Stamp Simply #120 - Use something NEW!

HAPPY - NEW - YEAR!!!

Stamp Simply #120 - December 31st - NEW "ssnotime120" ...Today, Sharon issued the challenge to use something NEW. Upload your project to Spiltcoast and use the keyword "ssnotime120". Check out all the Challenge Details and see Sharon's creation on her blog No Time to Stamp. Remember -- Sharon has now employed the services of Mr. Linky on her blog to help us keep up with all of the players! So please play along and link your project with Mr. Linky on No Time to Stamp, Sharon's blog!
Please check out the great samples from the Stamp Simply Challenge today on the blogs of these totally creative designers: Tammy, Janine, Julie, AJ, Deb, Jennifer, Barbara, Barb Schram and we have Michelle Woerner - as our special guest stamper for December!

This stamp is new for me and from me.... Remember, I told you how I helped Santa out by doing a little shopping for myself this December.... this is one of the images that came in my goodie box from Impression Obsession. I love quotes and this one gave me a giggle... so I thought I'd share it and start the new year off with a smile! I did Stamp Simply in accordance with the challenge rules -- Sharon didn't say Embellish Simply though!!! I love adding the "dressing" to all my cards... hunting through my stash of stuff and finding the perfect little something. I created the layout with DP from Basic Grey's Nook and Pantry collection. You think maybe next time I could center the three medallions a little better! The sentiment is simply stamped in brown, I edged it with a border punch from EK Success called Scalloped Scallops and added a tiny brown pearl on each of the scallops. The sentiment panel is also popped up, but that's hard to see in the pic. Finished card size is an A2.

• Stamps: Whatever Women Do.... #D5320 by Impression Obsession
• Ink: Versafine Art Print Brown
• Paper: Basic Grey's Nook and Pantry collection, Brown, Neenah Peppercorn
• Other: Ivory Jute Twine, Bow Easy Tool, Bling, Silver Adhsive Eyelets, Checkered Ribbon,Border Punch from EK Success: Scalloped Scallops

Valentine's Hearts

Well, Christmas is over and I'm switching gears, making card samples for Valentine's Day! This card features the same Clear Set Heartlines #CL159 from Impression Obsession that I used on yesterday's Birdy card. The hearts are all individual stamps... I stamped them multiple times, masking some of them here and there to create the stacked row of hearts. I had three hearts cut out that I popped up, adding them last over the others. The DP and the little pink scalloped sticker are from Basic Grey's Nook and Pantry Collection. I colored all the hearts with Copics and I added a clear Spica pen over them for some sparkle. The ivory punched edge is a Martha Border punch. I popped the sentiment and also made a little jute string bow using the Bow Easy. I embellished with some faux stitching and I also added some doodling to some of the hearts to make them a little different - since some of the designs I used multiple times. I think this card ended up looking kind of "Country". Finished card size is an A2.

• Stamps: All stamps from Impression Obsession: Clear Set Heartlines #CL159
• Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa Brown
• Paper: Neenah Peppercorn, Basic Grey's Nook and Pantry Collection, Brown, Cinnamon card stock
• Other: Jute String, Bow Easy Tool, Brown Fine Tip Pen, Martha Stewart Border Punch, Corner Rounder, Copics, Clear Spica Pen

Some Birdy Loves You

I used the sketch from the challenge over at Crazy4Challenges. This valentine's set is from Impression Obsession and from last year's release - but I just got it and had to ink it up ASAP. I love those birdies mixed in with the hanging hearts. I colored all the hearts using lots of Pink Copics. More pink markers were on the table than ever before!!! To create the background I embossed a white panel with the Cuttlebug Folder "Candy Cane Stripe". Then, I added the pink ink with my baby brayer, inking only the raised portions. As always -- my little brayer does the trick and does not get ink in any areas it should not. I dressed my card up with teeny crystals on the hearts, pearls, stitch marks and a little ribbon..... also, all the hearts have a little Spica Sparkle to them and then a coat of Crystal Lacquer. Finished card is an A2.

• Stamps: All stamps by Impression Obsession - Clear Set Heartlines #CL159
• Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Versafine Onyx Black, Pink
• Paper: DP by Little Yellow Bicycle "Sweet Love" Collection, Neenah Classic Crest Solar White, Dark Red Card Stock
• Other: Ribbon by SU, Spellbinder's Classic Circle Nesties, Pearls, Bling, Red Fine Tip Pen, White Gel Pen, Crystal Lacquer, Spica pens, Copics, Small Brayer, Bow Easy Tool, Cuttlebug Folder "Candy Cane Stripe"

OCC Challenge - Holiday Cheer & Happy New Year!

Over at the OCC the challenge call today is themed -- Food or Drink.... incorporate the theme on your your card or project. I figured we all have been eating and drinking through the Holidays and we should keep the party going! Hope you will play along with us! You can find all the details on the Our Creative Corner Blog! The sample cards from the Design Team were YUMMY for this challenge! So be sure and check them all out, see the links to all the ladies on my sidebar.

Sprinkle is planning on ringing in 2010 with a little bubbly! All the stamps on this card are from The Cat's Pajamas swanky set "Make Merry". I created the background by stamping the champagne bottle and adding a little color with my Copics. I used Spellbinder's Labels Six to create the frame for Sprinkle and the sentiment.... a little soft airbrushing and stitch marks. I treated myself to a new fancy set of Multi-Liners from Copic for all my doodles and dots. I figured Santa might not know I wanted them.... so I thought I would help him out and take care of them myself! A tiny little jute string bow made with the Bow Easy and DONE. Final card size is an A2. Afterthought.... I think I will go back and add Crystal Lacquer to the bottles in the background.

• Stamps: All stamps by TCP "Make Merry".
• Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, Memento Tuxedo Black
• Paper: Misc. Aqua, Neenah Classic Crest Solar White, Black
• Other: Spellbinder's Labels Six, Bow Easy Tool, Copic Multi Liner Pens, Copics/ABS, Black Jute String

Stamp Simply #119 - CAS Thank You

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!

Stamp Simply #119 - December 25th - THANK YOU "ssnotime119"
Today, Sharon issued the challenge to keep it CAS (Clean and Simple) and make a Thank You card. Upload your project to Spiltcoast and use the keyword "ssnotime119". Check out all the Challenge Details and see Sharon's creation on her blog No Time to Stamp. ALSO -- Sharon has now employed the services of Mr. Linky on her blog to help us keep up with all of the players! So please play along and link your project with Mr. Linky on No Time to Stamp, Sharon's blog!

Please check out the great samples from the Stamp Simply Challenge today on the blogs of these totally creative designers: Tammy, Janine, Julie, AJ, Deb, Jennifer, Barbara, Barb Schram and we have Michelle Woerner - as our special guest stamper for December!

CAS, again not my strong point.... well... this card is simple steps put together. I used gold card stock and the Cuttlebug Snowflakes to create the background paper. I used my baby brayer and white pigment ink to brayer over the raised snowflakes. I actually left this background on the desk and it dried over night before I used it, but you could easily emboss with clear EP so you could work with it ASAP and the ink would not be tacky. I used the Swiss Dots CB folder too on the white card stock. After that I embossed my sentiment and popped it up on a Gold Label created with Spellbinder's Fancy Tags. Some gold cording and simple pearl embellishments to finish it up. Final card size is 5" Square.

• Stamps: Sentiment by Impression Obsession - Thanks Sentiments, Clear Set # CL41
• Ink: White Craft, Versamark and Gold Detail EP
• Paper: Gold Card Stock, White Card Stock
• Other: Pearls, Gold Cording, Bow Easy Tool, Pearls, Spellbinder's Fancy Tags, Cuttlebug Folders: Swiss Dots and Snowflakes, Gold Gel Pen

A little Hedgehog Lovin'

NEWS, NEWS, NEWS.... I am joining a new Challenge Team full of fresh and fun challenge ideas.... The Belli Challenge Blog Team! What is the Belli Challenge you ask? Every two weeks, they issue a challenge that will use things we all have lying around our stamp rooms! With a constant flow of new things coming out, We tend to forget about the other things we have and they quickly become clutter! Please join in the challenge and link up using Mr. Linky back on the Belli Home Page, use keyword "CBC81" if you are posting on SCS or PCP. Please be sure to visit the other Belli girls' blogs and see what they have created this week (links to their blogs are over on my right sidebar)!

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ALSO -- The Belli Challenge is looking for a few new members to join the design team! If you're interested in applying, please check out THIS POST over on the Belli blog. Submissions for the design team are due by January 3, 2010 - I hope you'll apply!

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This week's challenge call was to use TAGS -Belli Challenge #81. I incorporated four little tags on my card... featuring Penny Black's cute little lovin' hedgehogs. This was a quickie.... stamping in Memento and coloring with Copics. I punched each one out and added an eyelet to the tag's top, threading a little embroidery floss though it. I added a simply stamped sentiment and then wrapped some ribbon around the sentiment panel, finishing it off with some threaded buttons. I didn't pull out the needle, just threaded the floss through and left them hanging out to dangle! Of course, I had to had some pen stitch marks...over all a quickie color job and quickie layout! Finished card size is an A2. I have only wrapped two presents for Christmas -- YIKES, hope no one else out there is like me... a total procrastinator!

• Stamps: All stamps are by Penny Black: Clear Set "Every Which Way" # 30-008
• Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
• Paper: Curious Cryogen White, Red
• Other: Swiss Dots CB Folder, Tag Punch, Red Ribbon, Misc. Buttons, Embroidery Floss, Copics, Black Micron Pen, Eyelets

wish BIG!

I love this image! It makes me smile!! I love that she is plus sized and not your typical tinkerbell tiny fairy! I colored her with Copics and highlighted the wand with a silver gel pen. For the wings I used a mixture of ultra fine glitter mixed with Crystal Lacquer. Dries nice and smooth, and does not look chunky. I went heavy on the glitter in the mixture -- I wanted super sized sparkle for her wings. I used the needle and sewed my little buttons down to the card with some silver cord and also embellished with a tiny little silver bow. A few little faux stitch marks to finish it up. Final card size is an A2.

• Stamps: Slightly Chubby Fairy from Mo Manning, Wish Big # 333B from Savvy Stamps
• Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, Digi Image printed on Neenah Classic Crest Solar White with HP inkjet
• Paper: Misc. DP, Neenah Classic Crest Solar White, Coral Card Stock
• Other: Copics, Spellbinder's Labels One, Spellbinder's Petite Oval Nesties, White Ribbon by SU, Silver Cording, Misc. Buttons, Crystal Lacquer and Ultra Fine Glitte, White Gel Pen, Peach Fine Tip Marker, Silver Gel Pen, Bow Easy Tool

OCC Challenge - Let it SNOW!

Over at the OCC the challenge call today is SNOW. Snowflakes, a Winter Scene -- whatever strikes your stamping fancy as long as it incorporates SNOW! Hope you will play along with us! You can find all the details on the Our Creative Corner Blog! The sample cards from the Design Team were FAB for this challenge! So be sure and check them all out, see the links to all the ladies on my sidebar.

Yesterday's card featured snow too, so I thought I would change it up -- and do something with a snowflake theme -- but using no white. I had all these fun papers with teals and greens that had snowflake designs -- so that was the beginning of my card. Maybe this went a bit overboard, but isn't that what happens so often on New Years! So I indulged with embellishments!

I used Martha's Snowflake punch and silver paper, layering two punched pieces and adding a small epoxy snowflake sticker in the center. The small row of snowflakes is a stamp from Impression Obsession and I fussed those up with some teensy tiny teal pearls. More Epoxy Snowflake Stickers to create the center row -- I have had these in my stash for a good while -- I am pretty sure they were in the $1 bin at Mikes. I added my Happy New Year Sentiment, embossed with Versamark and Silver Detail EP. Finishing things off with a five loop bow... I used a silver coated wire to make the bow - allowing the tails to keep some curl. Final card size is 5 1/2" Square.

• Stamps: All stamps from Impression Obsession - Christmas Sentiments #CL44, Winter/Fall Borders #CL136
• Ink: Versamark and Silver Detail EP
• Paper: Misc. DP, Teal, Silver Text Weight paper by Paper Pizzaz
• Other: Bow Easy Tool, Pearls, Snowflake Epoxy Stickers, Teal Ribbon, Martha Stewart Snowflake Punch, Spellbinder's Labels One

Stamp Simply #118 - CAS, Snowflake!

Stamp Simply #118 - December 18th - CAS - Snow! "ssnotime118"

Today, Sharon issued the challenge to keep it CAS (Clean and Simple) and use SNOW as our theme. Upload your project to Spiltcoast and use the keyword "ssnotime118". Check out all the Challenge Details and see Sharon's creation on her blog No Time to Stamp. ALSO -- Sharon has now employed the services of Mr. Linky on her blog to help us keep up with all of the players! So please play along and link your project with Mr. Linky on No Time to Stamp, Sharon's blog!

Please check out the great samples from the Stamp Simply Challenge today on the blogs of these totally creative designers: Tammy, Janine, Julie, AJ, Deb, Jennifer, Barbara, Barb Schram and we welcome Michelle Woerner - as our special guest stamper for December!

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I know CAS, Clean and Simple is not something my cards usully tend towards -- usually they can get pretty fussy with all the little add ons. BUT, I think I did good with this card... it has a lot of bling details - but the image, sentiment and layout I think follow the CAS theme fairly well. And another rarity... No Spellbinder's dies and No Copics used on this card!!! OMG! That hardly ever happens!

I stamped my Snowflake twice, cutting the center from the second stamping and popping it up. I stamped the Snowflake and Sentiment in Versamark and embossed with White EP. I added some blue crystals and pearls to dress it up a bit.  Adding a row of them down the side too. I could not resist adding some white stitch marks around the two stamped panels. I used 1/16" White Rainbow Tape to create the small white lines.  Click the pics to enlarge for a better look.  Finished card size is an A2.

• Stamps: Alpine Snowflake #2584G by Judikins, Senitment by Impression Obsession - Anytime Sentiments Clear Set # CL43
• Ink: Versamark and White EP
• Paper: Misc. Blue(s) Card Stock, White
• Other: 1/16" White Rainbow Tape, White Gel Pen, Corner Rounder, Crystals, Pearls

You've got Mail

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 "Valentine's or Love".

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You can find links to the Impression Obsession Design Team on my sidebar - check out the creative cards everyone designed -- many of us are showing off NEW images that will be released in January! You can also hop on over to the Impression Obsession Blog and find all the details there!

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I am showing off one of the new Valentine's images that will be released in January from Impression Obsession.  This sentiment is not new, but I thought it paired perfectly with the exploding heart envelope! I colored everything with Copics and added some Crystal Lacquer mixed with Ultra Fine Glitter over the small hearts in the image. I have a mixture in a small air tight container and apply it using a toothpick -- perfect to just add a dab to small areas. I used a Micron Pen to make some stitch marks around the panels. And to finish it up I added some ribbon and a little strip of pearls. Final card size is 6 1/2" x6".

•  Stamps: All stamps from Impression Obsession - Heart Image -- Available in January, Anytime Sentiments Set #CL43 
• Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Riding Hood Red
• Paper: Neenah Classic Crest Solar White, Pink, Riding Hood Red, Misc. DP
• Other: Crystal Lacquer, Ultra FIne Glitter, Copics, Black Micron Pen, Pearls, Ribbon

Sweet and Simple

A sweet and simple card for today!

Image and sentiment were stamped on Curious Cryogen White - which has a bit of shimmer in the paper and looks sparkly when you look at it in the light.  I colored the image with Copics, I think I did a good job with the bird colors. Normally I turn to google and look up any nature type things to see how to color it... but this guy I mirrored after all the little birds in my backyard. I still goofed, It is a chickadee and I colored it like a sparrow. But I think Chickadees can come in all colors -- so I'm sticking with that story. I made my stitch marks with a fine tip green pen -- before I removed my panel from the Nestie die -- using the Nestie's inside edge as a guide so they would be nice and even. Simply embellished with some ribbon and a small bow -- that's all. I had bold paper and a large image -- so I thought that was enough and didn't heap the embellishments on like I normally do.  I added a little Spica Sparkle to the ornament for some extra twinkle. Finished card size is an A2. All of these stamps on this card are from Impression Obsession, and I wanted to give you guys a big heads up -- Impression Obsession is having their Annual Web SALE!

So use this link and do a little Holiday shopping for YOU!

click here ----> Impression Obsession -- SALE!!!

Birds on a Wire

A fun card! Traditional colors, Easy Elements, Quick to color!

I colored the birds with Copics, includung coloring the background... after I colored the background I used the "0" Blender pen to "blot" the color, leaving a kind of washed out look.

I added some fine glitter mixed with crystal lacquer over the lights for a little sparkle. Blinged up the edges with some tiny red crystals.

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I used one of my new border punches from EK Success - this one is called "Diamond Lace Edger Punch" . All of these border punches that are being intruduced from Martha and Ek Sucess continue to wow me with how well they work and how cleanly they punch through card stock. Finished card size is an A2.

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Prickley Pear has a sketch challenge going on with a great prize for a random winner -- you can enter up until December 19th, Check it out -----> click here!

• Stamps: All stamps by Prickley Pear Rubber Stamps: Holiday Birds, Winter Wonderland
• Ink: Riding Hood Red, Memento Tuxedo Black
• Paper: Riding Hood Red, Neenah Classic Crest Solar White, Green DP by SU
• Other: Holly Garland CB Folder, Scallop Scissors, Red Crystals, Spellbinder's Ribbon Tags, Spellbinder's Rectangles, EK Success Diamond Lace Edge Punch, Copics, Pearls, Red Ribbon by SU

OCC Challenge - The Holidays are here......

I'm the December hostess over at the OCC and I know everyone is busy this time of year doing last minute cards and crossing things of our lists! So today's challenge is an easy one.... Create a card or project with a Holiday Theme -- Christmas or Hanukkah.

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And.... we have another Gift Certificate to Totally Stampalicious up for grabs with this week's challenge. So check the OCC blog for all the details and find out who won last week's prize from Prickley Pear!

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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, Loretta Lock and Wendy Janson. And.... this week we also have a guest designer my talented friend Sue Kment.

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I had fun with this card.... kinda fun and whimsical, I think. The image is from Outlines and I cut it three times around frame lines -- popping each layer up. The scalloped background is the Largest Square Nestie, I cut in half and just pulled it apart to cover two corners. Buttons -- yes, they are sewn on to the card! Before long I'll be sewing clothes.... I am getting so skilled with the needle and thread. Ha!

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I added some Opal Liquid Pearls to the Santa Hat, I let it "set" for just a minute and then poked it with a toothpick to add some texture -- very technical, LOL! A little triple bow with 1/4" White Silk Ribbon, made of course with the Bow Easy. Some stitch marks around the edge. Finished card is 5 1/2" Square.

• Stamps: Chimney Santa by Outlines, Sentiment from Impression Obsession
• Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Red
• Paper: Curious Cryogen White, Blue Polka Dots by Graphic 45, Red
• Other: 1/4" White Silk Ribbon, Bow Easy Tool, Misc. Buttons, Embroidery Floss, Swiss Dots CB Folder, Spellbinder's Large Scalloped Square Nestie, White Gel Pen, Opal Liquid Pearls

Stamp Simply #117 - Change it up!

Stamp Simply #117 - December 11th - Alter a Store Bought Card "ssnotime117" Today, Sharon issued the challenge to use a Store Bought card and alter it-- get crafty with it and change it up! Upload your project to Spiltcoast and use the keyword "ssnotime117". 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: Tammy, Janine, AJ, Deb ,Barbara, Barb Schram and we welcome Michelle Woerner - as our special guest stamper for December!
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Ok... so at first I was not so keen on this idea --then -- I totally enjoyed it! Exactly what a challenge can do -- change your mind and push you to do something different! I have no stamping on my card, I just added some paper to the mix, cut out elements and rearranged things. I love to play with my layouts and arrange things, When you see one of my cards, please know I have moved every element at least three times -- playing around with my layouts and trying things each and every way!!! You can see the original card below. I cut elements out with my Nesties, added some pearls and ribbon, a Cuttlebugged Snow background, some extra layers and that's it! I will definitely being altering a few more, as it was a fun and QUICK way to create a unique card! The original card (below) is made by NuArt.

Sparkly Star - found a good home....

Random. org chose the winner for the star ornament:

Here are your random numbers:24
Timestamp: 2009-12-10 13:47:29 UTC

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Comment #24 was...

JenMarie said...
This is FABulous!

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Now this is kinda funny -- I just won blog candy from Jen Marie this weekend, and now she wins mine???? Maybe random.org isn't so random! hmmmm. Strange.

I'll be back shortly with a card to share!

Ice Skatin'

I am the "Guest Stamper" over at the Belli Blog today! This is a great challenge spot for all you challenge junkies out there! The challenges focus on theme, products, great ideas and the blog is packed with inspiring creations! So click on over there, check it out and play along -- they also have a DT call posted! Today's Belli Challenge was about "Flourishes" - Belli Challenge #80.... could be a stamp, paper, embossing folder.... whatever you have in your stash that has Flourishes! Thanks to the ladies at the Belli Blog for having me!!!

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I started with my CUTE little skatin' penguins from TCP.... and decided I wanted blue and white as my colors... a Winter color scheme, which also fits with the TCP Tuesday Challenge for this week So here's the run down..... I colored with Copics, airbrushing around the skaters.... adding layers of Nesties and fussing them up with little doodle stitch marks. The sentiment I trimmed out using the brackets in the image as a guide.... and again more stitch marks. I created those first.... then I made the background. I knew I was going to use the CB Swirly Folder and the Flourish Chip Board piece.... I embossed the white background panel with the CB Folder, then I inked it using my tiny baby brayer --- I brayered over the raised portions using Versamark ink. Then I used Embossing Tinsel and heat set it. Embossing Tinsel is kind of like EP and glitter mixed together. The glitter kind of melts in with the EP and it stays put. On the chipboard piece I first brayered it with White Pigment ink, then added the Embossing Tinsel. In real life this is really sparkly and catches your eye.... in the pic, the glitter kind of looks like dirt. LOL! Figures!

• Stamps: All Stamps by The Cat's Pajama's - Penguin Christmas
• Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Versafine Onyx Black, Versamark & Embossing Tinsel, White Pigment
• Paper: Blue DP by Making Memories, Neenah Classic Crest Solar White
• Other: Copics/ABS, Spellbinder's Labels Four, Black Micron Pen, White Gel Pen, Silver Gel Pen, Gingham Blue Ribbon, Bow Easy Tool, Gems, CB Swirls Folder

Sparkly Star - needs a good home.

If you head on over to the Prickley Pear Blog today, you find all the details of how to play and WIN a bundle of goodies (worth over $60.00) by creating something with this star sketch. And... if you keep reading all my ramblings you can find out how to win my Star Sketch Creation!

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Please excuse the wonky looking photo editing. I told you in my last post I was not a Florist, coloring flowers willy nilly whatever colors I chose to.... Well, I am pretty sure I would not have a promising career in the Photo Editing Industry either!!!

I have been enjoying playing in lots of challenges lately -- sparking me with great ideas to create new and different projects. I do tend to get in to ruts and follow the same mold over and over. I don't think I have ever made a card shaped as a Star. So it was a fun way to change things up and break the routine!

I chose to do a flat panel with a little ribbon hanger attached to it. So the card does not open - but can easily be added to the tree - which should be full of hand made treasures, IMHO! This will fit in a 6" Envelope for mailing. It is all very simple stamping, simple elements of layering, and of course adding BLING! I loved this sentiment and thought it would be perfect to use for an ornament type card.

Wanna hang this on your tree?

Well, you of course can make your own or you can leave me a comment on this post for your chance to have it show up in your Mailbox! I'll post the winner on Wednesday, December 9th!

• Stamps: All Stamps by Prickley Pear Rubber Stamps: May the Christmas Season- Sentiment, Snowflake Collage Background
• Ink: Riding Hood Red, Versafine Black
• Paper: Neenah Classic Crest Solar White, Riding Hood Red, DP by SU
• Other: Adhesive Pearls, Red Crystals, White Gel Pen, Black Micron Pen, Spellbinder's Classic Ovals Large, Spellbinder's Stars, Scalloped Decorative Edge Scissors, Misc. Buttons, White Grosgrain Ribbon, Red Cord

Winter Bouquet

The Flourishes Timeless Tuesday Challenge (FTTC44).

When I read that it was about doing something CAS, meaning clean and simple.... I kinda groaned -- 'cause it is very hard for me to resist fussing up my card with lots of little add ons!!! But I went with it.... I think this is pretty CAS in style, for me anyway! The image is so pretty it doesn't need any of my fussing up, but it was still hard to resist the doodles!

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I added a little soft airbrushing to my stamped panel -- while my paper was still in the Nestie -- so it would leave a nice white clean edge when I removed it. I colored the image with Copics, I know my colors are probably wrong for whatever type of flowers these are. I am a stamper, not a florist. I colored them to match my paper. I clued in about half way thru that I colored the mistletoe berries red -- pretty sure those are white, IRL. I added a multi-looped bow, made with the Bow Easy, finishing it off with a little adhesive pearl in the center. and my only embellishments were some simple pearls around the edges..... this was challenging to leave it as is. I do like the look of a clean white crisp edge -- but it was hard.... Look at my tiny little list of supplies!!! Final card size is 5 1/2" Square.

• Stamps: All stamps by Flourishes - Winter Bouquet, Holiday Greetings
• Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Red
• Paper: Neenah Classic Crest Solar White, All other DP by Basic Grey
• Other: White Silk Ribbon, Bow Easy, Copics/ABS, Spellbinder's Labels One, Adhesive Pearls, Sm. Label Punch by SU

OCC Challenge - Inspiring Music....

This week the OCC has a Musical Inspiration Challenge to get your creativity jump started. I am the challenge hostess for December - Please visit the OCC and play along! You can find all the details of the challenge on the OCC Blog. But here are the basics.... My idea was to use this verse from "The 12 Days of Christmas" song to inspire.... anything goes and it does not have to be Holiday themed.

On the twelfth day of Christmas,

My true love sent to me...

Twelve drummers drumming,

Eleven pipers piping,

Ten lords a-leaping,

Nine ladies dancing,

Eight maids a-milking,

Seven swans a-swimming,

Six geese a-laying,

Five golden rings,

Four calling birds,

Three French hens,

Two turtle doves,

And a partridge in a pear tree!

Also, there is a prize up for for grabs on the OCC Blog for participating in this week's challenge... a $25 Gift certificate donated by Prickley Pear Rubber Stamps!
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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, and Wendy Janson. And.... this week we also have a guest designer my talented blog pal Carol Cabezas.

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I think it's pretty obvious which line inspired me for this creation. I googled "partridge" to see what colors they are supposed to be, but images came up with them in all colors of the rainbow. So not knowing the "correct" coloring.... I picked my DP and colored my birdie to match!

After I finished my card I showed the husband, usually I get a some sort of *smart* comment from him about my cards -- wondering why I can sew a button cards but not on his pants.... something of that nature. I showed him my Partridge and he said and I quote.... "You should have popped the bird up, he kind of blends in the tree". Apparently, sometimes... I guess he actually pays attention! WHO KNEW he even knew the term "popped up"!!!

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Now enough gibber jabber.... on to the card.... I stamped the image in Memento Rich Cocoa and colored everything with Copics. I added some airbrushing to soften the background. I used a gold pen to highlight the solid image leaves. I also outlined some portions of the stamp with a dark brown Fine tip pen, to help them stand out. My ribbon was originally beige and red, but I changed it to green with a Copic Marker, love doing that!!!! Final card size is 4.5" x 6.5".

• Stamps: All stamps by Prickley Pear Rubber Stamps: Partridge in a Pear Tree, Partridge Sentiment
• Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa, Versafine Onyx Black
• Paper: DP by Basic Grey "Wassail" Collection, Neenah Environment, Dark Red Card Stock
• Other: Copics/ABS, Spellbinder's Label Eight, Spellbinder's Ovals, Misc. Ribbon, Brown Fine Tip Pen, Green Fine Tip Pen