Splitcoast Challenge Randomness

Occasionally, I have a deep need to sit down and create. Last Wednesday night was just such a time. Never mind I was online for one my courses at the same time. Never mind that it was a tough session due to technical difficulties (my prof had to evacuate her building because the fire alarm went off, among other things). Never mind that I sometimes feel like I'm 40-something going on 10 and I would do well having a fidget toy to keep my hands busy. I knit on the scarce occasions I watch tv - grown up fidget toy. If I could knit and read at the same time, I feel like I could conquer the world. Or cut out sewing projects while I read. I have a lot of reading I have to do and I think I forget that reading is my priority right now and I need to shelve the fantasies of combining my activities. I can't ask anyone in my house to read to me because I lose my train of thought when they stumble over the jargon that is my life.

And so last Wednesday while I was supposed to be focused on my computer screen, while the fire drill was in full swing, I hopped over to Splitcoast to see what the sketch challenge for the week was. I love it! I rarely check these things because I am needing less inspiration than more these days.

While I had to stay beside my computer, ready to go as soon as my prof was able to get back online, I put my time to good use!! I knew I didn't have an abundance of time, so it just wouldn't do to start a colouring project because that would take too long. Maybe if I used a sentiment as the focal point?... I scanned through several small paper pads sitting on my desk to choose some patterned paper. Then, I was struck by a fabulous idea.

I used the long classic rectangle to fussy cut (quilting term) this paper!!! Brilliant, yes? Instant image! And cute to boot.

Since I used plain white paper for the background, I ran it through my Big Shot with my Roman Romance embossing folder. I cut it into 3 to replicate the SCS sketch diagram (SC496), and voila!! Cute card in no time flat! Next time, I would use string and tie a fancy knot to make the card more unisex, but I was on a time crunch and allowed habit to guide me. Bad rut!! Must keep creating outside the box!!

Have a great weekend!

paper; ash, white canvas (bazzill), meadow (my mind's eye)
accessories; roman romance m-bossabilities folder (spellbinders), gunmetal brads (unknown), white ribbon (offray)

Another card of many challenges...

I've been running around for 2 weeks now. It's a really long story and the bottom line is I'm going back to University to upgrade my teaching certification. I've been substitute teaching for 2 years and I need more hours so rather than waiting by the phone (figuratively speaking), I'm taking charge. I know this has all been prepared ahead for me because when I started pursuing this new direction, everything has fallen into place quite easily in a very short time and I've not had any push back from any administration I've dealt with. I'm intimidated about returning to post secondary education after 16 years, especially since I've been told I need to take graduate courses and by the time I'm done my teaching practicum, I'll be 1/4 of the way through a Master's degree. My pre-menopausal brain may just fall out my left ear!!! The final pieces on my new path will be in place in the next couple of weeks since I can't register for my classes as an Open Studies student until December 9th. Yoish!

And since all of this new stuff is running around inside my head, I couldn't fall back asleep very early this morning. Instead, I took a peek at a bunch of challenges and they all inspired this card;

It didn't turn out quite the way I wanted, but it's close. I'm trying to reassure myself that the mojo has NOT left the building, but I am quite distracted right now...

Most of the supplies for this card are from i {heart} papers and there are direct links in the recipe list below. Kate has a fabulous Black Friday sale going on her website this weekend, and you would do well to take advantage of it!!

stamps; good cheer by ali edwards (technique tuesday from ihp)
paper; bonjour (kaiser kraft from ihp), walnut creme, coconut creme (bazzill)
ink; tea dye distress ink (ranger from ihp), rich cocoa memento ink (tsukineko from ihp)
accessories; sm classic circle nestabilities (spellbinders from ihp), white pleated ribbon, sage/brown ribbon (may arts from ihp), pink basic lines rhinestones (zva from ihp), dotted scallop border punch (ek success), resin rose (recollections)


scs sketch challenge - SC360 - going to call this inspired by...
scs colour challenge - CC350
scs ways to use it - WT350 - again, inspired by - I used a bow AND a straight line...
scs inspiration challenge IC312- glenna jean Riley nursery

Ways to Use it - Hearts

I saw today's Ways to Use It challenge on SCS and it happened to fit with an idea for a card I had for the Paper Craft Planet sketch using supplies from i {heart} papers. I had everything laying on my desk except the chipboard hearts waiting for a spare minute so I could sit down and put my card together. If you can play along with the Paper Craft Planet sketch, please remember to use the code pcp012911 so we can see what you have created!

For this project, I used a sentiment from the You & Me set by Unity Stamps. As I was looking at the sentiments in this set, I remembered this darling pattern paper with musical notes from the Indie Girl 6x6 pad by Sassafras Lass. It seemed like a match made in heaven. All the colours I used for the yellow scallop velvet trim, the orange faux suede ribbon, and the lime glimmer ribbon are taken from the designer paper! Pretty wild, eh?!!

I pulled out some chipboard and covered it using art institute glitter and vintage glass. I figured if I was going to go, 'WOW!' that I might as well go over the top for this card!

stamps; you & me (unity stamp co.)
paper; indie girl (sassafras lass), berkley, horizon, skyline, coconut swirl (bazzill)
ink; black soot distress ink (ranger)
accessories; yellow scallop velvet trim (cosmo cricket), lime glimmer ribbon (creative impressions), orange faux suede (may arts), undressed chipboard (basic grey), polka dots (cuttlebug folder), country garden peewee kit, carnelian vintage glass, christmas red glitter (art institute glitter)

Multi Challenge Waltzingmouse Card

I received my Waltzingmouse stamps around my holidays.  Claire was awesome about holding an order for me until close to my arrival home date.  I've been home for almost 3 weeks, and I finally inked them up!  Yay, me!  I combined 3 splitcoast challenges here, and I don't think it turned out badly at all!

I used the colour combination always artichoke, cherry cobbler and pretty in pink, but I forgot to use the dessert option pf using pinking scissors  My layout is sketch challenge 294 and I decided to pull out my versamark ink when I saw today's Ways To Use It challenge.  I really appreciate the challenges right now, because I'm not coming up with much if I have to think it up on my own right now, but this should go away in about a week... about the same time night feeds are done.

I used Infuse by Basic Grey, an older pattern line that I need to use up, because the colours were terrific for the colour challenge.  I think I may have too much pattern going on but it works, I hope.  I stamped the long stamp from Victorian Frippery along the lower edge of the sentiment panel with Versamark ink and I heat embossed using Zing! chocolate brown powder.  It's been ages since I used Versamark ink, and since I love the stuff and the effects I can get with it, I don't know what I was waiting for!!! 

It's a pretty basic card since I can't dedicate too much time crafting for the next week.  Thanks for popping by - you just made my day!

stamps; victorian frippery, words of wisdom (waltzingmouse stamps)
paper; infuse (basic grey), mariposa (DCWV), brown (bazzill)
ink; versamark (tsukineko)
accessories; pink scallop ribbon (making memories), riding hood red ribbon (SU!),  brown emboss powder (Zing!), brown ribbon (offray), rhinestones (heidi swapp), cross charm (blue moon beads)

A double challenge Post

It's a little trying having multiple kids sick - KWIM? I haven't been on much because I've had someone needing my attentions starting at about 4:30am every morning for nearly a week now. *sigh* If it doesn't kill me it'll make me stronger right?! It's tough watching asthmatic kids struggling with a cough that would be bad enough because of the cold alone, but combined with their asthma, it's downright alarming! Now, I'm just starting to get tight and a little ahem-y. Bring on the puffers, the vicks and BED...


I made this pink elephant card on Tuesday, but have been a little busy since then to post it. This cutie patootie guy is from the new Chicken Girl Design release by i {heart} papers called Just Skating By. As soon as I saw the SCS colour challenge this little elephant dude popped in my head dancing and skating like the 'Elephants on Parade' dream sequence from Dumbo. I've been looking for an excuse to do a pink elephant and I think he's sweet!

stamps; just skating by (chicken girl designs by i {heart} paper)
paper; always artichoke, cameo coral, bravo burgundy (SU!), poison cardstock (unknown), eskimo kisses pad (basic grey)
ink; black soot distress ink (ranger)
accessories; buttons (basic grey), picture hangers (daisy d), ribbon (SU!), black brads (bazzill), create a flake 1 & 2 (spellbinders), branch punch (martha stewart), clear rhinestones (heidi swapp), prismacolor pencils




Today's ways to use it challenge was to use patchwork on a project. I knew immediately what I wanted to do. There was a card from CHA in January in the Basic Grey booth done like patchwork using their Wisteria paper. It was stunning! There were little pearls on the corners where the papers joined and now that I think about it, their paper placement was much more random than mine.

I used my scor-pal on the paper the patchwork is mounted on, scoring my base into 4 quadrants and then turning it to score into diagonal quadrants. This made the paper placement a guaranteed success situation since I just had to line up my paper with the score lines horizontally, vertically and diagonally. The paper squares were punched out with a 1 1/4" punch. Very easy, despite how complicated it looks.

Thanks so much for popping in today! Your lovely words always mean so much to me.

stamps; home for christmas (SU!)
paper; eskimo kisses (basic grey), parakeet (basic grey), white linen, cardstock vellum (paper accents), rich razzleberry (SU!)
ink (black soot distress ink (ranger), pink chiffon chalk ink (tsukineko)
accessories; goldenberry dew drops (the robin's nest), ribbon (SU!), fancy tags (spellbinders), rhinestones (heidi swapp), 1 1/4" square punch (ek success)

Dude! Great card!!

My kids are making friend in school left, right and center. The birthday parties have begun! My DS has a fast friend whose birthday is today and the party is forth coming. What's with all the babies in September? A cold winter? *snort*

This cutie patootie monster is from a set by Chicken Girl Designs that will be released on September 16th for i {heart} papers. This set is really great for Halloween and kids cards and stay tuned for another peek from a second set being released next week coming soon.

stamps; silly monsters (chicken girl designs - IHP)
paper; figgy pudding (basic grey), ivy, brown, coconut swirl (bazzill)
ink; espresso adirondack (ranger)
accessories; modern window punch, riding hood red ribbon (SU!), square nesties (spellbinders), flame dew drops (the robin's nest), eyelets (we r memory keepers), copic markers

CC232, WT232, AND LSC234 triple header!!!

I saw the colour challenge by Holly (toy) this week on SCS and all I could think was, 'I've never cut into Taken With Teal...' That afternoon, my Stampin' Up! mini preorder arrived and I had totally forgotten that I ordered the new 'Autumn Meadow' paper. There is quite a bit of teal used in that paper pack, and then I realized that I was about to cut into teal for the first time! Holy Moses, who knew?!!!!

As it turned out, I didn't get to it until yesterday afternoon. I started cutting and my DD came down and said immediately, 'Colour challenge, eh?' I asked how she knew and she said, 'You never use taken with teal. It's a nice combination.' Okay, she's right on both counts.

My challenge triple header goes like this;

Colour challenge; taken with teal, close to cocoa and very vanilla
Sketch challenge; FAILED! I realized too late I messed up the sketch, so it doesn't count!
Ways to use it challenge; warm and fuzzy - I fuzzed up the twill ribbon
Limited supplies challenge; masculine card with a schwack of stuff not to be used. Did it!

It's been awhile since I've really played on the SCS challenges. It felt good, and I'm going to make a point of trying to do more in the near future.

Have an awesome weekend!

stamps; Jesus (ODBD)
paper; brown, flat broke bling (bazzill), taken with teal, very vanilla, autumn meadows (SU!)
ink; espresso adirondack, tea dye, frayed burlap distress ink (ranger)
accessories; very vanilla HH, twill tape, scallop border punch (SU!), petite oval nesties (spellbinders)

WT230 Blessings

The Ways to use it challenge on SCS today is to use pleats. Very cool! I did this for the first time just a couple of weeks ago and found it's easier than sewing pleats in a garment! ;)

I think maybe my pleating is a bit heavy and with the grand lace border this looks a little like a Victorian dress OR a Victorian stool... Either way it has a Victorian feel to it *chuckle*. I used Christmas paper for this card so even though this isn't a Christmas card, I'm one step closer to getting my Christmas cards done. If you question my creative reasoning, see this post...

I've included links for all my shopping in the recipe below and now I've got to run pick up our foster puppies. They are healthy enough for their spay/neuters today!

stamps; happy birthday (ODBD)
paper; wassail (basic grey), always artichoke (SU!), heavy weight vellum (paper accents), brown (bazzill)
ink; tea dye, brushed corduroy, frayed burlap distress ink (ranger)
accessories; top note die, white satin ribbon (SU!), petite oval and petite scallop oval, doodles, grand lace border (spellbinders), adhesive pearls (kaiser), metal accent (embellish it), brown ribbon (offray)

WT228 Chrysanthemum

I didn't have a chance to upload this yesterday - my bad** I really like the look of leading the silver ep gives this card and the last card I uploaded. It's a technique I enjoy and normally use for some Christmas cards.

The challenge this time was to use charms. SIGN ME UP, BABY!!!! I love these things and I will use them prolifically just because I like giving my cards a little jewelry. This pewter Falling Leaf charm is from Artful INKables. I thought it went particularly well with this Chrysanthemum image. I Wanted to keep this card white with just the tiniest touch of colour. I like the layered ribbon, but I think when I do this again, I'll use some patterned paper instead...

stamps; chrysanthemum (artful inkables)
paper; sale dotted swiss, chiffon, coconut swirl (bazzill)
ink; versamark (tsukineko)
accessories; silver bells dew drops (the robin's nest), silver details ep (ranger), eyelet border punch, wide white satin ribbon (SU!), narroe white satin ribbon (offray), pewter falling leaf charm (artful inkables)

WT217 Butterfly Blessings

Today's challenge on SCS is ways to use Kraft. I would like to take a moment to stand and applaud!!! I love kraft paper, and any excuse to use it is my happy place!

It is raining today, and very dim in my house. I'm very pleased though because I took this picture in my craft room and have never been able to take pictures there before. It was always too sunny or too dim and there was never an in between. My rebuild is almost done, and I took the initiative to put an Ott bulb in my light fixture. This room is terrible for shadows, but once there are 3 bulbs in the fixture, I may need sunglasses!!! 3 bulbs may turn out to be overkill, so I'll adjust that as I see fit once I have all the bulbs. I'm waiting for a call back on when the reconstruction dudes will come and put my baseboards back on. The carpet (sad thing that it is) will get a little shampoo, and then we are done and recovered from the burst pipe. YAY!!!

I love the soft colours of this card. I used the butterfly as my inspirations and went from there. The butterfly and designer paper are both from K&Co - Madeline. I think I should just admit I have a thing for K&Co paper! There was a little yellow gem stuck oddly off center on this butterfly originally. I peeled that baby off right quick and used these sweet pink rhinestones instead...and they are centered.

I used butterfly blessings from Artful INKables for the foliage image on this card. I just love the flourish-y look of this. I went over the entire image with an olive spica glitter pen, then highlighted the stems with white gel pen. The leaves were coloured with prismacolour pencils and then I sponged the edge with white craft ink to give it a softer, misty look. The sentiment is from Basic Sentiments by Artful INKables.

*sigh* what a sweet spring card for a day of May showers.

stamps; butterfly blessings, basic sentiments (Artful INKables)
paper; Madeline (K&Co), coconut swirl, sprout (bazzill), kraft(paper accents)
ink; espress adirondack, tea dye distress ink (ranger), whisper white craft (SU!)
accessories; double ended tags (spellbinders), chipboard butterflies (K&Co), white satin ribbon (offray), white brads (bazzill), linen thread (SU!), periphery buttons (basic grey), large pink rhinestones (MAMBI), med rhinestones (Heidi Swapp), sm rhinestones (amuse), white gel pen (sakura), olive spica glitter pen (copic)

WT216 I don't do coffee...

This ways to use it challenge was to use black. I decided that, for me, the best way to use black was with a little accessorizing because a little black can go a long way to making a huge impact.

I like combining black and brown. I love using brown so dark it nearly looks black, and that is what I used here. In this photo, it is hard to see the brown - my apologies. I'll have my room back after 2 long months and I have better bulbs in there now so I'll be able to take better photos in there as well. I used Porcelain dp for this card - love that stuff! There were tons and scads of Nesties used in this production. Becca Feeken has an amazing way with nesties and that is where I got the inspiration for the ric rac looking circle border/frame. I have no idea if she was the brilliant woman who came up with this technique or not, I just know her blog is where I saw it, and I'm happy to give credit to her. I'm going to try this more with other shapes.

I just got this wonderful set of Just Rite stamps from i {heart} papers - Just a Little Caffeine borders and centers. Totally adorable!!! I love the little t-cup and was planning on using it for this card, but I thought the polka dots on this cup suited this card better. Now, I don't do coffee - I'm not real big on the taste - but LOTS of people I know do, so that's the other wonderful reason I can justify getting this set!

Have an awesome weekend!

stamps; just a little caffeine borders and centers (just rite - IHP)
paper; porcelain 6x6 pad (basic grey - IHP), flamingo, brown, raven (bazzill)
ink; pitch black adirondack (ranger)
accessories; circle, scallop circle, inverted scallop circle, labels 4 nesties (spellbinders - IHP), black stitched ribbon (bazzill), apron lace edge punch (ek success), licorice bodacious brads (bo bunny), black rhinestones (heidi swapp)

If only I had an Irish blessing...

Dagnabbit, wouldn't this look fabulous with an Irish Blessing stamp? I don't have one. I wish I did. I really love the one by Our Daily Bread Designs, but I don't have it yet. *sigh*

The challenges I combined here were to use stripes made any way I chose. I scored the panels the chains are in, and they are my stripes. The second challenge was to use green on our cards. Done - I used my new Porcelain 6x6 pad from Basic Grey for the dp panel which Kate has, so go shopping because she has a schwack of new goodies from CHA just in stock at i {heart} papers.

I used Windsor stamp set from SEI for both the main image and the chain panels. This stamp set in on sale so if you like it, it's a nice price! I stamped the main image with versamark and embossed it with clear ep. Then I cut out the image using Labels Two nestabilities. While the paper was still in the die, I sponged it with ink. Yup - easy peasy and totally Irish!

stamps; Windsor (SEI - IHP)
paper; clover leaf swiss dot, coconut swirl (bazzill), kraft (paper accents), porcelain (basic grey - IHP)
ink; shabby shutters, peeled paint (distress ink by ranger), so saffron (SU!), versamark (tsukineko)
accessories; labels two nestabilities (spellbinders - IHP), detail cleap ep, Diamond stickles (ranger - IHP), moss/olive reversible ribbon (may arts), fresh mowed grass dew drops (the robin's nest)

WT204 Ode to Pearl

This morning I went into the garage for foster dog care. Those puppies are all so sweet and I must say there is nothing so appealing as puppy breath! Four of the puppies were sleeping and one was just starting to fuss a little so I picked that one up. It was Pearl. I held her in close and then Diamond laid down and curled up around the other puppies. My oldest DD was with me and asked to hold Pearl. I handed her over and when her fingers touched mine, I told her to not be surprised if that puppy squealed like a pig - her fingers were COLD! Within moments Pearl was protesting in earnest! Diamond stood up, concerned with the sounds her baby was making. I took Pearl back and she quieted in short order. Then, she gave the biggest puppy sigh I have ever witnessed and fell back asleep.

With the puppy asleep, Diamond laid back down and the other puppies started in on breakfast. After several heavenly moments, I set Pearl down to her breakfast and you won't believe what she did! Pearl crawled along Diamond's belly under the other puppies unlatching them all, one by one. Oh, the commotion that followed!

So, in honour of that little critter that made me laugh today, I made this card. It's all creamy and pink, just like Pearl and if she were a person, I believe this is what she would look like when she turned four.

stamps; Rose's Garden (Sarah Kay), aged music score (CHF)
paper; very vanilla, pink pirouette, kraft (SU!)
ink; jumbo java (brilliance), antique linen, tea dye (distress ink by ranger), pink pirouette (SU!)
accessories; ivory velvet ribbon, pink faux suede ribbon (may arts IHP), ancestory adhesive gems (K&Co), pewter jumbo eyelet (SU!), water sparkle jumbo brad (karen foster), paper flower (bazzill), branch punch (martha stewart), family cotton scraps (crafty secrets), prismacolors (stanford), angel wings shimmerz (shimmering products IHP)

WT203, SC213 Rejoice

I started this card yesterday to do better on the card sketch. Bree, dragged me around the block, trying to catch up with my kids and our dogs. It was really icy and there were a couple of near disasters. The kids were in front of the house when Bree pulled me up. All she wanted was to be with our pack. We took a second spin around the block and since we were all together it was much better until my kids decided to climb an ice mountain created by a plow on a corner. I got ahead and then Bree decided we were too far ahead so she came to a full stop. She's not a big dog, but she's strong as all get out!!!! Getting her to move was like me pushing a locomotive! The kids caught up and she started out as though we had never stopped. Fabulous family dog, that one!

I coloured this fairy/angel girl with prismacolors. I highlighted her wing with a copic marker since the shimmerz paint wouldn't have gone on if I had used prismacolors due to it's wax base. I used copic atyou to give the butterflies their sparkle. I am tickled with the way this turned out after after yesterday's bird fiasco. Somedays, having a messy desk is a good thing. It struck me as I was working on this angel girl that this sentiment I had sitting a little off to the side was perfect for this image.
I absolutely love the shine, the shimmer and a little sprakle Shimmerz adds. I've used it all over the place since I got mine from i {heart} papers. I'm getting better at photographing the effect.

Have an awesome day!!!!!!!

stamps; wendy papillion (stamping bella), lift up our hands (ODBD)
paper; raven, parakeet, coconut swirl (bazzill), urban prairie (basic grey)
ink; onyx black (versafine by tsukineko), espresso, aqua (adirondack by ranger)
accessories; urban prairie buttons (basic grey), black brads, in stichez black floss (bazzill), angel wing shimmerz (shimmering products), waterfall stickles (ranger), atyou copic spica pen, copic marker (copic), prisma colors, black satin ribbon (offray), curved rectangle nestabilities (spellbinders)

WT202 Sheltering Tree IHP

Everytime I see a tree image like this I think of the song, 'Sheltering Tree'. The lyrics I remember go something like this;

We all need a sheltering tree.
Friends in our lives who get down on their knees;
Lift us up before the King of Kings.
We all need a sheltering tree.

I loved today's challenge on SCS - pattern pizazz. I love changing the pattern papers I use. I stamp on them, sponge them, emboss them, heat emboss them, doodle on them, glitter them, or sometimes add embellishments to enhance the design.

Most of the supplies I used are available from i {heart} papers, and I have direct links to those items in my supplies list. I altered the green pattern paper with a glitter pen, then I added black brads and paper flowers to enhance the design. I used copic markers to colour the main image then painted over it with shimmerz shimmer paint (wonderful stuff!!!).

stamps; sparkle clear - love that (Hero Arts IHP)
paper; raven, coconut swirl (bazzill), spider, spout from the itsy bitsy spider collection (piggy tales IHP)
ink; onyx black versafine (tsukineko)
accessories; beaded daisies- yellow (the card co. IHP), yellow faux suede ribbon (may arts IHP), black brads (bazzill), sunny shimmerz (shimmering products IHP), copic markers (copic), stardust clear glitter pen, Sakura), black satin ribbon (offray), labels two nestabilities (spellbinders IHP),

spring blossom thanks

In my house this year (all 17 days of it), this is how bad it is: I have laundry up the wazoo. The kitchen is verging on being declared a disaster zone. It's dusty everywhere. I need to get groceries. The oil in the van needs changing (it's not my job). The front room is a disaster zone as well (the room with no furniture...). The computer desk has piles I need to deal with up to my eyeballs. Our family tradition of taking our Christmas decorations down on New Years day has fallen by the wayside this year. They are still up. Don't even ask about my stamping space...

However, day by day the foster dogs are getting better. I love my husband and he loves me. My kids are happy. The bills are paid. And I'm cherishing every minute of stamping time I can scavenge.

I bought this stamp from Michelle at Stamper's Dream called Spring Blossoms. I think she is darling! I could hardly wait to colour her when they arrived. I pulled out my prismacolours and had a grand time. Most of the supplies for this card are available from i {heart} papers and links are provided in the list of supplies to make your shopping easier *wink*

A darling woman in my stamping life gave movie tickets to me for no reason at all. I was speechless. I made this for her, and I hope she likes pink!


I think I need to take better pictures tomorrow when the light is better. I was just so happy to be done a project that I wanted to share right away.

stamps; spring blossoms (sarah kay stampavie), hearts and love (inkadinkado IHP)
paper; candy stripe, love dots (irresistable from MME IHP), string of pearls, coconut swirl, blissful swiss dot (bazzill)
ink; black onyx, sepia (versafine by tsukineko)
accessories; gold glimmer blingz, sunny shimmerz (shimmering products IHP), adhesive pearls (Hero Arts IHP), sheer heart edge ribbon (may arts IHP), cream velvet ribbon (maya road IHP), oval nestabilities (spellbinders IHP), french vanilla brads (bazzill), prismacolors

WT200 Wanna be a Rock Star

I think this card was created by my alter-ego. So much black!!! Oy!

This challenge is about using stars. As soon as I saw that, I knew I wanted to use this hostess set, one of the preview sets - A little somethin' - from the upcoming spring-summer catty. 'Rock Star' stamp - hmmmm - calls for black, and it occurs to me pink would have been good here too, but I stumbled on this Kaiser paper that's been in my stash for awhile called Grunge. I pulled all the colours from there. There is this paper Bazzill brought out in their destinations line called Berlin. It's really funky - it's black with a greenish brownish tint too it. It's one of those colours that I'm just never sure I'll find the right place to use, but wow it has impact.

I used Labels Two and Ribbon Tag Trio Nestabilities available from i {heart} papers. I'll admit it - I'm a nesties-oholic. Love the things. Use them prolifically! Bless the day Nestabilities were conceived and produced (bless Ellen Hutson!!!!!!!!!). And the new ones Spellbinders has coming out are outrageously fabulous! Oh mercy, I'm in trouble.

I just got the Verve set I used for the sentiment called All About You. I love the clean graphics Julee uses. I thought this sentiment was appropriate, and if nothing else, rock and sock(s) rhymes. I KNOW! I have seriously flawed logic, but what the heck - it's all good.

stamps; a little somthin' (SU!), all about you (verve)
paper; onyx black (paper accents), berlin, brown, string of pearls (bazzill), grunge (kaiser)
ink; tea dye, vintage photo, walnut stain (distress inks by ranger)
accessories; labels two, ribbon tag trio nestabilities (spellbinders), black satin ribbon (offray), mini screw brads (karen foster), star rhinestones (Q&Co), border punch (martha stewart), star punch (SU!), diamond stickles (ranger)

WT199 cuppa kindness IHP

I just love this little cup image. As soon as I saw it I started thinking get well, stay warm, tea buddies - okay, and Valentine's. It transcends seasons so well.

This card was done uber backwards, uber badly. *sigh* Truthfully, everything went well until the accessories. Love that sticker heart from the Bittersweet pack and I want it there - and won't it look adorable with a little crackle on it! And buttons oh need buttons from the Bittersweet pack - took forever to find a combo I liked for this card. Then I stuck it in the wrong place *sigh* and had to peel the glue dot off without ripping the paper. Then I wanted to put a ghost shape heart on - a RED one. What the heck!!!! I don't even own any red glitter?!!!!! Since when? Isn't that a standard colour?!!!! *head smack* FINE I'LL DO A BROWN ONE since I own a bajillion shades of brown glitter...

I got it all assembled and thought - oh gack it's missing something. It looks so barren and naked. So I started adding ribbon...under the already attached accessories. OH GACK!!!!! Re-peel the buttons with the glue dot, slip the ribbon under. Yay the BROWN heart has a tiny glue dot under it and only on the lower bit - easy to slip the ribbon under. I used my paper poker to peel up the top half of the pretty heart sticker. The crackle medium didn't react well to being disturbed at all. I forced the ribbon under. I scraped the crackle medium off the heart sticker since it looked like the heart was melting and generally falling apart at that point. *sigh* I gave it a vengeful, spiteful push with my thumb so it stuck to the paper and the ribbon. THen I re-applied the crackle medium.

This is not a good way to start a happy paper crafting year!!! Please feel free to laugh at or cry with me at any point during this rediculous tale...

stamps; sweet hearts (impression obsession IHP)
paper; bittersweet (basic grey IHP), brown, coconut swirl (bazzill)
ink; espresso (adirondack by ranger)
accessories; silver painty pen (zig), bittersweet buttons (basic grey), heart ghost shapes (heidi swapp IHP), silver brads (making memories), square and scallop square nestabilities (spellbinders), brown satin ribbon (offray), copic markers

WT196 Half baked gingerbread house

This is for Julia's Ways to Use it Challenge. The idea she called half baked, was to use half an image. The first thing I thought of was something round - just not which specific image. I started pawing through my stash, and pulled out one of my favourite Basic Grey stamp sets - North Pole. This lacey snowflake is one of my favourite snowflake images.

I used swell noel paper with vellum over top. I love that effect. Once this card was done, it reminded me of a gingerbread house. What a happy coincidence - it certainly wasn't planned!!!

Well, we are under a winter storm warning and I saw a doctor today for my cold. He said I need rest - in bed for a few days. I laughed! I'll go to bed now for the start of this storm, but tomorrow morning is my kids's piano recital in the morning and band concert in the afternoon. Then I'll go to bed again. I have a prescription in hand in case this yucky illness goes bacterial and infects my lungs. Until then, I need to baby myself a titch, I guess. I hope I can sneak away to my stamp space for a bit though!

Have a wonderful weekend!

stamps; to you & yours (SU!), north pole (basic grey)
paper; swell noel (K&Co), wild wasabi, cardstock vellum, whisper white (SU!)
ink; whisper white, certainly celery (SU!), brushed corduroy (distress ink by ranger)
accessories; white ep (tsukineko), label two, rectangle and scallop rectangle nestabilities (spellbinders), brown satin ribbon (offray), rhinestone brads (making memories), green adhesive rhinestone (Kaiser), piercing template (ornare)