Sweet on Impression Obsession

I'm a big fan of cupcakes. Even though there is so much color going on in my project, I wanted to make sure that the cupcake is the star of the show. I chose to do this by bringing attention to the flower petals by making them sparkly, thereby drawing the eye to the center where the cupcake resides. This is an unusually large card for me, but I'm really liking the larger size.

Usually when I spray flowers with Spritz or paint flowers with Shimmerz or Blingz, I start out with white flowers and build color with the paints only. This time, the flowers were already colored at the outset. The flower in the background was a peachy-pink and the flower in the front was a light yellow-green. I built the color on the background flower by spraying it with a very light coating of Bed of Roses Spritz. I didn't want to change its color too much. With the yellow-green flower, I wanted more of the yellow color to be accented. I sprayed it three times with the Chick-a-dee Spritz, allowing time for it to dry between layers.

For a pretty dot of sparkle, I painted the cherry at the top of the cupcake with the Fire Engine Red Shimmerz. It's the perfect shade for a ripe summer cherry, wouldn't you say?


I added the closeup photo to show just how sparkly the beautiful Spritz'd flowers are. It also highlights the pretty shine in the cherry.



Supplies:
Stamps: Cupcake MC181 (Impression Obsession)
Paper: Zinnia PP (Little Yellow Bicycle); Smoothies CS in Boysenberry Delight & Sparkleberry Delight (Bazzill); Classic Crest Solar White (Neenah)
Paint/Ink: Fire Engine Red Shimmerz and Chick-a-dee & Bed of Roses Spritz (Shimmering Products); Tuxedo Black & Lulu Lavender Memento Ink (Tsukineko)
Accessories: Apron Lace Border Punch (Fiskars); Circle Punches (EK Success); Word Window Punch (Stampin' Up!); Markers RV21, E13, R35 (Copic); Fabric Flowers (Heidi Swapp); Dimensional Adhesive (3L)

Thanks so much to the folks at Impression Obsession! I'm so pleased with my sweet new stamps!

Happy Stamping!

Shimmerz Blog's Birthday

I made two birthday cards, both using the new Bo Bunny "It's My Party" collection papers & stickers. For the first card, I die-cut a candle out of cardstock and acetate using an AccuCut die. The cardstock is the wax part of the candle and the acetate became the flame. I painted the acetate flame with Mello Yello Blingz on both sides. I then used dimensional adhesive so the candle would pop right off the page.


On my second card, I also used dimensional adhesive, this time with the EK Success Powder tool. It allows flat stickers to pop off the page. For added interest, I painted the gift with Mello Yello Blingz.



Supplies:
Stamps: Happy Birthday (Kim Hughes Collection @ Cornish Heritage Farms)
Paper: It's My Party PP (BoBunny); Canvas & Smoothies CS (Bazzill)
Paint/Ink: Mello Yello Blingz (Shimmering Products); Lady Bug Memento Ink (Tsukineko)
Accessories: It's My Party Stickers (BoBunny); Corner Rounder Punch & Powder Tool (EK Success); Candle Die (AccuCut); Dimensional Adhesive (3L)

Speaking of birthdays, it's my sister's birthday (Happy 35th, Kris!) and my blog's birthday too! Be sure to stop back here starting on Monday for a birthday blog candy with a cupcake theme! Up for grabs are cupcake stamps, cupcake stickers, cupcake ribbon... all for one lucky winner.

Happy Stamping!

PS: There's a call for guest designers at Creative Cuts & More.

Butterfly Frame

My black wood photo frame came from the dollar store. I dressed it up with die-cut Grungepaper sprayed with Bed of Roses Spritz.

Supplies:
Paper: Grungepaper (Ranger)
Paint/Ink: Bed of Roses Spritz (Shimmering Products)
Accessories: Printed fabric ribbon (Little Yellow Bicycle); Clear domed gems (Hero Arts); Dies & Die Cut System (Sizzix); Wood picture frame

Happy Stamping!

A Rare Layout for NSD

Yep, I'm 99% cardmaker and proud of it! I've made a few occasional layouts and I especially like how this one turned out.

Supplies:
Paper: Mellow PP (BasicGrey); Olive Cardstock
Paint/Ink: Angel Wings Shimmerz (Shimmering Products); Chestnut Roan Chalk Ink (ClearSnap)
Accessories: Photo Anchors (Stemma); Olive Ribbon (Making Memories); Tag Die (QuicKutz); Black Glaze Pen (Sakura)

You can see here how easy it is to dress up a page using a little Shimmerz to highlight. I chose to highlight the ribbon used on the tag and the trees on the patterned paper. (I also highlighted my sister's wedding ring on the photograph, but I just couldn't get a good pic of it for this post.)

Happy Stamping!

Grungepaper Butterfly

We seem to have almost skipped Spring here in Boise. It was in the 40's a day or two ago, and right now my weather link says it's 84! I worked on this butterfly over the weekend dreaming of spring and hoping for warmer weather. I guess you have to be careful what you wish for (or at least be more specific!).

Two of the newest Shimmerz colors, Choc-o-lot and Fire Engine Red, are the perfect complement to this Penny Lane paper from MME. The butterfly was cut from Grungepaper, the thinner version of Grungeboard, and then painted with Shimmerz. I drew on the antennae and the dotted flight-path.


Supplies:
Paper: Bazzill Brown (Bazzill Basics); Penny Lane Free Bird Love Paper (My Mind's Eye); Tim Holtz Grungepaper (Advantus)
Paint/Ink: Choc-o-lot & Fire Engine Red Shimmerz (Shimmering Products); Memento Marker in Rich Brown (Tsukineko)
Accessories: Corner Rounder Punch (Fiskars); Boys Will Be Boys Dies (Sizzix); Butterfly #1 Die (Ellison); Amber & Blue 5mm gems (Mark Richards); Single Rhinestones (MAMBI)

Happy Stamping!

Fancy and Funny

Today's project is a study in contrasts. It's dressed up to be an elegant card for an engagement or wedding, yet the stamped image is whimsical and the matching sentiment is funny.

It's no secret that I'm a huge fan of Kim Hughes and her whimsical designs. I made this card from a stamp image that I made when I borrowed this set from a friend. (I've since purchased it... I couldn't help myself!) As much as I adore these stamps, though, my favorite part about making this particular project is how I unexpectedly fell head-over-heels for the Coal Shimmerz!




Supplies:
Stamps: Ocean Friends (Kim Hughes Collection @ Cornish Heritage Farms)
Paper: Classic Crest Solar White 80# Cover Smooth (Neenah); Fig Swirl & Blackberry Swirl Smoothies (Bazzill Basics); Silver Sparkle CS (DCWV)
Paint/Ink: Coal Shimmerz (Shimmering Products); Paris Dusk Memento Dye Ink (Tsukineko)
Accessories: Large Circle & Scalloped Circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders); Cuttlebug D'Vine Swirl Embossing Folder (Provo Craft); Flowers from the Bubbles Collection in Black (Prima Marketing); Red gems & pearl (K & Company); Black ric rac (May Arts); Dimensional adhesive (3L)


Looking at this closeup, it still surprises me that these sparkly paper Prima flowers started out a very light cream color. The Coal Shimmerz had excellent color coverage and made these sparkle like crazy! They almost look like the very metallic-steel-black-grey looking mineral called Hematite. It's gorgeous and one of my new favorites.

And some quick artsy info. for locals:
- ReUse Market is going to have their open house this month on April 24-25. See their Web site for details.
- Boise Art Museum is showing some early photographic works by Ansel Adams. Admission is free on First Thursday, April 2nd. The photography curator from Oakland Museum of California will be speaking at 5:30. Make a charcoal drawing based on the photos in the studio from 5-8.

Happy Stamping!

Candy Colored Goodness -- and Candy!

I had the chance to borrow this bird stamp recently, and I love how it turned out! I warned my friend that if her stamp is ever missing, she should check my pocket. I know, I know... "Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's stamps." But in this case, it's warranted, don't you think? This birdie rocks! I stamped several extras to play with later, too.

For this card, since the focal image is stamped on patterned paper, I decided to use the Neenah white for the scalloped edge. And for a little twist, I painted the scallops with shiny paint. {No need to cover the whole oval since only the little scallops are showing!}



Supplies:
Stamps: Bird Stamp (Unity)
Paper: Classic Crest Solar White 80# Cover Smooth (Neenah); Euphoria PP (BasicGrey)
Paint/Ink: Lilac Posies Memento Dye Ink (Tsukineko)
Accessories: Petite Oval Nestabilities (Spellbinders); Mat Pack & Paper Piercer (Stampin' Up!)

Happy Stamping!

Kraft Cardstock

I don't use a lot Kraft cardstock, but I think that's going to change! I played with some this weekend, and I really like the look of it. Oh, the possibilities!

The stamp used to create the background is the Solid Leaf Spray from The Rubber Café. I couldn't help but notice how strikingly similar it looked to the Making Memories self-adhesive fabric tape from their Fifth Avenue Collection. See for yourself!



Here's a close-up of the Shimmerzed flower. I added Angel Wings Shimmerz to all three layers of the flower. It's so pretty!

Supplies:
Stamp: Solid Leaf Spray (The Rubber Café)
Paper: Generic Kraft, Black & Vanilla Cardstock
Paint/Ink: Angel Wings Shimmerz (Shimmering Products); Tuxedo Black Memento Dye Ink (Tsukineko)
Accessories: Pearl Brads (K&Co.); Fabric Tape (Making Memories); Paper Flowers (Prima Marketing); Threading Water Border Punch (Fiskars)

If you happen to be nearby, the Re:Use Market has announced that its next Open House will take place on October 17 & 18. Check their Web site for more details. If you're able to go, take a bag along... you'll need it! :)

Happy Stamping!

News & Happenings

I got my artist's copy of Just Cards! yesterday. This is the first time I've had projects published in this magazine. The four cards they printed are: Starlight, Make the Most of Yourself, Hugs and Kisses, and Valentine Be Mine.

I'm excited to announce that I've joined the design team for The Rubber Café -- I even have a card to share with you. Purple is my favorite color, but I rarely work with it. Why? Well, if I make purple cards, I'll have to use up my purple paper, cardstock, embellishments, etc. I hoard purple stuff like crazy. Do you have the same trouble? (And in case it's not clear in the photo... the card is purple and it was photographed against a light olive background.)



Supplies:
Stamps: African Violets & Words of Faith (The Rubber Café)
Paper: Classic Crest Solar White 80# Cover Smooth (Neenah); Corduroy Textured Cardstock (Bazzill Basics)
Paint/Ink: Angel Wings Shimmerz (Shimmering Products); Tuxedo Black Memento Dye Ink & VersaMark (Tsukineko); Sketch Markers (Copic)
Accessories: Petite Oval Nestabilities (Spellbinders)

Happy Stamping!

Shining & Shimmering

There's a big going out of business sale at Mandarin Pixie right now. Prices are VERY low, so check it out. First come, first served.

I wanted to show off the adorable Kim Hughes owl and the birthday card that served as the inspiration for my Cards for Troops challenge on SCS. Cards are still being accepted, so if you have a little extra time to stamp this weekend, please make a few for the troops. They just need to be postmarked by 9/20. Click here for details.


Supplies:
Stamps: U R A Hoot and Tag You're It! by Kim Hughes (Cornish Heritage Farms)
Paper: Classic Crest Solar White 80# Cover Smooth (Neenah); Olive & Gold cardstock (Archiver's); Mellow PP (Basic Grey)
Paint/Ink: Beeswax, Rustic Red, and Sagebrush Limited Edition Shimmerz (Shimmering Products); Rich Cocoa Memento Dye Ink (Tsukineko); Chestnut Roan ColorBox Chalk Ink (Clearsnap); Beige E33 Marker (Copic)

We've all got some fun holidays coming up! Halloween was one of my favorites. Keep your seatbelts fastened for some Halloween blog candy coming soon. :)

Happy Stamping!

Today's the Day!

Big news and some fabulous projects for you to check out today over at the Shimmerz blog! Three new limited edition colors (Beeswax, Rustic Red, and Sagebrush) were released for this fall. Here's a project I made using the Beeswax gold:

His feathers were already paper-pieced in a gorgeous golden color thanks to patterned paper from Scenic Route.


Supplies:
Stamps: America the Beautiful and U R A Hoot by Kim Hughes (Cornish Heritage Farms)
Paper: Classic Crest Solar White 80# Cover Smooth (Neenah); Criss Cross Cardstock in Ladybug (Bazzill); PP from Scenic Route
Paint/Ink: Beeswax Shimmerz (Shimmering Products); Jet Black Archival Ink (Ranger); VersaMagic Chalk Ink in Night Sky (Tsukineko); Cool Grey C01 Marker (Copic)

Now if you happen to have offered blog candy and mailed me this stamp set as a prize, you might see this card in person very soon. :) Thanks, Kim!

Happy Stamping!

Busyness

It's been a very busy few weeks. Much of the busyness has been related to my husband's surgery. He came through with flying colors (despite his numerous serious chronic health problems) and now we're adjusting to his new life of being able to do more.

Of course, we have some fun crafty busyness, too:
- I appeared on TV! There were two segments on their morning show featuring wedding stationery and BBQ invitations. Hopefully they'll take me up on my offer to demonstrate Christmas card ideas.
- Marianne Walker, whose talent amazes me on a regular basis, gave my blog an award but... more impactfully... said I inspire her. OMG. *humbling moment* Thank you, Marianne! You inspire me, too.
- Shimmerz is coming out with three new limited edition colors on the 15th. Can't wait! You can win the new colors by posting a comment on this blog post.

Oh, and check out the painted Prima flowers a' la Niki Estes. Tres cool.

Happy Stamping!

It came. It went....

...but we're STILL going to party. My 1-year blogaversary (which coincided with my sister's birthday) was last week. I didn't forget, but never did get around to posting about it or the blog candy I've been collecting for it. Happy Birthday, Kris!

Here's the scoop on what's been going on around here:

- I am working on building a design team for Shimmerz paints. They are so much fun to play with! Last night, I made earrings from beads that were painted with Shimmerz. They're so incredibly shimmery and they dry on slick surfaces. {singsong}Love It!

- Speaking of earrings, I learned to make earrings last fall. They are now for sale at a new, artsy consignment store in downtown Nampa called Sparrow Clothing, which had their soft opening on May 10th and sold 30 pairs by June 1st... and they didn't even have their Grand Opening yet. All 30 replacement pairs are made, and now there's the matter of getting the holders printed and assembled before sending them out there.

- I've been helping out at Creative Cuts & More, with blog buttons and newsletter formatting. Terry has lots of terrific new dies and new products that she'll be adding the the Web site very soon. Bazzill Bling and Tacky-Tape shapes... here we come!

On July 4th weekend, I'll be hosting a Wish-RAK challenge at Splitcoast for patriotic cards to send to overseas troops to send home to their friends/family. I can't WAIT to see what people come up with! I'm planning on making my samples from the Kim Hughes "America the Beautiful" set.

Here's a birthday cupcake for Kris and my blog. I'll have goodies for both sometime soon. :)


Supplies:
Stamp: Clear Design Cupcakes CL158 (Hero Arts)
Paper: Classic Crest Solar White 80# Cover Smooth (Neenah)
Paint/Ink: Golden Wheat, Magenta, Royal Purple and Bubble Gum Shimmerz (Shimmering Products); Brick Beige E31 Marker (Copic); Jet Black Archival Ink (Ranger)

We'll be heading off to Dave's coloring class this weekend, and then first thing Monday morning my husband is scheduled for abdominal surgery... so it may be another week or so before I'm able to post. Until then...

Happy Stamping!