[DYSU] Challenge #57 - Anything Goes

Hello everyone! It's Thursday and this week has been one crazy one. When Monday started, I had no idea I would be in the OR. But some symptoms came up on Monday night and between all the different doctor's offices and such, I was pretty lucky to get last minute appointments everywhere. The CT scan confirmed that I have a kidney stone which explains the pains and other symptoms that were pretty indicative of kidney stones. So today I'll be getting one removed. If you could keep me in your thoughts and prayers, I would super grateful!

In the meantime, this week at DYSU we have the best challenge Anything Goes. This is one of those fun challenges where everyone has free reign to create to their heart's content. I almost feel like these are the most challenging challenge, because I love so many things. With other challenges usually I have something to steer me down a path.

Here is a card using some stamps from The Craft's Meow. I have made a stained glass window that is suppose to glow.


Stamps: (Nina B Designs - Simply Delightful) The Craft's Meow
Paper: (Paper Basics Card Stock - White, Smokey Shadow) Papertrey Ink
Ink: (Jenni Bowlin - No. 3 Chili Powder, No. 4 Lemon Drop, No. 5 Chicken Feed, No. 6 Stick Candy, No. 7 Seed Packet, No. 9 Spice Tin) Ranger; (Versamark, Memento - London Fog) Tsukineko
Embellishments: (Detailed Embossing Powder - Black) Ranger; (Embossing Powder - White) Stamp 'n Stuff; (Rhinestones) Recollection

I'll let you in on a secret (and you may think me insane), but I colored each of those little sections in the doily with a tiny brush and Jenni Bowlin inks. I won't tell you how long it took, but it was like a nice therapeutic way to zone out and forget the real world stress for a bit. Painting each pane little by little was a really great experience - it was like tickling the stain glass out of this boring black and white doily.



This is actually one of those cards that I probably feel quite attached to, after the whole creation process ;) Here is an up-close look at the banner. It actually carried the doily pattern with Versamark. It makes for a little bit of extra detail without detracting from the main focal point.



Hope you like this little creation. Hop over to the DTs samples and see what kind of inspirations they have cooked up for you. And since this is "Anything Goes" I expect you all to play :)

Our sponsors this week:

Crafty Individuals Prize Pack

The Stamp Fairy $10 Dollar Gift Certificate

Stamp & Create $25 Gift Certificate

[DYSU] Challenge #46 - Splash of Blue

Hello girls! It's almost the end of the week and I'm a few more days closer to my vacation! Yay! But today we have a challenge to use a Splash of Blue on your cards, paper projects or anything else...

I am using one of my favorite The Craft's Meow stamps from Nina B Designs and created a card that fits almost all occasions, be it for a wedding congrats, a quick hello, or a way to thank someone.


Stamps: (Nina B Designs - Simply Delightful) The Craft's Meow
Paper: (Paper Basics Card Stock - Kraft) Papertrey Ink; (Sweetbay) Memory Box Co
Ink: (Memento - London Fog, Tuxedo Black; Versamark) Tsukineko; (Tim Holtz Distress Inks - Antique Linen) Ranger
Embellishments: (Very Vintage Buttons - White; Saddle Stitch Ribbon - True Black) Papertrey Inks; (Embossing Powder - Ebony) Martha Stewart

It has a quirky vintage but also modern feel. Vintage modern! Does that even exist? I took some blue pattern paper from Memory Box Co and stamped the doily flower on it. I wanted one black one to stand out and decided to anchor it on the corner.



A nice elegant black embossing for the sentiment and a thick, elegant saddle stitch ribbon to make a nice statement. I also inked up the edges with some Antique Linen to soften the pattern paper.



I found this shimmery button in my mix of White buttons from my Very Vintage Papertrey stash, and it reminded me like mother of pearl. It's quite divine and decided it makes a great finishing touch. What do you think?

Don't forget to visit the other DYSU girls and see how they added their version of a splash of blue. Then come and play along, since prizes are are stake, as well as bragging rights :) Since it's time for holiday cards production, there is plenty of way to make this inspiration fit, such as blue snowflakes, blue skies, some non-traditional Christmas colors, Hanukkah...you name it!

Our sponsors this week:

Robyn's Fetish Winner’s Choice of EITHER 5 digital stamps OR 4 digital stamps and 1 paper pack

Mami Doodles 4 Digital Images

Raindrop Echo Drops Winner’s Choice of 4 Digi Sentiment Sets

[The Craft's Meow] July Release Day 3 - It's a Banner Day

First off, *Thank You* to each of you for all your sweet comments. They really made my day and it's always nice to hear what elements on the cards catch each person's eye. Secondly, did you like Life is a Carnival? You know you wanna get it... ;)

Today's preview at The Craft's Meow July Release is a small stamp set that will give you lots of bang for your buck. I love banners; I love alphabets & fonts - so this one is a good set to have in your stash. It's another Nina B Designs stamp set called It's a Banner Day. So let's get a our party hats out and celebrate, right?


Stamps: (Nina B Designs - It's a Banner Day) The Craft's Meow
Paper: Paper Basics Card Stock - White, Sweet Blush) Papertrey Ink
Ink: (Perfect Match Pigment Ink - Fresh Snow) Papertrey Ink; (Jenni Bowlin - No. 11 Brown Sugar; Tim Holtz Distress Ink - Antique Linen, Spun Sugar) Ranger; (Brilliance - Pearlescent Beige) Tsukineko
Embellishments: (White Thread) Gütermann; (Rustic Cream Twine) Papertrey Ink

Major confession time: When I saw this stamp set I was excited - can't have enough banners. But I was clueless how to showcase this set. A banner strung across with some pattern paper is a tad too straightforward. I wanted to do more for this little guy, you know? That's when it hit me...

Create a fun background using the letters. White ink on pink is always great. I love the soft, sweet color. Add some zig-zag stitching around the card and I had a great base. At this point I was stuck again...what next? So I took out some Antique Linen to distress the edge without a real reason. Hey - I do my best thinking when procrastinating some ;)



Four-piece banner made me think of four letter words - totally irrational because you can cut them apart, which I eventually did ;) But yes, with many friends being preggers, the phrase "Baby Girl" just popped into my head. I stamped the banner frames in Pearlescent Beige, added the letters and cut each banner out. Distressed the edges with some matching pink ink and strung them together with twine. Time to go hanging the banners up...:)

So if you would like to win this wee little darling stamp, get your party spirit on and leave a little love on the DT's blogs. You never know from whose blog we'll draw a lucky winner. You'll have until 10:00 pm Pacific tonight / 1:00 am Eastern tomorrow to make the rounds and leave comments.

• The Craft’s Meow Blog(Lisa)
• Amy Tsuruta
• Amy Young
• Debbie Pamment
• Jean Martin
• Jenny Suchin
• Jessica Fick
• Julie Ranae Murray
• Kim Yu
• Lindsay Amrhein
• Lynn Miller
• Miesje Flach
• Nina Brackett
• Viola Mahr

You'll want to see how each Design Team member celebrates...!

[The Craft's Meow] July Release Day 2 - Life's A Carnival

[2011.06.30] I'd like to enter this card into The Stamp It! Cards Week Challenge. Go check out the challenge description :)

Were you blown away by the preview of Lovely Birds yesterday? It is a very sweet set and I can't believe what the other girls have created. So blown away! Well, our four day previews for The Craft's Meow July Release continues today with one of my favorite sets! Today we are highlighting a Nina B Designs stamps set called Life is a Carnival (Oh, this is so true!). So hop on in, and we'll take you on a ride...

This stamp set has three huge gorgeous rides, a few fun fair items that any kid or adult enjoys and some awesome sentiments to fit any celebratory or fun occasion. I think this unique stamp set will be one of my favorite go-to-stamps.


Stamps: (Nina B Designs - Life is a Carnival) The Craft's Meow
Paper: (Preppie Pack) Bazzill Basics Paper; (Curtain Call Borders) Graphic 45;
Ink: (Memento - Tuxedo Black; Versamark) Tsukineko; (Tim Holtz Distress Ink - Antique Linen) Ranger
Embellishments: (Embossing Powder - Ebony) Martha Stewart; (Baker's Twine - Chocolate) Papertrey Ink; (Soft-core Color Pencils) Prismacolor (Kraft Mini Ticket Strips) Maya Road; (Metals Stickers - Silver Metal) Mark Richards

I decided to highlight this Carnival stamp set by creating my own background with the ticket stamp and some Antique Linen ink. I fell in love with the carousel and wanted it to stand out. Two steps later, the carousel was heat embossed and cut out. Does it not look divine?



I also had some yummy Graphic 45 Curtain Call in my stash, purchased a while back from The Craft's Meow Store *grin* I used Maya Road Mini Tickets to create a nice visual line to anchor my carousel at an angle, and pulled out the Curtain Call borders to stamp on my sentiment. I love the little details in this sentiment...can you see the little rivets around the center height of the fonts?

Three lucky winners can take take this darling stamp set home for free. All you have to do is comment on each designer's blog. You never know from whose blog we'll draw a lucky winner. You'll have until 10:00 pm Pacific tonight / 1:00 am Eastern tomorrow to make the rounds and leave comments.

• The Craft’s Meow Blog(Lisa)
• Amy Tsuruta
• Amy Young
• Debbie Pamment
• Jean Martin
• Jessica Fick
• Julie Ranae Murray
• Kim Yu
• Lindsay Amrhein
• Lynn Miller
• Miesje Flach
• Nina Brackett

You'll want to see how each Design Team member's life is like a carnival...!

[The Craft's Meow] July Preview Day 1 - Lovely Birds

Have you been seeing the cute previews on The Craft's Meow store blog? I know that you've been dying to see what's up and this month I have the honor of guest designing for Lisa and the Craft's Meow. So, welcome to Day One of the previews. Today we are highlighting a Nina B Designs stamps set called Lovely Birds.

This stamp set has a variety of *eight* cute little birds and three amazing scenes to place these birds with. Two sentiments to make this a great everyday set! Shall we go see?


Stamps: (Nina B Designs - Lovely Birds) The Craft's Meow
Paper: (Paper Basics Card Stock - Kraft) Papertrey Ink; (Basic Card Stock - White) Recollections
Ink: (Jenni Bowlin - No. 11 Brown Sugar) Ranger; (Brilliance - Pearlescent Beige) Tsukineko
Embellishments: (Impression Plate - Woodgrain; Rustic Cream Button Twine) Papertrey Ink; (Soft-core Color Pencils) Prismacolor;

I knew immediately that I wanted to play with the little patch of flowers and little bird house. After coloring it, I wanted to pop it onto a little rustic wood. Isn't it adorable?



So, how badly do you want to win this stamp set? *wink wink* Three lucky winners can win this one by commenting on the designer's blog. You'll have until 10:00 pm Pacific tonight / 1:00 am Eastern tomorrow to make the rounds and leave comments.

• The Craft’s Meow Blog(Lisa)
• Amy Tsuruta
• Amy Young
• Debbie Pamment
• Jean Martin
• Jenny Suchin
• Jessica Fick
• Julie Ranae Murray
• Kim Yu
• Lindsay Amrhein
• Lynn Miller
• Miesje Flach
• Nina Brackett
• Viola Mahr

And you don't want to the amazing work by this Design Team...!