorBox Fluid Chalk; Embossing Powder: Ranger; Die Cut Machine: Provo Craft; Die: Spellbinder's; Craft Punches: Various Manufacturers; Ribbon: Unknown, Obtained in a Ribbon Share; Adhesives: ATG 714, The Ultimate

It's a Girl's World After All ... a Blog Challenge Entry

Today's 8" x 4" card project was created for Allison's "Suggestive Sunday" blog challenge. For this week's theme, "Girls of the World," Allison provided us with some really cute clip art images to use to create our entries. If you'd like to download this collection for your personal use, click HERE.

As you can tell, there's no stamping on this card. Here's a perfect project for all of you non-stampers ... I know you're out there!

I paper-pieced my girls by first printing out a copy of the entire sheet on regular text weight paper. Then, using an 80# sheet of white card stock, I held the printed sheet behind the card stock and determined the placement of my designer paper. Next, I simply taped my DP over the area where my selected images would print, and ran the prepared card stock through my printer. If I haven't explained this well, and I prolly haven't, please feel free to ask questions.

I cut out the clothing from the DP, colored my girls with Copic markers, and added some Stickles to each girl. You might have to click on the image to see it but it's there!

The background was created by running card stock through my 'Bug using Cuttlebug's "Perfectly Paisley" embossing folder. Because my paper was much longer than the folder, I simply ran it through once, flipped the card stock so that the non-embossed portion of the card stock was in the folder, and ran it through again.

Finally, I set some eyelets, ran some soft fibers through the set eyelets, and created a scallop border using a pair of Fiskars decorative edge scissors ('Clouds).

Tomorrow, I thin' I'll be posting some more Diva Impression rubber stamps to give away. Hope to see you back for that!!

~Hugs,


Card Stock: Bazzill, Cut Card Stock; Copic Markers; Clip Art Images; Designer Paper, American Traditional Designs, "Bohemian Chic" Collection; Decorative Edge Scissors: "Clouds" by Fiskars; Die Cut Machine: "Cuttlebug" by Provo Craft; Embossing Folder: "Perfectly Paisley" by Provo Craft; Dies: "Nestabilities" by Spellbinder's; Crop-A-Dile; Dimensionals: All Night Media; Stickles by Ranger Industries; Eyelets: American Craft; Fibers: EK Success, "Adornaments"

A Window Box Full of Flowers ... A "Think Spring" Blog Challenge Entry

Hello everyone ... happy Tuesday!

Today's card project was created for Sharon's "Stamp Simply" blog challenge. The challenge this week is to 'think spring' — and to use pink and green in your card. Oh, and a flower ... or in my case, many flowers!

I used my ancient 3D Awning and Window Box stamp set from Stampourri! for this challenge; stamping on DP from Daisy D's "Nursery" collection.

I also masked a triple Stamp It! block to create a faux window on my Prism card stock base.

The flowers and leaves were all punched from card stock using a variety of punches.

To add some 'meat' to the interior of the box, I glued down some spaghnum moss. I glued punched leaves and flowers to the moss, to the sides of the window box, and to the card front. Here's a closer look:


As always, you can click on the photos for a giant closer look.

I punched some scallop-edge photo corners and attached them to each corner of the card ... and, Tah Dah!

And yes, this card does need to be hand-delivered or mailed in a box.

Thanks so much for spending part of your busy day with me!

~Hugs,


Card Stock: Bazzill, DCWV, and Prism; Stamps: Stamp It! Triple Block, 3D Window Box and Awning by Stampourri!; Ink: Ranger Distress "Black Soot"; Various Craft Punches