Sprinkles of Life - Stampin' Up!'s 2015-16 RMHC set

WOW! is all I can say for how long it's been that I posted on here.  A LOT has happened in my life over the past 2 years.

First, I got married in September 2013 to my best friend, lover and soul mate!!!  One of the best things to happen to me in a long time!!

Second, my son and his girlfriend, gifted me with another grandchild!!!  That make 4 from him alone!!!  My husband also has 3 children, 2 girls and a boy.  The girls each have children of their own, a total of 4 with a fifth one due October 14th 2015.  After that bundle of boy joy arrives, we will have 9 grandchildren between us!!!  Crazy!!

Third, we have moved from Jackson to Kalamazoo, MI.  The move was for my job and I love living in Kazoo!!

I am still an SU! demo, 10 years this year!  Still love what I do with this and hope to keep doing it for a while!

Now on to the stamping!!!  The new SU! catalog for 2015-16 boasts some awesome new products. From stamp sets, to card stock to embellishments, I"m not sure where to start on my verrrry long wish list!

One of the first sets I wanted was the new Ronald McDonald set.  In past years I've been on the fence with these sets, but this year I was pushed over it, in a good way!!  Not only does this set offer multiple possibilities for creating, but it has a coordinating punch!!!  Eeeck that is just so cool and makes using this set so much easier!!!

The two cards I have for you were created with the PROVERBial Stampers August 2015 Color and Sketch challenges.  The first is the color challenge using Tangelo Twist, Old Olive and Crushed Curry.  I also used the Sketch & Stamp sketch - SB#116.  Quick and simple sketch!

Using the coordinating punch makes it simple and easy to create a quick card.  I also used the bolder splatter stamp from Gorgeous Grunge on the Whisper White panel.  (I stamped off several times to tone down the Tangelo Twist.)  The designer is from the new DSP stack - Cherry on Top.  The tree trunk is done with one of the new 2015-17 In Colors - Tip Top Taupe.  I pulled apart some burlap for another project and the leftover strands make the fiber accent.

My second card uses the PROVERBial Stampers sketch and the same colors.

On the little flowers and bird, I put Crystal Effects on them to help give the card an extra little pop.  Also, the sentiment was colored with my markers, individually in sets, to get it to fit onto a circle piece.  More leftover burlap strands too!  The background panel doesn't show as well as I hoped, but it was done by using SU! markers directly onto my clear block "E"  spritzed about 10 times with water and then stamped onto watercolor paper.

Hope you like these samples and can't wait to inspire you with more creativity now!!!

Happy Stamping,

Ann

Colorful and Funky Birthday Mushrooms - DIC133!!!

Hello all!!!  Another Thursday is here and that means another fabulous UDI Blog Inspiration challenge!!!  This week Maria has provided us with a fantastic picture of glass-blown mushrooms.

So it was a no-brainer to dig out my Funky Four set and go with it.  The sketch is SC317 on SCS.  I had not intended on using the tree, but once I started working on this I know that I needed something for the background to help "ground" the mushrooms.  Clear as mud?  The tree was colored with my Garden Green and Choc Chip markers.

The mushrooms were stamped in Concord Crush, Daffodil Delight and Tangerine Tango.  The large ones are popped up with one dimensional and the smaller ones use two.  Even more dimension is used on all the panels.  The Garden Green has one layer and the Choc Chip layer has two.  The sentiment, from the fabulous SAB set So Happy For You, is stamped in Choc Chip, placed on a Garden Green strip and popped up with dimensionals.  Just for some texture I distressed the edges with my cutter tool.

A brass mini library clip and three brass brads finishes it off.  Not sure how much you can see in the pic, but I was off center with my brad placement and so I covered those up with 1/4" circles under the brads.  I think this will make a fabulous manly birthday card.  The dsp I used on here is the Woodland Walk.  Took me forever to order this!  Not quite sure why!!

Hop on over to the UDI Blog and play along with us!!!

Happy Stamping!!!!

~~~Ann~~~

GCA #115 - The Colors of Christmas!!!

Hello all!!!  Did you think I forgot??  I really didn't didn't, but I got pulled away by two very adorable and lovable little boys yesterday!!!  However, on to the stamping today!!

This week the focus is on the colors of Christmas.  Traditional colors, like:

RED
GREEN
GOLD

You may use any combination of these colors, or or just one, but your creations for this week must include one of the colors above.  Of course, neutrals may be added as needed.

The card I have to show you today covers 4 different challenges!!!!  The first is CC299 on SCS.  The colors are Real Red, River Rock and Old Olive.  The second is SC309 on SCS.  The sketch calls for a square card and I went with it!!  The finished size is 5.5 x 5.5.  This is one large card!!  The third is for Shelli's monthly challenge on her blog, So Shelli.  She is the co-founder of SU!  The challenge this month is techniques.  And of course, the fourth is for the GCA!

Most of the details are pretty obvious, but I want to talk about the techniques I did on here.  The most obvious is the Torn Frame technique I learned from the Technique Junkies.  It really is easy to do and makes a wow for your images.  Another one, and one of my favorite, is watercoloring with my Watercolor Wonder Crayons!!  I used my blender pen to pull off the color from the crayon and onto the image.

It's a little difficult to see, but I used the Champagne Mist shimmer paint for the tree ornaments and around the scallops on the sentiment.  I used my stylus, dipped it into the paint and then dotted the shimmer paint where I wanted it.  The background dsp is from Presto Patterns, which I highlighted with Real Red and River Rock.

And the last technique on here is the hot new trend with ribbon: scrunching/ruffling!  This is so much fun to do and very easy once you get the hang of it!  When you give it a try, be prepared though, because you do use more ribbon than you think you will!!!  The bow was tied using my bow-maker.

Upload your creation to either your blog or to an online gallery and post a link to your creation to this blog entry by December 11, 2010 at 12 midnight. I will choose the winner the next day. If you upload your card to SCS, PaperCraft Planet, Stampin' Addicts, Stampin' Connection (for SU! demos) or Stamp TV, please put GCA115 in your keywords. That way everyone can see all of the wonderful creations at once!

Even if you can't make the drawing deadline, PLEASE feel free to participate in the challenges and upload your creations at any time. I would love to see it! And yes, my challenge is open to everyone who visits, even if you live outside the US!



Happy Stamping!!!!

~~~Ann~~~~

Caffeine is a Vitamin - DIC121!!

Hello all and Happy Thursday!!!  And Happy Vetrans Day to all of our vetrans, past and present!  Without you this country would not be the safe haven we all love.  Thank you.

This week on the UDI blog Inspiration challenge, Maria provided us a picture of a yummy cup of coffee/lattee.  Either one I'm good with!!  So, I decided to pull out my Morning Cup set, which I HAD to have, and decided to ink it up!

The card base is Very Vanilla, layered with Soft Suede and then dsp from the Blueberry Crisp set.  On here it kind of reminded me of vintage wallpaper.

The large scallop circle is cut from the scallops #2 die in Marina Mist.  The smaller one, is punched from the 2 3/8" scallop punch.  The Very Vanilla image layer is punched with the 1 3/4" circle punch.

Lots of dimension going on here too.  The Soft Suede center strip, and each of the scallop circles are popped up.

I stamped the cups in brown staz on and watercolored them with my aquapainter and ink from the stamp lids.  It's hard to see, but on two of the cups I used my white gel pen for some highlights.  I used the Soft Suede ink pad directly on the circle layer for shading.

A piece of Chantilly lace and Vanilla Seam Binding and some stick on pearls, and we're done!

The sketch is this week's SCS306 over on Splitcoast.

Don't forget to check out the UDI Blog for rest of the design team cards!!

Happy Stamping!!

~~~Ann~~~

GCA #104 - Fall Flair!

Hello all!!!  Can someone please tell me where the month of August went?  I'm shocked that September is here already and my grandson, Cameron, is starting kindergarten this upcoming week!  Seems like yesterday I found out about him and met him, now he is 5 years old!!!  And on the grandchildren front, my son informed me that grand baby #3 is on the way!  Maybe we'll get a girl this time!!!  I sooooo want to buy cute, pink, ruffly clothes!

Officially, summer is still on, but here in my corner of Michigan, a taste of fall has arrived.  And while I love summer, I DO NOT love the hot, humid, drain-you-of-everything heat we have had.  Some days it seems like it just went on and on and on!!  So nice to have the AC off, the windows open and sleep with the cool nights!  Even some leaves are beginning to turn.

That brings us to this week's GCA:  Fall Flair.  Create something - card, scrapbook page, 3-D item - that represents fall in some way.  Use the colors of fall, the leaves, sports that are played during fall or holidays. 

I made this fall card using the SCS SC295, my Autumn Splendor stamp set and fall colors.  The card base is Very Vanilla with Chocolate Chip dsp over it.  I wanted a back drop, but not anything to overwhelm the main images, so I used the subtle square pattern.  (This is now retired.)

The main image panel is using Cajun Craze, and I distressed it up using the Torn Frames technique I learned from Technique Junkies.  I did this to the circle frame with the acorns on it also.  The stamped images are in Cajun Craze, More Mustard, Certainly Celery and Wild Wasabi.  Some of the colors show up more than the others, but I like how it has the collage look.  This was stamped on Very Vanilla.

The front strip is More Mustard textured and wrapped with 2 different colors of embroidery floss.  I used the leftover pieces from punching the border on here also, but the floss covers most of it up.  It made a nice ton-on-tone look.  This panel is up with dimensionals, as is the circle image.

With the acorns, they were stamped on Very Vanilla in Chocolate Chip twice, and the nut portion cut out and popped up.

Upload your creation to either your blog or to an online gallery and post a link to your creation to this blog entry by September 11, 2010 at 12 midnight. I will choose the winner the next day. If you upload your card to SCS, PaperCraft Planet, Stampin' Addicts, Stampin' Connection (for SU! demos) or Stamp TV, please put GCA104 in your keywords. That way everyone can see all of the wonderful creations at once!


Even if you can't make the drawing deadline, PLEASE feel free to participate in the challenges and upload your creations at any time. I would love to see it! And yes, my challenge is open to everyone who visits, even if you live outside the US!


Happy Stamping!!!!!


~~~Ann~~~

GCA #92 - It's a Sketch!!

Hello all!!  I just spent a wonderful afternoon with my club girls, and I just HAD to show them the new catalog!!!  I am super excited about what is to come, and if you need one, you better contact your demo right away!

Since I am soooo excited about the new catalog coming out, I used one of the new sets we could pre-order.  This set is called Artistic Etchings.  I can't show you all of the images, but you see 3 of them on the front of  this card.  Doesn't it remind you of Paris back in the 40's era?  And the new dsp, Newsprint, is to die for!!!

For this card I used Basic Black textured, cut to 3.5 x 7.  Haven't made a longer type card in awhile and I really like how this turned out.  I used a strip of the Newsprint dsp, tore the right edge off, wadded and crumpled it out, flattened it out and inked the edges with black staz on.  I tried to be careful when I adhered it to the card so I didn't flatten it out too much.

The Eiffel Tower is stamped in the new Cherry Cobbler and the medallion brooch is in Daffodil Delight, stamped off once.  Then I lightly spritzed the panel with the Silver Smooch spray.  The "Amour" is stamped in black staz on onto Daffodil Delight.  I used my distressor tool on the Daffodil Delight and inked the edges with black.  This panel is up on dimensionals.  A mini library clip with a piece of the new 1/8" black taffeta finishes off the card.    

For the inside I cut a piece of Very Vanilla to 3 x 6.  I wanted to have that frame of black around it.  I used the torn strip from the front piece on the edge, stamped the medallion in Daffodil Delight, the crown in Cherry Cobbler and the key in black.  The sentiment is from the new Level 3 hostess set, Occasional Quotes.

So, for this week's challenge:  Use the sketch/layout of my card front to create your project.  It does not have to be a long card.  It can be a scrapbook page, card or whatever, as long as you follow the basic layout.  Feel free to flip the layout if that works better for you.

Upload your creation to either your blog or to an online gallery and post a link to your creation to this blog entry by June 19, 2010 at 12 midnight. I will choose the winner the next day. If you upload your card to SCS, PaperCraft Planet, Stampin' Addicts or Stamp TV, please put GCA92 in your keywords. That way everyone can see all of the wonderful creations at once!

Even if you can't make the drawing deadline, PLEASE feel free to participate in the challenges and upload your creations at any time. I would love to see it! And yes, my challenge is open to everyone who visits, even if you live outside the US!

Happy Stamping!!!

~~~Ann~~

GCA #57 - A Simple Sketch

Hello all!! I hope all of you are enjoying a fabulous day where you are and the extended weekend! Here in my part of Jackson we having a blessedly beautiful sunny day, with just the perfect temps!!

For the GCA this week, we are focusing on a sketch. As you know I love to do sketch challenges and thought we haven't done one here in awhile. I two samples to show you the sketch, as I do not have a blank copy! I'm hoping once my new laptop arrives, with Adobe Photoshop, I can create blank sketches!!

The first sample uses dsp as the background panel, but you can use anything you like, or leave it off. The important parts of the sketch are the vertical panel, diamond piece, some type of embellie on the right and some type over on the left.

I created these cards awhile ago and I apologize if you've already seen them. The first uses the Wanted set with the Boho West dsp. I still have some of that and miss it! My colors I used on here are Chocolate Chip, Really Rust, Sage Shadow and Very Vanilla.

The second sample uses the Polka Dots & Paisleys set, now retired. As you can see on this card I used a piece of cardstock for the larger BG panel which was stamped in Linen onto Bayou Blue in the same ink. The remaining colors I used were River Rock, Chocolate Chip and Very Vanilla. I also used Blue Bayou dsp.

On both of these cards I raised the diamond panel up with dimensionals.

So, the challenge this week is to make a card, project or scrapbook page with the sketch above, upload it either to your blog, or to an online gallery and post a link to your card to this blog entry as a comment by September 12, 2009 at 12 midnight. I will choose the winner through a random drawing and post the next Sunday.

Even if you can't make the drawing deadline, PLEASE feel free to participate in the challenge and upload your creations at any time. I would love to see it! If you upload your card on SCS, Stampin' Addicts or Paper Craft Planet, please put GCA57(NO SPACE IN BETWEEN GCA AND 57) in the keyword section.That way everyone can look at all of the creations at once! If you've been waiting to join in the fun, jump on in and have some fun!! And yes, my challenge is open to everyone who visits, even if you live outside the US!!!

Happy Stamping!!!

~~~Ann~~~

A Charming Birthday!!

Hello all!! I am taking a break from prepping for my upcoming class and posting this card for you. This also qualifies for the SoShelli challenge this month of SIP - Stamps, Ink and Paper!

I used the new Charming set that is in the Holiday Mini and will be available for purchase on Sept 1st. This set was designed to cooridinate with the new Simply Adorned jewelry line that comes out sometime in September, too. Right now they are experiencing some quality isssues and when they have those fixed it will be avaialbe. I know I want one!!

I used more of the new In Colors, Crushed Curry and Rich Razzleberry, along with the Razzleberry Lemonade dsp. Not sure how often I would want to cut out the frame, but once in awhile is ok!

For the main image I stamped the script several times in Crushed Curry and then over stamped the flower in Rich Razzleberry. I used Old Olive to frame it out. This sketch is SC241 on SCS. The main panel is up on dimensionals and so is the sentiment panel.

If you like making vintage or shabby chic cards, this set is for you!!

Happy Stamping!!!

~~~Ann~~~

Royal Blog Tour

Hello all!!! Here we are, finally, on the LateNightStampers Royal Blog Tour!! I hope you are enjoying all the stops, finding much inspiration and making new friends along the way!!

As you know, this tour is all about showcasing new product from the 2009/2010 Idea Book & Catalog. And what awesome stamp sets, accessories and ideas are in this book!!! If you don't have a new catalog yet, RUN to your demonstrator and get one!!

For my stop I am highlighting the adorable new set, Animal Stories. This set has four stamps: Giraffe, Whale, Elephant and Owl. I used each of the stamps, on four separate samples, so you can see just how cute they are!!

My first sample is using the whale stamp and I knew right away that I wanted to do a scrapbook page of my grandson Cameron playing in the tub!! My colors came from the toys in the tub, but the picture printed them out darker than they really are. The base is 12 x 12 Brilliant Blue with Only Orange, Crushed Curry and Whisper White as my accents. The WW piece was stamped with the multi cirlcle stamp from Circle Circus in the same colors, spritzed with Real Red marker and then run through the crimper.

I tore the edge of the Only Orange piece behind the WW and along the bottom. The torn strips along the bottom are to mimic "waves". The whales were stamped on WW in the same colors, punched out with the 1 3/4" circle punch and then I used my Circle Scissor Plus to cut the 2" circles. I ran a piece of Crushed Curry & WW through the Big Shot with the Top Note die for my journaling tag. The pictures, whales and journaling tag are all popped up with dimensionals.

My second sample features the elephant, and in Melon Mambo too!!! I do believe this is my favorite new In-Color this year!!! A very quick and easy card to make too. The card base Whisper White layered with Melon Mambo and MM squares in the Razzleberry Lemonade dsp. My elephant was stamped in Melon Mambo, cut out, layered on top of the medium daisy die with a dimensional and glued to the card. The new In-Color polka dotted gg is my accent, along with a white 5/16" brad. My sentiment comes from the On Your Birthday set. There was a glob of ink in between the ( ), so I punched a 1/2" circle in WW to cover it up!

My third sample uses the giraffe, and I have to say he was my least favorite of this set, at first! But I have come to adore him and all the possibilities with him. This card is a tent topper card and also uses the Tall Tales dsp, which coordinates with the Animal Stories set. To make the mane and tail stand out, I stamped the giraffe in Choc Chip onto Kraft, cut them out and glued them down. I thought this would make a cute baby card, so I pulled out Teeny Tiny Wishes for my sentiment. I used the scallop circles #2 die for the "tent" part and the double layered sentiment.

My fourth, and last, sample uses the owl. I've seen many cards done using two owls together, like lovebirds and so I had to give it a try. My card base is Whisper White with Garden Green, Barely Banana, Certainly Celery and Flock Together dsp. Since the only "branch" I have is in the Eastern Blooms set, I went with it. I colored the branch with my Choc Chip marker and the flowers with with So Saffron. I then added dots with my 2 way glue pen and added Dazzling Diamonds to the centers. And since these two owls are so lovey dovey, I made this a wedding card, using the Teeny Tiny Wishes set once again!!

I hope you have enjoyed this stop on the tour and if you liked what you saw, bookmark this page for even more great ideas. And if you like challenges, check out my Getting Creative with Ann challenge that is posted every Sunday. You just might be the next lucky recipient of a stampin' goodie package!!

Happy Stamping!!

~~~Ann~~~

GCA #50 - Full of Surprises!!

Hello everyone!!! Here we are at the 50th Getting Creative with Ann Challenge!! I just can't believe that I've made it to 50 challenges so far, and I just love doing this!! I am so happy to have inspired so many people and I hope to keep inspiring you with many more challenges and projects I put up on my blog!!

Now, as I promised there is an awesome, (well I think it is!), stampin goodie package up for grabs this week. Now you can see what you are working for this week!! Here's just a few of the items in the package:

* Ribbon jar full of many different ribbons

* Pack of Delicate Dots dsp (SAB 09)

* Brand new/Never used Lizzie Anne Designs stamp set - Joles Fleurs

* Set of 10 cards by me : )

* And various odds & ends

For the challenge this week, it is a combo of 3 things!

First, is the sketch. I love sketches, and finding new ones, but I also like to go back to old sketches and do them with new stuff!! So, for this part click on the SCS Sketch Challenge link and check it out!! This is SC134 and it is a Tent Topper card!! If you've never made one before, they are fun and addicting!! To help get your creative juices flowing, check out the SC134 gallery.

Second, you must use only the colors of Orange, Yellow, Green and White on your card. Any shades of these colors will work, and they DO NOT have to be specific to SU!

Third, and final, is NO FLOWERS!!!!! You cannot use flowers of any kind, either with stamps, designer paper, die cuts or embellishments. I know I have way too many flower stamps and so I need to move outside that comfort zone, and I thought I would take all of you with me!!

So, for this week's GCA you need to create a card, project or scrapbook page that uses all of the criteria above, upload it either to your blog, or to an online gallery and post a link to your card to this blog entry as a comment by July 25, 2009 at 12 midnight. I will choose the winner through a random number generator and post the next Sunday.

Even if you can't make the drawing deadline, PLEASE feel free to participate in the challenge and upload your creations at any time. I would love to see it! If you upload your card on SCS, Stampin' Addicts or Paper Craft Planet, please put GCA50(NO SPACE IN BETWEEN GCA AND 50) in the keyword section. That way everyone can look at all of the creations at once! If you've been waiting to join in the fun, jump on in and have some fun!!

Today is my new catalog Open House and I am busy finalizing everything for that, but as soon as I can I will get a sample up for you and a look at the stampin goodie package!!!

Happy Stamping!!!

~~~Ann~~~

Happy Birthday Mom!!

Hello all!!! Tomorrow is my mother's birthday and this is the card I made for her.

I finally inked up my Sense of Time set that I've had for almost a month now! When I bought this set I immediately thought of all the male cards I could make, and what is the first card I make?? For my mother on her birthday!!!

I also used CC214, (Bordering Blue, Choc Chip & Pink Pirouette) which doesn't necessarily lend itself to a male card. Not all men like pink, and I as I was working on this I thought this would be perfect for my mom. I used some new socket hardware by Tim Holtz, I just had to have, when I saw them!! They go so well with this set! And I finally put my hands on the three butterfly punch by Martha, and I used that as well!!

The sketch is SC224, and I attempted to do the "Out of the box" technique with the clock. Not sure I achieved the complete look I was going for, but I do like how this turned out.

Happy Stamping!!

~~~Ann~~~

Happy New Year!!!!!!

Hello all!! I hope everyone had a joyful, and safe, New Years 2009!!! I had BIG plans for stamping yesterday and today, but life got in the way and I only managed to create this one card!! But, it incorporates 3 SCS challenges into one card! Don't do that very often.

I love this sentiment, now available from Treehouse Stamps, and think it is the perfect one for sending out a New Years hello!

Challenge #1 is CC199: Bravo Burgundy, Handsome Hunter and So Saffron. I like it when challenges make me use Bravo Burgundy, because I don't reach for it too often. I wish it had a little less brown in it and a little more red. But I do like it paired with the So Saffron and Handsome Hunter.

Challenge #2 is SC209. I adjusted my panels slightly to accommodate the sentiment. It's not often I make the sentiment the focus of the card, but this one deserves it! On the first BG panel I used Handsome Hunter layered with WW, which I stamped the tulip and small heart on. I then ran it through my CB with the Swiss Dots folder, distressed the edges and inked over with H. Hunter ink.

The large WW BG panel was put through the CB with the Houndstooth folder, edge distressed and inked with B. Burgundy. The narrow strip in the middle is So Saffron with SS dsp. I used a piece of new felt ribbon I picked up at Hobby Lobby on the clearance table! It matches HH almost perfectly!

The sentiment panel is B. Burgundy embossed with the Textile folder. I wanted some of the BB panel to show, so I made it larger than the actual sentiment panel and S. Saffron dsp piece. The main WW panel is also edge distressed and inked with H. Hunter ink. I also used my color spritzer on here.

Challenge #3 is WT199. This was to use silver on your card in some way!! Either with cardstock, dsp, stickles or whatever! Just as long as you used silver. I used three different mediums of silver. One, I used silver stickles on the four corners of the main image panel and on the bodies of the butterflies. Two, I used silver cord tied around the HH felt. And third, I used silver cardstock for one of my butterflies! The butterflies are punched with a MS punch. The tulip I colored with my markers, stamped onto WW and cut out.

As you can see with the inside photo, I stamped the tulip twice and placed a butterfly punched from embossed Bravo Burgundy above. The edges were inked with So Saffron. I like how this carries the colors and such into the inside of the card and it doesn't look so "naked"! So don't forget to stamp inside your card!

Happy Stamping!!!!

~~~Ann~~~

Christmas Cards everywhere!!!

Hello everyone!! I have two cards to share with you today! I find it much easier, and less frustrating, to make my Christmas cards at various times so I can make them each individual. Sometimes this plan works and other times it doesn't!!! : )

My first sample is for SC202 on SCS this week. Fantastic layout and so many possibilities! I used the Scandinavian Season set and matching wheel which is currently available in the Holiday mini. I also included CC192 with this card which is to use Pacific Point, Basic Grey and Certainly Celery. I love to use non-traditional colors on my Christmas cards and this color combo certainly qualifies!! I also use Shimmery White on here, white is just fabulous to use with Christmas/elegant cards.

I stamped the tree in Certainly Celery and then used my Choc. Chip marker to go over the tree trunk. I then stamped the tree again in Pacific Point and just cut out the flower, which popped up on a dimensional

To add some bling, I added a crystal rhinestone to the flower center and mini green rhinestones to the corner of the sentiment panel. I had a hard time trying to figure out where to place that panel as I didn't want to cover up my tree!!

To make the snowflakes two toned, I did the Rock n Roll technique on them. I like this effect.
My second sample is one I made for FS85 on SCS!! I know I am posting this late, better late than never right? This is also for CC185 on SCS and for CCNov1008 on Paper Craft Planet!!

What is Paper Craft Planet (PCP) you ask?? Well, just follow this link here and you can discover this wonderfullt amazing new stamping community too!!!! Check it out and let me know what you think!!

My second sample uses the set Wise Men Seek Him by Treehouse Stamps. I love this set as it conveys the meaning of Christmas so well for me!

I colored in the 3 wise men with my SU! markers and highlighted the star and candle with the Bashful Blue marker. One the Very Vanilla panel I used the snowflakes folder from last year in my CB and shaded with Baja Breeze.


Happy Stamping!!


~~~Ann~~~

GCA#16 - Playing with Chipboard!!

Hello everyone! Lately I have been pulling out my sorely unused and neglected chipboard and playing with it! There are so many ways to use chipboard and give your cards and projects a definitely different look.

For example, you can:

* Emboss on chipboard, either with dye ink and Versamark or craft ink

* Cover it with patterned paper

* Use it as your focal point on your card or as an enhancement

* Trim it to fit with your card. Don't be afraid to snip off a few pieces.

* Layer your chipboard pieces, especially those that come together

* Mix and match different types/styles/fonts for an eclectic look

* Leave it plain and distress with your ink pad!

Don't have any chipboard? (I can't believe that, but here's your chance to go out and get some!!) If you don't have any chipboard at all, you use any lightweight cardboard and trace an image onto it and cut it out. Lightweight cardboard can be from an empty cereal box, or box of that type, the cardboard layer that comes in the SU! designer series packs, or even the backing of any notepad holder!

Want to spell out a word, but you've used up all of that letter? Trace the negative space onto a piece of chipboard, or substitute, and go from there!

All of my samples have chipboard that is embossed or covered in dsp. My first sample uses the barn from Happy Fall Y'all, and the other stamps are from the Jolly Snowman set all by Treehouse Stamps. I used the large snowflake from SU!'s Christmas chipboard from 2007, but I needed to trim the edges because the snowflake was too big. I stamped it in Sage Shadow craft ink and clear embossed and then covered it with a crackle finish. The crackle doesn't show up too well in the photo. I also outlined the barn and fence with my glitter pen. This card also uses SC199.

My second sample shows the original size of the snowflake from the first sample, plus I paired it with the negative image from punching out the snowflake. I stamped Not Quite Navy craft ink on the negative image piece and clear embossed over. The snowflake was stamped in white craft ink and embossed with white ep.

The third sample is a flower from SU! of last year. (See, I told you I've been neglecting this stuff!!) My idea for this came from the cuttlebugged BG panel and from FS91 - Beccastamps. She has a lot of beautiful cards in her gallery showing off the CB images. The folder I used here is the leaves and I wanted the look of the leaves coming up and out from the flower. I then tied the chocolate satin ribbon around the flower for a tag effect.

The flower was first stamped in Baja Breeze dye ink, swiped lightly with white craft ink and then covered with Versamark and clear ep. The center of the flower was covered with a piece of Ski Slope dsp, but you can't see much of that now! Lots of dimensionals were used on this card!!

I hope my samples give you a good starting point to pull out your chipboard, or create your own, and give a new look to your cards!

To be entered in the challenge drawing, make a card using the different dimensions for your cards , upload it either to your blog, or to an online gallery and post a link to your card to this blog entry as a comment by November 14, 2008 at 12 midnight. I will choose the winner through a random number generator and post the next day.

Even if you can't make the drawing deadline, PLEASE feel free to participate in the challenge and upload your creations at any time. I would love to see it!If you upload your card on SCS, please put GCA16 (NO SPACE IN BETWEEN GCA AND 16) in the keyword section. That way everyone can look at all of the creations at once! If you've been waiting to join in the fun, jump on in and have some fun!!


Happy Stamping!!!


~~~Ann~~~

Butterflies & Lattes - What a perfect combo!

Hello everyone!!! I have 3 cards to show you today!! Yes, I have been busy stamping up a storm, but my camera was MIA for awhile so I had to wait to take pictures.

The other day I was going through my scrap bins, yes I have bins, and was astounded to see how much useful cardstock I had! And to explain, I have my scraps stored in plastic shoe boxes according to SU! color families. Little anal-retentive, but most nurses are!! So I decided to challenge myself to see how many cards I can make using ONLY pieces from my scraps! Here's what I've done so far!

My first card is for this week's color challenge on SCS: CC182 -Monochromatic. Sometimes I have a very hard time using this kind of color scheme, but in the end I like how this turned out! The colors I used are More Mustard, So Saffron reg & dsp and Barely Banana with Whisper White as my neutral. I didn't have a set layout to begin with, but just played around with my scraps and such, and went from there. All three circle pieces were found in my scraps which is how I came up with the panel for the butterfly.

I am just LOVING my new SU! scallop edge punch and use as often as I can! It certainly makes short work of creating scallops, but what an impact it gives! I used my Paisley background stamp on the white panel and then spritzed it with my So Saffron marker. The Word Window pieces are each of the colors and then I used Barely Banana brads. The butterfly panel is up on dimensionals and I them stamped the polka dotted butterfly in More Mustard on Barely Banana, cut it out and adhered with Tombo glue. Iused my new SU! set - Flight of the Butterfly.

The next card is for Ashley's weekly challenge: BWC20. This week she presents a sketch for all us. You can see the sketch on her blog here. A simple and easy sketch to try!

I used the soon-to-be-released set: Friends & Lattes! Love this set, but then anything having to do with coffee makes me happy!! This set will be available on Friday, September 5th!! Again, I used my scallop edge punch on the large square, but only to make a frame and not punch out the entire piece. Then I just layered my other pieces inside.

I seem to have an obsession with cutting this coffee cup and the steam out, as you will see in the next card too! I colored the coffee cup with my SU! markers and then went over it with my white gel pen. The coffee cup and the scalloped edge square are all up on dimensionals. The steam is glued to the corner of the cup and then just rests on the upper left corner of the square.

And my last card for today is for the Sketch Challenge on SCS: SC192. A simple and clean sketch, but with many possibilities to it!! Again, this card is made using only scraps from my scrap bins, which made the overall size of this card 5 1/2" x 4". The Sage Shadow piece was just a tiny bit narrower, but overall I like how the card turned out!

As I went searching through my scraps, I came across this retired dsp from SU!: Wintergreen, and seeing how it matches the Sage Shadow and Kraft, I used it. And who doesn't love a hot cup of coffee on a cold day? (Too bad it's 90* here in Michigan this week!!!)

Again, I colored the coffee cup with my SU! markers and then cut it out, along with the steam! I found these wonderful aged copper large eyelets at Hobby Lobby and just had to have them! I used a strip of chocolate stitched ribbon (non SU!) where the two dsp's meet.

The entire image panel is up on dimensionals, as well as the coffee cup and steam. I did some paper piercing around the Kraft layer, but with the shading I'm not sure how much you can see.

That's it for today!! Must get back to working as I am working from home this week.

Happy Stamping!!

~~~Ann~~~

Let's Celebrate!!

Hello everyone!! The card I have for you today has special meaning for me! I created it using my 3 new, and FREE, sets from SU!!! How did I get 3 free sets you ask? Well, let me tell you.

I entered, and won, the August Stampin' Success contest entry: Tricks or Treats. For this category you were to create a 3-D Halloween project. At first I wasn't going to enter since the only SU! Halloween set I had was Booglie Eyes, and it's retired!

But, remember when I did the Bag in a Box tutorial? After I created my 2 samples for here, I thought this would be a neat project done for Halloween! Actually, for any holiday this project is great. But I still needed a Halloween stamp set, so I called one of my sideline demos, Judy T., and asked her if I could borrow her Batty for You set. I so wanted to order this set last year when it came out, but I had Booglie Eyes and I didn't need 2 Halloween sets.

Now I can't post a pick of my winning project, yet, but I will after the October SS is out later in September. I must say I about fell off my office chair when I read the email from SU! stating I had won!

So, what sets did I win? I choose 2 brand new Fall-Winter sets and one that just came out in the Spring-Summer book.

* Flower Fancy

* On Your Birthday

* Frames with a Flourish

All three sets were used on this card, along with SC190 and CC180 -Ruby Red, Close to Cocoa & Blush Blossom and WT180 - All Torn Up.

I started with the Blush Blossom piece from stash that was already stamped with Canvas in Close to Cocoa and then followed the sketch. To cover up the dividing line of the Ruby Red/Blush Blossom piece, I used a strip of Blush Blossom and my scallop edge punch on each side to create the ruffled look. I then layered it with a piece of white taffeta.

I just love how the sentiment fits just right into the circle frame, which fits in the 1 3/8" circle punch!! And yes, I cut out all those flowers and leaves to make this!

I hope you enjoy and am inspired to create your winning projects!!

Happy Stamping!!

~~~Ann~~~

Stamped some more, I did!!!

Hello all my stamping friends!!!

What a wonderfully beautiful Memorial Day weekend we are having here in the southeast portion of Michigan!!! It's been quite a few years for us to have sun and warm temps on this holiday weekend as opposed to rain and chilly temps!! I hope all you are having a fabulously beautiful weekend too!

Well, I got some more stamping time in over the past couple of days and I just couldn't wait to show everyone! The newest releases from Treehouse Stamps are just perfect for this time of year with their American Dream set. This set has the adorable little boy and girl and they can be stamped either holding an American flag or sparklers for July 4th. This card I made for the Featured Stamper today on SCS, peanutbee AKA Denise! Check out the FS68 forum here.

On my card here, I have them holding American flags in honor of Memorial Day tomorrow. Sometimes I forget just what an honor and privilege it is to live in a free country and to be able to have the freedom to choose how I want to live my life, how I want to worship and be free from constant struggles just to obtain basic living necessities.

My main image is watercolored with the ink from my SU! stamp pads and a blender pen and aquapainter. I used the aquapainter for the grass and sky, just to keep them soft and not overwhelm the image. I first stamped the kids in black staz-on to keep the lines from bleeding in to the open spaces.

The flags are up on dimensionals, as well as the main image panel.

The changes I made are:

* Stamp set and colors of cardstock

* I added an additional ribbon

* I stamped my saying and placed it in a different spot and only used two crystal embillies

* I used my distressor tool on the edges of the white panel

My second card here uses the oh so adorable Make a Difference set also just released by Treehouse Stamps.

The koala bear is so cute and cuddly how can you not fall in love with him? I used this past week's color and sketch challenges on SCS on this card, which by the way I designed during a conference for work last week!! I had to do something to stay awake in the afternoon!!!

The CC was for Soft Sky, Certainly Celery and Blue Bayou. My neutral is obviously white! I stamped each of the white panels with the fern leaf and then ran through my CB with the Distressted Stripes folder. I also did DTP to the white panels with the Soft Sky. SU!'s tag corner punch was used on all the panels and I distressed the main image Soft Sky panel and used DTP with Blue Bayou.

The koala was colored with my watercolor wonder crayons and the branch/leaves were done with my SU! markers. Then I cut him out!! I wouldn't recommend doing this too often!!

I used the small corner rounder from SU! to make the scallop strip and overstamped the saying in Soft Sky with the fern. The entire main image panel/side panels are up on dimensionals and then the koala is up on more.

Let me know what you think!!

Happy Stamping!!

~~~Ann~~~

Slacker stamper....

Yes I am!!! I must confess though, I have been stamping, but not with enough time to stop and post much on my blog. I started a new job on April 7th, and I have been working my tail off since then!! I come home many nights with enough time eat something and crawl into bed. This is the first weekend I will have the entire weekend off!!!!!! So I am going to stamp, and maybe clean my house, but stamping is a higher priority!!!!

I have three cards to show you, all just released, from Treehouse Stamps!!! They are the cutest new sets with adorable patriotic kids and loveable wildlife.

My first card showcases the kids from American Dream and is so appropriate for Memorial Day as they each hold an American flag. I used my watercolor pencils to color them in and a sponge dauber to shade around the edges.

I combined two weekly SCS challenges together on this card: the color and sketch challenge for this past week. The CC is Pumpkin Pie, Soft Sky and Ruby Red. Certainly not a combo I would put together, but they work well!!

The second card uses the same kids, but this time they are celebrating July 4th!! See the sparklers? You can interchange the flags and sparklers! What a neat idea and more bang for your buck!!

On here I used my SU! markers to color them in and for highlighting the girls dress. I used DTP in Brilliant Blue for the shading around the edges. The finished size of this card is 4" x 4".

My third card uses the Make a Difference set which showcases this adorable koala. He is so cute and fun to color. But I have to confess I am not certain what color koala bears actually are!!! But I thought he looked like a brown one. I used my watercolor pencils on here and on the background. After the image was blended, I used my sponge dauber in Bashful Blue around the edges for highlights.

This card uses this week's Ways to Use it challenge on SCS for using inchies. Well, I don't have any inchies so I made my own!! My main image panel is 3" x 3" and then I cut the piece into 1" strips and then into 1" squares. After they were cut I covered them with Versamark and clear embossed them. Next time I will cut them into squares after I emboss!!! I then put him back together and mounted him on cream panel and then the Bashful Blue panel. I used my distressor tool on the blue square and background dp panel.

Let me know what you think!

Happy Stamping!!

~~~Ann~~~

Flowers & Sweets....How Neat!!!

Ok, I'm tired and I know that title is corny, but my cards encompass both! And yes I said cards!!! I have 2 to show you tonight!

The first is for this week's color challenge on SCS: Apricot Appeal, Cameo Coral, Creamy Caramel and Mellow Moss. Colors which evoke warm thoughts of spring, but I used sweets instead!

I used the newest set from Treehouse Stamps: Sweets for the Sweet. It is filled with all kinds of different baking and sweets type stamps.

I made a collage on the large square panel and then cut out the gingerbread man, lollipop and cookie cutter and put those on dimensionals.

I also used the design challenge in the newest Take Ten to see how I liked it. I think I will play around with it some more and send in a card or two.

For the sentiment panel I used my Marvy mega scallop and super circle punches, Fiskars cutting system and SU! key tab punches. Some shading with DTP in Creamy Caramel, dots with the white gel pen and voila!!

I used a copper swirl clip with the ribbon, which is white twill and SU!'s Mellow Moss grosgrain.

My second card uses the same color combo, but in conjunction with this week's sketch challenge on SCS. I love the simple and easy use of this sketch and feel it will be one I use alot. Maybe I can use this for convention swaps!!! Better start thinking about those now, you know!!!

The idea for this popped in my head immediately as I was laying the cardstock out, and I just love how it turned out.

This is my first time using something other than a *true* flower stamp to make a flower!!! I used the Rock n Roll technique for the flowers. And I needed a thank you card, so that's how I decided to use Curvy Verses. I think the style of the phrase goes well with this card.

I used the flower from So Many Scallops and then punched a 1" circle and the large flower from my Boho Blossoms punch to make the center. A neutrals button and linen thread finish it off.

For the stems and leaves I used the Mellow Moss and Certainly Celery grosgrain. The flowers are up on dimensionals for extra depth.

I used my distressor tool on the edges of the Mellow Moss panel and the Apricot Appeal dsp from the hostess level 1 pack.

Off to bed now!! Thanks for stopping by!

Happy Stamping!!!

~~~Ann~~~

New Treehouse Stamps coming!!!

I have been such a slacker lately in posting my cards, that I am soooo ashamed!!! Please forgive me!!! I went back to work on February 4th, and with a new job comes new responsibilities and long hours! I have been stamping, but sometimes when I come home I am so tired. I have even toyed with the idea of no blogging, but I do love doing this, so I guess I better quit being such a slacker!!!

With all this said, I have a sneak peek of new stamps coming out by Treehouse Stamps on March 7th!! I must say this new collection is an awesome one and these peeks are just the beginning!!

The first one I just absolutely love!!! How true is the sentiment on here: "Enjoy Life's Simple Pleasures". What is simpler than a hot bubble bath?? But do we take the time for ourselves to do this? Most likely not!

My color combo for this came from the new designer paper from SU! in the upcoming Occasions mini beginning March 1st. This set here is called Summer Picinic. The layout is SC164 over on SCS. I used silver stickles on the bubbles and bath water. I also used the new Old Olive polytwill on here. That is also available on March 1st in the Occasions mini.

I used my watercolor crayons and blender pen to color the image, some DTP to the cardstock panels and that's it!

My second card uses CC155 on SCS: Basic Black, River Rock and Whisper White. Since this combo really lends itself to an "elegant" look, I thought these tulips would be perfect. I colored the tulips with the River Rock ink pad and blender pen and my Always Artichoke marker for the stems.

The River Rock panel was run through my CB with the Textile folder after I inked it up with white craft ink. I did more DTP on the panels and layered them up. The saying is embossed with clear ep in black craft.

I hope you enjoy these! I'll work on getting more of these up later this week.

Happy Stamping!!!

~~~Ann~~~