Hanging Ornaments

The paper collection "Winter's Song" from SEI is still hanging out on my cluttered desk. So here is another card using this cute ornament trio image from Prickley Pear Stamps. I stamped the ornaments three times, embossing with Silver Detail EP and Versamark, on different pattern paper, cutting them out and reassembling the trio together. I added a little shading to get some darker color tones with Copics and also colored in the flowers with a Copic. I added Bling and Pearls to dress them up, and I used my clear Spics to add a little sparkle. I also paper pieced some of the pattern paper over the envelope flap -- the holly images on the DP I used feels like felt. Very cool to touch and feel!

When I set my eyelets I threaded the silver cord "through the eyelet" before I set it -- so it would appear to actually be hanging. I secured the strings at the top with a red brad. To create the multiple score lined frame around the edges of the ornament panel.... I just randomly embossed lines, over and on top of each other using my Scor-Pal.

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I did a very similar card using this image a little while back, but I used Copics to color it instead of paper piecing, wanna see it -----> Click here!

• Stamps: Ornament Collage #GG0020 by Prickley Pear Rubber Stamps, Holiday Greetings Set by Flourishes
• Ink: Versamark and Silver Detail EP, Red
• Paper: DP collection "Winter's Song" from SEI, Neenah Classic Crest Solar White, Silver
• Other: Silver Cord, Red Brads, Silver Eyelets, Crystals, Clear Spica Pen, Clear Glaze Pen, Pearls

OCC- A Sketch Challenge

This week the OCC has a Sketch Challenge to get your creativity jump started. The OCC girls knocked it out of the park this week -- all the designs are so awesome!

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For a close up view on the OCC's great projects for this week please visit the OCC Ladies on their blogs -Silke Ledlow, Jennifer Meyer, Joycelyn Turner, Cindy Burgess, Dana Grothaus, Linda Coughlin, Lori Rider, Melissa Young, and Wendy Janson.

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I am late posting my OCC card, I am late to everything, so if you know me -- I am sure you are rolling your eyes right about now! I was watching a little TV last night eating a big salad for dinner..... intending to have some dinner and then hop up to the craft room to create. Ummmm... I woke up this morning. The husband threw an afghan over me and it was all over. I was toasty warm and never woke up. So.... waking up in a panic this morning and tearing off to the scrap room...this is what evolved. Folks always ask me -- how long did that take to make. Usually I have no idea as I just kind of mess around on cards and go back and forth working on projects. But having a clear start time this morning, and my only focus was on this card.... from "idea" to "finished card" was about 50 minutes. Luckily it was a sketch challenge this week -- sketches are the quickest challenges usually for me to work with... your layout is already there -- you just have to build you card around that idea.
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I stamped the BEAUTIFUL doves from Flourishes and since this was the small dove image from the set- it was a quick color job with the Copics. I added the sentiment under the doves, stamping with Bravo Burgundy ink from SU. I created the two hanging elements with a little airburshing and Nesties, popping those up with some foam tape and stringing them up with a little gold cording. I had this Basic Grey paper from the Wassail Collection on my desk, and I thought it ended up being a very good pairing with the image. Finished card size is 5 1/2" Square.

• Stamps: All stamps by Flourishes - Dove and Holly, Holiday Greetings
• Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Burgundy
• Paper: Neenah Classic Crest Solar White, Basic Grey Wassail Collection, Gold Text Weight
• Other: Gold Cording, Tan Fine Tip Pen, Brads, Misc. Green Sheer Ribbon, Bow Easy Tool, Spellbinder's Classic Ovals, Copics, Ek Success Scalloped Scallop Edger Punch

Stamp Simply #115 - Mass Production

Stamp Simply #115 - November 27th- Wrap it up! "ssnotime115"

Today, Sharon issued the challenge to create a Holiday card that can be reproduced easily to make multiples. Upload your project to Spiltcoast and use the keyword "ssnotime115". Check out all the Challenge Details and see Sharon's creation on her blog No Time to Stamp.
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Please check out the great samples from the Stamp Simply Challenge today on the blogs of these totally creative designers: Julie, Tammy, Janine, AJ, Deb ,Barbara, Barb Schram, Jennifer and we have Bethany Paull with us too - as our special guest stamper for November!

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This card has no coloring -- just embossing and layering, something you could do multiples of each element and reproduce fairly simply. I chose to keep it to only two colors, which could be changed to red or green for a Holiday card. I started with the White Embossed background stamp from the Cover-a Card series that Impression Obsession released, this pattern is called "Tapestry". I used the Snowflake Cuttlebug Folder to emboss the blue panel.

Building my way up, the next layer is a blue strip of card stock, matted in white, and a piece of pretty lace ribbon on the top, to dress it up. The final element is the Holiday Sentiment, also embossed with White Detail EP, cut out using Spellbinder's Labels Eight. I used a silver Zig Paint Pen to outline the edge of the sentiment, the next mat of white and blue were just hand trimmed using my scissors. I wanted a smaller frame edge than using the next size of Nestie would give me. Two blue gems to wrap it up. Simple elements, easily to do multiples of each piece and assemble quickly. Finished card size is an A2.

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I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving with Family, Friends and good food! Some of the stores are opening at 4AM on Friday to kick off the Holiday Shopping season -- I can not wrap my head around getting up that early to go shop!!

• Stamps: All stamps by Impression Obsession - Cover-a-Card Background Tapestry #CC025, Clear Stamp Sets - Christmas Sentiments #CL44
• Ink: Versamark, White Detail EP
• Paper: White, Silver, Navy
• Other: Spellbinder's Labels Eight, Cuttlebug Snowflakes Folder, Misc. White Lace Ribbon, Blue Gems

No Stamps.

When I start to make a card, usually I choose my stamp, then my paper.... but I started with the paper on this card. I loved the paper and coordinating embellishments so much that I never got around to adding a stamped image. This Collection of papers is from SEI's Christmas Release called "Winter's Song". I love the light blue, red and white together. All of the embellishments are epoxy stickers from the same Collection from SEI. I added layers and border punches, but the card is composed of very simple elements. My layout idea came from this week's Mojo Monday Sketch #114. A fun and inspiring layout! Finished card size is an A2.

Tulip Thanks!

I pulled this sketch from the Crazy4Challenges Blog. This also works for the Flourishes Timeless Tuesday Challenge (FTTC43) - to make a Thank You or Christmas card. I know I just posted a card with this Tulip set last week, but it was still on my desk and I just loved coloring it up last time... such a pretty image, I had to ink it up again. The tulip is colored with Copics, and I added no borders, doodles or airbrushing. Opting for a clean embossed edge on the image panel. I did add a hint of "sparkle" to the flower with a Clear Spica Pen.

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The long Ivory panel in the background was stamped with the Swirly Flourish Image from Ornamental Elements in SU's Bravo Burgundy ink. I used a Martha Stewart Border punch for the decorative edge. I added a strip of the DP to border the punched edge, also using 1/16" Black Rainbow Tape to edge each side of the DP strip. I added some adhesive Black metal dots to embellish. I rounded the corners of the card to match the round edges of the punched border. Finished card size is an A2.

• Stamps: All stamps by Flourishes - Ornamental Elements, Thank You Tulip
• Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Burgundy
• Paper: DP by 7Gypsies "Fleur Rouge", Neenah Environment, Black
• Other: Copics, Spellbinder's Classic Rectangles, Spellbinder's Double Ended Tags, Metal Adhesive Embellishments, Black 1/16" Rainbow Tape, Martha Stewart Border Punch

Nesties, Needle and Thread

Today is my last day as the Limelight Designer over at Flourishes. It's been fun this month trying to come up with tips and techniques to share. On today's featured post, I am showing off three ways to "dress up" your Nestie edges... yes -- with needle and thread -- but easy quick tips. No tedious sewing going on!!! So please head over to the Flourishes Blog and see my step by step tutorial.... I hope you find some of my tips/tricks useful!

Use this link --------> Nesties, Needles and Thread Tutorial.

OCC Challenge - A Fall Color Challenge

This week the OCC has a Fall Inspired Color Challenge to get your creativity jump started. Use the colors: Close to Cocoa, Pumpkin Pie, Chocolate Chip and a Neutral color - such as White/Ivory.

For a close up view on the OCC's great projects for this week please visit the OCC Ladies on their blogs -Silke Ledlow, Jennifer Meyer, Loretta Lock , Joycelyn Turner, Cindy Burgess, Dana Grothaus, Linda Coughlin, Lori Rider, Melissa Young, and Wendy Janson.

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Another busy creation evolved from this challenge.... The image is a a collage type mix of elements on a tag stamp - called "Wonder Tag" from Prickley Pear. I used Copics to color the image. I stamped my image twice, using the second stamping for additional layers to pop up over the original stamping.

I wanted to add some extra leaves, so I just trimmed a few out with my craft knife from my second stamping.

They are too tiny to try and mess around popping them up using foam tape. I use PergaKit 3-D Glue for a project like this. It is a silicone type glue and very thick, allowing me to position the small leaves at an angle. The glue will dry in and my leaves will stay in place at an angle. I squeeze a little glue out on a scrap piece of paper and use a toothpick to apply it -- just a dab will do the job, and the toothpick lets you grab just a tiny dab and control exactly where and how much is being applied. Then the toothpick is trash. No fuss, no mess.

I also colored a second flower and trimmed it out, removing some of the petals completely, so it would not be an exact copy of the flower underneath. You can see underneath the petals - I have used the PergaKit 3-D Glue here as well -- the silicone will dry and each petal will stay at exactly the same height it was when I first positioned it. It is totally clear drying.

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In the background of the card base, you can see I used a Cuttlebug Folder to emboss and then brayered brown ink over the raised portions, using my bitty baby brayer. I glued the lace underneath the tag. I added my sentiment with a little bit of Pumpkin Pie Ribbon through eyelets, and some buttons to embellish. Final card size is an A2.

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I have had several emails about how I use the PergaKit 3-D Glue -- I hope these tips and pics help to answer any questions! You can also head over to my pal, Jerri Jimenez's Blog and find a tutorial on how she used the PergaKit Glue on her amazing Thanksgiving project.

Use this link ----> A Touch of Grace - Perga Glue Tutorial.

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• Stamps: All stamps by Prickley Pear Rubber Stamps: Wonder Tag # WTM1, Thankful for You Sentiment #EE0069M
• Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Versafine Sepia Brown
• Paper: Neenah Classic Crest Environment, Pumpkin Pie, Close to Cocoa, Chocolate Chip
• Other: Misc. Lace, Pumpkin Pie Ribbon by SU, Copics/ABS, Cuttlebug Folder, Eyelets, Buttons, Jute String, Perga Kit 3-D Glue, Spellbinder's Double Ended Tags

Stamp Simply #114 - Wrap it up!

Stamp Simply #114 - November 20th- Wrap it up! "ssnotime114" - Today's challenge is all about being creative gift wrapping a present. Use whatever strikes your fancy in whatever fashion you might like -- It just has to be a wrapped gift in the end. Upload your project to Spiltcoast and use the keyword "ssnotime114". Check out all the Challenge Details and see Sharon's creation on her blog No Time to Stamp.

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Please check out the great samples from the Stamp Simply Challenge today on the blogs of these totally creative designers: Julie, Tammy, Janine, AJ, Deb ,Barbara, Barb Schram (Barb is joining the team on a regular basis, YAY!) and we welcome Jennifer back from her break!! We have Bethany Paull with us too - as our special guest stamper for November!

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I have been pretty wordy lately with my posts, so I'll keep it short and sweet today. This was a good challenge as it prompted me to go buy my first Christmas gift and WRAP it! Woohooo -- this is very very early for me. I used DP from Stampin Up to wrap my little gift box. Then I created a band to go around it, adhering the lace on the underside of the band. The lace is pretty bold, so all I added was a simple little jute bow to finish it off. I think I will be using some of my paper stash to wrap any small gifts this year. This was fun and an easy project for a change. Hey, I just realized -- I didn't use any stamps, YIKES!!.... this is the "Stamp Simply" challenge after all!!!

Shake it, Baby!!!

The DT for Impression Obsession has two challenges a month and we create something with the chosen theme and then share it on our blogs. Today's theme is Shaker Cards.

Please check out these links to every one's blog to see what the Impression Obsession DT ladies created for today... Deborah March - Dina Kowal - Julie Koerber - Kathy Menzies - Kelli Richardson - Laura Fulcher and Shirley Ross.

You are all invited to enter your creations for the Challenge and any future challenges we have too. A gift certificate is up for grabs to sweeten the challenge! Please check out the details of how to play along and win on the Impression-Obsession Blog .

OK, I won't lie to you.... This is only the second shaker card I have ever made in my card making years. Yes, only the second one. But with these new little shaker pouches from Impression Obsession, I have to say I am looking forward to making more. These little pouches make it EASY, I mean really EASY. Click on the pic to see them better. They come in all shapes and sizes and do coordinate with Nestie Sizes for easy framing. Each little plastic pouch has a small adhesive strip on the edge, you just fill it with whatever you want to shake, remove the adhesive and waaah-laaa. Done. Brilliantly EASY.

So I colored my little snow girl and snow boy with Copics, just lightly coloring in the sky and leaving the ground and snow white. I added White Fun Flock in my shaker pouch... soft looking like snow. I did however run in to an issue.... Static, OMG!! my fun flock was sticking to my little plastic pouch everywhere, clinging on like I glued it down. YIKES! Hmmmmm.... I got an idea, every once in awhile that happens, lol!! I got a Fabric Softener Dryer Sheet -- rubbed it over my plastic pouch, then refilled with my fun flock. It worked.... no static!!!! Oh, I was so happy!!! And.... now my card smells Oh, So Linen Fresh!!!

I used two Nesties to create a frame for my Shaker Pouch, one circle and one Scalloped Circle. I used my Japanese Screw Punch to add little holes in each scallop. I embellished the frame with Embroidery Floss and pearls. I was so excited that my Dryer Sheet trick worked, and how cute these little pouches were --- I forgot to add some bling to the Snow Girl's flower on her hat!!! I guess that one idea sucked the rest of my brain function away!!! ALSO -- if you shake the snow away from the bottom, the image will reveal a little red heart! Finished card size is 4.75" Square.

• Stamps: Shake It Pouches - Lg. Circle, Eskimo Kisses #F6884, Clear Stamp Sets - Christmas Sentiments #CL44
• Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Riding Hood Red
• Paper: DP by Basic Grey - Red Swirly DP from the Sugared Collection, the Aged Aqua DP is from Nook and Pantry; Riding Hood Red, Neenah Classic Crest Solar White
• Other: Red Micro Pen, White Gel Pen, Spellbinder's Oval Nesties, Spellbinder's Classic Circles and Scalloped Circles, Embroidery Floss, Pearls, White Fun Flock

Glitter the Globe!

Living in Georgia, sometimes our only hope for a Winter's snow is a snowglobe. But that's ok with me. The white stuff is pretty, but I could never live up North. Way too cold for this Georgia girl!!!

This waterglobe is from Impression Obession. It is a fun image, with the opportunity to glitter and glaze the globe. I paper pieced the bottom of the waterglobe and dressed it up with two rows of red bling, so easy to add the bling like this when they come in the adhesive strips. I stamped the image on Neenah Classic Crest Solar White, then used Copic W1 to tone down the whiteness of the background. I colored the inner circle of the globe using Copics too. I don't like using loose glitter on my projects as I seem to end up wearing it for days after. I have a little mixture in a small airtight container of Ultra Fine Glitter and Crystal Lacquer. So no glitter flying around! I used a toothpick to add little spots of glitter floating in the waterglobe and applied it where the snow spots were. After adding the glitter - I coated the entire globe with Crystal Lacquer. When it dries it looks like the glitter is suspended in the Crystal Glaze. Easy, peasy and me and the cat remain glitter free! The rest of the card is layers of paper and I punched out photo corners to add here and there. The red and green pattern DP is from Basic Grey's Boxer Collection. Finished card size is an A2.

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Also, the 2009 Fall and Winter Supplement from Impression Obsession is now available for you to download. It has lots of amazing card samples shown using the new stamps. Little 'ole me has two cards on the cover... How did that happen??? One of them is using the same waterglobe stamp I am showing on my card today. You can use this link to look at the catalog or download it if you would like to.

Click here ------> 2009 IO Winter Supplement

• Stamps: All Stamps from Impression Obsession - Snowy Tree Globe #D8285, Let it Snow #B8145
• Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Red
• Paper: DP by Basic Grey - Boxer Collection, Neenah Environment Ivory, Neenah Classic Crest Solar White, Red
• Other: Copics, Red Mini Crystals, Photo Corner Punches, Crystal Lacquer, Ultra Fine Glitter, Bella Dots Embellishments

Fancy Birthday Tulips

So many of the images from Flourishes Stamps are so perfect to really show off coloring. This fancy tulip was begging for my Copics! The image is only one flower, after stamping it one time, I masked it using Eclipse tape and stamped it again, overlapping the two flowers slightly. I added some soft airbrushing around the edge -- while my stamped panel was still snug in my Nestie - allowing me to keep the nice white border around the edges. I added a little jute string bow, and yes it was hot off the craft desk when I took the picture --- you can still see my glue. I used Ultimate Glue as I always do to adhere my embellishments, It dries completely clear. I struggled with the colors on this card until I added the black in to the mix.

• Stamps: All stamps by Flourishes - Fancy Tulip Thank You SS 033, Flourished Word Stamps
• Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Versafine Onyx Black
• Paper: Misc. DP, Black, Neenah Classic Crest Solar White, Rust, Mustard
• Other: Copics/ABS, Crystals, Jute String, Swiss Dots Cuttlebug Folder, Black 1/16" Rainbow Tape, Spellbinder's Labels One , Corner Rounder

Red Velvet Ribbon....

Hello!! I am showcasing some ribbon tips over at the Flourishes Newsletter today. I hope you will hop on over and check out my ramblings.... I show pics of how I created the Velvet Frame and the little velvet tablecloth underneath the teapot. I promise it is very easy and simple! You know if there is a shortcut or an easier way -- I'm gonna figure it out!!!

Check it out using this link ----> Frame it with Ribbon!

OCC Challenge - A Postcard from the Edge...

This week the OCC has a interesting Challenge to get your creativity jump started. Use this picture as Inspiration or a Sketch to create your card or project.

For a close up view on the OCC's great projects for this week please visit the OCC Ladies on their blogs -Silke Ledlow, Jennifer Meyer, Loretta Lock , Joycelyn Turner, Cindy Burgess, Dana Grothaus, Linda Coughlin, Lori Rider, Melissa Young, and Wendy Janson

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So here is my challenge card -- It is a definite departure from my normal style! I was inspired to use a Postcard Stamp and then... well I heaped it on from there!!! I took some pictures as I created - so you could see some of the steps in creating this.

I first created my card base using the Post Card stamp to create the background. I then stamped it once again on Kraft, cutting it out to use as part of the collage. I wanted to use a "Miss You" theme with my postcard -- could I find a stamp in my room that said that???.... NO, and I know I have several if not many!!! So.... I customized my own stamp using the JustRite products. The Postage and Typewriter paper pieces are from Graphic 45.

You can see here how I aged my stamped pieces.... I first sponged ink around the edges of each piece. Then I used that "Splatter" looking stamp to add some interest -- kind of looks like aged water spots, I think. When I stamped the "Splatter" I used second, third and fourth generations of inking to give it lighter, medium and darker spots.

My dirty little bow.... I had some Ivory Silk ribbon, which was way too bright and sweet looking now that I had dirtied everything else up! So I just ran it over the Ink pad to make it more suitable to my card's theme. I wanted to add this little charm in the middle... I first tied my triple bow with the Bow Easy. Then I threaded the ribbon through the eyelet on the back of the charm. Leaving my Bow intact on the Bow Easy, I then tied the charm ribbon to it in the center of the Bow Easy legs, tying it off in a simple knot in the back of the bow. This created two additional bow tails as well.

Here is a Close Up pic of this unusual creation that I made. I fussed it up a little more by adding some buttons and pearls in a heap type pile. The Flowers were also a little more bright red than I liked, so I darkened the petals and centers using a Copic Marker. The thread was left over from sewing on the buttons, so I just glued that down too!!! I will tell you before I glued everything down -- I am sure I moved every element at least ten times. Finished card size is an A2.

• Stamps: Splatter #2240G by Hampton Arts, Passport #2825B by Rubber Stampede, Carte Postal #485J22 by All Night Media, JustRite Oval Stamper and Trompe Font
• Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, Versafine Sepia Brown
• Paper: Red DP by Basic Grey "Boxer Collection", Kraft, Black, Neenah Peppercorn Ivory, Graphic 45
• Other: Copic marker, Charm, Button, Silk Ribbon, Bow Easy Tool, Misc. Flowers, Pearl Hat Pin, Misc. Pearls, Embroidery Floss, Spellbinder's Label Eight, Black 1/16" Rainbow Tape

Stamp Simply #113 - Make it like a Matchbook!

Stamp Simply #113 - November 13th- Matchbook Fold Cards "ssnotime113" - Today's challenge is all about being creative with a Matchbook Fold. Incorporate a simple flap fold that your main panel tucks in to - mimicking a matchbook. Upload your project to Spiltcoast and use the keyword "ssnotime113". Check out all the Challenge Details and see Sharon's creation on her blog No Time to Stamp.
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Please check out the great samples from the Stamp Simply Challenge today on the blogs of these totally creative designers: Julie, Tammy, Janine, AJ, Deb and Barbara, also Barb Schram (Barb is filling in for a bit for Jennifer) We have Bethany Paull with us too - as our special guest stamper for November!

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Poochie is high spirits with his over sized Pomegranate Martini! This is one the new Fun images TCP just released in the "Make Merry" set. I airbrushed around the Nesties and used Copics to color the images. I paper pieced Poochie's Swanky Dinner Jacket and added some extra red polka dots for some extra Holiday Flair! The red background piece was embossed with the Cuttlebug Fleur de Lis Folder.

The main image panel tucks into the bottom little folded flap, I embellished the edge of the flap with the Spellbinder's Fleur de Lis Border die, only showing a portion of it over the edge. I added some dots around the Nesties and some stitch marks with a black Micron pen. I added Liquid Laminate over the Martini Glass with a little glitter around the edge to jazz it up a bit. Finished card size is an A2. This also works for the TCP Tuesday #84 Challenge this week, to make a Holiday Card.

• Stamps: All stamps by The Cat's Pajamas "Make Merry" Clear Set #N-9676 C
• Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Red
• Paper: DP by Basic Grey, Red, Black, Neenah Classic Crest Solar White
• Other: Pearls, Red Metal Dots, Black Micron Pen, Spellbinder's Label Eight, Cuttlebug Fleur de Lis Folder, Spellbinder's Fleur De Lis Borderabilities, Liquid Laminate, Copics/ABS

How R U

A quickie little card for today. I played with the Penguins from the Cowbow and Indians set, and that's where the "How" word came from too. I added the "R" and "U" from the Nightie Alphabet. I colored up my cute little Indian Penguins using Copics. I added some soft airbrushing around the edges and some doodles to the edges of my image and sentiment panels.

The Background DP is from Basic Grey's Eerie collection, but I thought it went together just fine for these little Indians. This is a pretty simple layout, using my Spellbinder's Labels to dress it up. Finished card is an A2.

• Stamps: All stamps by TCP: Cowbows and Indians, Nightie Alphabet
• Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
• Paper: DP by Basic Grey-Eerie Collection, Grey, Neenah Peppercron, Black
• Other: Copics/ABS, Ribbon by Basic Grey, Eyelets, Spellbinder's Labels Eight, Spellbinder's Labels Two, Micron Pen

A merry little Christmas card

A simple little Christmas card.... Starting with an embossed background using the Cuttlebug Snowflakes folder. I added a simple button border -- yes using the dreaded needle and thread, each little button is sewn to the paper. A bit of ribbon to border the buttons.

The center stamped image is two stampings - the sentiment in red. Then I stamped the hat in Memento Tuxedo Black. I used a Copic to color in the Hat and also the green background of the circle, popped it up, and dressed up the scallops with some Bling. Finished card size is an A2.

• Stamps: All stamps by JustRite: Merry Little Christmas Borders & Centers Round 1-5/8”
• Ink: Red, Memento Tuxedo Black, Riding Hood Red
• Paper: DP by Basic Grey - Eskimo Kisses Collection, Neenah Classic Crest Solar White, Green, Misc Red DP
• Other: Crystals, Spellbinder's Standard and Petite Scallops, Misc. Ribbon, Copics, Buttons, White Gel Pen, Red Spica Pen

I dare you to Doodle!

This card is full of doodles... from the polka dot frame around the image to the pattern on the chair.... Check out my EASY tips on doodling over at the Flourishes Newsletter. I have a featured tutorial today with step by step instructions that breaks everything down and shows how simple doodles can change your images and cards.

Check it out using this link ------> I dare you to Doodle!

OCC Challenge - Autumn Harvest

This week the OCC has an Inspiration Challenge to get your creativity jump started. Use this picture to pick a theme or idea to create your card or project.

For a close up view on the OCC's great projects for this week please visit the OCC Ladies on their blogs -Silke Ledlow, Jennifer Meyer, Loretta Lock , Joycelyn Turner, Cindy Burgess, Dana Grothaus, Linda Coughlin, Lori Rider, Melissa Young, and Wendy Janson

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I went with the theme of the Inspiration Picture, choosing this wheat harvest image from Serendipity Stamps to color with Copics. The background words are from Flourishes and the verse is about Thanks and being Grateful, so I thought it fit the theme. I just added some blocks of the Leaves DP in two corners to help balance out the colors.

I used the inside of my Nestie to draw an inner circle frame before removing the oval from the die. I added some light sponging around the ovals and words panels, using Versafine Sepia Brown. I added just a few simple embellishments, buttons with gold cord, a few little gold metal dots and of course a silk bow tied with the Bow Easy. Finished Card size is an A2.

• Stamps: Image by Serendipity Stamps: Wheat Sheaf #WHG1028, Words from Flourishes Set: #SS03 Thank You
• Ink: Versafine Sepia Brown, Memento Tuxedo Black
• Paper" Leaves DP by Frances Meyer, Neenah Classic Crest Solar White, Mustard
• Other: Misc. Buttons, Spellbinder's Classic Ovals, Silk Ribbon, Bow Easy Tool, Gold Cording, Copics

Stamp Simply #112 - Brown Baggin' It!

Stamp Simply #112 - November 6th- ssnotime112 - Today's challenge is all about being Thrifty. Incorporate the simple and natural look of brown postal wrap and/or the inside of brown paper grocery sacks in to your card or project. How ever you want to create it. Upload your project to Spiltcoast and use the keyword "ssnotime112". Check out all the Challenge Details and see Sharon's creation on her blog No Time to Stamp.

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Please check out the great samples from the Stamp Simply Challenge today on the blogs of these totally creative designers: Janine, AJ, Deb and Barbara, also Barb Schram (Barb is kindly filling in for a bit as Jennifer Buck takes some time off.) We welcome Bethany Paull as our special guest stamper for November! Julie and Tammy are taking the night off, but they will be back next week!

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I kept the stamping simple. I used a brown grocery bag to paper piece Prancer's head and body. I also paper pieced his scarf. After using a plain bag to dress him, I felt he deserved to get some extra sparkle. And I added the crystals.... one after another and another. I colored the star and the feet using a Copic Marker.

I also incorporated three strips of brown bag in my card base layers, then I had to add some white stitch marks.... it looked so "brown bag like" with out anything!!! A few little gold sticky dots along the side and a little triple loop silk bow, created with the Bow Easy to finish it up. Final Card size is an A2.

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• Stamps: Prancer #F-819 by Outlines Rubber Stamps
• Ink: Versafine Onyx Black
• Paper: Green DP by K & Co., Brown Grocery Bag, Red DP from Basic Grey's Eskimo Kisses Collection, Gold, Neenah Classic Crest Solar White
• Other: Silk Ribbon, Bow Easy Tool, Gold Nailheads, Crystals, Cuttlebug Swiss Dots Folder, Copic Markers, Brown Micron Pen, White Gel Pen, Spellbinder's Labels Eight