Time to Scrap!

 

It's been hard getting back into the scrappin' saddle. This past weekend, I had to drive Marika to Indio, CA, for four days in a row. It's about an hour's drive (and Indio, mind you, is super hot right now) and since DaddyDude had to work all weekend, it was up to me to get Marika to her All Star games (incidentally, they lost the championship game, 11-9, but it was a very close game and terribly exciting). At any rate, I was totally exhausted today and even skipped my morning run to catch up on some much needed sleep. I did, however, make some time to make some cards for Seize the Birthday and 2 Broke Girl Challenges. I decided to make 3 cards based on the following sketch from STB, coupling each with a challenge from 2BG.

 

Patterned papers (Making Memories Cosmopolitan Paper Pack), metal borders (Making Memories), stamp (Unity Stamp Co),
white cardstock (Crafter's Companion), tools (Fiskars border punch) 

 

The Mini Treats Card Challenge was to use metal. Does anybody else still have these metal borders from Making Memories? :)

 

 

Patterned papers (Imagination Project), black cardstock (The Paper Company), blue cardstock (Making Memories Cosmopolitan), white cardstock (The Paper Company), Stickles, digital stamp (Dustin Pike), markers (Spectrum Noir), tools (Fiskars border punch)

 

The Sprinkles Challenge was to use glitter on your project. I chose to bling up various parts of the digital stamp.

 

 

 

Patterned paper (Making Memories Cosmopolitan Paper pack), white cardstock (The Paper Company), brads (Making Memories),
markers (Spectrum Noir), Stickles, digital stamp (Dustin Pike)

 

The Useless Calories Calendar Challenge was to use accordion folding with either paper or ribbon.

 

 

Patterned paper (Glitz Design & Imagination Project), puffy alphabet stickers (AC Thickers), bling alphabet stickers (Making Memories),
rhinestones (unknown), chipboard triangle (UmWowStudios), glue dots.

 

The Pinch of This & That Challenge was to use graph or number paper, plus 6 of an item, and a number in the title. I dug through my stash and found some really old papers. Time to get rid of stuff! :)

 

So, for those of you looking for challenges, please check out 2 Broke Girl Challenges Forum - there are several monthly challenges going on and some great sketch challenges, too!

Edited to add later in the week...

Okay, I managed to squeeze out a little more time to play with more Unity stamps... :) The first one showcases a Donna Downey stamp set that I scored on Ebay, called Donna Poppy Background. Yay! The sentiment is from Empowered Words. I love how BIG the stamp is!

Cardstock (DCWV), white cardstock (Crafter's Companion), stamps (Unity Stamp Co), markers (Spectrum Noir)

For the next two, I used the sentiment from the Naturally You set. Whoops, I didn't realize that the white background of a card would not scan well... sorry about that... the butterfly is from Butterfly Beauty.

Red cardstock (The Paper Co), white cardstock (Crafter's Companion), butterfly stamp (Unity Stamp Co), markers (Spectrum Noir)

For this last card, I used my new Prismacolor pencils, but if I had to do it all over again, I would try using my micron markers - I really like this stamp, but the lettering is pretty small.

Patterned paper (Lily Bee Designs), blue cardstock (DCWV), stamps (Unity Stamp Co), colored pencils (Prismacolor)

Over the last couple of days, I've been working on a layout showcasing fussy cutting and using Unity stamps - it's only the second layout I've ever managed to stamp. I'm getting there, albeit slowly, branching out of comfort zone. Thanks so much for visiting my blog! Hope you all have a wonderful weekend and see you next week! :)

Challenge Friday at 3MG

I'm here again to present another wonderful sketch from 2 Broke Girls Challenge Blog.

I love their sketches! You can join in their month challenges at the 2BG forum (you'll have to register before you can join in, but it's all free!) - and don't forget to check out my {Cookie Cutter Challenge}, which challenges you to fussy cut! You can see my sample layout at this blog post.

 

 

And here's my take on it...

 

Patterned papers (Trinity Paper Arts "Making the Team"), Thickers (AC), epoxy stickers (Colorbok), distress ink (Tim Holtz - walnut stain)

Since I'm trying to use up my stash, I decided to use a "vintage" piece on the layout - I had purchased a bunch of epoxy stickers a few years ago on Ebay, when they were the rage.

 

 

Cardstock & kraft (Bazzill), felt border (Queen & Co), chipboard (misc), bling (MME "Dear Santa"), distress ink (Tim Holtz - Festive Berries and Walnut stain), black ink (Memories, Inc)

Last but not least, it's Friday, which means it's time for Unity Stamp Company's weekly "Friends With Flair"! I used  stamps from the "We Treasure You" (the hearts) and a sentiment from "How YOU doin'?" sets. This week's submission was my entry for Cocoa Creations' Challenge #3 "Raspberry Dessert" - I'll also be entering it at Seize the Birthday, since I used their sketch. In the meantime, don't forget to check out the terrific garage sale at Unity!

Seize the Birthday - Sketch #16

It's been awhile, but I finally made another birthday card using a sketch from Seize the Birthday. Here is this week's sketch (feminine version)...

 

And here's my take...

 

Patterned paper (My Mind's Eye "All Dolled Up" from the Miss Caroline line), ribbon and doily diecut sticker (MME), Stickles, AC Zing embossing powder (white), Versamark embossing ink, Spectrum Noir markers, Unity stamps, Scrappin' Supplies adhesive runner

Time for Friends with Flair on Friday!

Seize the Birthday this week is challenging us to create a feminine birthday card based on the sketch above. Here's my take on it...

Patterned paper (Echo Park - Springtime), cardstock (Echo Park- Springtime), kraft paper (The Paper Co), markers (Spectrum Noir), stamps (Unity Stamp Co), adhesive (Snake Tape), scalloped die (Spellbinders), circle die (Quickutz)

As many of you know, I have this special fondness for insects. Aren't these bees from Unity just adorable? So, I'm also linking this card up with Unity's Friends with Flair on Friday. :) They are having a spectacular warehouse sale, which you may want to take a look at!

Seize the Birthday - Masculine

 

I'm submitting this at the last minute... but here's my take on this week's masculine birthday card sketch at Seize the Birthday...

 

Patterned paper (Authentique "Fresh"), cardstock (Bazzill), kraft paper (The Paper Company), cardstock stickers (Fancy Pants), ink (Tim Holtz distress ink - walnut stain), stamp sentiment (Unity Stamp Co)

Seize the Birthday - Sketch #11

It's time to play "Seize the Birthday" again!

 

 

 

Patterned paper: Echo Park; cardstock (Echo Park, Carte Bella, Fancy Pants), flowers (Sassafras Lass), ink (Tim Holtz distress ink - walnut stain), stamp sentiment (Unity Stamp Co)

I turned the sketch around 180-degrees - it changes the look quite a bit, doesn't it? But, I liked it!

Seize the Birthday - Sketch #10

Hello! Time for another Seize the Birthday masculine challenge! Here's the sketch...

And here's my take on it...

Patterned paper (Authentique "Fresh"), cardstock (Echo Park), twine (The Twinery), ink (Tim Holtz walnut stain distress ink), Stickles, dragon stamp (Dustin Pike), birthday sentiment (Unity Stamp Co), markers (Spectrum Noir), white cardstock (Crafter's Companion)

The "stamp" is actually a free digi from Dustin Pike's Doodle Dragon Studios. You can find it here. I thank my CC friends for introducing me to digital stamps - I love that you can re-size them and print them onto anything! But, I'm still a scaredy-cat when it comes to coloring - I really need to spend some time on Youtube watching tutorials...

Hope you all have a grand day!

Seize the Birthday - Sketch #9

I really liked Seize the Birthday Sketch #9 - and since I just received my latest shipment of Unity Stamps, I thought it was the perfect time to try out one of their newest releases in the Wit & Wisdom line.

 

Patterned paper (Carte Bella "Paris Girl"), cardstock (Bazzill), white embossing powder (AZ Zing!), Tim Holtz walnut stain distress ink, Making Memories pewter brads, Making Memories celery ribbon, adhesive (Snake Tape), Versamark embossing ink, Fiskars border punches

Of course, this will be submitted to Unity Stamp's "Friends with Flair", the weekly Friday blog postings of inspiration. This stamp looks really cool when white embossed against a black background, doesn't it?

Happy Friday, everybody! Thanks for visiting my blog and hope you all enjoy a lovely weekend! :)

It Sucks to Get Old - Color Inspiration Challenge

At the very last minute, I am squeezing in an entry for Seize the Birthday Challenge #8 (masculine birthday card). Above is their sketch and below is my take on it...

 

Patterned papers: Echo Park (Happy Days "Little Flowers"), cardstock (EP Wintertime "Pine Green" and Little Boy "Strawberry"), Tim Holtz distress inks (walnut stain, festive berries, tumbled glass),  rub-ons (AC Celebration), stamps (Unity Stamp Co) and markers (Spectrum Noir)

I'm also submitting this for my CC Weekly Challenge #52 (make a celebration card) and for Unity Stamp Co's Monthly Inspiration challenge (for their color challenge) for February. Here's Unity's inspiration below...

I've never used this color combination before... it was... interesting... but what I did learn this week was - having the right kind of cardstock really does matter for the coloring. I finally picked up a packet of 80 lb cardstock (Crafter's Companion) at my LSS and tried it out. Wonderful! I was so much happier with the results. Yes, I'm still being primitive and doing simple coloring... I'll have to get up the guts to start trying to shade next... :)

STB Sketch #7

I am really enjoying these challenges to make birthday cards! There are still a few days left to finish  Seize the Birthday challenge #7.

 

 

Patterned paper (MME Lime Twist), silver glitter paper (Fancy Pants), Tim Holtz Walnut Stain Distress Ink, adhesive (Snake Tape), rubber stamps (Unity Stamp Co - Sweet Celebration)

And here's my take on the sketch! I got this amazing collection of birthday stamps from Unity Stamp Co. recently and wanted to use the candles this time. I know, I know... I should have used my new Spectrum Noir markers, but I was a little cramped for time. Next week! This is also my submission for this week's Friends with Flair.
I'm also submitting this for cropchocolate.com's challenge #50 - we only had to use some glitter, flocking, or sparkle somewhere. I *love* the thick silver glitter paper that CC sold a few weeks ago - I save all the scraps so none of it is wasted!

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

Coloring (outside my box!)

Happy Valentine's Day! Hope everyone had a wonderful day & gave/got some love. :) The girls came home with an armload of valentines and of course, plenty of sugar!

 

I've been having more fun with my Unity stamps and trying to experiment with coloring. Also this past week, my fellow CC'ers enlightened me all about digital stamps - so, this week, I actually broke out my Spectrum Noir markers (and continue to buy them at the LSS and Ebay) and finally colored something with them. Actually, I "colored" my Unity stamps in three different ways and was relatively pleased with their various effects.

 

Here's Sketch #6 for Seize the Birthday. It's time for a masculine card, which I coupled with Challenge #49 for CropChocolate (using a wood-grain "something").

 

Patterned papers (EP Note to Self, MME Miss Caroline "All Dolled Up"), cardstock (EP Note to Self), pewter brads (MM), ink (TH walnut stain distress ink), car stamp (digital - http://stamping.craftgossip.com/freebie-vintage-car-digital-stamp/2011/05/26/), birthday sentiment (Unity Stamp Co.), label diecuts (Spellbinders), adhesive (Snake Tape), markers (Spectrum Noir) 

 

This was my first ever attempt at using the Spectrum Noir markers - maybe it's because I used simple cardstock, but I was surprised at how much the markers "ran". I had to use a much lighter touch than I had expected. I really didn't like the black, which felt rather runny & fat! But, I'm sure practice will make perfect... :)

 

Here's my version of the same sketch, but for the feminine version - I had actually made this card in time, but forgot to take a picture before I used it, so I had to make another one. :) You'll note that I used Marvy-Uchida brush markers for this one - I found a pack in my stash (I must have purchased this years ago) and thought I'd try it directly on the stamp - I liked how it looked!

 

 

Patterned papers (Carta Bella Paris Girl), markers (Marvy-Uchida brush markers), adhesive (Snake Tape), cupcake stamp (Unity Stamp Co. - Sweet Celebration) and digital birthday sentiment stamp (http://rubberstamping.about.com/od/greetingscards/ig/Birthday-Sentiments/Birthday-Scallop-Edge-2.htm)

I liked this sketch so much, I decided to use it to make DaddyDude's Valentine card, too. I had totally lucked out on Ebay and scored three brand-new "Stamp of the Week" stamps for $4 each (including shipping). I loved the coffee cup (which can be used on other cards with different sentiments) and the sentiment... well... I'll be only using that one for my hubby. :)

 

Patterned papers (Making Memories Cosmopolitan), cardstock (EP Season's Greetings), stamps (Unity Stamp Co. Stamp of the Week), pewter brads (MM), adhesive (Snake Tape), ink (Memories Inc.), label diecut (Sizzix), ink (Memories, Inc.)

 

 

For this card, I chose to paper piece the hearts for added dimension. Looking at it now, I wish I had colored the coffee cup in brown but... they usually are white, aren't they?





Using watercolors instead...

Patterned paper (5&Dime by October Afternoon), cardstock (Bazzill [green], Carta Bella [silver, white]), Tim Holtz walnut stain distress ink, Tim Holtz pewter distress stain, QK die, ink (Memories, Inc.), stamps (Unity Stamp Co.), Kimberly watercolor pencils, Strathmore watercolor paper

[Seize the Birthday Sketch #4]

Maybe this is futile!

I'm trying to avoid buying any copic markers, because: (1) they're pretty expensive; (2) you probably need quite a few to be good and (3) if you don't use them often enough, they'll probably dry up and be useless.

The only problem with trying to NOT buy alcohol markers, is that I have only watercolor pencils to work with - a whoppin' 24 colors right now. The problem was trying to merge too many challenges (CC #48, Seize the Birthday Sketch #4, and FWF for Unity) together - and I ended up missing the blue-green-white challenge (a second submission). I'm just not good enough to figure out how to mix the pencils to match the blue-gray of the papers. So, I apologize for my inexpertise!

Really, I just wanted a chance to play with my new Unity stamps... :) So I feel happy about that!

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

3 Challenges in One!

One of my New Year's resolutions was to do more weekly challenges. This week, I figured out how to do 3 challenges with one project!



 

 

Patterned paper (Carta Bella Paris Girl), cardstock (Bazzill, Carta Bella), TH walnut stain distress ink, Stickles, twine (MME), MM tag rim, Prima flowers, ink (Memory inc.), stamps (Unity), dies (Tim Holtz), embossing folder (Lifestyle Crafts) 

 

1. Cropchocolate.com's Weekly Challenge #46 - use pink, some flowers, and some bling

2. Seize the Birthday Sketch #3 (see below) - feminine version (next week is masculine!)

 

 

3. Unity Stamp Company - Friends with Flair! This one is totally new to me - I just started building up my Unity collection last month and LOVE their stuff! It looks like every Friday, people upload their creation and there's a random drawing for a prize. Sounds good to me!!!



Seize the Birthday - Sketch #1, Take 2 (Masculine)

 

patterned paper (Authentique) cardstock (Bazzill), diecuts (Authentique), twine (MME Miss Caroline), alphabet stickers (Authentique), adhesive (Scrappin' Supplies)

Here's my Seize the Birthday Sketch #2 (the original sketch follows below)... this was the first time I broke out the Authentique papers - LOVE them!

 

 

Come join in the fun here!

New (to me) sketch challenge site!

First of all, I want to thank all of you who participated in the Cropchocolate.com DT blog hop - we all enjoyed your visits & comments - thank you! You all are part of what makes the CC such a wonderful place to hang out and shop!

 

With 2013 recently underway, you've had time to develop your own New Year's resolutions - right? My first scrappy resolution is to explore the Tim Holtz world - all about inks & distressing! My second resolution was to find a sketch challenge site and try to participate every week. I'd been planning to do Sketch Inspirations, but she went on a break - but luckily, another CC'er mentioned Seize the Birthday. It's a fantastic blog all about sketches and birthday cards! Every other week, a new sketch is introduced - the first week, you make a feminine birthday card and the following week, you make a masculine one. How cool is that?!



 

Here is their first sketch for 2013.

 

Patterned paper (FP Love Story), FP white corrugated paper, Carte Bella kraft paper, TH Distress ink (Festive Berries & Brushed Pewter),

TH Clear Rock Candy distress crackle, Lifestyle Crafts Nested Eyelet Squares;

non-CC-items: Bazzill cardstock, QK die, TH Black Soot distress ink

 

And here's my take on their sketch (a birthday card for my mother). As you know, I try to use as much Cropchocolate.com product as I can, since I'm on their DT. This card also worked as an entry for CC's weekly challenge #44.

 

C'mon and join in the fun! You'll build up your stash of cards on hand!