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!

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!

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!

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!

Blog Banner Challenge

As you can see, things are looking a little bit different around here today. I participated in the weekly challenge at Cornish Heritage Farms -- which happened to be to make your own blog banner. This is something that has been on my mind for several weeks, and I was thinking of hiring someone to update it. But how would I advise them on what I want, when I'm not sure what that is exactly?

I started with this card, which I made during the Kim Hughes Blitz over at CHF in June. I scanned it, and then decided I needed a funky font to type in my name and title. I downloaded one of Kim Hughes' fonts, CK Slim Mitch, to match her cool style.

Why not give it a try? I'm glad I did!

Oooh, in other Kim Hughes news, she just released two new stamp sets and they're both super-cute! Birthday Bash and Comforting Hugs are now available.

Happy Stamping!

Shining & Shimmering

There's a big going out of business sale at Mandarin Pixie right now. Prices are VERY low, so check it out. First come, first served.

I wanted to show off the adorable Kim Hughes owl and the birthday card that served as the inspiration for my Cards for Troops challenge on SCS. Cards are still being accepted, so if you have a little extra time to stamp this weekend, please make a few for the troops. They just need to be postmarked by 9/20. Click here for details.


Supplies:
Stamps: U R A Hoot and Tag You're It! by Kim Hughes (Cornish Heritage Farms)
Paper: Classic Crest Solar White 80# Cover Smooth (Neenah); Olive & Gold cardstock (Archiver's); Mellow PP (Basic Grey)
Paint/Ink: Beeswax, Rustic Red, and Sagebrush Limited Edition Shimmerz (Shimmering Products); Rich Cocoa Memento Dye Ink (Tsukineko); Chestnut Roan ColorBox Chalk Ink (Clearsnap); Beige E33 Marker (Copic)

We've all got some fun holidays coming up! Halloween was one of my favorites. Keep your seatbelts fastened for some Halloween blog candy coming soon. :)

Happy Stamping!

Today's the Day!

Big news and some fabulous projects for you to check out today over at the Shimmerz blog! Three new limited edition colors (Beeswax, Rustic Red, and Sagebrush) were released for this fall. Here's a project I made using the Beeswax gold:

His feathers were already paper-pieced in a gorgeous golden color thanks to patterned paper from Scenic Route.


Supplies:
Stamps: America the Beautiful and U R A Hoot by Kim Hughes (Cornish Heritage Farms)
Paper: Classic Crest Solar White 80# Cover Smooth (Neenah); Criss Cross Cardstock in Ladybug (Bazzill); PP from Scenic Route
Paint/Ink: Beeswax Shimmerz (Shimmering Products); Jet Black Archival Ink (Ranger); VersaMagic Chalk Ink in Night Sky (Tsukineko); Cool Grey C01 Marker (Copic)

Now if you happen to have offered blog candy and mailed me this stamp set as a prize, you might see this card in person very soon. :) Thanks, Kim!

Happy Stamping!

Kim Hughes Release & Blitz

So far, the first few hours of the Kim Hughes Blitz over at Cornish Heritage farms has been a total blast! Two winners were randomly selected from those who posted on the forum, and it turned out that Lila and I were selected. Pretty cool! Fall Silhouettes is on its way to my door!

Then there was a really tricky challenge. We had to use orange, lime green, brown, and cream... along with buttons and a bow. I was baffled by the color combination until I ran across the 6x6 pad of LilyKate paper. Perfect! Here's a picture of the owl gal (eyelashes added).
If you'd like to see a peek at the whole card, click here.

Happy Stamping! :)

Trifecta of Tidbits

I'm having a terrific stamping day today, and I didn't even stamp yet. It's nearly 11pm here, though, so squeezing in a little stampin' time before the clock strikes twelve is unlikely. Here's what made the day so great...

(1) Right at the crack of 10am, I was on the phone to the nicest lady at Susie Paperie in Hailey, Idaho. On my short list of stamper-stars to meet is Dave Brethauer from Memory Box. His coloring techniques are amazing, as are his card constructions. Very simple, tight, and impactful. Love them. So I got an autographed copy of his book, Card Design, when in Spokane and have devoured it with fervor. Long story short, he's coming to Idaho and my BFF and I are in seats #1 and #2. Can. Not. Wait.

Then the next two happened just within the last 15 minutes or so while I was blurfing.

(2) Kim Hughes {I *singsong* love her stuff!} posted on her blog the names of the winners for her Memorial Day challenge. And whose name is on the top? Mine. She's sending me America the Beautiful, one of her rockin' stamp sets. Now I just need to take some anxiety medication and try to figure out how to make a thank-you card for her. Seriously, it's like making a painting for Michelangelo.

(3) CHF is having a Kim Hughes Blitz and it's kicking off on Wednesday night, June 5th. Oooh, and in conjunction with the blitz is the release of more of her stamps. Maybe more than I can handle.

Happy Stamping! Hope your day rocked!

Tyson's a Girl

I'm enamored with my new toy, the Fiskars Threading Water punch. It is a scalloped border with dots. Very cute! I had to try it out, so here's a quick little card I made using it and the fabulous Kim Hughes stamps which were featured as the stamp-of-the-month at CHF in April.

There's been quite a hubbub over the Threading Water punch over at SCS. Stampers have had trouble finding it. I found mine at Archiver's. Don't have one in your area? No problem -- they ship!

Supplies:
Stamps: Kim Hughes April '08 Tyson the Turtle (Cornish Heritage Farms)
Ink: Tuxedo Black Memento (Tsukineko)
Paper: AnnaSophia Faded Floral, Worn Dots, and Multi Floral (Bo Bunny); Classic Crest Solar White (Neenah)
Accessories: Threading Water Punch (Fiskars); Sketch Markers YG93, R29, BG02, E000, and C0 (Copic); Nestabilities rectangle dies (Spellbinders)

Happy Stamping!

No Card Today, Either

I stamped yesterday at Lila's and had planned to finish up a couple of cards today to share with you, but no dice. Why? I left my entire binder of Cornish Heritage Farms stamps at Lila's! (Do you think they're safe!?) I did get to play with her new Kim Hughes Tiled Scallops Backgrounder. It was heavenly. I also stamped a couple of paint chips with the Grunged Flower daisy. They turned out great!

Some quick sale news:
- Purple Onion Designs is having a spring cleaning overstock sale. Seven full pages of stamps. Hers are all very nice quality red rubber un-mounted. Stamps in the sale include alphabets, definitions, and sentiments. 50% off and more. Reasonable shipping.
- Hope Stamps Eternal is liquidating inventory. Big savings here, too.

Also, if you're local to the Boise area:
- The Re:Use Market in the Linen District will be open this weekend. Check their Web site for directions and hours. All sorts of goodies are free for the taking, from wallpaper books to tile samples and everything in between. Bring a bag.
- Need to Bead on Vista is having a trunk show & sale this Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Inside the store, everything is 20% off -- and the trunk show vendors have great deals, too. Some of the strands of funky-shaped pearls were marked $9 and were on sale for only $2. Bargain!

Happy Stamping!

News & Happenings

I'm heading down the road on another stamping adventure... this time to Eugene, Oregon for Copic Marker Certification Training. Through my regularly-scheduled blog-hopping, I learned that a few stamping stars (like Cambria and Joy) will be there, too. I can't wait!

I've highlighted a few places on the map that I'd like to stop. We're planning to cross paths with Courtney. Stampin' Cat Studio has been on my wish-list for months and I'm glad I'll get to stop there. We're heading there earlier in the trip than originally planned because our first route is too dangerous. That's right... one of the mountain passes is closed and another has 254" of snow on the side of the road (yes, upwards of TWENTY FEET). I'm also going to try to time it so I can visit Daisy Bucket on the way back. Dad is coming with me, and we're going to make an adventure out of it!

There are lots of fun new stamps and specials going on:
- CHF's Kim Hughes came out with two new sets: Nature's Silhouettes and Baked with Love
- I spy a new CUPCAKE!! It's part of Anna Wight's new birthday set at Whipper Snapper Designs, scheduled to be released on 4/15/08.
- Michael's has little plastic pebbles in their floral department that look just like Dew Drops. Yesterday, I grabbed their big bags on clearance for just $2.
- Save 35% on Crafty Secrets products at 7 Kids College Fund by using code CRAFTY35.
- justjohanna has a special savings set for April -- save 25% on a 5-stamp set which includes adorable owl
- Viva Las Vegastamps is having a big sale on their grab bags.
- Flourishes released Menswear and Siberian Iris.
- Gina K. Designs is preparing to launch a new line of stamps called Kindred Spirits.

Oh yes, and if you're local to Boise, don't miss the Re:Use Market. It's only about the size of a closet, but is it ever fun! The price is right, too -- everything's free for the taking. TIP: Bring a bag. They'll be open Friday the 11th and Saturday the 12th -- check their Web site for hours. My last visit there was so much fun! I got a couple of 3-ring binders, a wallpaper sample book, 2 fabric sample books, some wonderful tile samples, a few small slabs of Corian, and a handful of rub-on letters. It's truly a treasure-trove for any crafter! I can't wait to run some of the fabric and wallpaper through my Big Shot!

I'll be gone for a while... learning, playing, and exploring.

Happy Stamping!

New Rubbah & Sales

Lots of fun releases and sales are going on, so without further ado:

• Verve Visual is releasing six new sets on Monday, Dec. 10th. Sneak peeks already available on their blog.
• My Favorite Things released three new sets this week, and is offering a 20% discount on stamps, inks, acrylic handles and Memory Box papers through the 8th of December to celebrate their first anniversary. Coupon code is SCS1207.
• Paula Best is offering her funky WM stamps as UMs until 12/31 for 40% off. This is a rare event. Be sure to put "UNMOUNTED HOLIDAY SPECIAL" in the message area of the order form so the order isn't processed as WMs.
• MissyB Designs is having a Christmas sale, and most of her stamp sets are 20% off. No coupon code to remember -- the prices have been adjusted on the site already.
• Cornish Heritage Farms released sixteen new background stamps... they run the gamut from lined notebook paper to Spanish script. Fun selections!

Happy to Enable & Happy Stamping!