Tuesday, March 31, 2009

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!

Monday, March 16, 2009

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!

Sunday, March 08, 2009

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! :)

Thursday, March 05, 2009

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!

Monday, March 02, 2009

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!