Carnations for Mother

I've been doing a lot of experimenting with different techniques lately, trying to 'expand my horizons', so to speak. Trying to prevent my mojo from getting stale, I guess. One of the things I've had in my crafting supplies for ages were Glimmer Mists. I've made my own spray inks ages ago, but didn't really use them all too much until I got sucked into buying some luscious colors from Tattered Angels. I started making my own patterned papers with washes of color and some simple embossing. Here's a card made with one of my more 'successful' attempts.

The problem with creating a gorgeous piece of DP is that I don't want to cover anything up. The subtle changes of colors merging together, a pretty spatter of ink here, a lovely blend of colors there, etc. etc. I usually don't end up using them at all. Which defeats the purpose, so I forced myself to use this one, and leave as much of it visible as possible. 

The flowers are from Papertrey Ink's last set in the Year of Flowers series, the carnation. I gold embossed them and water colored with a combination of Tombow markers and the Glimmer Mists I used for the background paper.

I stamped some flourishes in gold as well, and cut them out too. The sentiment is from a Verve set. I may save this for Mother's Day, although I don't know for sure. I'm pretty fond of this card, LOL! I'm so happy with the result I may actually start using my pile of pretty papers after all! I'll just have to make sure and use a layout that doesn't cover up too much of it.

Hope you like it, and thanks for all the lovely comments, they really make my days so much happier!

Stamps: Papertrey Ink, Verve, Inkadinkado
Ink: Versamark, Tattered Angels Glimmer Mists
Paper: Arches water color, PTI
Tools & Accessories: Filigree embossing powder, Tombow markers, water brush, seam binding, sheer ribbon, pearl headpins, Sizzix texture plate, Spellbinders Labels die

Impression Obsession CHA Winter Preview & a contest

This week (January 24 through January 29) is the Impression Obsessions CHA Winter preview of new images.  Each day DT members will have projects featuring the new stamps on our blogs.  IO is offering a $25 Gift Certificate to be won and posted on the IO blog in a drawing on Sunday, January 30.  To be eligible to win:

...you must leave a comment...

...on every team member's sneak peek blog post...

...and the I.O. blog...

...every day...

...all week!

Here is the card I've made using 'Potting Shed'. Lots of new garden themed stamps, and this is one of my favorites. 

I used Distress Inks to water color the entire image.

I liked the deckle edge on the piece of water color paper I used, so I left it and carefully tore the paper layers underneath to tie it all together. Kinda rustic...like the potting shed.

The patterned papers are from the Memory Box collection, Rhubarb Tart.

If you want to see more of the new stamps in action, head on over to the IO blog and check out the links to the other DT's blogs. Don't forget to leave comments on each blog for a chance to win IO bucks!

Good luck!

Stamps: Impression Obsession 'Potting Shed' H1802
Ink: Memento, Distress
Paper: Heavenly White, Core'dinations, Memory Box, water color paper
Tools & Accessories: Fiskars sunburst edge punch, water brush, PTI ribbon, self stick pearls

Lili of the Valley Thursday Challenge Anything but a square

Hello everyone, it's time for another Lili of the Valley challenge. Our challenge is to create a card that is anything but a square. Well, mine is not very creative, but at least it's not a square! I chose to use a Spellbinder label to die cut the entire card. 

I used 'Get Well Bunny' for my card, and instead of Copics or colored pencils, I chose to go old school. I started out water coloring my images with Tombow markers back in the day, and I felt like pulling them out of storage again. Actually, I used my Tombows and SU markers and a water brush.

I printed the sentiment from my computer and die cut it with Papertrey Ink's banner die. Since I didn't have yellow ribbon to match the colors of my papers, I quickly dyed some seam binding with Candlelight Glimmer Mist. I love how quickly I can dye ribbon to custom match anything! Sometimes I use reinkers, alcohol ink sprays, Twinkling H2O's, anything to create a custom color. I pop the seam binding in the microwave at half power for a few minutes, and in no time at all, it's dry. If I want wrinkled ribbon, I leave it as is, if not, I press it with a warm iron. Simple!

We'd love to have you join us on the challenge blog, create your own card following the guidelines and you could win some LOTV stamps.

Thanks for visiting!

Stamps: Lili of the Valley
Ink: Palette, SU, Fluid Chalk
Paper: PTI, SU
Tools & Accessories: Nestabilities, PTI banner die& button, seam binding, Glimmer Mist, SU & Tombow markers, water brush, XF Sharpie poster pen, Liquid Glass, Spellbinders Labels die

I need spring soon....

We've had a pretty mild winter up until a couple of weeks ago. Then all of a sudden, we were pounded with snow, sleet, wind and ARCTIC temperatures! Yuck! I love a good snowstorm, but I like to space them out evenly, lol! We've had too much, too often. Which is why... I need spring soon. This card is a little shout out to Mother Nature, an early spring please!

I stamped this beautiful Lily of the Valley stamp from PTI in gold EP directly on some of the Prima Fairy Flora papers. It's hard to see the soft, subtle colors and patterns on this paper, but it is just lovely. Soft greens, blue-greens and honey gold. I used some gorgeous iridescent paper for the scalloped layer, I can't remember what it's called but I got it from The Paper Temptress a while ago. If you love gorgeous cardstock and papers, her shop is the place to go!

I colored the flower and leaves with Copics.

I hope I've shared the spring bug with you, unless you live somewhere warm and in that case---hmmph! lol!
Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps: Papertrey Ink
Ink: Versamark
Paper: Prima, unknown Iridescent, PTI
Tools & Accessories: Cream grosgrain, Filigree gold embossing powder, Copics, SU scallop trim punches

Fairy Flora

Good morning everyone, I have a Lili of the Valley card to share with you today. I discovered some absolutely delicious, gorgeous, stop-my-heart beautiful papers and broke my no-paper-buying fast. Shame, shame.... These are Prima's Fairy Flora papers, and they are quite possibly the most beautiful I have seen in a long, long time. I love pastels, and these are just chock full of lovely soft colors that I could NOT resist, lol! My first thought when I saw them were, LOTV fairies, of course!

This one is 'Fairy Friends'. I colored them with the very lightest colors in my Copic marker collection. I layered the image onto a lot of the large scalloped dies from Spellbinders, since they look like flowers.

The calendar seal stamp is also LOTV, from the Calendar set. I like that you can fill in the date on these little calendars, to personalize it.

On another note, Impression Obsession is having a blog hop this week to showcase the release of a bunch of new stamps. My post will be coming up later in the week, but you can hop on over to their blog to see the new stamps in action from the other DT members. If you leave a comment on each blog, you will be entered into a $25 gift certificate drawing! With all the new stamps out, you're gonna need it, lol!

Thanks for dropping by!

Stamps: Lili of the Valley
Ink: Brilliance
Paper: Heavenly White, Memory Box, Prima
Tools & Accessories: Nestabilities, K & Co. paper lace, pearls, Viva Decor pearl pen, Copics, Stickles, home made wrinkle ribbon

IO Challenge- The Color Purple

Good morning! I have two posts for today, continue scrolling down for this week's Lili of the Valley challenge.

Good morning everyone, it's time for another Impression Obsession challenge. The theme this week is The Color Purple. This is in fact a challenge for me, as I hardly ever use a real, deep purple. Lavender, I love, purple is a bit intimidating to me, lol! But, I am pleasantly surprised with how much I like this project. I decided to create a 'booklet-mark'. That's a cross between a bookmark and booklet, and yes, I made that word up. ;-)

Here's the front cover of the bookmark. I used all new stamps for this beauty, a brand new damask Cover-a-Card background stamp (LOVE this!) and the balloon stamp. These stamps will be released at CHA next week. 

The inside of the bookmark folder has a little pocket to slip a note into. I always find myself searching for a slip of paper to jot down a note while I'm reading, and thought this would come in handy.

The quote stamp is also new, perfectly sized for a bookmark, you can click on the picture to make it larger so you can read it more easily.

Some of the other DT ladies are also using new stamps on their projects, so head on over to their blogs to see them.


Jeanne

Jenny

Julie

Daniela

Dina

Laura

Deb

Shirley

Kelli

After all the inspiration, create your own card using IO stamps and enter it for a chance to win a gift certificate to the IO store. Read all the details here.

Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps: Impression Obsession- E3595 Good Books, F1822 Bird Balloon, CC081 Cover-a-Card Damask
Ink: Versafine, Distress
Paper: Papertrey Ink, water color paper
Tools & Accessories: Scor-Pal, SU striped ribbon, DMC floss, aquabrush, Stickles, RKBK Mega Mount, Oval Nestabilities, Tonic corner rounder, SU slot punch

LOTV Thursday Challenge-- Dawny's Sketch

This week we have a nice sketch by Dawny and I decided enough is enough, I must color up one of the Molly Harrison fairies! This one is called 'Garden of Wishes'. Why haven't I colored one of these beauties before now you ask? Well, I guess because I was a bit intimidated. I was afraid I could never do them the justice they deserve, lol. They really are beautiful.

I colored her with Copics, then cut a separate layer of her wings from vellum.  I wanted them to have that slight transparency like the fairy wings in my imagination, ha ha.

Pretty good all in all, I'm quite pleased with the result. Maybe I won't be so afraid to color another one of these beauties up now!

If you haven't already, head on over the LOTV blog to see all the other gorgeous creations from the design team, then create your own card using LOTV stamps and enter it for a chance to win some LOTV bucks!

Thanks for peeking in, take care!

Stamps: Lili of the Valley Garden of Wishes, Inspirational Sentiments

Paper: Kaisercraft, Heavenly White, Papertrey Ink, Core'dinations

Tools & Accessories: Spellbinders Labels die, paper roses, Copic sketch and Spica markers, Sakura glaze pen, home dyed seam binding, glitter brad, Stickles, Martha Stewart edge punch

All you need is love...

Good morning everyone, I know it's been a while since I posted but I had some deadlines to meet last week and it's been rush, rush, rush! This is my last month as a Splitcoast Dirty Girl and it's been a fun ride! The past 6 months I'm sure some of you may have noticed how sparse my postings would get the first two weeks of the month while I immersed myself in making cards for the new Dirty Dozen gallery. Well, I can truthfully say I am not going to be taking on any more design team work, I am happy with the two I belong to now. Any more and it becomes too much of a burden and stamping is not so much fun. This has always been what stamping is for me, fun, a hobby, a creative outlet with no pressure. When it stops being that, I have to stop and reevaluate what's going on. 

Anyway, enough rambling, here's a card I made a few days ago using Stampin Up's gorgeous rose from Fifth Avenue Floral. I embossed it in gold and colored it in with colored pencils. 

I really wanted a vintage Valentine look to this card, so out came the lace, pearls, stick pins and seam binding. Seam binding has become so HOT lately, thankfully I've had a ton of the stuff in my stash from ages ago. When I first started stamping several years ago, I was on a very limited budget and always looking for thrifty alternatives (still do actually) and I ran across seam binding in loads of colors on Etsy for a lot less money than ribbon. So I stocked up on every color under the sun. I also dye my own when I just can't find a close match. Anyway, I'm glad it's become the latest trend because I need to use all of mine up, lol!

Tomorrow I'll have a LOTV card for the Thursday challenge, based on a sketch, so I'll see you all back here in the AM.

Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps: Stampin Up, Papertrey Ink, Impression Obsession sentiment

Ink: Versamark, Distress

Paper: Fancy Pants, Papertrey Ink, Gina K

Tools & Accessories: Gold Filigree embossing powder, Crop-a-dile, cotton crochet thread, seam binding, Leaf & Heart stick pins, colored pencils, OMS, Tonic corner rounder

Lili of the Valley New Release Celebration--Blog Candy!!

Good morning everyone! In addition to a card I want to share with you, I have some new Lili of the Valley stamps to give away to one lucky commenter! Early Tuesday morning on release day (January 11th, 2011 EST) I will choose one name out of the hat to receive two stamps from the new release; 'Love is in the Little Things'

and a Molly Harrison fairy 'Candlelight'.

All you have to do is leave me a comment on this post, you have until midnight Monday January 10th to enter to win. Good luck!

Now here's a card I made a little while ago using 'Best Friends'. I colored these little darlings with colored pencils. The paper is one of all time favorite Cosmo Cricket collections, Biography: Little Girls. LOVE those papers, so glad I stocked up on a few sets!

The pretty little flower was cut using Papertrey Ink's flower dies, a nice big pearly button for the center and lots of Stickles all over.

Thanks for stopping by, have a great day!

P.S.- Don't forget to check out some of the other DT ladies' blogs for more chances to win blog candy:

Jacqui
Bev 
Dawny P
Lena Katrine
Dena
Claudia Rosa 
Marlene
Heather
Moni

Keep in mind we're all in different time zones, so if you don't see the post up yet, check back later.

Stamps: Lili of the Valley
Ink: Memento, Distress, Perfect Match
Paper: Heavenly White, Papertrey Ink, Cosmo Cricket, Bristol vellum
Tools & Accessories: Spellbinders Nestabilities, PTI flower dies/button, Stickles, red grosgrain ribbon, colored pencils, OMS, XF Sharpie poster pen, McGill circle punch, SU edge punch

IODT Challenge--Love is in the Air

I have two challenges today, you can see the LOTV challenge here. 

It's time for another Impression Obsession challenge. This week Love is in the Air! This card features a peek at new stamps coming out at CHA on January 29th. These sweet little sketchy flowers are from a clear set called 'Lighthearted Lines'. 

I decided to stay simple with these and just added a little water coloring to them with Adirondack inks. I cut out the butterflies so the wings could 'pop' up a bit. 

The sentiment is also from a new release clear set 'Loving Hearts'. 

Want to see more sneak peeks of upcoming IO stamps? Check out the rest of the DT's cards:

Jeanne

Jenny

Julie

Daniela

Dina

Laura

Deb

Shirley

Kelli

Now that you're inspired, create your own card using IO stamps and enter it for a chance to win a gift certificate to the IO store. Read all the details here. 

Thanks for looking!

Stamps: Impression Obsession

Ink: Memento, Adirondack

Paper: Water color paper, Papertrey Ink, SU, Me & My Big Ideas, Bazzill

Tools & Accessories: EK Success butterfly punch, Spellbinders Nestabilities/Labels, silk ribbon, Water brush, Stickles

LOTV Thursday Challenge-- Lena's Sketch

Good morning everyone! This week for the LOTV challenge we have a lovely sketch to work with from our Lena. This card features another brand spankin' new stamp, I ADORE these little fairies. I colored her with Copics and added lots of Stickles, because fairies should always be sparkly, lol!

 I've been doing really well digging into my stash of old papers, and here's another oldie but goody from Cosmo Cricket's Honey Pie collection. Beautiful patterns that remind me of cross stitching. I decided to add my own stitching as well around the edges, to tie it all together.

Well thanks for stopping by, have a wonderful day!


Stamps: Lili of the Valley
Ink: Perfect Match
Paper: Cosmo Cricket, SU, PTI, Heavenly White
Tools & Accessories: PTI scallop die, Nestabilities, Copics, Stickles, twill ribbon, sewing machine, vanilla embossing powder, McGill circle punch

Times to Treasure

So what do you do if you spy a piece of patterned paper that you fall in love with, but you swore not to buy anymore until a significant portion of your stash has been used? Well, you stamp your own, that's what! I call it copycat designer paper, lol. This entire piece of background paper was stamped using assorted stamps from Papertrey Ink to make it look like this. Pretty close, right? I plan on doing this more in the future, because I really don't want to buy more paper, especially because I usually only use it once or twice and then it sits there collecting dust. 

Anyway, about the rest of the card:

This is a new image coming out Jan. 11, that's a week away, from Lili of the Valley. The sentiment is included. I colored the lovebirds with Copics.

Hope it inspires you to try your own patterned paper, let me know how it goes if you try it! Thanks for visiting!

Stamps: Lili of the Valley, Papertrey Ink
Ink: Memento, Perfect Match
Paper: Papertrey Ink
Tools & Accessories: Spellbinders Labels 1, PTI die/ribbon, XF Sharpie Poster pen, Copics, Stickles, sewing machine

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year everyone! Hard to believe that 2010 is now over and a fresh new year is ahead, full of possibilities! I don't make resolutions but always have goals for myself that I try to accomplish in small increments. Sometimes I succeed, most times I don't. But it's important not to give up and keep trying. 

Anyway, here's a new year celebration card made using one of the adorable doggy stamps from Lili of the Valley. 

I finally decided to use the Banner Builder stamp and die sets from Papertrey Ink to create the PARTY banner. Love it! The letters were stamped with one of those Michael's dollar alphabet sets. I knew I would find a use for those some day, lol!

The 2011 circle seal was stamped with one of JustRite's border and alphabet sets and as usual, I colored the doggy with my trusty colored pencils. I added some shimmer to his crown and the streamers with Copic Spica glitter pens.

Here's to a happy and healthy new year, I hope I continue to 'see' all of you and more in the coming year. Thank you to everyone who visits my blog and leaves me a little love in the comments, I love reading each and every one.

Stamps: Lili of the Valley, Papertrey Ink, Just Rite, Michael's $1 alphabet
Ink: Memento, Perfect Match
Paper: PTI, Stardream, Core'dinations, SEI
Tools & Accessories: Nestabilities, Spellbinders Labels, PTI banner dies, SU ribbon/ button, Sizzix texture plate, colored pencils, OMS, silver brads