Belli Challenge

It's still hot here in Boise, but it's time to turn our crafting attention to projects for the Fall. This week's Belli Challenge (#74) is to create a Fall or Halloween project. I thought I'd join in since Creative Cuts & More is sponsoring this challenge and since my card uses elements from the new Fall Occasions Kit that CC&M will be debuting very soon. It's a sneak peek of several of the goodies that the kit contains.

The kit is luxurious, with beautiful rich tones and several shimmery papers. As you can see in the closeup that follows, both the card and the large swirl are shimmering. Another lavish component of the kit is the variety of silk ribbons and fibers that are included. The colors are stunning and the quality of these hand-dyed silken goodies from The Thread Gatherer is unsurpassed.

Supplies:
Stamps: Enjoy Your Day (Cornish Heritage Farms' Kim Hughes Collection)
Paper: Die-cut card, leaf, & swirl; and K&Company's patterned paper (Fall Occasions Card Kit from Creative Cuts & More)
Paint/Ink: Palette Noir (Stewart Superior)
Accessories: The Thread Gatherer's hand-dyed silk ribbon & silk chenille yarn; and button (Fall Occasions Card Kit from Creative Cuts & More); corner rounder punch

I hope you'll play along with us! Be sure to check out the other yummy creations at The Belli Blog. If you're uploading to SCS or PCP, the keyword is CBC74.

Happy Stamping!

Halloween Hopping

It's time for another Creative Cuts & More blog hop, and this time we're all showcasing projects created for Autumn and Halloween. (If you arrived here from anywhere other than Jennifer Johnson's blog, you don't want to miss out! Visit Diecut Diva for the starting point on the hop, 5 different ways to win a brand new album kit, and for a 15% off coupon code.)

Our family needs lots of cards to give to neighbors, friends, teachers, etc. This card features some inexpensive die cuts and an easy stick-on embellishment.


Supplies:
Die Cuts: Exclusive A2 Arch Window Card in Bazzill White and Witch on Broom in Bazzill Raven (Creative Cuts & More)
Paper: Boo Crew Goblins PP (BoBunny)
Accessories: pumpkin bling (BasicGrey)

The next stop in our hop is Pam Smerker, who has created some adorable Halloween boxes to show you (as well as the adorable Haunted House Album Kit that's available in the drawing).

Quick & Easy Acetate Box

Thanks for hopping on over to see my contribution to the Creative Cuts & More August Acetate Blog Hop! (If you did yet have a chance to see Angie's post, you can start at DieCutDiva.com to see it all and learn about the blog candy being given away!)

My husband's favorite day of the whole year is Thanksgiving. He primps the house for days before and cooks his heart out. He even has an apron embroidered with a turkey especially for the occasion. There's so much fuss and preparation going into a big event like that, I don't have the desire or the time to create elaborate little party favors. I want something adorable, quick, and easy.

CC&M offers a total of twenty-two boxes cut from acetate, and I chose to show you the Butterfly Box. It was so easy to create! The simple steps:

• Run the flat Butterfly Box through the BigShot machine with the D'Vine Swirls Cuttlebug Embossing Folder
• Fold box and adhere the bottom and side with the exceptionally strong Killer Red Tacky Tape
• Fill with fall-colored candies
• Interlock top to secure

It would be a snap to make a bunch of these for a wedding, little Valentine's Day goodies for the kids to give away at school, a token holiday gift for all those acquaintances at work or around the neighborhood, etc.

Now that you've seen a quick and easy acetate project, I want to share 2 new products that Creative Cuts & More will be kicking off in the coming weeks. First is a new Sea Life 8"x8" Album Kit. This is the blog candy prize for the blog hop. Another new kit is the (F)All Occasions Card Kit which will include pretty fall papers and gorgeous autumn colors. Keep an eye out for these.

The next stop on our hop today is Carla Mayfield... just wait 'till you see what she has in store for you today!

Happy Stamping!

Sweet on Impression Obsession

I'm a big fan of cupcakes. Even though there is so much color going on in my project, I wanted to make sure that the cupcake is the star of the show. I chose to do this by bringing attention to the flower petals by making them sparkly, thereby drawing the eye to the center where the cupcake resides. This is an unusually large card for me, but I'm really liking the larger size.

Usually when I spray flowers with Spritz or paint flowers with Shimmerz or Blingz, I start out with white flowers and build color with the paints only. This time, the flowers were already colored at the outset. The flower in the background was a peachy-pink and the flower in the front was a light yellow-green. I built the color on the background flower by spraying it with a very light coating of Bed of Roses Spritz. I didn't want to change its color too much. With the yellow-green flower, I wanted more of the yellow color to be accented. I sprayed it three times with the Chick-a-dee Spritz, allowing time for it to dry between layers.

For a pretty dot of sparkle, I painted the cherry at the top of the cupcake with the Fire Engine Red Shimmerz. It's the perfect shade for a ripe summer cherry, wouldn't you say?


I added the closeup photo to show just how sparkly the beautiful Spritz'd flowers are. It also highlights the pretty shine in the cherry.



Supplies:
Stamps: Cupcake MC181 (Impression Obsession)
Paper: Zinnia PP (Little Yellow Bicycle); Smoothies CS in Boysenberry Delight & Sparkleberry Delight (Bazzill); Classic Crest Solar White (Neenah)
Paint/Ink: Fire Engine Red Shimmerz and Chick-a-dee & Bed of Roses Spritz (Shimmering Products); Tuxedo Black & Lulu Lavender Memento Ink (Tsukineko)
Accessories: Apron Lace Border Punch (Fiskars); Circle Punches (EK Success); Word Window Punch (Stampin' Up!); Markers RV21, E13, R35 (Copic); Fabric Flowers (Heidi Swapp); Dimensional Adhesive (3L)

Thanks so much to the folks at Impression Obsession! I'm so pleased with my sweet new stamps!

Happy Stamping!

Cupcake Congratulations!!

Grace C. said...

What fabulous blog candy!! I just LOVE cupcakes!!:)

Big round of applause for Grace C.! Please leave your e-mail address in a comment for me so we can get in contact. Way to go!

In other news, Creative Cuts and More has extended their design team call through Monday, July 6th. They carry all sorts of wonderful papers and dies. I would definitely recommend it to anyone interested in getting your foot in the door designing. International applicants are accepted, too!

Happy Stamping!

Cupcake Candy

It's time for some Cupcake Candy, wouldn't you say? My blog is two years old, but the presents are for you! I've spent the last few weeks collecting cupcake goodies -- stickers, buttons, stamps, ribbon, etc. All kinds of fun stuff!

Just leave a comment on this post for your chance to win! And, if you'd like to post a link to this candy on your own blog, then leave a 2nd comment for an extra chance at winning. International entries are welcome.

I'll do the drawing via random.org on my Dad's birthday, Wednesday July 1st and post the winner shortly thereafter. {ETA: The drawing has taken place. Thank you for visiting!}

Thanks for celebrating with me. Happy Stamping!

Shimmerz Blog's Birthday

I made two birthday cards, both using the new Bo Bunny "It's My Party" collection papers & stickers. For the first card, I die-cut a candle out of cardstock and acetate using an AccuCut die. The cardstock is the wax part of the candle and the acetate became the flame. I painted the acetate flame with Mello Yello Blingz on both sides. I then used dimensional adhesive so the candle would pop right off the page.


On my second card, I also used dimensional adhesive, this time with the EK Success Powder tool. It allows flat stickers to pop off the page. For added interest, I painted the gift with Mello Yello Blingz.



Supplies:
Stamps: Happy Birthday (Kim Hughes Collection @ Cornish Heritage Farms)
Paper: It's My Party PP (BoBunny); Canvas & Smoothies CS (Bazzill)
Paint/Ink: Mello Yello Blingz (Shimmering Products); Lady Bug Memento Ink (Tsukineko)
Accessories: It's My Party Stickers (BoBunny); Corner Rounder Punch & Powder Tool (EK Success); Candle Die (AccuCut); Dimensional Adhesive (3L)

Speaking of birthdays, it's my sister's birthday (Happy 35th, Kris!) and my blog's birthday too! Be sure to stop back here starting on Monday for a birthday blog candy with a cupcake theme! Up for grabs are cupcake stamps, cupcake stickers, cupcake ribbon... all for one lucky winner.

Happy Stamping!

PS: There's a call for guest designers at Creative Cuts & More.

Butterfly Frame

My black wood photo frame came from the dollar store. I dressed it up with die-cut Grungepaper sprayed with Bed of Roses Spritz.

Supplies:
Paper: Grungepaper (Ranger)
Paint/Ink: Bed of Roses Spritz (Shimmering Products)
Accessories: Printed fabric ribbon (Little Yellow Bicycle); Clear domed gems (Hero Arts); Dies & Die Cut System (Sizzix); Wood picture frame

Happy Stamping!

CC&M Hop

Welcome to this stop on the Creative Cuts & More Blog Hop. Wasn't Carla's post fabulous? (If you haven't arrived here from Carla's blog, you don't want to miss what the Design Team has in store for you! The CC&M Blog Hop starts at http://diecutdiva.com.)

I had a great time making my projects for the today's hop. I'm a big fan of the cute, whimsical designs from Doodlebug... and I love that everything coordinates.

TIP: Did you know that Bazzill Criss Cross textured cardstock is dyed to match Doodlebug products? Takes away all the guesswork and makes coordinating a snap!

My card uses several of the dies from CC&M -- 5-1/4" - Square Window Card #01 - Border Windows, Heart #02 - Large with Layer, and Photo Corner #02 Set, all cut from the Criss Cross textured cardstock -- plus Doodlebug stickers, gemstones, and patterned paper.


The box was created from several CC&M dies also: Tall Gable Box, Heart #02 - Large with Layer, and Photo Corner #02 Set, all cut from the Criss Cross textured cardstock -- along with Doodlebug stickers, gemstones, and patterned paper.

I made two enhancements to the flat cardstock stickers (hippo & turtle) that were used on the projects. I used the EK Success Powder Tool to neutralize the adhesive. This allowed me to put pop-dots on the stickers so they'd have a little dimension. I added more interest to them by adding the self-adhesive gems. Now they really pop!


The next stop on our hop is Jennifer Johnson. She's very talented and I'm sure you'll love what she created! And you'll want to continue on to the end of the hop for a chance to win some blog candy.

Enjoy the rest of the hop!

A Rare Layout for NSD

Yep, I'm 99% cardmaker and proud of it! I've made a few occasional layouts and I especially like how this one turned out.

Supplies:
Paper: Mellow PP (BasicGrey); Olive Cardstock
Paint/Ink: Angel Wings Shimmerz (Shimmering Products); Chestnut Roan Chalk Ink (ClearSnap)
Accessories: Photo Anchors (Stemma); Olive Ribbon (Making Memories); Tag Die (QuicKutz); Black Glaze Pen (Sakura)

You can see here how easy it is to dress up a page using a little Shimmerz to highlight. I chose to highlight the ribbon used on the tag and the trees on the patterned paper. (I also highlighted my sister's wedding ring on the photograph, but I just couldn't get a good pic of it for this post.)

Happy Stamping!

Grungepaper Butterfly

We seem to have almost skipped Spring here in Boise. It was in the 40's a day or two ago, and right now my weather link says it's 84! I worked on this butterfly over the weekend dreaming of spring and hoping for warmer weather. I guess you have to be careful what you wish for (or at least be more specific!).

Two of the newest Shimmerz colors, Choc-o-lot and Fire Engine Red, are the perfect complement to this Penny Lane paper from MME. The butterfly was cut from Grungepaper, the thinner version of Grungeboard, and then painted with Shimmerz. I drew on the antennae and the dotted flight-path.


Supplies:
Paper: Bazzill Brown (Bazzill Basics); Penny Lane Free Bird Love Paper (My Mind's Eye); Tim Holtz Grungepaper (Advantus)
Paint/Ink: Choc-o-lot & Fire Engine Red Shimmerz (Shimmering Products); Memento Marker in Rich Brown (Tsukineko)
Accessories: Corner Rounder Punch (Fiskars); Boys Will Be Boys Dies (Sizzix); Butterfly #1 Die (Ellison); Amber & Blue 5mm gems (Mark Richards); Single Rhinestones (MAMBI)

Happy Stamping!

New Pub, Old Card

There's nothing quite like seeing "Artist Comp Copy" printed above your name on the address label of a magazine. It means a smile (usually accompanied by a squeal) and then tender turning of the pages while you examine every single project inside to see which you recognize. Today, my comp copy was for the brand new Stampers' Sampler Catch Up Issue Vol. 13 which hits stands on May 1st.

I submitted my card back in February of 2008. It has been quite a while, hasn't it? This is why I always let Stampington keep all my submissions. You just never know when they'll need something in a certain color scheme or style! I had one card that was over 2 years between submission and publication. I bet there are more in piles at the Stampington offices that they'll use someday.

My favorite thing about this card is that the stamp used for the focal image reminds me so much of my mother. (My dad doesn't see the resemblance, he says... but I REALLY do. We'll have to let my sister Kris break the tie, I guess.) I can just see Mom wearing clam diggers and sitting on a dock at the lake somewhere.


Supplies:
Stamps: Woman (Alluring Impressions); Postage (Oxford Impressions); Happy (Verve)
Paper: Close to Cocoa & Very Vanilla (Stampin' Up!); Striped PP (unknown)
Paint/Ink: Basic Brown (SU); Chestnut Roan ColorBox Chalk Ink (ClearSnap)
Accessories: Tag Punches & Copper Cord (SU); Authentic vintage postage stamps

I'd also like to offer a congratulatory shout out to my friend Debbie Emmons who has a beautiful Easter card published on page 104. Woohoo!

Back in a day or two with a new project using Shimmerz in a cool way with acetate! Completed it tonight while 'scrapping' with the girls, but it's too dark to photograph properly. It may be Monday before I get daylight time at home to take pictures.

Happy Stamping!

Fancy and Funny

Today's project is a study in contrasts. It's dressed up to be an elegant card for an engagement or wedding, yet the stamped image is whimsical and the matching sentiment is funny.

It's no secret that I'm a huge fan of Kim Hughes and her whimsical designs. I made this card from a stamp image that I made when I borrowed this set from a friend. (I've since purchased it... I couldn't help myself!) As much as I adore these stamps, though, my favorite part about making this particular project is how I unexpectedly fell head-over-heels for the Coal Shimmerz!




Supplies:
Stamps: Ocean Friends (Kim Hughes Collection @ Cornish Heritage Farms)
Paper: Classic Crest Solar White 80# Cover Smooth (Neenah); Fig Swirl & Blackberry Swirl Smoothies (Bazzill Basics); Silver Sparkle CS (DCWV)
Paint/Ink: Coal Shimmerz (Shimmering Products); Paris Dusk Memento Dye Ink (Tsukineko)
Accessories: Large Circle & Scalloped Circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders); Cuttlebug D'Vine Swirl Embossing Folder (Provo Craft); Flowers from the Bubbles Collection in Black (Prima Marketing); Red gems & pearl (K & Company); Black ric rac (May Arts); Dimensional adhesive (3L)


Looking at this closeup, it still surprises me that these sparkly paper Prima flowers started out a very light cream color. The Coal Shimmerz had excellent color coverage and made these sparkle like crazy! They almost look like the very metallic-steel-black-grey looking mineral called Hematite. It's gorgeous and one of my new favorites.

And some quick artsy info. for locals:
- ReUse Market is going to have their open house this month on April 24-25. See their Web site for details.
- Boise Art Museum is showing some early photographic works by Ansel Adams. Admission is free on First Thursday, April 2nd. The photography curator from Oakland Museum of California will be speaking at 5:30. Make a charcoal drawing based on the photos in the studio from 5-8.

Happy Stamping!

Another No-Stamper

I couldn't resist shooting a pic of this cute little guy to share with you today. This is the Shark, which is one of the several new exclusive QuicKutz dies that were released at Archiver's this past weekend. Of course, cut in different colors of cardstock, he could become a goldfish or a clownfish or even a black molly.


Supplies:
Paper: Mysterious Teal (Bazzill Basics); Smooth White, Black & Chili Cardstock (Archiver's); On The Dot Ring PP (KaiserCraft)
Accessories: Shark Die (QuicKutz); Apron Lace Border Punch (Fiskars); dimensional adhesive (3L)

I must be in a fishy mood, because I just ordered the Ocean Friends set by Kim Hughes @ Cornish Heritage Farms. Lila let me borrow it for some fun stamping and I just had to have one for myself. I got my ship notice within the last few minutes so I'm sure to have them soon!

Happy Stamping!

Penny Lane Birds

Today's card has two unusual features for me: it's square and it has no stamping. I know.

These cute birdies and accompanying paper are from the new Penny Lane release (Free Bird collection, Love theme) from My Mind's Eye. Very cute! I didn't add much more. Both birds and the twig were on one sheet of cardstock punch-outs, and the "kindred spirits" sentiment oval was on another.

Supplies:
Paper: Bazzill Brown (Bazzill Basics); Penny Lane Free Bird Cardstock Punch-outs Large Love Accessories & Small Beauty Accessories and Love Paper (My Mind's Eye)
Paint/Ink: Chestnut Roan Chalk Ink (ClearSnap)
Accessories: Corner Rounder Punch (Fiskars); Amber & Blue 5mm gems (Mark Richards); dimensional adhesive (3L)

Happy Stamping! :)

BasicGrey Winner

My blog's winner for the BasicGrey paper collection is

Polo.Pony said...

Very good ideas! That is such a neat box!

Please e-mail me your name and mailing address so I can get your paper package sent on its way. Thanks so much to everyone who participated in the CC&M blog hop!

Happy Stamping!

Dynamic Dresses

Here we go! Today's the big product launch and first-ever Blog Hop for Creative Cuts & More! (If you didn't arrive here via Carla's blog, please pop over to DiecutDiva.com and start from the beginning -- each participating blog is offering blog candy!)

For my projects today, I chose to focus on the brand new Dress Box die. My wedding dress was very easy to make. It was cut from Bazzill Smoothies Coconut Swirl. The only embellishments used on the project are Prima Marketing's new Say it in Studs self-adhesive embellishments. The studs were arranged in an ornate frame pattern. I used my sharp Tonic snips to cut only certain parts of the frame to create the bodice, waist, and hem adornments.

Because these studs are self-adhesive, they were very easy to adhere. They're nice quality, too, and the segments held together very nicely.


My other sample was also very easy to put together. This next dress is cut from BasicGrey patterned cardstock from the Two Scoops collection and tied with a thin grosgrain ribbon. I made this to show that this die is not just for weddings!


Dresses cut from other patterns and other colors could be used for all sorts of occasions:

• Pretty floral dresses for Mother's Day, Tea Parties, Bridal Showers
• Matching dresses for Bridesmaids gifts
  
• Pastels for pretty Easter Dresses
  
• Dresses in school colors for graduations
• Dresses in sorority colors for Bid Day, Initiations and other special occasions
• Red or purple dresses for Red Hat events
• White dresses for Confirmations, Baptisms, First Communion, etc.
  
• Pink and/or sparkly dresses for "Princess" party favors
• Black, scary dresses for witches at Halloween
• A whole variety of dresses for favors at an Oscar party or a Mardi Gras/Costume party
• Pretty dresses for prom or homecoming
  
• Gold or silver dresses for 25th or 50th Anniversary parties
  

The possibilities with this dress are endless! Creative Cuts & More carries very few patterned papers. However, you can have CC&M cut papers that you send in -- and they cut it for a reasonable cutting fee. You can visit the Contact Us page to inquire via e-mail or by phone.

Now that you've seen some of the fun projects the CC&M DT came up with for wedding-themed projects, you'll have your turn to show us what you can do. A customer challenge will be posted within the next week at Diecutdiva.com.

To win a special pack of Basic Grey papers, just leave a comment on this post. You have until 11:59 PM on Thursday night, March 5th, and the drawing will take place on Friday.

Next, head over to Lila Holgate's blog to see what she has in store for you!

Thanks for participating!

A Quick Peek

My friend, Lori Renn, has launched her own line of rubber stamps. My project today uses her "Wish Big!" stamp. Lori's new stamp line is proof that wishing big can lead to big success!

This is the Tall Gable Box from Creative Cuts & More.




Supplies:
Stamp: Wish Big (Lori Renn Collection @ The Rubber Cafe)
Paper: Classic Crest Solar White 80# Cover Smooth (Neenah); Flower Patch PP (Making Memories); Tall Gable Box in Kiwi Crush Bazzill Smoothies (Creative Cuts & More)
Paint/Ink: Key Lime Shimmerz (Shimmering Products); Cottage Ivy Memento Dye Ink (Tsukineko)
Accessories: Large Rectangle & Scalloped Rectangle Nestabilities (Spellbinders); Dingbats 2 Die (Sizzix); Grungeboard Basics Dots (Tim Holtz @ Advantus)

Happy Stamping!

Boxer Blue

There are so many bonuses and benefits to having friends that stamp. One benefit is that their stamp collection houses some different stamps than yours. Thank you for letting me play with your Kim Hughes stamps!

This Ocean Friends set of hers is at the very top of my wish list. These little sea creatures are melting my heart and the creative, sweet sentiments that accompany them are icing on the cupcake.

TIP: I prefer not to leave my buttons naked, but it's sometimes difficult to find threads/ribbons that match. This problem is solved by using thin strips of the paper & cardstock used elsewhere in the project.

Supplies:
Stamps: Ocean Friends (Kim Hughes Collection @ Cornish Heritage Farms)
Paper: Classic Crest Solar White 80# Cover Smooth (Neenah); Boxer PP (BasicGrey)
Paint/Ink: Paris Dusk Memento Dye Ink (Tsukineko)
Accessories: Large Circle & Scalloped Circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders); Buttons (Autumn Leaves)

Happy Stamping!

It's Shaping Up to Be a Shiny Week!

This week's tidbits & goodies:

My good friend Lori Renn launched her very OWN LINE OF RUBBER STAMPS! I'm so completely excited for her... I'm having to fight the urge to add ninety exclamation points. The stamps are totally cute.

I'm hoping to hear from a certain SU Demonstrator and then find myself up to my elbows in the new catalog.

Oh, yes, and I have to make sure I answer the door when the mailman comes with my new Violet Cupcake stamp from Karen Lockhart. Can you imagine? Two of my very favorite things together. (So, all I need now is a pair of Birkenstocks with Swedish Fish depicted on them!)

Enjoy the rest of your week! Happy Stamping!

Fun News!

There's fun news on several fronts:

* Kim Hughes has FOUR adorable new stamp sets out. My favorite of the four is Ocean Friends, but all are must-haves! (Who am I kidding? All of her sets are must-haves!) Her next sets come out the first Thursday in March, and my calendar is already marked.

*I won a fun drawing from Making Memories! I can't wait to play with their new jars! I've just cleaned out my stamping stash (which included my stamp room, living room, dining room, garage, and dad's house!), and I definitely have the need for a few more storage solutions.

* The Re:Use Market in Boise has announced its January Open House! They'll be open on Friday, Jan 23rd from 2 to 5 and then on Saturday, Jan 24th from noon to 3. Be sure to bring a bag!

Hope you're having a great day!

Happy Stamping!