Gradient Stamping and One More Valentine

Good morning...it's 12:05 AM so I guess that counts as morning...LOL!! I'm still doing some laundry and packing away Christmas decorations. I finally got everything into storage containers but a few ornaments so tomorrow we will get it all out of the house into the outside storage closet....Whoohoo!!! Then it's dust, dust, dust....yuck!!! I'd rather be stamping!!! Anyway....
I made a card for the Ways to Use it challenge on Splitcoast yesterday....the challenge was to use gradient stamping. We could use a gradient ink pad (one that contains more than one color on one pad) or make our own by combining more than one color of ink to the stamps.I used the fish, shell, and underwater background stamps from Rubbernecker and Cool Caribbean, Pear Pizzazz, and Old Olive inks. I did a little sponging on the fish so he would show up. Ribbon with gradient colors, a brad to hold it together, and sewing and distressing on the background finish it off.
Recipe:
Stamps: Rubbernecker Ocean Bottom, Small Queen Angel Fish, Small Scallop Shell, Small Starfish
Paper: Hawaiian Shores, Pear Pizzazz, White, Anna Griffin dp
Ink: Cool Caribbean, Pear Pizzazz, Old Olive
Accessories: Ribbon, Brad, Sewing Machine
Now, you know I couldn't go a day without making a Valentine!! I had lots of Bo Bunny Crazy for Love paper left over so I used up some of the scraps. The sticker has been in my scrapping drawer for a year or two and the chipboard heart, lace, rhinestone flourish, ribbon, and felt flowers all came together for a Valentine to give a friend.
Recipe:
Paper: Bo Bunny Crazy for Love
Accessories: Sticker, K&Co. Felt Roses, Lace, Chipboard Heart, Zva Rhinestone Flourish, Regal Rose Ribbon, Martha Stewart Scalloped Punch

It is supposed to be really cold here in the morning....in the 20's!! My blood starts to gel at that temp...I'm just a whimpy Southern girl...LOL!!!!! I guess I'll just have to curl up in front of the fireplace with a good book and a box of bon bons...hope your day is full of joy!!

Taylored Expressions January Blast From the Past Blog Hop

Hello everyone and welcome to the Taylored Expressions January Blast from the Past Customer Blog Hop!!!! You are going to find sooo much inspiration along the hop...each project will feature Taylored Expressions Stamps and products. The theme this month is Love so, of course, I just had to make another Valentine!!!

The darling Taylored Expressions Owls in Love image was stamped with Memento Rich Cocoa and colored with copics. The image was cutout and a mat was cut around the image. The image and matting were popped up on the stacked Nesties hearts and sewing and distressing were done around the background edges. Pink lace, ribbon, button, and twine were the finishing touches.

Recipe:

Stamps: Owls in Love

Paper: White, Regal Rose, Pink Pirouette, Pure Luxury Chocolate Brown, Bo Bunny Crazy for Love dp

Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa

Accessories: Copics, Ribbon, Lace, Button, Twine, Heart Shaped Nestabilities, Sewing Machine

Creative Belli Challenge #109

Welcome to another Creative Belli Challenge!! The challenge this two weeks is a fun one....use things that start with the letter P!! This can include patterned paper, pearls, patchwork, petals, paper piecing, piercing, pigs - anything that strikes your fancy as long as it starts with a P!!
Be sure to use something old and forgotten from your stash, too...the Belli Challenge is all about using your old stuff and forgotten treasures!!!

My card features a beautiful flower image (petals) from Layers of Color's Merci Bouquet set. The image was colored with copics, cutout, and popped up on the stacked Nesties. Silver pearls were added to the flower centers. Sewing was done around the edges of the striped patterned paper, and lace, rhinestone flourish, and a silk bow finish it off.
Recipe:
Stamps: Layers of Color Merci Bouquet
Papers: Pure Luxury Ivory, Pure Luxury Cranberry Tart, Basic Black, 7 Gypsies Striped Patterned Paper, Daisy D's Patterned Paper
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: Copics, Silver Pearls, Lace, Die-namics scalloped die, Sewing Machine, Nestabilities, Rhinestone Flourish, Silk Ribbon

Be sure to stop by the other Belli Girls blogs to see what they made for you today....you will find lots of awesome ideas!!! If you upload a card to Splitcoast , PCP, Stamp TV or another online gallery be sure to add CBC109 in the keywords section.
Chris Dickinson
Ceal Pritchett
Holly Brown
Anne Harmon
Robin Kirkpatrick
Jessica Stockmeyer
Shelly Schmidt
Maria Matter
Darsie Bruno
Joy Hadden
Robin Parker
Chris Olsen
Mary Marsh
Karen Wallace
Tamara Morton
Beth Norman
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Just wanted to let you know that a group of snowman lovers will be having a March of the Snowman Blog Hop next Tuesday, January 25th....Layers of Color Art Stamps has generously donated some blog candy as well as some of the hop participants...how cool is that!!!!!

Thanks for stopping by....have a great day!!!!!

TLC Challenge on Splitcoast

Hello everyone!! It's my turn to host the Technique Lover's Challenge on Splitcoast and my challenge is to make silhouettes!! I just love silhouette images...they are sooo classy and yet really easy to do!!! There are lots of different techniques to create the silhouettes.
You can:
1. Stamp the solid stamps with dark ink onto light colored cardstock
2. Emboss the images
3. Stamp solid stamps with Versamark and emboss with white ep onto dark cardstock
4. Stamp the solid silhouette stamps on patterned paper
5. Stamp Versamark onto dark cardstock and emboss with clear ep
6. Do a resist technique with the silhouette stamps and then add color to the background by sponging or alcohol inks...watercoloring works, too, as do Glimmer Mist sprays
7. Add glitter to the embossing powder for a little glam
8. You can even stamp the dark, solid image, cut it out, and adhere to the background...what ever floats you boat!!!

My first card features the Wild Garden Border 1 stamp from Rubbernecker....it was stamped with Versafine Onyx Black and embossed with clear ep. The sentiement is also from Rubbernecker and some heart pearls and stickers were added for a touch of red. The wrinkled seam binding, button, twine, and sewing around the background edges finish it off.

This fun stamp from Hero Arts was stamped with Chocolate Chip craft ink on the Bo Bunny Crazy for Love dp and embossed with clear ep. I added a little glitter to the embossing powder to give it a little sparkle!! Sewing was done around the edges of the background layer and the image layer and lace, button, ribbon, and K&Co. chipboard pieces are the finishing touches.

Now it's your turn...come on over to the TLC gallery and let us see your masterpiece!!!

Moxie Fab World Trigger Valentine

This is the Moxie Fab World Tuesday trigger and I found inspiration in the colors and the pretty strings of colorful circles. I made my inspiration into a Valentine just because I am obsessed with them this week!!! I used stickers and chipboard hearts from K&Co along with Baker's Twine and a heart button. Toooo simple and just tooo fun!!!

This is a Victorian style Valentine using diecuts from K&CO along with lace, ribbon, button, twine, and a heart stick pin. Lace sponging (using lace as a stencil, sponge Fresh Snow ink over it to create the lace design in the background) was done on the kraft cardstock and the ticket is the sentiment.

I took down a few Christmas decorations yesterday and then went to my parents home to dismantle their Christmas village...Mom and Dad have the Dicken's houses and they look sooo pretty all lit up in the evening!!

Have a great Saturday and be sure to do something fun today.....call a friend, bake some cookies, cuddle a baby.....make a difference to someone special!!!!

Valentines Galore!!

Good Friday morning everyone!! OMG...where did this week go??? I still don't have my Christmas stuff put away......Mom and I kept our Christmas decorations up for my Sister's visit. Maybe I will have it finished this weekend.....or at least in time to get the Easter decorations up...LOL!! Anyway....instead of working on my house I played in the craft room. The Valentine above was made with Echo Park Be Mine dp and stickers....I just love those papers!!! The birdcage sticker was adhered to a scrap of Basic Gray cardstock and cutout leaving some of the cardstock showing for a mat and to add a little stability. The ribbon, button, and floss are the only embellishments.

This Valentine showcases die cuts from Doodlebug Designs...the sparkly silver metal sentiment is from Memory box and the heart sticker is from K&Co. The bottom edge was punched with an EK success scalloped punch.

Both cards are pretty simple yet look very detailed and best of all they were super fun to make!!!

Thanks for visiting during my Valentine week.....I'll have more this weekend and then I should be all set for my children and the Grands. I still have several friends to make cards for so I guess I'll be making them all month...yikes!! I'll be mighty sick of red and pink by then...LOL!!!!

I'm Still Making Valentines!!

Good morning on this freezing cold morning!!! I have been thinking about all my East Coast blogging friends who have received all the snow....hope everyone is safe and warm!!! We are below freezing but as long as the wind doesn't blow, we are ok!!! Anyway...
I have been working on more Valentines...today I have cards that I made with Lizzie Anne's Vintage Valentine set. I used the tag stamp from the set with Basic Grey ink, a sticker and more of that yummy Echo Park dp called Be Mine, and embellies from K&Co.
Recipe:
Stamps: Lizzie Anne Designs
Paper: Basic Grey, white, Echo Park dp
Ink: Basic Grey
Accessories: Sticker from Echo Park, Ribbon, Chipboard Hearts and Flourish from K&Co., Dotted Swiss Cuttlebug Folder

The cupid image from the same set was stamped onto Pretty in Pink cardstock with Basic Gray and attached over the Basic Gray heart and doily. Sewing was done around the Echo Park dp and the gray pearl flourish and satin ribbon bow finish it off.
Recipe:
Stamps: Lizzie Anne Vintage Valentine
Paper: Pretty in Pink, Basic Gray, Echo Park dp
Ink: Basic Gray
Accessories: Ribbon, Pearl Sticker, Gray Pearl Flourish, Doily, Heart Nestabilities, Sewing Machine

Thanks for dropping by today....hope your day is really special!!!

Heart Shaped Treat Box - Layers of Color Project

Good morning everyone...I have another Layers of Color project for you today. I have had a tin heart shaped box for a couple of years and thought it would be perfect for a Valentine's treat box for my Mother. She loves pretty and frilly things so I went a little heavy on the lace and pearls!!! First I laid the top of the box on my Blush Blossom cardstock, traced the heart shape, and cut it out. Then the Natural Flourish Art Stencil from Layers of Color was sponged with Fresh Snow to create the flourish pattern. The large flower from Layers of Color Flowering Gems set was stamped with Blush Blossom onto white cardstock, cutout, sponged, distressed, and layered with dimensionals. A big, gold heart shaped button was added to the center.

The leaves from the same set were stamped with Sage Shadow, cutout, and attached with glue dots.

The smaller flowers from the same set were stamped with Blush Blossom, cutout, and attached with dimensionals. Porcelain roses were added to the centers and the big butterfly, lace, pearl flourish, wrinkled seam binding, and twine finish off the top.

Gathered lace and a trim piece were added around the sides of the top and a piece of Anna Griffin dp was added around the outside edges of the bottom.

Thanks for stopping by....hope you have a super AWESOME day!!!

Recipe:

Stamps: Layers of Color Flowering Gems

Ink: Fresh Snow

Paper: Blush Blossom, Anna Griffin dp

Accessories: Layers of Color Natural Flourish Art stencil, Lace, Wrinkled Seam Binding, Pearl Flourish, Porcelian Flowers, Twine, Heart shaped Button, Trim, Metal Butterfly from Redlead.

More Valentines

Hello everyone on this cold night....it's supposed to be around 26 degrees here in the morning...yikes!!! My Sister and her DH will fly back to Iowa tomorrow...they will have temps in the single digits with new snow on the ground when they get home so I shouldn't complain!! Anyway....
I made this Valentine for the TLC challenge on Splitcoast. We were to chose one of the past color challenges, sketch challenges, and technique lover's challenge combined in one card.
My card features the following challenges: TLC269 (piercing), SC267 (I flipped the sketch), and CC302 (red, white, black). The hearts are K&Co. stickers and the sentiment is from Rubbernecker. We were also to say what got our mojo going. I love to look in the galleries at everyones fabulous work and if that doesn't work, I resort to chocolate...works every time...LOL!!!

I made this fun little Valentine for one of my Grands. The pink pirouette cardstock was dry embossed with a brick wall folder .....the lace frame and lips sticker are from K&Co. and the sticker letters finish it off....easy peasy!!!

Thanks for visiting tonight...have a warm and safe day tomorrow!!!

A Week of Valentines

Hello everyone...hope you had a wonderful weekend!!! We finally got some rain...yeaaaa!!! It's been really dry here so we were glad to see all that wet stuff!!! It won't be so nice in the morning, however, because it is supposed to be below freezing and if it rains we will have ice...yikes!!! I'm glad I don't have to go anywhere!! The plants are all in the house (it looks like a jungle here!!), the fire is going, and the craft room is waiting...can't get any better than that!! My sister and her hubby are here (staying at my Mother's) till Tuesday...hope the weather is ok for their flight home. We went to the best concert Saturday night...we saw Ruthie Foster and boy was she FABULOUS!!! She has the most beautiful voice...a true gift...and the drummer and base guitarist were AWESOME!!!!! Anyway....

I have been working on Valentines for my family and I will be sharing them with you all week. My first Valentine this week features paper and a sticker from Echo Park's Be Mine collection. I also used a lace frame from K&Co., a Martha Stewart Punched heart, Hero Arts heart pearls, and some yummy wrinkled seam binding.
Recipe:
Papers: Echo Park's Be Mine dp and sticker, White, Basic Grey
Accessories: Martha Stewart Heart Punch, Lace Frame, Heart Pearls, Heart Button, Twine, Wrinkled Seam Binding, Lace, Sewing Machine


Thanks for visiting tonight.....stay warm and cozy and I will have more Valentines tomorrow night!!!

Valentine's Day is Just Around the Corner!!

Good morning everyone....hope all is well in your little corner of the world!!! My sister Kathy is visiting from Iowa this week so we have been playing catch up!! Her DH arrives tomorrow, we are going to a Jazz concert Saturday night, church Sunday and then a birthday party for Kathy in the afternoon....whew!! Hope we get to sneak a little sleep in there somewhere!!!

I made a card last night for the Free 4 All challenge on Splitcoast ...we were to make a card with something purple and something pink on it and at least one heart.
I used this adorable Valentine image from RedLead Paperworks....the flowers in her hair were colored purple with a copic and the pink felt heart serves double duty!! Aren't you glad we can finally put the Christmas stamps away and get out all the fun little Valentines!!!
Recipe:
Stamps: Happy Valentine's Day from RedLead Paperworks
Paper: Crush Collection dp by Bo Bunny, Kraft, White
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: White Button, Heart Button, Ribbon, Copics, Sewing Machine, Heart Shaped Nestabilities

Thanks for stopping by...have a great day !!!

Creative Belli Challenge #108 and some Fabulous News!!

Good morning!!! First I want to share some wonderful news....I have been asked to be the Janurary Guest Designer for Layers of Color Art Stamps!!! They have such beautiful and elegant stamps and their Design Team, led by Laura Campbell, owner of Layers of Color, is full of talent and Chriatian values!!! Thanks girls for this amazing honor!!! Be sure to check out the Layers of Color blog...you will find lots of beautiful inspiration!!!

My card features the bird image from Layers of Color's Birdday Party clear art stamp set. They were stamped on various designer paper scraps with Soft Suede, cutout, and attached to the Prima dp called Annalee. The sentiment is from LOC's Merci Bouquet clear art stamp set. The wood birdcage is from Kaisercraft and the felt rick rack and cork scallops were cutout with Die-namics.
Recipe:
Stamps: Layers of Color Art stamps: Merci Bouquet and Birdday Party
Paper: Melon Mambo, Pure Luxury Ivory, Prima's Annalee dp
Ink: Soft Suede, Memento Rich Cocoa
Accessories: KaiserCraft Wood Birdcage, Ribbon, Felt, Cork, Die-namics Scalloped and Rick Rack dies, Corner Rounder Punch


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Creative Belli Challenge #108

Welcome to another Creative Belli Challenge!! The challenge this two weeks is Snow...This can include ribbons, brads, buttons, glitter, patterned paper, chipboard, stickers, Flower Soft - anything that is snow related. Be sure to use something old and forgotten from your stash, too...the Belli Challenge is all about using your old stuff and forgotten treasures!!!

My card today features the adorable stamp from Rubbernecker called Snowflakes and Tongues. It was colored with copics, the snowman and little girl were popped up with dimenrionals and Flower Soft was added to the snow and the snowman. The Snowflake was cutout with Taylored Expressions snowflake die and the ribbon and button with Baker's Twine finish it off.

Be sure to stop by the other Belli Girls blogs to see what they made for you today....you will find lots of awesome ideas!!! If you upload a card to Splitcoast , PCP, Stamp TV or another online gallery be sure to add CBC108 in the keywords section.

Chris Dickinson

Ceal Pritchett

Holly Brown

Anne Harmon

Robin Kirkpatrick

Jessica Stockmeyer

Shelly Schmidt

Maria Matter

Darsie Bruno

Joy Hadden

Robin Parker

Chris Olsen

Mary Marsh

Karen Wallace

Tamara Morton - New Belli Girl!!

Beth Norman - New Belli Girl!!

Painting with Stickles

Hello everyone...it's my turn to host the TLC on Splitcoast today. My challenge to you is painting with Stickles!! This is such an easy technique yet makes a big statement...I just love all the sparkle!!!

I used Eucalyptus, Fruit Punch, Yellow, and Lime Green Stickles, Memento Tuxedo Black ink, and some handy dandy sponge eye shadow applicators to clean up the areas I messed up on!!

I first applied Yellow Stickles to all the flowers. You don't need a whole lot because you are going to add another color over the top. It might be a good idea to practice a little before you add the Stickles to your stamped image.

I used the sponge applicator to clear around the edge of the petal. You can also use a toothpick or Q Tip.

Don't let the first layer dry or you won't be able to blend the colors.

Next, the Fruit Punch Stickles was added at the base of the petals and pulled out into the yellow. Move the applicator tip back and forth in the center just slightly to blend the two colors.

If you loose the first color, you can add a little at the tip of the petal and work in.

Two colors of green were used for the leaves....the darker color was added first and then filled in with the lighter green.

It's ok to leave a little white showing for highlights but if that drives you crazy, you can always move the Stickles around to cover the spot.

Now it's your turn!! If you don't want to wait till the Stickles dry to take your picture, make your card, attach the stamped image the way you want and then color with the Stickles.....just be careful not to smear it like I did on the first card I made...LOL!!!

Now, you say you don't have any Stickles...no Problem!!! Just color you image and cover with glitter....I won't tell a soul!!

Thanks for stopping by tonight...hope to see your card in the TLC306 Gallery!!!

Something a little Shabby

Good morning everyone...it's almost 1:00 AM and I'm wide awake!! Hope you had a wonderful New Years Day!!! Did you watch a little football and the Rose Parade?? I spent more time watching Oprah's new network...she is going to have some wonderful shows!!! I also spent some time cleaning and organizing...the last couple of weeks have really been hard on my poor old house!! Anyway....after I cleaned up my craft room, I messed it all up again creating this card......

The Featured Stamper challenge on Splitcoast today features the fabulous gallery of Marisa (WhiteRockMama). I chose to case her Verve Release Challenge Sketch card because of the wonderful sentiment and gorgeous colors!! I kept the same basic design with the sentiment as the main image, the butterfly, colors, and the ribbon. I added the frame, buttons, pearls, and dp. The sentiment is from Gina K's Inside and Out set and the butterfly is from Gina K's Hugs and Prayers.The paper is Prima's Annalee and the frame is from Pink Paislee. The pearls, buttons, twine, ribbon, and lace finish it off.

Recipe:
Stamps: Gina K's Hugs and Prayers and Inside and Out
Paper: Vanilla, Melon Mambo, Prima's Annalee dp
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: Pearl Flourish, Buttons, Twine, Artisan Element Frame, Silk Ribbon, Lace, Sewing Machine, Glitter for the Butterfly

Thanks for visiting .....after church in the morning I hope to work on some fun projects that were ignored during the busy holiday season. Have a wonderful Sunday!! Now I better get to bed before I turn into a pumpkin!!!