One little chickie, two little chickies

... three little chickies sitting in a tree!

A couple weeks ago I attended a rubber stamp expo in Novi, MI and I was quite taken by a tree stamp that I found at the Stamps by Judith booth... so I had to buy it and a bunch of little stamps of things to put in the tree. You know normal things like ornmanets, leaves and pine cones... and then of course the chicken. :)

I stamped the tree in Memento Tuxedo Black, as well as the leaves and chickens. I colored the images in with Copic markers, including tracing along the tree branches with a brwon marker. I then stamped some little twinkles amount the branches in So Saffron Classic ink.

I then highlighted the leaves with a clear Copic Spica pen and added Crystal Effects to the chickens and the centers of the twinkles. For the base of the tree I doodled some crash and dirt with a Micron pen and then colored with markers.

To finish the main image I layered on Chocolate Chip cardstock, added a scalloped border of Old Olive cardstock. Of course I had to add a bit of ribbon to the upper left side! To do so I punched a 1 3/8" circle and folded it in half around the matted image. I then punched two holes, threaded the ribbon through and knotted.

I didn't really have a sentiment stamp that matched the theme of the chicken tree so I wrote one up in Microsoft Word and printed on vellum cardstock. Then cut if out and folded in half adhering the one side to the back of the image and then just letting the sentiment side hang in front of the image. The sentiment was blending a bit into the image so I highlighted the text with a Copic marker. The card was finished by adhering to a River Rock card base with dimensionals.

So what do you think of the chicken tree? :)

Stamps: Tree, chicken, leaf, twinkle (Stamps by Judith). Paper: River Rock, Old Olive, Chocolate Chip, Georgia Pacific White, Vellum cardstock. Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copic Markers (0, E57, Y38, YG63, YG91, YR07, YR21, G99), So Saffron Classic ink, Black Micron pen. Other: Scallop Edge Punch, 1 3/8" circle punch, 1/8" handheld punch, River Rock double-stitched ribbon, dimensionals.

Pretties Thursday Challenge: A Sweet Box

Guess what today is? Oh wait, you probably already know! It's that day when I issue a Paper Pretties Forum challenge... woo hoo! The challenge for this week is to make a box! Not a card but a box of some kind. Well, you can make a card to go with the box or in the box but you also have to make a box (or decorate a box). Sheesh, I used box four times in that last sentence, but now you really want to make a box don't you?

How does the Paper Pretties' challenge work? Make a card, scrapbook page, altered item or so forth using Paper Pretties stamps if you have them. If you don't have Paper Pretties' stamps, still feel free to join in the fun... the more the merrier! :) Then visit the Paper Pretties' gallery and upload a picture of your project to the Weekly Challenges category (also use the keyword PWC18 - aids in searching). You have until the following Thursday to upload your picture to the gallery to be entered into the contest to earn a little something something from the Paper Pretties' Boutique.

For my box I followed the 3" x 3" Note Card Box tutorial by Laurie Schmidlin. Which you can find here on Split Coast Stampers. Of course I didn't actually fill my box with cards... I filled it with chocolate. Yummy Russell Stover Bavarian Cream Brulee chocolates to be exact.

Just a note: I used my new Scallop Edge Punch from Stampin' UP! to scallop the top. It cuts off more paper than a corner rounder would so I had to trim an extra 1/4" off each side of my designer paper for the top so that the scallops would show.

All images copyright Paper Pretties. Stamps: Made with Love, Sweets for the Sweet (sentiment). Paper: More Mustard, Old Olive, Close to Cocoa, Neenah Classic Natural White, Maine Blueberry designer. Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copic markers (E00, E33, B23, B41, YG95, R83, W2, T3, YR21), Copic Clear Spica. Other: mat pack, paper piercer, bone folder, dimensionals, Chocolate Chip wide grosgrain ribbon, Scallop Edge punch, silver brads.

Pretties Wednesday: What's Shakin?!

Two weeks ago I challenged the Prettie Girls to make a shaker card. I think these cards are just the most fun to make so they tend to be my go-to card when I need something extra special.

For this card I filled the shaker part with bird seed. Isn't that just the neatest? I received a card at the Stampin' Up! convention with a bird seed shaker and just new that I would have to do one myself! And the seeds go perfectly with the watering can and flower pot stamp from Paper Pretties... too neat! The sentiment is from the new Stampin' Up! hostess set Best Yet.

Are you curious as to what the rest of the Prettie Girls have created? Well I am! Here are links to all of their fabulous blogs if you want to take a look-see: Julie Masse,
Charmaine Ikach,
Jana Weaver,
Jodi Collins,
Jackie Rakoski,
Joni Stringfield and
Carolina Buchting

Next week's Prettie Wednesday challenge is to make your own background and paper piece with it. Now that is a challenge!!!

Stamps: Simply Special (Paper Pretties), Best Yet Hostess set (Stampin' Up!). Paper: Creamy Caramel, Riding Hood Red, Kiwi Kiss, Neenah Natural Classic white, Chocolate Chip Patterns designer. Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Black StazOn, Creamy Caramel Classic, Copic markers (YR14, YR21, YR24, BG10, BG11, W2, R27, YG91, YG95, 0). Other: mat pack, paper piercer, sponge, dimensionals, Wide Oval punch, acetate, foam tape, Antique Brass jumbo eyelet, Real Red brads, bird seed.

In Paper Pretties News:
Do you like to party? How about some socializing while you stamp? Well Paper Pretties is having another Stampin In Your Jammies party on September 1st. Where: the Paper Pretties forum. When: the fun begins at 8PM (EST). Hope to see you there!

Of course it wouldn't be a party without a Cutie Pie. Which means that it is time for another Cutie Pie contest. The deets: make a card or two or three and upload it to the Paper Pretties gallery. Make sure to put it in the Cutie Pie Submissions category. The contest ends on the 31st at 8pm (CST). The winner will be announced during the Stampin In Your Jammies party on the 1st!

A little reminder: August's stamp of the month is Falling For You (the super cute Sophia tha tis raking leaves). If you are a subscriber to the Stamp of the Month Club, you'll be receiving her in September but if not, you'll have to wait until the October release to be able to purchase her!

BIC20: Poppin' Poppies

Guess what? It's back! The weekly Be Inspired Challenge from Beate. Yippy! Can you tell that I enjoy taking part in these challenges? This week is a piece of artwork called Framed Poppies by Jo Moulton that you can purchase from Coldwater Creek. My mom buys lots of clothes from there. So hey you can get your art and your clothes all from the same place... coolio!

I pulled a lot of inspiration from this piece: striped background, flowers and a color scheme of Riding Hood Red, Always Artichoke and ivory. I wonder what the other ladies on the team picked from the piece? Guess I will just have to do a bit of blog surfing and visit all of their blogs: Jennifer, Susan, Silke, Dawn and Charmaine. Don't forget to visit Beate's blog and link your creation there so everyone can check it out! Happy crafting!

Notes: Inked the flower from Best Wishes & More with Cameo Coral Classic ink. Riding Hood Red ink was applied to the edges of the flower with a sponge dauber. I tried to just use a wedge of yellow sponge but ended up with ink everyone. I then used my pinkie to wipe the Cameo Coral ink from the flower center and then colored it (the flower, not my pinkie) in with a More Mustard marker. Repeated for a second flower. The stems are thin strips of Always Artichoke that I cut a into to create stems and leaves. I used my fingers to make the leaves curl a bit.

For the background I inked the inside bottom of my Cuttlebug embossing folder with Riding Hood Red Classic ink and then embossed a piece of Ruby Red cardstock. Quick and easy background!

All images copyright Stampin' Up!. Stamps: Best Wishes & More. Paper: Ruby Red, Always Artichoke, Very Vanilla, Naturals Ivory. Ink: Cameo Coral Classic, Riding Hood Red Classic, Black Stazon, More Mustard marker. Other: mat pack, paper piercer, vintage brads, Riding Hood Red Taffeta ribbon, dimensionals, Distressed Stripes embossing folder (Cuttlebug).

WSC54: Blossoms and Blueberries

Have you visited Beate's blog lately? She is back with her wonderful sketch challenges! So of course I had to take a few minutes and play with this week's: WSC54.

Well, actually more than a few minutes since the Inspired by Nature stamp set was not cooperating with me tonight. The first colors I tried to stamp it in were ghastly! Ick! So I tossed that attempt and tried again and was much happier with the results. My circular filing bin is actually overflowing with rejected card parts... it's been one of those weeks! :)

Notes: finished card size is 5" x 5". Main image was inked with Certainly Celery Classic ink and a bit of Bashful Blue was added along the edges of the stamp with a sponge dauber.

All images copyright Stampin' Up!. Stamps: Inspired by Nature. Paper: Certainly Celery, Pacific Point, Kraft, Very Vanilla, Maine Blueberry Designer. Ink: Certainly Celery Classic, Bashful Blue Classic, Black StazOn. Other: Kraft Taffeta ribbon, Lt. Blue Gingham ribbon, vintage brads, Antique Brass jumbo eyelet, dimensionals, Coluzzle circle template and cutting tool, sponge dauber.

Let the Good Times Roll!

It is Thursday which means it is time for another Paper Pretties Forum challenge! Yay!

I was going over the contest submissions for the last several weeks (yes, I'm a bit behind) and noticed a trend... people seem to really like sketch challenges. So, I made another one for this week although I did add a bit of a twist: your card needs to lose a little weight around the middle. Yes, I want to see your skinny cards!

How does the Paper Pretties' challenge work? Make a card, scrapbook page, altered item or so forth using Paper Pretties stamps if you have them. If you don't have Paper Pretties' stamps, still feel free to join in the fun... the more the merrier! :) Then visit the Paper Pretties' gallery and upload a picture of your project to the Weekly Challenges category (also use the keyword PWC17 - aids in searching). You have until the following Thursday to upload your picture to the gallery to be entered into the contest to earn a little something something from the Paper Pretties' Boutique.

And here is my sample for the challenge. Of course I had to use Falling For You Sophia again (she will be available early September to members of the Paper Pretties SOTMC). As well as some delicious paper by Fancy Pants Designs and a bit of the new decadent Kiwi Kiss satin ribbon from SU!. I only drooled a bit on the ribbon. :)

Quick notes: The card dimensions are 3 1/4" by 6 1/2". The card can fit in a No. 6 3/4 envelope - usually the smaller sized long envelopes you find in the office supply aisle of a store. If you are wondering a dollar bill fits perfectly in this card... the good times are really going to roll for the recipient of this card! He he he.

And finally a close up of Sophia... she looks a bit like she is daydreaming, maybe of chocolate?

Hmm... just realized I forgot to add the shadow around her head. Pretend that is there. I will add it to the card later before mailing... really, I will! ;)

Stamps: Falling for You Sophia (Paper Pretties), Many Happy Returns (SU!). Paper: Kiwi Kiss, Bashful Blue, Georgia Pacific White, Hero designer (Fancy Pants Designs). Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Chocolate Chip Classic, Copic markers (E00, E33, E57, YG91, YG95, R14, B41, Y21, Y38, YR24, W2). Other: Kiwi Kiss/Very Vanilla satin ribbon, Scallop Edge Punch, mat pack, paper piercer.

It's a Prettie Party!

It's a virtual birthday party for Prettie Girl Jackie Rakoski!!! Happy happy (somewhat belated) birthday Jackie!

My task was to bring the balloons... so I made a giant orange one and weighed Wade down with a bunch of gifts while I was at it! The rest of the Prettie Girls are bringing some birthday fun so be sure to check out all the goodies on their blogs: Jessie, Jules, Christie, Charmaine, Jodi and Jana.

Quick notes: to create the balloon I traced a circle on the Tangerine Tango and then drew a triangle for the bottom. I then cut the balloon out and used the Scalloped Edge Punch to create a ruffle (I guess that is what you would call it). For the main image I stamped the present in Classic ink and then painted a little Pearlescent watercolors over the image. For Wade I stamped, colored with Copic markers and again painted on a bit more of the Pearlescent watercolors.

Stamps: Love Bugs (Paper Pretties), A Little Birthday Cheer, Holiday Blitz. Paper: Naturals Ivory, Regal Rose, Pink Pirouette, Tangerine Tango, Georgia Pacific white, Pink Dots designer (Little Yellow Bicycle). Ink: Regal Rose Classic, Cameo Coral Classic, Summer Sun Classic, Memento Tuxedo Black, Copic markers (E00, E31, Y11, Y38, R20, RV11). Other: Pearlescent Watercolors, AquaPainter, yellow twill (TayloredExpressions), mat pack, paper piercer, scallop edge punch, dimensionals.

Pretties Wednesday: A Mini Album Gone Big

Two weeks ago Joni (the fabulous illustrator for Paper Pretties) challenged the Prettie Girls to make a mini album. Well... mine ended up a bit larger than I originally intended. Is 5" x 7" still mini? :)

I decided to go with a calender theme with each page being one month of the year. I've only completed about half of the book so I have a little work left to do. You'll just have to imagine the last eight months of the year... :)

First up is the cover: I kept it very simple and just covered with Cloud 9 Designer paper (I use this on each of the following pages) and added a bit of Pink Pirouette striped ribbon and the year (pink foam Thickers by American Crafts).

January: each month I used a different Sophia or Cooper stamp. The image was inked with Memento Tuxedo Black, stamped on Georgia Pacific White and colored with Copics. I used a free calender program from Red Castle to print the little monthly calenders. I softened the calender squares by either airbrushing with a Copic marker or sponging on Classic ink (my air can ran out!).

Supplies: Cuddle Me Sophia. Paper: Basic Gray, Riding Hood Red, River Rock, Georgia Pacific white, Chocolate Chalet Designer (Cloud 9). Ink: Copic markers, Memento Tuxedo Black. Other: green buttons, Real Red brads, River Rock double-stitched ribbon, mat pack, paper piercer, dimensionals.

February: For this Sophia I added a bit of Crystal Effects to her umbrella, hat and boots after coloring with Copic markers. Instead of accenting with buttons I used a couple of Prima flowers... they were sitting next to the buttons collecting dust. :)

Supplies: Rainy Day Friends. Paper: Basic Gray, Mellow Moss, Bashful Blue, Georgia Pacific white, Chocolate Chalet Designer (Cloud 9). Ink: Copic markers, Memento Tuxedo Black. Other: Prima flowers, Brocade Blue brads, Bashful Blue taffeta ribbon, mat pack, paper piercer, dimensionals, Crystal Effects.

March: Same layout as the prior pages I just flipped it so that Sophia is on the right side. I'm planning on using the same layout on every page to give a consistent feel to the calender. For accents I used some of the new Felt Fusion Too flowers from Stampin' Up! and the delicious Riding Hood Red taffeta ribbon.

Supplies: Flutter By Sophia. Paper: Basic Gray, Riding Hood Red, Tangerine Tango, Georgia Pacific white, Chocolate Chalet Designer (Cloud 9). Ink: Copic markers, Memento Tuxedo Black. Other: Felt Fusion Flowers II, Real Red brads, Riding Hood Red taffeta ribbon, mat pack, paper piercer, dimensionals.

April: It's a Cooper page!!! Yup, Sophia has to share the limelight with her little brother. Instead of airbrushing the calender page I applied some Classic ink with a sponge. I really really need to invest in the Airbrush Adapter so I can use my air compressor instead of those tiny little cans!

Supplies: Look Out World. Paper: Basic Gray, Bashful Blue, Mellow Moss, Georgia Pacific white, Chocolate Chalet Designer (Cloud 9). Ink: Copic markers, Memento Tuxedo Black, Mellow Moss Classic. Other: blue buttons, Brocade Blue brads, Old Olive poly-twill ribbon, mat pack, paper piercer, dimensionals.

So what do you think? Is it a keeper? Actually I just check the challenge list and this one will be making its way to Christie as soon as I finish it. Hope she likes it. :)

But I might need a larger box to mail it in. After only completing five pages it is quite bulky. PS: I also used super thick board for the cover and back which allows the book to stand upright on its own. To bind the album together I used a Bind-it-All and black 1" O-wires.

Granny Wins the Race!

A couple weeks ago a friend and I were having a conversation about the Big 3-0. Yeah, a birthday kind of number that we have both acquired this year (myself less than a week ago). And we were commenting (perhaps whining a bit) about how we didn't feel that old and how we must be very immature for our age. Very very immature.


Fast forward a couple of days and I'm browsing the stamp selection at the local J's and noticed a stamp set by Inkadinkado. One of the stamps is a granny on one of those kiddie rides that you see in or outside of super stores. You know, the ones that you see and think that if you were only a quarter or so of your current mass you could actually ride it without breaking it. Sigh, but you aren't so you can't.

It gets even better. The matching sentiment says: "You're only young once. You can be immature for a lifetime." Which is too freaking funny and so appropriate! So I had to buy it... really I had to and of course make a fun card for my friend!

A little shot of the inside.

All Stamps: Humorous Birthday (Inkadinkado), Itty Bitty Backgrounds (SU!). Paper: Chocolate Chip, close to Cocoa, Riding Hood Red, vellum cardstock, Georgia Pacific white, Cinnamon Stick mat stack (Cloud 9). Ink: Riding Hood Red Classic, Chocolate Chip Classic, Memento Tuxedo Black, Black StazOn, Copic markers (W2, T3, E00, E09, E57, YR31, G99, BG10). Other: Real Red wide grosgrain ribbon, Chocolate Chip poly-twill ribbon, white thread, sewing machine, scallop edge punch, paper piercer, sponge, dimensionals.

In Paper Pretties News: A Back to School Sale!

• If you spend $25 you get a free sentiment.
• If you spend $50 you get a free sentiment and a free roll of American Crafts ribbon
• If you spend $100 you get a free sentiment, a free roll of ribbon and FREE SHIPPING!!

The sale will run from Friday the 15th all the way until the 30th! There is no coupon code or anything like that. All you need to do is enter their choice of free merch in the comments box when you check out! Happy shopping!

PWC16: Cool Inspiration

It's that time again - the Paper Pretties Weekly Forum Challenge! This week I'd like you to be inspired by this lovely bedding set that I found at JCPenny.com. It could be the colors, something about the layout... whatever you are inspired to make!

How does the Paper Pretties' challenge work? Make a card, scrapbook page, altered item or so forth using Paper Pretties stamps if you have them. If you don't have Paper Pretties' stamps, still feel free to join in the fun... the more the merrier! :) Then visit the Paper Pretties' gallery and upload a picture of your project to the Weekly Challenges category (also use the keyword PWC16 - aids in searching). You have until the following Thursday to upload your picture to the gallery to be entered into the contest to earn a little something something from the Paper Pretties' Boutique.

Of course you would probably like to see what I was inspired to make, right? From the inspiration piece I choose three colors: off-white, Chocolate Chip and Bashful Blue and based my card off of them. :)

Quick card notes: I airbrushed a piece of Georgia pacific white cardstock with a couple of blue Copic markers and then stamped the cutie penguin. I used the Blender Copic marker to remove the blue from his white front and then colored the rest of him with other Copic colors. I added a bit of Dazzling Diamonds glitter to the wave to mimic froth. To finish the main image some stitching was added with a sewing machine and a scalloped border was created with the Scallop Edge punch.

Stamps: Surf's Up (Paper Pretties), See You Around jumbo wheel (SU!). Paper: Naturals ivory, Chocolate Chip, Bashful Blue, Very Vanilla, Georgia Pacific white. Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Bashful Blue Classic, Copic markers. Other: silver brad, white thread, sewing machine, scallop edge punch, twill tape, Dazzling Diamonds glitter, 2-way glue pen, dimensionals, Copic air gun.

Paper Pretties Wednesday Addition

Oops! I totally forgot to include my challenge for the Prettie Girls on my last post! It's my turn to issue a challenge and well I'm going with one of my favorite types of cards: the Shaker Card. I love 'em - whether it is making one or just playing with the final result... shake shake shake!!!

Everyone is welcome to join in the fun and the Prettie Girls will be posting their creations in two weeks for everyone to see. I can't wait to see what they come up with... I just saw one the other day that used bird seed as the insides. I've always just used beads but the bird seed got me to thinking that it would be fun to use something different like uncooked rice or mini M&Ms (yum). What do you think would be fun to use in a shaker box?

Pretty Wednesday: Falling for Autumn

Two weeks ago Jessie challenged the Prettie Girls to make a card with 3 different embellishments. Oh yeah... this is so a challenge for me. :) I used some metal accents (bookplate and clip), brads and ribbon of course (two kinds at that). I can't wait to see what combination of embellishments the rest of the Prettie Girls used.

And of course the next Stamp of the Month from Paper Pretties: Falling For You. This little cutie will be sent to all club members the beginning of September. If interested in the club check the link out here.

Special notes: sentiment was stamped on Creamy Caramel cardstock and cut to fit inside book plate. Cardstock was adhered in place and then the front covered with Crystal Effects. After the image was stamped and colored with copic markers it was paper pierced, layered on Chocolate Chip and a gold toned clip was fastened to the upper right. A couple pieces of ribbon were knotted around the clip and to the left side of the bookplate. A few brads were added and the card assembled... well a bit more paper piercing was added. :)

All images copyright Paper Pretties. Stamps: Falling for You (September SOTMC). Paper: Creamy Caramel, Chocolate Chip, River Rock, Neenah Classic Natural White, Harvest Row designer (Heidi Grace for Fiskars). Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copic markers( E00, E09, E27, E47, E55, E77, Y17, G99, YG95, YR14, W2), Copic Gold Spica. Other: gold book plate and clip (manufacture unknown), Chocolate Chip poly-twill ribbon, Black gingham ribbon, Crystal Effects, black brads, mat pack, paper piercer, dimensionals.

Blue Butterflies

Just a quick post of a card I made a couple days ago with one of the sets I received at convention. I think this is my favorite set... although I did place a new catty order so who knows which SU! set will be my favorite next week! :)

Quick notes on the butterflies: each butterfly was two-step stamped in Pacific Point and Baja Breeze Classic ink. A bit of Dazzling Diamonds glitter was added over the darker blue ink. For the sentiment a piece of ribbon was knotted around one corner and then a sentiment was tied to this ribbon with linen thread. Oh, and the card base is not quite standard - it is 4 1/4" x 5 1/4". Just looked better then having extra space on the right and left.

All images copyright Stampin' Up!. Stamps: Flight of the Butterfly. Paper: Baja Breeze, Chocolate Chip, Kraft, Pacific Point, Whisper White, Vellum cardstock. Ink: Baja Breeze, Pacific Point, Black StazOn. Other: mat pack, paper piercer, Chocolate Chip poly-twill ribbon, 1/16" circle punch, linen thread, Dazzling Diamonds glitter, 2-way glue, dimensionals.

Last of the Convention Swaps

Woo hoo! I'm back and posting. Yes, I was only gone for a day but it was a long day or so without an internet connection. I decided to install Service Pack 3 for XP on my laptop and it did not play well with my internet connection. :( But I fixed it by uninstalling the service pack (heh heh) and now I am back and sharing another card! Yay!

This is the final swap card I made for convention and more specifically for the SCS Dinner Swap. I made 46 of these puppies and was so sick of them by the time I was done. I don't think I've made a pink card since then. Blech!

As you can maybe see I used the Pretty in Pink marker to highlight portions of the heart and then a bit of Dazzling Diamonds glitter for a shot of glam. For the background mat I rolled the So Swirly jumbo wheel in So Saffron Classic ink on Kraft cardstock. That is it for the notes on this card since I'd rather not think about it any longer or ponder how much fun it is to distress 92 (46 times 2) different pieces of cardstock. I think I inhaled a sheet's worth of cardstock dander in the process. Yick!

All images copyright Stampin' Up!. Stamps: Always, So Swirly jumbo wheel. Paper: Pretty in Pink, Kraft, Pink Pirouette. Ink: Sahara Sand, Black StaxOn, Pretty in Pink marker. Other: Dazzling Diamonds glitter, silver brads, Pretty in Pink grosgrain, Kraft taffeta, distressing tool, dimensionals.

Sock Monkey without the Monkey?

Whatever was I thinking? I made a Sock Monkey card and didn't use the monkey! Okay, maybe I was thinking that the cupcake was really delicious and just had to be all on it's own. 'Cause sometimes you just need a cupcake, right?

This card was actually one that I made for an organized GSG swap at convention. Although I did make a few extras and swapped them during general swapping. I kept getting the comment "and you SEWED on it?!" from people who then looked at me like I was crazy. Needless to say, I didn't mention that I sewed on the cards while talking on the phone with a friend. :D

Quick notes: For the background layer I cut a couple strips of designer paper and added a curved edge with my paper snips (nope - I did not use a template so each card was slightly different). The two strips were then adhered to a Riding Hood Red cardstock piece and then zig zag sewing was added on the inside edges. I colored the cupcake with markers and a blender pen and added a bit of Dazzling Diamonds glitter to highlight the frosting. On the top right of the background mat I added a jumbo eyelet through which the taffeta ribbon was threaded and then knotted. Around the knot I tied a sentiment with linen thread. I think the rest is self-explanatory but if not just shoot me an email. :)

All images copyright Stampin' Up!. Stamps: Sock Monkey. Paper: Sahara Sand, Riding Hood Red, Close to Cocoa, Whisper White, Bella Rose Designer. Ink: Black StazOn, Pretty in Pink, Creamy Caramel, Ruby Red and Summer Sun markers. Other: white thread, sewing machine, Dazzling Diamonds glitter, blender pen, mat pack, paper piercer, Antique Brass jumbo eyelet, 1/4" circle punch, 1/16" circle punch, small oval punch, vintage brads, Chocolate Chip taffeta ribbon, dimensionals.

Pretties Weekly Challenge: Quick and Easy Sketch

It's Thursday which means it is time for another Pretties Weekly Challenge. This time I made a quick and cute sketch that is great for using up scraps of designer paper. Admit it, you too have a huge pile of little scraps of paper that you just cannot throw away 'cause it is soooo pretty. :)

How does the Paper Pretties' challenge work? Make a card, scrapbook page, altered item or so forth using Paper Pretties stamps if you have them. If you don't have Paper Pretties' stamps, still feel free to join in the fun... the more the merrier! :) Then visit the Paper Pretties' gallery and upload a picture of your project to the Weekly Challenges category (also use the keyword PWC15 - aids in searching). You have until the following Thursday to upload your picture to the gallery to be entered into the contest to earn a little something something from the Paper Pretties' Boutique.

Quick notes: I used the September SOTMC image for this card. Isn't she the cutest? If you think so you might want to consider joining the club... just let Christie know that I sent ya! I colored the image with Copic markers. She was layered onto a Chocolate Chip mat as well as randomly sized strips of Bella Rose designer paper. But before adhering the image I did knot a piece of organdy ribbon. To finish the main panel was adhered to a Riding Hood Red card base and paper piercing was adding along all edges. I don't normally paper pierce on the card base itself but I really like how this turned out.

All images copyright Paper Pretties. Stamps: Falling For You. Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copic Markers (E00, E27, E57, 0, W2, Y21, YG63, YG95, G99, R27, B34). Paper: Riding Hood Red, Chocolate Chip, Neenah Classic Natural White, Bella Rose designer. Other: white organdy ribbon, mat pack, paper piercer, dimensionals.

Prettie Wednesday: Mini Size

A couple weeks ago Jodi challenged the Prettie Girls to make little 3" x 3" cards. It was easy enough to fit Cooper on the card but where to put that little sentiment!?

Quick notes: I used a Nestabilities circle die to cut an opening in a piece of Neenah white cardstock. I then paper pierced around the opening and added brads and 1/4" circles of Bashful Blue cardstock to each corner. For the main image I stamped Cooper in Tuxedo Black ink on Bashful Blue cardstock and colored with Copic markers. I then layered the card together with dimensionals and added a sentiment (punched out with the Word Window punch).

In other news: I just wanted to say thanks for the well wishes on the previous post. I saw the doc today and it turns out I have both a sinus infection and the flu. Talk about a double whammy! However I am beginning to feel better and I should be back to normal by Monday at the latest, hopefully sooner. :) Oh and I received my box of Stampin' Up! catties... so that should help. Heh heh!

All images copyright Paper Pretties. Stamps: Beach Bum. Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copic markers (W2, E00, E33, B91, B95, BG15). Paper: Brocade Blue, Bashful Blue, Creamy Caramel, Neenah Classic Natural white. Other: Word Window punch, 1/4" circle punch, Classic Circle Nestabilities die, mat pack, paper piercer, dimensionals, Brocade Blue brads.

Swaps: No Assembly Required

Guess what? I brought home more than just swaps, good memories and stamps from convention. I also brought home a cold... at least that is what I think it is. What a bummer! Here I am with tons of great ideas to try and all I want to do is sleep. Oh well, maybe it will only visit for a short time... I can hope, can't I? In the meantime I thought I would share the 3D swap that I took to convention. I only made 14 of these and they went fast! Hmm... maybe the demos could smell the chocolate inside? :)

Quick notes ('cause I need to take out the garbage and then hit pillows): I started with a 4 1/4" x 6" piece of Old Olive cardstock and scored at 2 3/4" and 3". This creates a little folder for the chocolate. Next and final step - decorate the cover. Yeah, I'm leaving it as simple as that. Oh and to hold the folder closed use a Velcro dot cut in half and I also just used a bit of Snail to adhere the chocolate to the inside of the folder.

All images copyright Stampin' Up!. Stamps: Priceless, Sweet Serendipity. Ink: Baja Breeze, Not Quite Navy, Black StazOn. Paper: Old Olive, Not Quite Navy, Baja Breeze, Naturals White. Other: Old Olive wide grosgrain ribbon, gold brads, 1 3/8" circle punch, dimensionals, Velcro dot, Ghirardelli chocolate square.

Have a great night everyone!

Orange Bugs & Fishes

I’m home and I’m ready to share some great new cards with you now that I have Internet access. Yes, I was going through withdrawals, but I did self-medicate with some chocolate. :)

Are you ready for another look-see of a new Paper Pretties’ stamp? This one is of Wade from the new Bugs and Fishes stamp set. He’s a real sweetie and I love the cute fuzzy towel that Joni drew for him. He looks like he just jumped out of the water and is quickly drying off before grabbing a PB&J sandwich for lunch!

Quick notes: Wade was stamped in Memento Tuxedo Black ink on Neenah paper and then colored with Copic markers. Crystal Effects was applied to the goggles, flippers and bathing suit (‘cause he just finished snorkeling. I paper pierced a piece of designer paper and stapled a couple pieces of ribbon to the top before adhering to a Tangerine Tango card base. Last steps were to layer Wade on a piece of Always Artichoke cardstock, stamp a sentiment and add a clear bauble thingy I bought in a big bag at Michael’s (floral department).

All images copyright Paper Pretties. Stamps: Bugs and Fishes. Paper: Tangerine Tango, Always Artichoke, Neenah Classic Natural White, Party – Celebration Collection (Fancy Pants). Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copic markers (0, W2, C1, BG13, BG15, YG63, YR68, Y17, Y38, E33). Other: Crystal Effects, striped ribbon (American Crafts), staples, Decorative Accent bauble, dimensionals.