A Unique Hop Continued

Happy Monday!

The Unique Blog Hop continues today with Chris and Mischelle's post.

I wanted to share a couple cards I started for last week and they just didn't come together until yesterday.  Above is a card using a stamp set I won on Chris' challenge blog back in May.  I am so rusty at stamping, I just could not get it to stamp cleanly, until yesterday and several ink and paper combinations.  I colored it with distress markers.  Papers are digital from Doodle Pantry.

I also haven't stitched on a card in months because my machine was giving me fits, stalling shortly after getting started.  I couldn't remember if I fixed it before I put is away.  I do recall cleaning and straightening the needle and re-threading it.  Turns out it was fine, so I must have fixed the problem. 

The second card uses the paper pad I won on Andrea's challenge blog in May.  {May was a good month}.

So next Unique blog hop stop ...

Chris Franco @ Blessings Ink

(New Amusing Challenge theme - Die Cuts)

and 

Mischelle Smith

Thanks for stopping by...
Blessings
Deb

A Unique Blog Hop

Happy Monday!

Today, I have a unique post...it is a blog hop.  I was invited to join by Andrea Whisman.  I thought this would be an opportunity to share what I'm working on and also introduce my blog readers to some of my friends blogs too. 

Those of my friends who agreed to hop will post next Monday.  I have more details at the end of this post. 

Andrea Whisman posted her blog hop post August 4th.  I discovered her blog on Paper Playful. She has a challenge blog, Savvy Handmade Cards, with new challenges on Friday.  I entered her zoo animal challenge in May. My 2 Cute Ink 'Panda Love' card was chosen as the winner. :D  Thanks again Andrea!

1.  What am I working on? 

I'm working on quite a few things for August.  There are lots of birthdays this month, starting with my Dad's 91st birthday August 4th.  Here is his card.

Love this image.  It is a very detailed stamp and it stamped beautifully on the first try.  That is always SO exciting! The image is from Stamping Sensations 'Large Pasture Scene'. It was really fun to color. 

Here are some sneak peeks for my upcoming August Sketch Saturday posts...

We have some great sponsors this month!

My Style? What inspires me?

I love to make things so cardmaking has been my creative outlet over the years.  My style has certainly changed over the years from simply stamped, to watercolors, to colored pencil blended with mineral spirits and now Copic Markers.  I do love to color.

I'm attracted to images I can color - love cute images but also realistic and vintage images.  For the most part my style is clean and simple with not a lot of embellishments. Over the years, I've added many more layers to my cards and stitching and even distressed/vintage look.  I love trying new things and different styles.  
      

3.  Where did it all start?

I started stamping in 1997 when a friend gave me a SU! set from my birthday. That's where it all began.  In 2004, I joined The Angel Company after seeing the catalog at a craft expo.  I joined for the discount and large selection of craft supplies, but found the angel gatherings were even better.  How great to gather with hundreds of women from around the country who love the same hobby!

In 2007, I was asked to create some cards with the Stamp of the Month.  That was followed by a request to make samples for the catalog - what a dream. It was an awesome opportunity that continued through the last TAC catalog in 2011.  I loved every minute. 

Believe it of not, I was introduced to digital images by TAC in 2010.  I didn't know it then but it helped me transition after TAC closed.  Since then I've had the privilege to be a member of several design teams with super cute digital images - Whimsy and Stars Studios, Little Miss Muffet and 2 Cute Ink.

About 4 years ago, I starting sending monthly cards of encouragement to the homebound at our church.  I have so many images, oodles of supplies and this really helped to keep creating.  It gave me a monthly purpose.

Here is the May card I created for the homebound, using Nina B Vintage papers and Spring printables.

4.  How does your creative process work?

This past year, I have been trying to create with purpose more and more and give the majority of cards I make away.  Unlike the past 10 years or so, where I was much less intentional and accumulated very large collection of cards. I should really figure out what to do with them.

My creative process starts with an event - birthday, anniversary, get well etc... I choose an image.  I pair up the image with the patterned paper I plan to use. I pick out coordinating cardstock and pull markers or inks.  I measure the main image and sketch out what I was thinking for a layout.

I love using sketches and creating my own too.  That is why Sketch Saturday has been such a perfect fit for me.  Even the majority of challenge posts are now created for someone and eventually sent.  

~~~~~~~~~~

I've asked 2 friends to post next week (Aug 18)
to continue this Unique Blog Hop...

Chris Franco from Stamped Blessings

Chris and I met through TAC and have become friends over the years through e-mail and Facebook.  Since the close of TAC, Chris joined A|Muse Studio and started her own challenge blog - Amusing Challenge.  New challenge themes are posted Sundays with winners are announced on Mondays.

Mischelle Smith

Mischelle - the founder of TAC.  What can I say?  She took a bit of a break from crafting after TAC closed, but she is back. She is with Close To My Heart now and rocking it!  You can also see some of her stamp designs at Stamping Sensations - like the image below!

Using Beautiful Friendship

Hope you enjoyed this little hop.  Visit Andrea's post HERE.

August 18th, we will see what Chris and Mischelle are working on and what inspires them.  I'm so looking forward to it.

Blessings to you,

Deb

Papertrey April Blog Hop Challenge

Today, I'm joining in the April blog hop over at PaperTrey Ink.  The theme is 'Tilted' - design on an angle.  I made several cards, here is the first one...

I embossed some PTI white cardstock using PTI Hexagon Die, then cut some white cardstock with the die.  I stamped the cut hexagons using the stamp set Happy Hexagons and inks Enchanted Evening, Canyon Clay, Kraft, Ripe Avocado.  The stamped hexagons were glued onto the embossed panel creating the angled pattern.
 
The sentiment is stamped on a tab I cut using one of the PTI Half and Half Dies. I added a knotted ribbon to finish the card. 

Since I had the frame left of the hexagon pattern, I wondered if I could create the same stamped pattern with it using it as a stencil.

I taped the frame down to my scratch pad, so it wouldn't shift.

Stamped, applying some pressure 

to make sure the full image is transferred.

Here is how my experiment turned out.  A really quick card.

Card 1 Supplies -- 

Stamp Set:  PTI Happy Hexagons mini set

Inks: PTI Enchanted Evening, Canyon Clay, Kraft, Ripe Avacodo

Cardstock:  PTI White, Enchanted Evening, Kraft

Dies: PTI Hexagon Die and Half and Half Die Collection

Ribbon: Canyon Clay Saddle Stitch

My second card is a really simple one.  I used Just the Ticket and the coordinating ticket border die. 

Card 2 Supplies --

Stamp Set: PTI Just the Ticket

Inks: PTI Kraft and True Black

Cardstock: PTI Kraft, True Black and Smokey Shadow

Patterned Cardstock: MME Dilly Dally

Dies: PTI Just the Ticket Border Die

Here is my third card design.  I used a couple PTI sets Funky Florals, which I think was a free set with purchase a few months ago, "Beautiful Blessings" and the Half and Half Die Collection die.
 

Card 3 Supplies -- 

Stamp Set:  PTI Funky Florals & Beautiful Blessings

Inks: PTI True Black, Pure Poppy, Hibiscus Burst, Harvest Gold, Limeade Ice

Cardstock:  PTI White, Pure Poppy, Hibiscus Burst

Dies: PTI Half and Half Die Collection 

Thanks for stopping by...

Blessings,

Deb

May Blog Hop - Chalks

Yay Blogger is back -- Ready for a Hop??

Today, our hop showcases chalk techniques on the TAC Savvy Projects Blog.   I used Blossoms and Blessings. 

My technique is painting with chalks using an Aqua Flow brush.  I used watercolor paper so that I could really move the color and would not have to worry about oversaturating the paper.  First, I stamped on the smoother side {or technically back} with VersaMark ink the flowers and leaves.  Then, embossed with white embossing powder. 

I used Basic Bright Chalks to paint in the flowers and leaves.  The verse is stamped with Jardin Moss Palette ink.  The card is finished off with a sheer white ribbon and a pearl.

Supplies -- Stamps:  Blossoms and Blessings, Cardstock: Berrylicious, Patch, Bumblebee, White ribbon, Gems, Basic Bright Chalks, Aqua Flow brushes, Ink: VersaMark ink, Jardin Moss palette ink, White embossing powder.

Hope you enjoy the rest of the hop.

Abundant Blessings,

Deb