Far East at FSC!

We are traveling to the Orient for this challenge at Fashionable Stamping Challenges and we would love you to join us with your stamped creations!  My DT Sisters have some amazing projects on the FSC blog, so really stop over and give your eyes a feast!   As always there is a prize from Cottage Crafts for some lucky stamper! 

Well my selection of stamps was minimal to say the least, but I did come across a couple of background stamps that I thought would work out just fine!  I inked up my tag with Distress Inks and then stamped the leaf background with Black Archival.  All edges were inked with clear embossing ink and then I applied gold embossing powder

Regular and Shrinky

As luck would have it, I have a large Sizzix Fan Die and of course had some fun with shrink plastic and alcohol inks!  For the larger fan that was cut from black cardstock, I used daubers to brush on Opalite colors and then heat set.  I used one of my background stamps and stamped with clear embossing ink and covered with gold embossing powder.  Then I covered the entire fan with clear embossing ink and powder!  My plan was to use this on the tag, but decided against it.  The fun part was the shrink plastic fans!  Two were inked on one side with alcohol inks and gold mixative (frosted SP) and stamped with Archival Black.  The black fan was cut from black SP and stamped with Archival Gold Brilliance.  The words were computer generated.

Well I hope you are enjoying this weekend and doing something fun!  Thank you for visiting and as always, I do enjoy and appreciate your comments!

Alcohol Inks:  Cloudy Blue, Stream, Red Pepper, Gold Mixative
Distress Inks:  Peacock Feathers, Tumbled Glass, Squeezed Lemonade, Festive Berries 
Opalite:  Golden Mist, Nordic Ice, Crystal Blush
Archival, Black, Gold Brilliance

Saturday StepXStep

For Frilly and Funkie, it is my turn to do the Saturday StepXStep and I am a little late.  This tag was created for a previous CC2#6 challenge and for more details on the the butterflies, please hop over to the challenge blog.  I do apologize for being so late!

Thank you for stopping by today and I hope you have a wonderful weekend! This week in The Funkie Junkie Boutique, a complete set of Dylusions Sprays are on sale for $38.25.  Now that is one sweet way to get inky and messy! 

Tim Holtz Compendium of Curiosities Vol. II	Tim Holtz Idea-ology Grunge Paper	Tim Holtz idea-ology Tissue Wrap - Terminology	Ranger Distress Crackle Paint - Clear Rock Candy
Mega Filigree Metal Value Set	Sizzix Alterations Tim Holtz Movers and Shapers Base Tray	Movers and Shapers Die - Mini Butterflies	Ranger Tim Holtz Color Wash Spray - Espresso
Adirondack Color Wash Dye 2 Ounce Spray-Butterscotch	Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Ink - Rusty Hinge	Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Ink - Vintage Photo	Ranger Inkssentials Ink Blending Tool-With 2 Blending Foams
Tim Holtz Water Brush, Detailer Brush Nib

Bloggers Challenge "Sketch"

What a day it has been!  My DH comes into our bedroom earlier than normal to tell me the power went out!  He did this, so my coffee would not get cold!  Well it is pretty major and the power is still out, but he brought home a generator, so I am doing this really quick as we are using it to power our fridge and freezer!  We have no air conditioning, so it is quite steamy inside!  At least I will BBQ some steaks and corn on the cob for dinner!  

I have to thank Lisa for this sketch challenge, as I really needed that little push to create this card.  A neighbor of ours has passed away, so this was a difficult card.  Lisa's Bloggers Challenge Sketch also gave me the opportunity to use some of the designer papers that I had purchased.  Pretty much everything I used is Stampin Up. 


Lisa's Inspiration

Sorry this is so quick, but I am lucky to be able to post this at all!  Thank you for stopping by and I hope you are with, "POWER."  I will be blog visiting tomorrow or hopefully, but for now, I so need to conserve!  Oh and I just noticed that "spell check" is not working!

To Have and To Hold!

Without too much time to spare, I have finished (obviously) my tag  for Tim's 12 Tags of 2012 - June!  Did not quite add all or the same embellishments, but mostly followed the game plan!   For my tag, I looked through some old photos and I have always loved this one of my parents!  This is one from when they first dated and I would bet my Mom made her dress.  She did not have very much money, but could pull out a piece of fabric and just go to town on it! 

The current challenge at Simon Says Stamp and Show  is "Depth of Distress" and I can honestly say this qualifies!  There is a lot of distressing in this tag from ink and tools, but also from a personal  level.  This tag will travel across the ocean to Brenda's "Tuesday Treasure."  Here is what I did!

The Distress Stains used were Picket Fence, Bundled Sage, Wild Honey.  Tim's Wallpaper background was stamped using Sepia Archival Ink and then heat set!  I printed my photo and then heat set, but knowing the ink would most likely smear, gave it a quick spray with matt sealer.  That is my secret weapon for most anything that can smear or rub off!  Remember I use to do decorative painting!  I did not want to tint my parents, but wanted them to stand out!  So I used several colors of Distress Inks for the background, lawn and trees (listed below).  After I was finished with my tinting, I again gave a quick spray of matt sealer.  For the little flower, as I did not have the one Tim used, I used one from my stash and inked the Petals with Tattered Rose and leaves with Vintage Photo!  All paper edges were inked with Vintage Photo and Walnut Stain.  The film strip was adhered with hemp twine.  I did add a quote token, etc., at the top with the ties, but decided it was too much!

Thank you ever so much for stopping by today!  Now I must go clean up the mess I made!

Distress Inks:  Sabby Shutters, Squeezed Lemonade, Crushed Olive, Old Paper, Antique Linen, Tea Dye, Scattered Straw, Vintage Photo, Walnut Stain

Happy 4th of July

I was so excited that Linad extending the CC2 #10 for an additional week!  Sadly, I keep forgetting it is now on a Friday!  We have opened our books to page 37 have been instructed to make Tim's "Tissue Wrap Flowers."  Oh I struggle with these, truly I do!  Since we are going to friends for the 4th of July, I wanted to make them a little, "thank you" and wanted my flowers to look more festive for celebrating the 4th!  Here is my take on the TWF challenge.  "The Funkie Junkie Boutique" is the sponsor for this challenge and is offering a $25 gift certificate.   Unruly PaperArts, RAQ #2 wants you to put your "Best Bouquet" forward, so I am linking up my Patriotic Floral Bouquet at UPA!  Simon Says Stamp and Show is looking for "Depth of Distress" and I do believe I have covered both!

Can't tell you how I made the flowers, but I can tell you that I inked by background tag, which was cut from white card stock using Tim's tag die.  The flag from I Brake For Stamps, who is also having a challenge for "I Brake For Summer Fun," was colored with Distress Markers and I torn around the edges!   I inked up a 6" wooden skewer for my flag pole.  The stars are from TIM.  I left one flower white, the others were sprayed with Dylusions!  Cut out the July from Tim's Seasonal collection and mounted these on card stock! 

Thank you for stopping by!  For all of you celebrating July 4th, have a wonderful and safe day of Independance! 

Tim Holtz Compendium of Curiosities Vol. II	Tim Holtz idea-ology Tissue Wrap - Terminology	Tim Holtz Ranger Distress Markers - Set of 37	Dyan Reaveley′s Dylusions Ink Spray - Set of 12
Sizzix Alterations Tim Holtz Tag and Bookplates Die	Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Ink - Vintage Photo	Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Ink - Barn Door	Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Ink - Faded Jeans

Nature at FSC!

Nature is all around us in so many forms and the current Fashionable Stamping challenge is just that, "Nature."  Now there is one week left to join in the fun and show us some Nature and Stamping in your art!  There is always a prize from Cottage Crafts and a chance to be among the Top 3 or be in the Saturday Spotlight, so pop over and check it out and see what my amazing DT Sisters have created to give you inspiration! 

For my card, I wanted to keep it easy to mail!  The two background stamps I used are from Stampin Up and Stamp Camp.  The bird image was stamped with Sepia Archival ink and heat set, then I added a little Stickles to the flower centers.  This was difficult to capture in the photo, but there is a hint of shimmer.  All edges were distress and inked with Sepia.  The lace was dyed with Spun Sugar Distress Ink.  The pink panel was stamped in Stampin Up Creamy Caramel.  Since Simon Says Stamp and Show is looking for "A Bit of Brown," we are on route there! 

As always, I do very much appreciate your taking time from your day to visit and leave a comment.  I know in the Summer, we all get so busy and time is precious!  We have had so much going on between visitors, visiting and house "things," so I am excited whenever I get that extra craft time in!  Enjoy the weekend!

Photo Inspired

"Inspiration Photo Challenge" is the current challenge at Frilly and Funkie and this week is the Funkie side is showing their interpretation!  For my DT project, I literally waited until close to the last minute as we actually went on a little vacation and I wanted to incorporate that adventure into the challenge!  To me this tag and that time with family will always be treasured and so I am also linking this up to Brenda's "Tuesday Treasures."  Simon Says Stamp and Show wants "A Bit Of Brown" and there are bits here and there.  Here is my interpretation!

Don't forget to stop by the F&F blog for more inspiration and remember there will be a drawing for a $15.00 gift certificate to The Funkie Junkie Boutique!  Here is the "photo inspiration," so use that beautiful imagination and we can't wait to see your interpretation.

Before I tell you how I came up with this tag, I want to tell you how the ideas came into play.  I knew we were going to Portland, OR, as my sweet daughter used here Rapid Reward points to buy us flights!  She arranged to have her boyfriend say with our older pets.  I was not very happy with her making plans for me, as I have a big fear of flying and even a bigger fear of leaving my older pets and especially with someone who has not been around them very much!  Now once I knew we were going to Portland, I decided to take advantage of the trip for this challenge, but I had no idea what I would do.  The main photo is of my daughter, grandson, hubby and of course me!  My grandson was so thrilled to have a drink with us, being 21 years old,  that he wanted to celebrate by paying for the dinner!  Is that not so darn sweet?  It was also his way of thanking us for the numerous dinners, etc., we have taken care of.  No those are not all alcohol beverage glasses, most are water!  The picture was taken at night outside and with a cell phone, so the quality is not the best.  The ticket photo's, which I love how the larger one makes it own little frame, are of the Rose Garden and a downtown shot!  Living in the desert, this was quite a lovely trip!  I did fine with the four airplane rides and the pets were absolutely fine!  What a wonderful time we had and Portland is quite green!!  The Sun was shinning the entire time and the challenge at Inspiration Journal is to "Create a Little Sunshine," so I am linking this to their blog as well!

Downtown in the distance!

I first started out with a Jumbo tag that I inked up with Distress inks.  I cut green and yellow card stock and embossed and then highlighted.  The yellow was highlighted with the new Squeezed Lemonade, but does not show up in the photo very well.  The movers and shapers leaves were then cut into the yellow CS to allow the leafy green to show through.   I printed the photos and the tickets photos were cut, separated and shaded on all edges to give a nice framed appearance.  I also mounted these on separate CS.  The main photo was shaded and backed and then I just added all my little metal goodies.  All the shading was done with Walnut Stain.

Well with working on the house and getting all nervous about the trip, pets and figuring out a detailed list for the pets and house, that is why I have been kind of MIA!  In May, I had a surprise visit from my son and granddaughter, then Mother's Day, the birthday for the DH and then this!  Now I believe I can get back to the house and crafting!  Thanks a bunch for stopping by and I sure hope you are having a great Summer!

25 Jumbo Manila Shipping Tags 8x4" #12	Sizzix Alterations Tim Holtz Movers and Shapers Base Tray	Sizzix Alterations Tim Holtz Tattered Leaves Die	Tim Holtz Sizzix Texture Fades - Damask and Regal Flourishes Set
Mini Tickets Sizzix Alterations Movers & Shapers Magnetic Die by Tim Holtz	Ranger Tim Holtz Spring Seasonal Distress Ink Pads	Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Ink - Walnut Stain	Tim Holtz Idea-ology Word Bands
Burlap String - 10 Colors	Tim Holtz Idea-ology Pen Nibs	Tim Holtz Idea-ology Word Keys	Tim Holtz Idea-ology Findings Philosophy Tags
Sweet & Small - A Set of Antiqued Bronze Charms for Jewelry Making, Scrapbooking and Mixed Media	Ranger Inkssentials Ink Blending Tool-With 2 Blending Foams	Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Ink - Peeled Paint