Saturday, October 30, 2010

OSC Blog Hop and a Sweet Treat

~ETA: Candy is closed...congrats to JAC!~
Wahoo! I’m so excited to kick off an amazing blog hop for One Stop Crafts. We are celebrating our 2nd blogaversary by holding our first ever blog hop. In addition to the hop, we’re featuring our 104th challenge. The theme this week is ‘Anything Goes’. We hope to see LOTS of you playing along. There are some wonderful sponsors lined up with great prizes, and you just might find some sweet treats as you hop about.

Here are the rules for the hop/challenge:
1. Visit all the blogs on the list.
2. Leave a comment on each blog
3. Upload the link to your “Anything Goes’ craft project using the linky tool at One Stop Craft Challenge
4. Have Fun and Be INSPIRED

Here are the prizes from our awesome sponsors:

Some of the Design Team gals are giving away candy on their blogs; just follow their guidelines to be eligible to win their candy. Hang in there, I know this is a long post, but if you stay with me you might find the first taste of something sweet! I’ve been in full Halloween mode and used the challenge to create a witch hat shaped treat box.
 

Sketch Inspiration ~ 365 Cards Day 45 ~ White Space
I've been dreaming about this sketch for months (my list of 'to dos' for the 365 challenges will keep me awake when I'm stumped). I don't know if Pam will give me partial credit for this? I kept lots of white space and was certainly influenced by triangles.
Inspiration
Color Me Copic Challenge ~ Make Up Color faces with eye shadow and blush. I have a sassy mummy on the back of my project and gave her a tint of blush, eyeshadow, and even played with her lipstick.

My Creation
 Just untie the ribbon and the witch hat opens to reveal some Halloween treats.
Check out the Sassy Mummy keeping on eye on any sneaky attacks from behind.

Ready for some crafty sweets?
What’s Halloween without a little bit of candy? I’m offering this stash (retail value over $50) to a random commenter who plays in the challenge, and answers my question, “What was your favorite costume you ever wore?” The candy is available only to commenter's on my blog, not the challenge site.
Here’s what you could win from me:
  • 6x6 Chipboard Album Kit (Me & My Big Ideas)
  • 4.5x6.5 Indian Summer Matstack (Die Cuts With a View)
  • 2 packs of 9 Christmas brads (Target)
  • 18 paper tags notepad (Target)
  • 2 packs Chunky Blue Button Shapes (Dress it Up)
  • 2” Rub-On Alphabet in Black (Jo-Anns)
  • 2” Rub-On Alphabet in White (Jo-Anns)
  • Metal Square Alphabet Clips (Jo-Anns)
  • Metal Round Alphabet Clips (Jo-Anns)
  • 2 sets acrylic Halloween stamps (studio g)
Okay, are you ready to hop? Next stop is the amazing Chrissie. Remember to follow the rules and here’s the order in case you get lost along the way. Post a project at OSC, then come back here and answer my question in the comment section and you could win my candy! SWEET!

Cat (You are here)

Ins and Outs ~ Witch Hat Treat Box
Stamps: SU Classic Stars Wheel, Sassy Studio Designs Mummy
Paper: SU (Whisper White, Basic Black, Pumpkin Pie, Greenhouse Gala DP)
Ink: SU Whisper White Craft; Copics (E000; B000; W3, 5; 100; C3; R00, 27)
Accessories: SU Die and Punches (Square, Circle, Scallop Squares Duo), Pumpkin Pie Ribbon

Friday, October 29, 2010

Halloween Three-fer

I’ve been on a Halloween card making flurry and have several to share. I’ve decided to include them three of them in one post (there are more coming but I doubt I’ll get them all finished before Sunday). Be prepared for a little Halloween hangover into next week. :o)

Sparkly Candy Corn Treat
 

Inspiration

Sweet Spider
  
Inspiration
365 Cards Day 102 ~ Repetition is the Key (use a word and image at least 3x) Trick or Treat verse became background and used stars in each corner of image panel.

BOO-tiful Glittered Jack
 

Inspiration
365 Cards Day 239 ~ All that Glitters – color image only in glitter

Sparkly Candy Corn Treat
Stamps: SU (Trick or Treat, Halloween Backgrounds, Happy Jacks Wheel)
Paper: All SU
Ink: All SU
Accessories: Eyelets, Martha Stewart Glitter Markers (Orange, Yellow)
Sweet Spider
Stamps: SU (Trick or Treat, Everyday Flexible Phrases)
Paper: All SU
Ink: All SU
Accessories: SU (Ribbon, Twine, Word Window Punch); Jo-Ann’s Black Drops; Hole Punch
Techniques: Edge Distressing
BOO-tiful Glittered Jack
Stamps: SU (Trick or Treat, Groovy Lines); Lindsay’s Stamping Stuff Boo Banner
Paper: All SU
Ink: All SU
Accessories: Martha Stewart Glitter Marker Orange, SU Ribbon and Twine

Thursday, October 28, 2010

Medallion Halloween

I fell in love with the SU Medallion stamp the first time I saw it. It can be used for any season and thanks to the help of my SU friend, is now perfect for a Halloween card!

Sketch Inspiration ~ 365 Cards Day #179 ~ White Space


Inspiration
My Creation
To get this cool color effect, ink up your stamp with the main color (in my case Tangerine Tango); then take a marker (safe for stamps I used SU basic black) and randomly scribble color over the main color. Stamp on cardstock and VOILA, the mold effect! Okay, I don't know the real name of the technique but it kind of looks like mold growing on cheese.....um...maybe it's my color palette. :o)

Image Detail

Inside
Ins and Outs ~ Medallion Halloween
Stamps: SU Medallion, Batty for You, Nizzy’s Art Factory Digi Verse (inside)
Paper: Whisper White, Basic Black, Tangerine Tango

Ink: Staz on Black, Tangerine Tango

Accessories: SU Circle Punches, SU Ribbon, Wiggle Eyes, Yellow Stickles

Autumn Thinking of You

I'm on a mission to use up some of my image stash. I find that I create lots of 'snippets' and colored images that accumulate in a basket and never get used. This didn't quite turn out how I'd hoped, but at least it's a completed card! I think I got a little heavy handed with the sepia accents. :o)

Photo Inspiration ~ InStyles Stamp Challenge
I was greatly inspired by the colors and fall feeling in this pic.
 
Inspiration
Stamp Vacation Get the Music in You Challenge ~ Garden in the Rain
365 Cards Day 183 ~ Digging Deep Recipe
An item that is at least 6 months old (watercolor crayons)
2 sheets of patterned paper that you've never used (new stack)
An embellishment that you've had for more than a year (lace)
A stamp that you've never used but you've had for at least a year (SU image)


My Creation

Image Detail
I started with the sepia on the flower centers...just right.
Then I moved on to accenting the patterned paper...not too bad. I think my error happened when I decided to free hand squiggles on the solid paper! LOL.
Ins and Outs ~ Autumn Thinking of You
Stamps: Stamping Up
Paper: SU and DCWV Amber Autumn

Ink: SU Watercolor Wonder Crayons

Accessories: Misc Ribbon, Gem, Sepia Accents

Happy Anniversary Mr. Gears

Wahoo! Five years ago today, I married Mr. Gears. It was a lovely fall day and I've been blessed to have him as my partner in life. No big plans for us, especially since I won't see my sweetie. With the job market the way it is, he's been working the past year 2 hours away. He comes home on the weekends and will hopefully make it this weekend. He works for the agriculture industry and it's 'high harvest' right now. He's been pulling some long days the past few weeks to make hay while the sun shines. I was able to send him a little care package earlier this week and tucked in this sweet card.

Sketch Inspiration ~ I{heart}2stamp October Sketch #1
Inspiration
Stamping Vacation Animal Applause Challenge ~ Animal with an Unusual Coat or isn’t Furry I'm not sure what type of animal my Love Buggy is, but I don't think he's furry.
Scrap it with a Song #28 ~ My Guy I made the card for my very special guy.
365 Cards Day 82 ~ Substitution Please (sub a word with a number)
365 Cards Day 198 ~ Busy Background use 3 diff DP to completely fill background
365 Cards Day 218 ~ Making the Most of It use 3 DPS from same manufacturer; I used DCWV paper

My Creation
Inside
Ins and Outs ~ Happy Anniversary Mr. Gears 
Stamps: The Character Caf̩ 4 Ever Set and Love Buggy; Inside Verse РRaindrop Echo Designs Men SentimentsPaper: DCWV Amber Autumn, SU Whisper White
Ink: Laser Printer; Copics (E15, 18; R29); Spicas (Lipstick, Chocolate); Gelly Roll Clear Star Pen 

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Thank You for a Boss

I made this card for my boss in honor of Boss's Day (ahem, it was a week and a half ago). She fearlessly leads our team of 4 and is a great supporter of my crafting (if only I could convince her to let me stamp during the work day). LOL. This was made with supplies from a SU card kit and I'm in LOVE with the new textured designer paper. It's thicker than the regular DP, and the texture just begs to have you get up close and touchy with it. I like the effect of ink distressing with a sponge over the top as well.

2 Sisters Challenge #10 ~ Anything Goes
Flourishes Timeless Tuesday # 90 ~ Anything But Buttons or Bows Somehow I made a feminine card without any frills - not even a scrap of ribbon!
Stamping Vacation Embellish It ~ Brackets/Parenthesis My verse included brackets, I hope that counts.
365 Cards Day 197 ~ Country Charm The colors and sunflower made me think of my rural roots.
Sentimental Sundays #26 ~ Distressing I used ink distressing.

My Creation
I didn't want to use the standard 'thank you' sentiment and think this pretty much sums up how my team feels.

Image Detail
The flower centers were embossed and then punched out. The leaves are made from cutting out 'petals' of a punched 5 petal flower.
Ins and Outs ~ Boss's Day Thank You Card
Stamps: Stamping Up (Day of Gratitude, One of a Kind)
Paper: SU (Early Espresso, Very Vanilla, More Mustard, DP)

Ink: SU (Early Espresso, Old Olive)

Accessories: SU Punches (Scallop, Circle, 5 Petal Flower, Decorative Label), SU Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder, Pop Up Dots

Techniques: Dry Embossing, Ink Distressing

Friends Never Fade

This card was super quick and easy. I had the image portion floating around on my desk for awhile (wasn't sure I liked where my original thought was going and got tired of finding the piece under a pile) so I whipped it into a CAS card perfect for the season. Fall always makes me think of Thanksgiving, which in turn brings all the wonderful friends in my life to mind.

Daring Cardmakers Challenge ~ Autumn Leaves
365 Cards Day 209 ~ Keep it Simple One image, a sentiment, one embellishment, and limit the amount of space to about 1/3 of the entire space
365 Cards Day 226 ~ Tuesday Trio: Gold, Leaf, Ribbon

My Creation

Image Detail
I only used one image stamp, I just used different techniques to create 2 flowers.

Ins and Outs ~ Friends Never Fade
Stamps: Stamping Up Friends Never Fade
Paper: SU Whisper White and Pear Pizzazz; DCWV Amber Autumn base

Ink: SU (Pear Pizzazz, Real Red, Baja Breeze, Pumpkin Pie); Clear Star Gelly Roll Pen

Accessories: SU Ribon and Rhinestone

Techniques: CAS 

Don’t Forget the Date

This card is for a super sweet friend who is eagerly looking forward to her upcoming birthday. Okay, not really, but since I've already broken in this new decade for her, I get to poke a little fun her direction. I'd hope to send this a few weeks ago as the big day is quickly approaching. Considering I'm usually way behind on getting my cards sent out, this will be a surprise to get a cared BEFORE her birthday. I know she pops on my blog from time to time; hopefully she won't be out here today as the card was dropped in the mail yesterday. If not - surprise!

I'd hope to get this posted in time for the colourQ and Midnight Madness challenges, but the weather didn't cooperate. I have Internet service through my satellite provider and the signal will cut out in bad weather. The few moments I could get to the computer to schedule the post, the rain was falling. Today is cool, wet and grey again. Perfect for staying home and snuggling with the cat herd; too bad I have a day job!

Color Inspiration ~ colourQ Challenge #55


Inspiration
365 Cards Day 52 ~ Save the Date
365 Cards Day 194 ~ The Break Up: Take a sentiment and break it up
My sentiment was a single image that I cut into 2 pieces; one for the outside and the rest for the inside of the card.
My Creation

Image Detail
I don't have the accompaniment SU set so I just hand wrote the month and dates. I like incorporating my handwriting when possible to add a more personal touch.
Inside
Ins and Outs ~ Don't Forget the Date
Stamps: Stamping Up Mark the Date, TLC Creations Verse
Paper: SU Whisper White, DCWV Amber Autumn

Ink: Memento (Tuxedo Black, Ladybug), SU Markers

Accessories: Misc Rub On, Pop Up Dots

Sunday, October 24, 2010

OSC Photo Inspiration DT Card

This card was so fun to make. Gina gave us a great photo inspiration challenge over at One Stop Crafts this week and I fell in love with the colors and was inspired by the palm fronds coming in from the side of the photo. The pic looks like the perfect setting to sit with a good friend. My life is blessed abundantly with good friends, and if you can believe it, a few who do not share my love for crafting! Trust me, I've tried to sway them over with glitter and glue guns, but to no avail. LOL. I have a special friend in mind to receive this card and I know she'll love it. I hope you are inspired by some of the great challenges that helped me create this card. If you join us at OSC this week, you could win some FREE digis from Robyn's Fetish. Hope to see you there!

Sketch Inspiration ~ Stamping 411 Sketch Challenge #174


Photo Inspiration ~ One Stop Craft Challenges #103

Color Inspiration ~ Colour Create #56 ~ Purple Aqua White

Inspiration

Image Detail

See how the image is all one layer with the background? Just cut out a stencil and stick it down (I used SU 2 way glue pen to create the 'post it note' type of sticky that held, but didn't stay); then stamp in your image. I sponged the blue sky.
Ins and Outs ~ Window for a Friend
Stamps: Stamping Up Great Friend
Paper: Stampin Up (Rich Razzleberry, Whisper White, Old Olive)

Ink: Stampin Up (Bashful Blue, Rich Razzleberry, Old Olive, Always Artichoke)
Accessories: Stampin Up (Pearls, Ribbon, Eyelet Border Punch)

Techniques:Masking

Friday, October 22, 2010

Spooky Jack

There are so many fun Halloween images out there, and this card features a freebie from Digital Delights. I’ve been coloring images for a few weeks and now just need to get them onto cards before the season passes! I had lots of fun practicing with my orange Copics. Afterward, I realized I should have printed out the image on orange cardstock and then just added shading. It would have saved some ink. LOL, live and learn.


Color Inspiration
365 Cards Day 221 ~ DIY: Patterned Paper with a Theme (create your own background paper with a Halloween theme). I created the boo paper using a precolored image from TLC Creations.

Image Detail

The 'boos' are a digi image that I copied, pasted, and rotated to make my own designer background paper.

Inside
I kept the inside pretty simple and just used up the scraps from the piece I used on the front of the card.
Ins and Outs ~ Spooky Jack
Stamps: Digital Delights Pumpkin, TLC Boo
Paper: SU Whisper White, DCWV Spooky and Fall stacks, computer generated BOO paper
Ink: Laser Printer; Copics (Y17, 38; G29, 85; YR04, 07; E37, 93, 97, 100)
Accessories: Pop up dots