Monday, November 28, 2011

Freshly Made Sketches 12

Just a speedy card and a speedy post before I head to work this morning.

Here's the sketch:



And here's my totally not traditional Christmas colors rendition:





I still may add a little tag or something above the rhinestones.  I think it needs a little something in that spot....I just haven't decided what exactly!

Happy Monday everyone.  Back to the grind....ug!



Thanks for looking at my blog. I appreciate all the wonderful comments everyone leaves. Happy Stamping!

Sunday, November 27, 2011

Mojo Monday 216

Once again, I'm just getting my challenge card in before the deadline!  Maybe I work better under pressure???  Nope.  I know that's not true!

Anyway, I had a bit of fun with some new Recollections Christmas papers I purchased on Black Friday at Michael's for 50% off.  They coordinate nicely with my Stampin' Up! colors.  (Shame on me ... contraband!!)  Here is the Mojo Monday sketch I'm following.



And here is my take on that design.



I'm not totally happy with this.  I think I should have done something extra to the Cherry Cobbler strips.  I just wasn't sure what.  Doesn't that just toast your buns when you know it needs something but you just can't put your finger on it?





I do love the shimmery dots on the patterned paper.  And this is one of my very favorite stamps.  I use the scalloped rim of it all the time and mount various designs onto the center portion.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday.  I know I have enjoyed immensely having four days off from work.  Back to the grind tomorrow!!


Thanks for looking at my blog. I appreciate all the wonderful comments everyone leaves. Happy Stamping!

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Friday Mash Up 33 and My First Lollie/Rosette

I'm just getting this posted in time for this week's Friday Mashup.  The challenge was to combine the sketch and a lollie (or rosette or medallion or whatever you might call them).  Here's the sketch:



For my first attempt at a lollie, I don't think it turned out too terribly bad.  I think it's a bit big for the card.





I feel like I might have got a tad carried away with all the patterns and textures.  Hopefully it's not too overwhelming!



I used VersaMark and Iridescent Ice embossing powder on the focal image.  I also added some Dazzling Details to the embossed back panel.




I now see more lollies in my future!

I hope everyone has a safe and wonderful Thanksgiving holiday.




Thanks for looking at my blog. I appreciate all the wonderful comments everyone leaves. Happy Stamping!

Monday, November 21, 2011

Online Extravaganza

It may be 75 degrees at 7 am here in Texas, but holiday shopping is kicking off with a bang!



Today starts Stampin' Up!'s 2011 Holiday Extravaganza!  And this first day of the sale features TWO ITEMS THAT WILL BE ON SALE TODAY - MONDAY NOVEMBER 21ST - ONLY!  If you've been waiting to buy your Stampin' Up! Simply Scored tool or the fun Sweet Press Cookie Stamps, NOW'S THE TIME!
 

ONE-DAY ONLY SPECIALS! 

Stampin' Up!'s Simply Scored Scoring Tool - on sale for $23.95 (regular price $29.95)

Take the chore out of scoring! The Simply Scored Scoring Tool's base fits paper or card stock up to 12" x 12" and features score tracks every 1/8". Features two easy-to-read rulers (with inch markings down to 1/8") along top and left side for perfect scoring. (One standard left-to-right ruler and one zero center ruler.) Includes three markers and stylus. Bottom of base has nonmarking and nonskid feet to secure it on your work areach Base measures Approximately 15-1/8" x 13-1/4" x 1".

Sweet Pressed Cookie Stamps - on sale for $13.56 (regular price $16.95)

Take your love of stamping into the kitchen! Create fun and tasty stamped cookies for any occasion. Fit a silicone stamp over the bottom of wooden handle and press into dough-it's that easy! Let the kids help! Food-safe, easy-to-clean and dishwasher safe. Each set includes 3 silicone stamps, 1 handle, and 2 great cookie recipes

SHOP DIRECTLY IN MY ONLINE STORE 24/7 

HOLIDAY EXTRAVAGANZA!

Still More Sales and Specials until November 30th!
There are THREE PAGES in this list of items for sale - up to 60% off between today and November 30th.  There is something for everyone in this sale, so be sure to stock up now on YOUR favorites while the sale is on!  Go to my online store now to see all of the great deals!


Thanks for looking at my blog. I appreciate all the wonderful comments everyone leaves. Happy Stamping!

Sunday, November 20, 2011

Pals Paper Arts 120 Snowbuddy

I discovered a great sketch at Pals Paper Arts and decided to join the challenge.  Here is the sketch:




And here is my Snowbuddy interpretation!




I love this stamp set and the cute snowmen in it.  I tried to glam him up a bit with Dazzling Diamonds and a backdrop enhanced with Iridescent Ice embossing power, plus some simple rhinestones.  Not all of the sparkle shows up great in the photos, but you get the idea!






Be sure to hop on over to PPA's site and enjoy the other cards in the challenge.


Thanks for looking at my blog. I appreciate all the wonderful comments everyone leaves. Happy Stamping!

Saturday, November 12, 2011

Mojo Monday 214 to Friday Mash Up 32

I think this is a first for me.  I'm combining a Mojo Monday and a Friday Mashup!  Guess that means I have the week covered!!

Here is the sketch for Mojo Monday #214:



I had a little bit of trouble with the circle element on this one, until I remembered an ancient Fiskars circle cutter I had!  (I didn't have a punch or a die that would give me a big enough circle.)


The Friday Mashup this week was for something girly plus your favorite technique.  I think the colors I used, along with a bit of bling, covered the girly part! 


Instead of actually adding another background layer, I simply "stitched" the edges with a white gel pen.



One of my favorite techniques is watercolor, which is just barely shown here on the focal image.  I used my watercolor pencils and blender pens for a hint of color.



Be sure to check out the Friday Mash Up Site.
 
Friday Mashup



Thanks for looking at my blog. I appreciate all the wonderful comments everyone leaves. Happy Stamping!

Christmas Blog Hop and A La Card Monkey #82

Hi Everyone.  I'm trying to get back into the habit of checking some of my favorite weekly challenge sites.  I found a sketch I like on A La Card Monkey's site.  Then I discovered Shirley was hosting a Christmas blog hop.  Fun!

Here's the card I crafted this evening.



I used the color palette of Always Artichoke, Cherry Cobbler, Crumb Cake and Old Olive.  The ribbon, sadly, is a discontinued SU ribbon in Old Olive.  So pretty.



I added a bit of Dazzing Diamonds to the scallop edge, and colored my rhinestones with my Old Olive marker to give them a hint of green.  I popped up the center image with dimensionals.



It's hard to see, but the Cherry Cobbler strip is embossed with one of the Texturz Backgrounds #1 plates.  Very subtle.

Be sure to check out the other entries on the Christmas blog hop.  Christmas will be here before you know it, so join the fun!




Thanks for looking at my blog. I appreciate all the wonderful comments everyone leaves. Happy Stamping!

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Ain't Love Grand

When I got this hostess set, I wasn't sure I would ever use it.  Well, I needed a wedding card and decided to give it a spin.




I don't know about you, but I thought this came out really cute!  Once I decided to use Cherry Cobbler for the color of the car, that drove (pun intended) my color choices for the card layout....Cherry Cobbler, Basic Black, Crumb Cake and watercolor paper.



A little bit of Dazzling Details and some (retired) shimmery vanilla organza ribbon was the only bling needed.


It doesn't show up very well in the photos, but I embossed the Cherry Cobbler strip with one of the plates from Texturz Backgrounds #1.




This was my first time using the watercolor paper.  Love it!  Still learning how to control the water flow with my aqua painters, but I foresee them becoming a favorite tool.



A little "love" for the inside as well.

Let me know what you think of my little wedding card!  Have a great day and fabulous weekend!

Thanks for looking at my blog. I appreciate all the wonderful comments everyone leaves. Happy Stamping!

Thursday, November 3, 2011

Candy Treats

As was expected, the craft show on the 29th was pretty much a bust.  I told my husband that setting up at a craft show is basically the equivalent of the supreme exercise in rejection!  lol

Oh well, I sold a few things and got my business cards into the hands of quite a few people.  So I have to look at it as planting seeds.

In hindsight, having candy treats at a Halloween alternative event was just plain silly, considering the kids were getting free candy everytime they turned around!  Alas, another learning experience.  Here are a few items I had available (besides the tic tac holders I've already showed you):


Totally love these little nugget treats.  The nuggets inside had belly bands stamped with a coordinating theme from either It's a Wrap Holidays or It's a Wrap Occasions.  I had to make sure they stayed out of the sun during the show so I didn't end up with nugget soup!!




On a completely different subject, I'm looking forward to a couple of cooler days here in Texas.  I miss a real "fall" season, and this year the thought of the trees turning any colors is completely replaced by all the dead trees because of the drought.  Oh well.  I can dream! 

Have a great day!


Thanks for looking at my blog. I appreciate all the wonderful comments everyone leaves. Happy Stamping!