Ribbon Challenge

For this supplies challenge, I sent each of the other members of CCEE (a group of 8 friends from all over the world who do a stamping challenge each Monday) a baggie of printed ribbons from which to choose. We were to design a card around one of those ribbons. If you ever want to see 8 different styles and personalities doing the same challenge, click on the CCEE link on the left side of my blog. I think it's so interesting to see the variety. This is mine. In real life, the cardstock is more of a pink lavender and matches the ribbon exactly. I used the circle and oval cutting system from Creative Memories for the oval. The two stray flowers were cut from the ribbon and glued onto the cardstock.

Recipe: paper- lavender (Bazzil), bright green; ink- black archival; stamps- Rubber Stampede; accessories- Cuttlebug, ribbon (Offray), pop dots.

Now That's What I Call A Moth!

I admit it. I was a hard sell on digital cameras. I was so happy with my Canon T-50 35mm camera we bought way back in 1983. It took great pictures, was easy to use. Never mind the fact that sometimes it took me ages to get the film developed. But now that I have my digital, I am constantly taking pictures. I love taking pictures of nature and being able to look really close up at things. This huge moth was on my patio today. He very obligingly walked onto the ruler so I could measure him. I looked him up on the internet. He's an Imperial Moth (Eacles imperalis). You may want to know that some day. Make sure you click on the picture to see the close-up. He's furry!

My Favorite Thing

I found, through a friend, a delightful blog called "My Romantic Home". If you love the romantic, shabby chic look, you'll love this site. Cindy is wonderfully creative and inventive and has a fabulous eye for design. Her home is so beautiful. She also has great tips on refinishing furniture. Anyway, she is having an "our favorite things' weekend, where you can share one of your favorite belongings. You can find her blog at http://www.romantichome.blogspot.com/

I had to think a little, but definitely one of my favorite things in my home is this chair. I bought it at a yard sale for $25. It was covered with a very 1970's orange and green upholstery fabric. I can't believe I didn't take a before picture. This was my first attempt at reupholstering and I'm very pleased with how it turned out. Even the fabric was a bargain...purchased for just a few dollars at a remnant sale. A few weeks after finishing, I found this pillow that matches perfectly at a gift shop while on a trip.

Cake Inspired

One of the challenges on SCS this week is inspired by a stunning cake. If I can figure out how to do it, I'll include a photo of it. This card is my interpretation of the inspiration. Am I allowed to say that I love this card without sounding too egotistical? lol!

Recipe: paper- black, apple green dp; ink- white pigment; stamps- Brocade Basics, Wonderful Words (SU); accessories- satin ribbon (Offray), green crystal brad, white ep, pop dots.

Same Card, Different Colors

Last Wednesday I posted a card using Basic Grey designer paper. This is just the same design using a different color scheme. Most of the time, when I ink up a stamp I stamp it several times. This gives me a supply of stamped images I can draw from when I need a card. I also love to do a card I like in different color schemes.

Recipe: ink- black archival; stamps- French Script, Essence of Love (SU); paper- Not Quite Navy, Blue Bayou, black, Basic Grey dp; accessories- ribbon (Offray).

A Week of Challenges

Splitcoaststampers is sponsoring a week of challenges hosted by the Dirty Dozen design team. I've been trying to do a few. What I love about doing challenges is that it stretches you out of your comfort zone...making you try techniques and styles that are not your usual fare.
This first card is the result of the challenge to keep a lot of white, the design simple, and layers to a minimum. I combined it with a challenge to design a card around ribbon. I've been wanting to use this ribbon since I got it. The size and boldness of the pattern is such a statement on it's own, it was perfect for a simple card.

Recipe: paper- white; ink- black archival; stamps- Essential Sentiments (MFT); accessories- ribbon (Offray), crimper.




Watercoloring was the technique of choice for another challenge. I don't watercolor very often, so it was good practice for me. I used a blender pen and a water pen, pressing on the closed lid of the stamp pad to use the ink gathered on the lid as my palette.

Recipe: ink- black archival, various colors dye inks; paper- pale grey, white, lavender Bazzil; stamps- Inkadinkado; accessories- Cuttlebug, ribbon (Offray).

Music and Tea

Another Monday stamping challenge. This time we were to make a card with a music theme and to use tea staining. The photo on my card came from the back of a calendar featuring paintings of angels. The sentiment is one I stamped ages ago, borrowing a stamp from a friend...so I've long since forgotten the company that produced it. All panels are distressed with Tim Holtz Distress Ink. I used both Tea Dye and Antique Linen. Although difficult to see, the kraft panel is lightly stamped with the Irish Blessing in mellow moss.

recipe: stamps- Irish Blessing background (SU), sentiment (source unknown); paper- rust and green Bazzil, vanilla, kraft; ink- mellow moss, close to cocoa, Tim Holtz Distress Ink (tea dye and antique linen); accessories- cuttlebug, copper brads, pop dots.