Defining Calories

My inspiration for this card comes from 2 sources: Deconstructed Sketch #200 and my determination to walk 10,000 steps per day. I started at accomplishing my goal 3 times per week and gradually over the last 6 weeks have increased to daily as of this week. I promised my youngest daughter I would give this 6 months to see what happened after she took 6 months running uphill from her school to my school after school was out and she was impressed that she attained many physical milestones despite being athletic to start with and I'm not, so I should see a lot of improvement.

I really love the combination of floral and polka dot pattern paper in this card. Typically I'm intimidated by the 'wow factor' of polka dots, but I think I used it to advantage here. They make a pretty background for the floral and bunting.

I built a great deal of depth into this card, and I'm not sure it was the right direction to go with it, except that the flat version left me feeling flat. The darkest bunting was made using a coredin'ations scrap I had laying on my desk, and I don't know where it came from. I sanded it to expose the embossing and I really love the effect.

stamps: calories (riley & co)
paper: almond cream (bazzill); cuddle cream (spellbinders); juliet (bo bunny)
ink: onyx black versafine (tsukineko)
accessories: baby buntings (spellbinders); dimensional foam adhesive (3L); mini screw head brads (tim holtz idea-ology)

Getting my Mojo on!

I saw this Mojo Monday sketch and was inspired! While I didn't finish it in time to add it to the mojo collection, ultimately that's not what this is all about. I was inspired to create something lovely, and I would encourage you to go back through older challenges from whatever your favourite source is to gain new perspective and inspiration.

Using what I already have is the name of the game for me during this season in my life. I'm buying groceries day by day so I am motivated to be creative with what is already in my fridge, freezer and pantry to feed my family. I'm using fabric from my stash to create clothing to supplement my wardrobe. For paper crafting, I'm using some very old supplies (5-10+years old) and combining it with online challenges that inspire me in the moment.

The pattern paper I've used here is from 2014 (no so old) with a vellum (purchased in 2005) overlay, and spellbinders dies from 2011. Not bad! The sentiment stamp is the baby of the project, from last year.

Have a wonderful week, friends! And I hope you are inspired!

stamps: glass half empty (riley & co)

paper: the story of us (simple stories); white, raven (bazzill); vellum (paper accents)

ink: onyx black versafine (tsukineko)

accessories: baby buntings, persian motifs (spellbinders); black ribbon (offray); clear rhinestones (want 2 scrap); black brad (unknown)

Using the Negative for some Positive

I made this card using Seth Apter dies and posted it early June.  When I made the original card, I nested the dies to conserve paper and created another image by carefully cutting around the die cuts to center the cuts in a panel. And to think, I almost threw this away!!

Since I had the panel cut out of this very distinctive basic grey pattern paper, I used similar colours to create this new card. The additional pattern paper is Blue Awning from K & Co. I'm fairly confident that it has been discontinued, but you never know what you will find if you look.

I've used a cheeky sentiment from Riley & Co. Funny Bones. I must admit, I do love me some sass when it's tasteful. I'm not sure if this could have used a little more embellishment or not, so for today, I decided less is more!

Thanks for stopping by and stay tuned as I start blogging about my other passion - teaching Fashion. I have a whole pile of projects that I'm working on and I've been diligently designing and getting on the treadmill daily to attain 10,000 steps per day. It's proving challenging to design for a changing body shape!!

stamps: pretend to be normal (riley & co)
paper: hang 10 (basic grey); blue awning (k & co), white, rave n(bazzill)
ink: onyx black versafine (tsukineko)
accessories:A2 matting basics b, splatter proof, coffee ring (spellbinders); black ribbon (su!)

Dear Self - A little inspiration

I wanted to join in with a splitcoast challenge since it has been quite a while since the last time I did, so I went to my favourite challenge (inspiration challenge) and saw Tim Holtz Mania (IC551) and chose this pin from the inspiration board.

I have several 'Dear Self' sentiments from Create with TLC, and today I have a card using another of these fabulous digi stamps. I cut and embossed the sentiment using large petite ovals, sadly a discontinued die cut set. I used a silver paint pen to edge the sentiment and several other layers and accents.

We all need a reminder occasionally to be brave, to move forward, and that today we will win! I know I do. I really love the secret I'm showing in this photo - the underside of the pattern paper is ORANGE! The sage, grey and ivory print is one of my absolute favourite papers of all time, and I have rarely featured the orange print. Today, the flowers show the bright and happy flip side. While I could make all sorts of ethereal connections from this print to the sentiment,  I won't. I'll leave that for you to do, if you choose.

The little orange glow is highly appealing, I think. I couldn't find any pink anything I was willing to use like my inspiration piece for this card since I wanted to keep the focus on the sentiment.

I used Cinch and Go dies to create these flowers (since I couldn't find my tattered blossoms dies - it took me an hour of looking before I finally gave up and turned to this die set instead!!), and they are super simple to assemble. I used an awl to make the hole in the center larger so I could fit in this many pearl stamens, and I really love the effect.

stamp; dear self (create with tlc)
paper; everafter (cosmo cricket - discontinued); horizon, lily white, front porch (bazzill)
accessories; yellow pearl stamens (darice); stack and fan flowers, cinch and go flowers, make a wish, i'll never leaf you, labels 41, labels 41 decorative accents, lg petite ovals (spellbinders); silver paint pen (uchida)

One day...

This card is not my typical genre but I had the idea for it for ages. I love layering stamps in such a subtle way, but it doesn't show up as well as in real life. Creating this card was a wonderful adventure.

I randomly painted ink on watercolour paper; several layers worth. I dried the ink using heat between layers. The beauty of the technique is that distress ink reactivates with water. I laid a stencil (microbial by The Crafter's Workshop) over the dried ink and used a baby wipe to lift the exposed ink through the stencil. I have wanted to use this sentiment stamp for months, and I used a pigment ink so there was no chance of the ink smearing if I decided to remove more ink.

I love the new Seth Apter dies by spellbinders. I used both splatter proof and coffee rings dies sets to create this "sun".

I can't even remember all the different beads and stuff I used for these dangles. The hemp twine makes such a beautiful textural knot, and worked wonders with these gorgeous dangles. The pattern papers I've used are beyond old. Seriously, Basic Grey doesn't even sell papers anymore! However, if you are lucky enough to find it, these papers are from Hang 10. After I finished the watercolour panel, I dug through the stash and almost fell over when I saw how very perfectly these papers coordinated with it.

I'm really excited about some more experiments I have in the works. I hope you come back to see them!

stamps; ponderings, french marketplace (stampers anonymous), artist in you (unity stamps)
paper; hang 10 (basic grey), rootbeer, raven (bazzill)
ink; painted fence, rusty hinge, mustard seed, tea dye, forest moss, evergreen bough distress ink (ranger); onyx black versafine (tsukineko)
accessories; splatter proof, coffee rings dies (spellbinders); hemp twine, misc. beads (unknown); microbial stencil (crafter's companion)

May Heartfelt Creations Alumni Blog Hop

I'm excited to be part of the Heartfelt Creations alumni blog hop for May. If you have arrived on my blog from Archana Joshi's blog, you are on the right track. Please carry on to see Therese Broman
and remember to leave comments along the way for a chance to win a $25 Heartfelt Creations gift certificate on June 4th.

I have decided to make a soft and more simple card for today. The background was created using Swirl Bliss dies by Spellbinders. I cut and embossed the die 3 times to create this panel effect.

This sentiment is from Hope in the Lord. Good strong truth here, yes? Good luck with the blog hop, and thank you for stopping by today!

stamps; hope in the lord (heartfelt creations)
ink;grey flannel memento luxe (tsukineko)
paper; horizons, white (bazzill)
accessories; swirl bliss, sm & lg classic circles nestabilities (spellbinders), white ribbon (SU!), rhinestone button (bazzill)

Dear Self

I really love this card. I've faced job insecurity for 4 years now. Not knowing where I will be teaching from one year to the next, because of the way our system and union partnership is in my area, has been a real drain on me emotionally. It has been a significant area of faith weakness and an area I am trying to submit and grow.

I haven't used this layout in quite some time, but I love the subtle tension it adds to a balanced appearing card. Using brown and blue is a favourite combination for me, and I am really enjoying dipping into some old favourites.

I dyed the ribbon. The effect is all sorts of wonderful and I love that it coordinates so beautifully with the pattern papers. I used tea dye, stormy sky, and vintage photo distress ink reinkers with wide white ribbon.

I cut the sentiment and sponged ink, as with the other papers for the uppermost layers. I combined a key and the word faith as a subtle reminder to myself of the direction I must move toward. To provide a little antiquing to the charms, I have applied a little distress alcohol ink to them. It is very helpful having all the inks I've used identical in colour so creating the individual elements was simple.

stamp; digital sentiment (tlc creations)
paper; blue awning (k&co), white, java (bazzill)
ink; antique linen, tea dye, vintage photo distress inks (ranger)
accessories; 5x7 reflective moment (spellbinders), charms (blue moon), white ribbon (offray)

Thanks

Bit by bit, I am able to do more paper crafting. Today, I made a thank you card inspired by a husky foster dog we had last summer. I can cut an aluminium can using Spellbinders dies. This was such a delightful discovery and I love the matt finish of the aluminium flowers on my lovely little wreath.

As I cut the fox from white cardstock, I left the parts in the dies and carefully sponged grey ink using the dies as stencils.

The sentiment is cut from black cardstock and mounted it using dimensional foam. Come to think of it, the entire image was adhered using foam dimensionals.

The colours used for this project were inspired by a wintery landscape with an Arctic Fox posing for the camera. I am fascinated by the whole camouflage process that many animals in my area undergo every fall and allowed that to guide my artistic instincts.

paper; horizon, raven, white, ash cardstock (bazzill)
ink; london fog memento ink (tsukineko)
accessories; hydrangea, forest fox, wreath (spellbinders)

Seasons Givings Blog Hop

Happy New Year!! I am so excited to be participating in the Seasons Givings Blog Hop! If you are here from Dina's amazing blog, you are in the right place. If you would like to start the hop from the very beginning, I invite you to go to the Lawn Fawn blog, and make your way back here, via the creativity inspiring slow boat. The purpose of this hop is to thank you, our readers for your support to our creative endeavours.

To enter the draw for the prize shown above, please leave a comment on my blog with your contact information using the following format: yourname_at_youremailprovider_dot_com (or however it ends com/ca/net etc). My draw will take place at 7:00am (MST) on Friday, January 8th, and all comments to that point will be entered. The prize will be awarded as shown, with no substitutions. The winner will be responsible for any customs/duty charges incurred during shipping.

I created this card to celebrate all the resolutions that will be made and discarded over the next while. I tend to not make resolutions to ring in the new year, but I know it is a common practice among many. I don't really drink alcohol or coffee much, so while I think the last few stamped sentiments I've used are funny, it's through second hand information, believe me!

I really love the Tim Holtz blueprint stamps very much and this stamp is from his Fresh Brewed set. I applied glossy accents over LATTE in the corner before I sponged ink on so it would remain clean looking.

These print papers are from an old and discontinued Basic Grey collection, Origins.

I cut apart the original sentiment stamp (Depresso by Riley & Co.) so I could create a punny tag line on the front of my card. While I have many pun sentiment stamps in my collection, I chose to cut this one apart because I doubt I would use it as it was manufactured. I created this tag using Spellbinders Petite Pennants.

Lg Classic Rectangles and Sm Classic Rectangles were used to cut and emboss the coffee cup and sentiment. To colour the to-go coffee cup I used copic markers - C0, 1, 3, 5, W00, 1, 3, 5, E41, 43, YG91, 95, 99, colorless blender.

I sponged most of the papers used for this card with pumice stone, frayed burlap and black soot distress inks.

There have been a lot of changes in my house this year, and I can't even imagine what next year holds in store. I am both holding my breath with my eyes closed tightly and looking forward with eager anticipation. I wish you all the best in the coming year and wish you luck in this draw.

Lawn Fawn

Scrapbook Cards & Today Magazine

Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L

Reverse Confetti

Technique Tuesday

CAS-ual Friday Stamps

Verve Stamps

Donna Salazar

Richard Garay

AdTech

Stamp Simply Ribbon Store

Inchie Arts

Avocado Arts

OHscrap (Bossy Joscie)

Rubermoon Stamps

Latina Crafter

A Jillian Vance Design

JustNick

Your Everyday Stamps

Latisha Yoast

AJ Otto

Kimberly Crawford

Julia Stainton

Laurie Willison

Teri Anderson

Jennifer Gallacher

Vera Yates

Wanda Guess

Nichol Magouirk

Kelly Klapstein

Anabelle O’Malley

Kim Watson

Chari Moss

Laura Bassen

Lydia Fiedler

Lisa Adametz

Alice Wertz

Daniela Dobson

Jenn Shurkus

Lori Craig

Amy Tsuruta

Lisa Henke

Margie Higuchi

Lee Murphy

Lori Tecler

Dina Kowal

(**you are here) Loretta Lock (here are you**)

Darsie Bruno

Marcie Sharp

Veronica Zalis

Barbara Anders

Maria Levine

Dana Joy

Melody Rupple

Keri Sereika

Asia King

Jennifer Ingle

Yvonne Van de Grijp

Beth Pingry

Erica Houghton

Mary-Ann Maldonado

Piali Biswas

Ashley Newell

Nicole Maki

Julee Tilman

Leigh Penner

Christina Griffiths

Lindsay Amrhein

Laura Williams

Debbie Seyer

Christine Emberson

Kerry Urbatch

Linda Lucas

Tosha Leyendekker

Giovana Smith

Bunny Vance

Stacey Schafer

Lee Ann Barrett

Ruby Naz

Julie Dinn

Jill Hawkins

Christiana Reulling

Jodi Collins

Gracie Chavez

Michelle Woerner

Tania Willis

Karisse Schilling

Lori McAree

Ashley Harris

Emily Leiphart

Heidi Blankenship

Coralynn Murray

Tenia Nelson

Pretty Philosophie

Jillian Vance

Misti Oblander

Hangover Humour

The inspiration challenge on Splitcoast is all about buttons. Love it! I love buttons. I chose this inspiration pin and it reminded me of a plaid paper I have. The rest of my card fell into place from there.

The Funny Bones stamp line from Riley & Co. has quickly become a favourite since they were introduced. I have a wee collection of them now and I really love making funny cards. I was going to make a card for new years using this sentiment, but I have another idea up my sleeve for that post (Come back for my Season of Giving blog hop post on New Years Day - so much inspiration and so many chances to win from every blog participating!!). My other favourite source for cheeky sentiments is TLC Creations.

This plaid paper is an older paper from Basic Grey, Bow Ties, but it was just too perfect for this challenge, and I have a particular weakness for plaid paper - I have quite a bit of it.

I've used Timeless Rectangle to create this side border and sentiment frame. The sentiment was cut and embossed using Classic Rectangles Lg. This magnificent paper bow was cut using Becca Feeken's new die set Tiered Multi-loop Bows. It is so easy to use with gorgeous results!! This is another set that has quickly become a favourite of mine.

Season's Greetings and Merry Christmas to you in these final days leading up to Christmas.

stamps; hangovers (riley & co)

paper; bow ties, figgy pudding (basic grey); white (bazzill)

ink; onyx black versafine (tsukineko)

accessories; timeless rectangles, classic rectangles lg, tiered multi-loop bows (spellbinders); lime crush rhinestones (bazzill)

Spellbinders CHA Roundup- Day #3

Welcome to Spellbinders CHA Roundup Blog Hop - Day #3! The project shared on days 1 and 2 were stunning, and there are just so many beautiful dies being released in the next few months. We really hope the Blog Hop will inspire you in your own paper crafting.

First up, I am so excited to be using S4-577 Labels 50 Decorative Elements. It is a gorgeous die set that has all the intricate detailing that Spellbinders is known for. To create this card, I used the Platinum Die Cutting and Embossing Machine™ to cut and emboss all 4 of the die templates in this set. The colours I chose to use on each size are shown below. The large grey background was made by tracing around the largest die #4 (with #1 being the smallest die template in the set) and cutting it by hand. I stamped the small sentiment 'Hope' and then positioned die #1 over it, centering the sentiment in the open aperture.

Next, I edged each die cut using Versamark ink and applied Shabby Blue Embossing enamel liberally and heat set it using a heat tool.

I adhered the layers using dimensional foam, alternating the direction of the points as each layer was added. The created more of a flower effect that a repetition and unity of shape adding interest to this sweet card. I added a tiny, white double bow to accent the final layer, which was placed off-centre.

Spellbinders Products Used:

 

S4-577 Labels 50 Decorative Elements

SCP-013 Whirl White Cardstock

T-001 Tool-n-One®

PL-001 Spellbinders® Platinum™ Die Cutting and Embossing Machine

Cross Promotional Products:

Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko Versafine Ink Onyx Black; Versamark Ink

Scrapbook adhesives by 3L foam squares

Stampendous Embossing Enamel Shabby Blue

Other Supplies (non-partners):

Light grey cardstock; White 1/4” ribbon; Small sentiment stamp



For my second project I used the smallest die #1 from S5-253 Ritz Decorative Element

To create this card, cut a 4" x 5 1/4" rectangle from kraft cardstock. Using a pencil, divide the rectangle into equal fourths as shown.

Cut and emboss 9 shapes using die template #1 - save those centers!! Using foam dimensionals, adhere the first diamond lined up with the pencil lines as shown. Adhere the remaining shapes.

Continue adding shapes until the entire kraft cardstock is covered. I cut one diamond in half, and another diamond was cut into fourths, as shown.

Turn over the kraft cardstock panel and trim off excess white cardstock using a paper trimmer.

Adhere kraft cardstock panel onto a 4 1/8" x 5 3/8" pink cardstock rectangle. Adhere these layers to a white cardstock 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" card base. Apply clear self-adhesive rhinestones to each diamond junction to disguise any imperfections! ;) 

Cut 'I' and 'U' from S6-036 Victorian Letters using kraft cardstock. Cut a heart using die template #1 from S4-136 Classic Heart using pink cardstock. Adhere as shown using foam dimensionals. To create a less challenging version of this card, adhere the cut and embossed pieces directly to the cardstock, rather than using foam dimensional as shown here.

Spellbinders Products Used:

 

S4-136 Classic Heart

S5-253 Ritz Decorative Element

S6-036 Victorian Letters

SCP-013 Whirl White Cardstock

T-001 Tool-n-One®

PL-001 Spellbinders® Platinum™ Die Cutting and Embossing Machine

Cross Promotional Products:

Scrapbook adhesives by 3L foam squares

Want 2 Scrap Rhinestone 72 - Silver

Other Supplies (non-partners):

Pink, kraft cardstock

Now, for the fun! Please click on my Spellbinders Giveaway Link to enter for your chance to win! **EDIT - this contest is now closed and the link has been disabled. Many thanks for your participation, and good luck to all who entered the contest.

Visit Debi Adams's blog for more chances to win!!

Official contest rules can be found HERE

Questions?  ContestQuestions@Spellbinders.us.  No entries will be accepted at this email address.