Valerie H. Wilson

SDC48: CASE A Stampotique Designer

2012-02-08T01:00:00.000-04:00

Today it's time for another Stampotique Designer's Challenge and this week, Kim has us trying something a bit different than usual. She has asked us to CASE one of the Stampotique Designer's. What is a CASE? Copy and Steal Everything.

Pick out a favorite project from any of the Stampotique Designer's personal blogs or any project on on the Stampotique Designer's Blog or The Stampotique Challenge Blog and create your own version of their project. You can make it quite similar or loosely based on the original (i.e. different stamps, colors, embellishments, etc.)... just put your own spin on it!

Make sure you link to the one you are copying so we can see the project that inspired your creation! My inspiration came from Jane Wentzell's lovely creation posted back in September called "Under The Parapluie". I have used the same stamps and layout but I have changed up the color scheme. I really enjoyed this project as it used up some of my favorite scraps of paper and combined them into one fun project! Thank you for the inspiration, Jane!

Jane's Wonderful Original

My CASE of Jane's Original

"Imitation is the sincerest of flattery."
Charles Caleb Colton, (1780 - 1832) in Lacon, volume I, no. 183

TSC27: Love & Lace - Sponsored by The Cutting Garden

2012-02-01T01:37:00.001-04:00

This month, Debbie challenges us to create a project using her theme of Love And Lace for The Stampsmith Challenge! From puppy love to romantic love, anything goes!! Haul out your stash of lace and have fun creating!

This month's prize is being provided by The Cutting Garden in Halifax, Nova Scotia where four members of the Stampsmith Design Team will be holding a Stampsmith workshop on Saturday, February 11th. The Cutting Garden is now stocking Stampsmith stamps and invites you to drop off or mail in a project to be displayed in the store until March 31. All entries will automatically be entered in this month's Stampsmith Challenge and draw for a free sheet of Stampsmith stamps. Visit The Cutting Garden web site for further details in the Events Calendar.

Here is my little creation for this challenge. It will be the project that I will be teaching at The Cutting Garden Stampsmith Workshop! I'm looking forward to this special event! :)

"Maude's Memories"
featuring Maude by The Stampsmith

SDC47: Alter Something

2012-01-25T01:00:00.000-04:00

It’s time for another Stampotique Designer's Challenge and Kate is here as our host this week! January seems to be a time when many of us decide to use what we already have so with that in mind I challenge you all to alter something! It can be anything from a matchbox to a coaster, an old CD to an empty cardboard box. Have a good hunt around, see what you can find and give it the Stampotique treatment!

I have altered an old CD case and created a round card that fits inside. I thought this would be a fun way to give a giftcard to a friend... hope you like it!

Stamps by Stampotique:
Great Moon, Wee Owl, Bow Heart

2012-01-15T19:55:00.001-04:00

Here's a Third Coast project I haven't had a chance to show you yet!
I know it's subtle, but I have colored this image with Copic markers to create some natural shadows and shading. This beautiful stamp really does all of the work for you! :)

Stamp by Third Coast Rubber Stamps:
Bernadette's Blooms (FA216L)
Colored with Copic Markers
W1, W3, W5, W7

"A garden must combine the poetic and he mysterious with a feeling of serenity and joy."
Luis Barragan

SDC46: Pocket or Purse Calendar

2012-01-11T02:19:00.000-04:00

Seriously, how does the time go by so fast? I'm so sorry I missed posting my last Stampotique Challenge card... it was waiting for me to find a memory card for my camera!! I have found the most ancient card ever (128mb!!! LOL!!) and am now at least able to take a few pics before running out of room on the card! I'm convinced my DH has the others in his gear from when we were travelling in November!! Gah!

Anyway, without waiting any longer, it's time for this week's Stampotique Designer's Challenge! This week Maria gave us the challenge to create a handy pocket calendar or purse calendar. The challenges are now Stampotique only so grab your favorite Stampotique images and join us for your chance to win a $30 gift certificate for Stampotique stamps.

Here's my little purse calendar (did I mention that I love little things to tuck in my purse?!?) I know I've used this same monster before, but the idea hit and I had to run with it!! The fold is a slightly modified basic origami square base and since there were 4 flaps, I included 16 months (4 per flap) using the time and date online calendar creator. I think I'll experiment with an acetate belly band or perhaps just a pretty ribbon closure!

"Live not one's life as though one had a thousand years, but live each day as the last."
Marcus Aurelius Antoninus

SDC44: Shimmer, Glimmer, Glitter & Glitz

2011-12-14T01:00:00.000-04:00

It's that time again when we get to share the new theme for the Stampotique Designer's Challenge! This week, I've selected the theme and am hoping you'll break out your "Shimmer, Glimmer, Glitter and Glitz" using shimmery paper, glittery embellishments, glimmery paints/washes/spritz or any kind of glitzy bling in your creations....let your inspiration shine! This week is going to be the last challenge where you can use ANY stamps, so be sure to join in the fun for your chance to win!

Here's my glittery little creation for this theme using the sparkly Lost and Found Christmas paper from My Mind's Eye - the bling's built right in!! LOL! One thing that struck me funny about this pairing of stamps is that Snowman has the same hunch to his back as adorable Dweeze does! Do you think Dweeze made him that way!?!

Stamps by Stampotique Originals:
Beauty Verse, Snowman, Dweeze

"Though we travel the world over to find the beautiful, we must carry it with us or we find it not."
Ralph Waldo Emerson

2011 CD Calendar - December

2011-12-05T00:17:00.001-04:00

Can you believe December is here already!!!!????
This is the last insert for this year's CD calendar!!
Click here to see the rest of the pages during the past year!
This has been a fun project... one I'll keep doing each month!

Stamps by Stampotique Originals:
Santa Baby, Xmas 5-sided Cube

"Believe in love. Believe in magic. Hell, believe in Santa Claus. Believe in others. Believe in yourself. Believe in your dreams. If you don't, who will?"
Jon Bon Jovi

2011 CD Calendar - November

2011-12-02T11:05:00.001-04:00

Well, the last time I posted, we had just finished a snow storm and the kids were outside building snowmen - which was my inspiration for November's cd calendar. Now, of course, it's taken me this long to post it and we're now having T-shirt weather with green lawns and Spring bulbs sprouting (no wonder they're confused)!! In any event, this was a fun one to make! :)

Stamps by Stampotique Originals:
Snowy Fran, Bella

"I'm glad that life isn't like a Christmas song, because if my friends and I were building a snowman and it suddenly came alive when we put a hat on it, I'd probably freak and stab it to death with an icicle."
Matthew Perry

Surprise!!

2011-11-24T13:00:00.000-04:00

That's what we have here in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada - a white surprise!! The first significant storm of the season dumped 16+ inches of snow here yesterday creating a beautiful winter wonderland! Anyone not prepare got buried, just like this unsuspecting fella below! It was hard to capture how much this card sparkles covered with Glitter Ritz... hopefully, you can see some of it in the closeup when you click on it!

FA3550 Snowy Scenes (Crow) by Third Coast Rubber Stamps

Wishing a very Happy Thanksgiving to all of our friends celebrating today!

"Winter is the time of promise because there is so little to do -
or because you can now and then permit yourself the luxury of thinking so."
Stanley Crawford

SDC43: It's A Non-Traditional Christmas

2011-11-23T01:01:00.000-04:00

It's time for another Stampotique Designer's Challenge! This week Vicki is challenging us to create a Christmas card with non-traditional colors - that means not red and green!! Fun!!

Pull out your Stampotique Stamps and play along with this week's challenge for your chance to win a $30 Stampotique Gift Certificate - now that's a great Christmas gift!!

Here's my little project for this challenge. This Basic Grey paper reminded me of a partridge in a pear tree, so I ran with it! (Now that I look, I guess there is a bit of green in the pattern, but I think it is very non-traditional and does the trick! :) To me, it looks like Kira's Monster is giving the gift of friendship to his budgie this Christmas! Awww.... isn't he cute!!?

Monster and Budgie by Stampotique Originals

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone celebrating this week!
Val :)

Congratulations to The Cutting Garden!

2011-11-21T09:21:00.001-04:00

The Cutting Garden has a new location opening today at
70 Lacewood Drive, Halifax, NS!
See http://thecuttinggarden.ca for all of the details!

SDC42: Sketch Challenge

2011-11-16T12:49:00.001-04:00

Here is the current Stampotique Designer's Sketch Challenge hosted by Lisa who says, "I don't know about you, but I love to use sketches as a jumping point for my work, so for this weeks challenge, I'm providing you the following sketch."

Feel free to rotate it, change the focal image, but try to keep the sketch in tact. For this weeks challenge you can use ANY Stamp companies images, but if you have Stampotique images, we'd love for you to use them. Play along with this weeks sketch challenge for your chance to win a $30 Stampotique Gift Certificate! Here's my little creation for this challenge!

Stamps by Stampotique Originals

Best wishes,
Val :)

Stampotique Welcomes Kira Nichols!

2011-11-15T01:01:00.000-04:00

Announcing new images and new artists are always exciting at Stampotique Originals and so we are thrilled to announce our newest artist, Kira Nichols. Kira has designed some very unique monsters and kitties for her first line of stamps and here is a look at the collection (plus a few great corresponding sentiments)!
Here is my little creation to celebrate the new release!(I just had to giggle while I worked with these adorable 'monsters'!)
Want a chance to win some of Kira's new images? Hop along with the designers as well as our special guest, leaving comments along the way, for your chance to win some of Kira's new images. We will randomly draw a winner from one of the blogs and announce the winner with our next challenge.Make sure to leave comments along the way and a randomly chosen commenter will win some of these new stamps. From here you will want to visit Maria Sabina Raita.

Below is a complete list in case you go off the beaten path and need some redirection.

Valerie Wilson<----you are here

Equinox Greetings!

2011-11-07T13:00:00.000-04:00

I know it's a wee bit late, but I was inspired by the changing seasons!
Here's what wikipedia has to say about the equinox...

An equinox occurs twice a year, when the tilt of the Earth's axis is inclined neither away from nor towards the Sun, the center of the Sun being in the same plane as the Earth's equator. The term equinox can also be used in a broader sense, meaning the date when such a passage happens. The name "equinox" is derived from the Latin aequus (equal) and nox (night), because around the equinox, the night and day have approximately equal length....

An equinox happens each year at two specific moments in time (rather than two whole days), when there is a location (the subsolar point) on the Earth's equator, where the center of the Sun can be observed to be vertically overhead, occurring around March 20/21 and September 22/23 each year.

Candle Bearers and Equinox Greetings by Third Coast

Although the word equinox is often understood to mean "equal [day and] night," this is not strictly true. For most locations on earth, there are two distinct identifiable days per year when the length of day and night are closest to being equal; those days are referred to as the "equiluxes" to distinguish them from the equinoxes. Equinoxes are points in time, but equiluxes are days. By convention, equiluxes are the days where sunrise and sunset are closest to being exactly 12 hours apart.

TSC24: Ribbons and Lace + Anniversary Blog Hop

2011-11-01T01:01:00.000-03:00

This month is The Stampsmith Challenge's one year anniversary and there are two prizes with extra chances to win... read on!!

This month's lovely theme of Ribbons and Lace was suggested by Lynne. Create a project that includes ribbon, lace and at least one Stampsmith Stamp and link your project here! All projects will be entered in a random draw at the end of the month. The winner will get to select their choice of a full sheet of Stampsmith rubber valued at $21!

In addition, at the end of this month, ALL of the comments from this blog and each of the designers' blogs will be put in a hat to draw for an additional full sheet of Stampsmith rubber - also valued at $21!!! The more love you leave, the more chances you'll have to win!!

If you arrived here from Debbie Reid's Blog, Scraps From A Broad, then you are in the right place and you have reached the last stop in the hop! Below is a complete list of the blogs in this hop incase you have missed any! Be sure to leave a comment at each stop for more chances to win! Have fun hopping and best of luck in the draw!!

Here is my Ribbons and Lace project for a bit of inspiration! Won't you please play along!

Stamp from the Wedding Bells Sheet by The Stampsmith

2011 CD Calendar - October

2011-10-30T01:19:00.001-03:00

Well, October sure has been a busy month! My CD calendar is almost exactly a month late, but better late than never!! My godchildren had their family Halloween dance at school this week and they all looked adorable in their little costumes! They must have put me in the mood for dressing up because I put poor Jammin' in a girly ballerina costume for Halloween! With a little help from Jo's Pretty Party Dress and my sharp little scissors, Jammin' pulls off a pretty convincing pirouette on his repositioned legs!!

Stamps by Stampotique Originals:
Pretty Party Dress, Jammin'

"When you dance, your purpose is not to get to a certain place on the floor. It's to enjoy each step along the way."
Wayne Dyer

SDC41: Altered Poison Bottle

2011-10-26T03:24:00.001-03:00

I have no idea where the time has gone lately! It's been super busy this fall! It's time already for the latest Stampotique Designer's Challenge!

This week, Maria is issuing a great new challenge:

"I have a new fun and creative challenge for you all this week. Are you ready for Halloween? Well, guess what? My challenge for you today is an: Altered poison bottle. I have a passion for sweet/spooky bottles and I would love to see your creations using Stampotique stamps."

Here's my take on this creative challenge theme! I'm not sure it looks as much like a house as it is supposed to, but it'll do the trick I think! LOL! I hope you'll join the fun for your chance to win!

All stamps by Stampotique:
Enchantress, Halloween Cube 1, Welcome Door

Drink from this bottle those who dare;
It offers the promise of green hair!
Valerie H. Wilson

Braaains!!!

2011-10-21T12:42:00.000-03:00

Don't ya just love how Hallowe'en brings out all of the creepies!!?!

My hubby has been playing a zombie game on his iPhone an awful lot lately so I made him this fun little zombie bookmark!! The green matches his office colors - hope he likes it! LOL!

This great Creep In The Cellar stamp is from Third Coast. Be sure to pop over to the Third Coast Creative Coterie where the design team is celebrating 31 Days of Halloween this month!

ES-221-H Creep In The Cellar
from the Halloween 2006 Catalog

"Don't worry, the zombies are looking for brains.
You're safe!"
Unknown

SDC40: It's Tag Time!

2011-10-12T10:40:00.001-03:00

It's time for another Stampotique Designer's Challenge! Nellie is our hostess this week and here is what she says about her challenge theme:

"I love to work on a tag. For me it feels like it somehow invites you to think and work in another way than when you’re making cards. So I challenge you to make a tag or some project in which you use a tag. Any size, any color as long as there’s at least one tag involved in your artwork."

You can use stamps from any company for this challenge. But even better, grab your Stampotique stamps and get stamping! Here's my not-so-little 5"x 9" tag for this challenge...

Stamps by Stampotique Originals:
Wish Word, Fly Word, Spider from Birds and Bugs Cube,
Web, Tangled, Brrr, Bat Like Wings

Borrowed Wings
Born to ground
I dream of flight.
Toil and frown
I seek the night.
Prison of soil
I begin to scowl.
Close my eyes
I become the owl.
To the moon
and back again.
I soar by grace,
as do my friends.
With wisdom wrought
from borrowed wings,
I begin to write
what this heart sings.
Scott Scherr

The Stampsmith Celebrates!

2011-10-10T12:59:00.000-03:00

Congratulations to Laurie Quick who won the contest celebration over at The Stampsmith Blog!
Here is my little creation from the event! I had fun using all of my cutting tools for this one!

Image: Thank Heaven for Little Girls Sheet by The Stampsmith
Card base: Labels 8 by Spellbinder
Frame: Ornate Frame #3 by Sizzix
Flower: Daisy Whale of a Punch by EK Success

"Newlyweds become oldyweds, and oldyweds are the reasons that families work."
Author Unknown

Happy World Card Making Day!

2011-10-01T20:00:00.000-03:00

I can't think of a better way of celebrating World Card Making Day than spending time in the craft room! Have a crafty day everyone! :)

Here's a little creation made using a brand new witch from Third Coast Rubber Stamps!

VB-369-M Big Head Witch by Third Coast

On Hallowe'en the thing you must do
Is pretend that nothing can frighten you
And if somethin' scares you and you want to run
Just let on like it's Hallowe'en fun.
Author Unknown

TSC23: Halloween - Using At Least One Stampsmith Stamp

2011-10-01T00:01:00.000-03:00

Happy World Card Making Day everyone!!

Today brings a new Stampsmith Challenge theme of Halloween! Starting today, you will now have an entire month to join The Stampsmith Challenge by creating a project featuring at least one Stampsmith stamp! One random winner will select their favorite full sheet of Stampsmith rubber valued at $21 at the end of every month!

Congratulations to Estelle on her new Stampsmith On-Line Store - there's so much new to see - an interactive catalog with online ordering, tips and tricks, a beautiful gallery and much more!!

Welcome to the new Stampsmith designers, Melanie Bennett and Debbie Reid - be sure to check out their beautiful, inspiring work!!

Image: from Darling Boys Sheet by The Stampsmith
Sentiment: Computer Generated

"I've always wanted to be Wonder Woman, of course. She had the greatest costume."
Kelly Hu

SDC39: Humorous Birthday - Using Stampotique Stamps

2011-09-28T04:00:00.000-03:00

It's time for the next Stampotique Designer's Challenge! Today is Vicki's birthday (happy bday Vicki!!) so she has challenged us to create a humorous birthday project!! Here are her words about the challenge,

"Hi, Vicki here! Since today is my Birthday, I'm excited about sharing a Birthday Challenge with you......you must send me all your cards~ (Just kidding! lol) anyway, at my age, in order to deal with deteriorating gravity, laugh lines and achy joints, humour has become a fabulous coping mechanism!!!
So here's the challenge: create a humorous Birthday Greeting! Something Funny, Sarcastic........perhaps an image that will evoke a giggle or a good belly laugh, which I particularly enjoy! What is even funnier (to me) is that it's Challenge#39......hehe.......I have some pals that have been 39 for quite some time! If the truth be known, in my experience, life begins at 40!
I can't wait to see what you create!!! Don't forget that one lucky player will win some Stampotique Bucks! This is a Stampotique only week so please remember to use those Stampotique stamps on your creations"

Happy Birthday Vicki! Have a blast!

Stamps by Stampotique Originals:
Relaxin', Christmas 5 Sided Cube
Sentiment: computer generated

I still have a full deck; I just shuffle slower now.
Author Unknown

TSC22: Autumn Delights - Using at least one Stampsmith stamp!

2011-09-19T11:03:00.000-03:00

This week at The Stampsmith Challenge, we are so excited to welcome Melanie Bennett and Debbie Reid to the Stampsmith Design Team. We are thrilled that they will be sharing their inspiration on The Stampsmith Designers' Blog and joining us for The Stampsmith Challenges!! They each have their own fabulous creative genius and we know you will be as inspired by their work as we are!! Welcome ladies!

For this week's challenge, the lovely Lynne challenges us to celebrate Autumn. She asks us to use autumnal colours, an image from this season, or elements that reflect the transition from Summer to Winter. Here is my crafty project for this theme using one of my favorite Stampsmith stamps! Thank you to Kim Blanchette for having me over for a fabulous crafty time and sharing these extraordinary blingy leaves with me!!

Image from the sheet called My Honey by Stampsmith

"Winter is an etching, spring a watercolor, summer an oil painting and autumn a mosaic of them all."
Stanley Horowitz

Baby It's Cold Outside!

2011-09-17T11:29:00.000-03:00

I have finally finished the luminary that I have been working on for a while now!! It's perfect timing too because the temperature took a major nosedive here today and this sentiment is perfect!!

This gorgeous caped beauty is from Third Coast and I thought she would be fun to paper piece with this whimsical paper from Chatter Box called Light Snowflakes. It took me a while to stamp and cut her out 4 times so I could use both sides of the paper for different parts of her garb! Her fur has been splashed with Glamour Dust and the snowflakes have all been kissed with Stardust Stickles - you should see this thing shine in person - especially pretty with an electric tea light inside shining through the velum!!

Stamps by Third Coast:
VB-376-M, Caped Lady Winter
WS-173-A, Cold Outside (word stamp)
AP-453-A, Flake

"Winter is the season in which people try to keep the house as warm as it was in the summer, when they complained about the heat."
Author Unknown

SDC38: Black, White and a HINT of Color - Using Stamps From Any Company

2011-09-14T02:08:00.000-03:00

This week is a new Stampotique Challenge issued by design team member Kaz. Here is what she has challenged us with:

"I'm setting you another colour challenge as you all did such a good job of the last one. This time it's to use black and white and add just a hint of another colour. You can make anything you like. This week is also a non-Stampotique stamps week for your chance at a $30 gift certificate for Stampotique stamps."

Here's my little project - an ATC. I'm afraid it seemed to morph into more than just a hint of orange... sorry, Kaz!!!

Stamps by Stampotique:
Batty About You, Tetewea

"Mistakes are the portals of discovery."
James Joyce (1882 - 1941)

2011 CD Calendar - September

2011-09-07T11:00:00.000-03:00

When I remembered that I had this awesome pad of school paper, I knew exactly what I wanted to create! Doesn't Toby look like a school teacher who is dejected by Twinkie kicking a soccer ball down the hallway at school?! LOL!

Toby and Twinkie by Stampotique

"You send your child to the schoolmaster, but 'tis the schoolboys who educate him."
Ralph Waldo Emerson

TSC21: Fabulous Faux - Using Stamps From Any Company

2011-09-01T01:11:00.000-03:00

Can you believe it's time for another Stampsmith Challenge already!? This week, Karen challenges us to create a project that includes a faux technique. Now this certainly leaves a lot of choice - as stampers, we're always creating something that imitates something else!

by Anne Hadara

I went hunting for a new technique to try and I found a lovely one on Splitcoaststampers called Faux Pressed Flowers. I took Anne Hadara's idea and pressed my flowers in a Cuttlebug dry embossing folder. When I get a little more brave, I am going to try this again embossing the entire card front like Anne did and see how it turns out!

Image from Thank Heaven For Little Girls Sheet by The Stampsmith

"We have magnificent brains, but we use a great deal of our brilliance to keep ourselves stuck and ignorant, to keep ourselves from not shining. We are so afraid of our beauty and radiance and brilliance because it scared the adults around us when we were children."
Patricia Sun

Stampotique New Release Blog Hop

2011-08-31T01:01:00.000-03:00

Giant Flower Bookmark

Welcome to Wednesday!

Have you been chomping at the bit waiting for Stampotique Originals to release some more of your favorite stamps? Well, you have stopped in at the right place today! We are thrilled to announce our newest release featuring many of your favorite designers.

We've got new images from Jo Capper-Sandon, Maryse Carrier, Janet Klein and Daniel Torrente and Jill Penney. There's a great mix of Halloween images, nature images, some winter images and some cute kid images. There's an image for everyone to ink up and you are sure to find more than one that you will have to have.

Are you drooling yet? Are you wanting to see some of these creepy, crawly, cute and furry friends? Then join the design team and our special guest for our new release blog hop today starting here. Make sure to leave a comments along the way and randomly chosen commented will win some of these new stamps.

If you arrived here from Sue Roddis' blog Jabberwocky then you are in the right place. If not, you will want to go back and start the hop at the Stampotique Designer's Challenge. From here you will want to visit Vicki Garrett's blog Summerthyme Studio. Below is a complete list in case you go off the beaten path and need some redirection. Have fun hopping and let us know what you think of the new stamps and which ones that you have seen are your favorite!

SDC37: Bookmark - Using Stampotique Stamps

2011-08-24T11:30:00.000-03:00

It's time for the new Stampotique Designer's Challenge! This week, the wonderful Kate Crane has us creating bookmarks! Kate must have known that bookmarks are one of my favorite projects!! Kate says anything goes... a traditional straight bookmark, a corner bookmark, a swinging tag, whatever! It can be any style... vintage, funky, cute or weird. Just have fun and be sure to link up your project for a chance to win $30 to spend in the Stampotique Shop!! Here's my little creation. Moon Belly's wings really do sparkle in person - honest!!

Stamps by Stampotique Originals:
Journey Collage, Moon Belly, Concentric Squares Block

"In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: it goes on."
Robert Frost

Deep End Of The Ocean

2011-08-22T01:24:00.000-03:00

Here is another Third Coast project. This one features Waltz of the Sirens from the Winter 2006 Supplement. To create the background for this card, I used a smooshed watercolor background technique using Crayola markers and a Platinum Planet Brilliance re-inker.

You can check out Dawn's video featuring this technique and then put your own spin on it! I scribbled Crayola markers on inside of sheet protector, added a few drops of reinker and spritzed it with water. Then I smooshed the sheet protector together, opened it and add 2 pieces of white card stock. I re-smooshed the sandwich and then removed the paper and dried it with the heat gun.

Using one of the background pieces, I stamped Waltz of the Sirens and heat set it before coloring the vines with Copics, the hair with Spica and the tails with Crystal Stickles.

Image: Waltz of the Sirens by Third Coast

"Magic
Sandra’s seen a leprechaun,
Eddie touched a troll,
Laurie danced with witches once,
Charlie found some goblins gold.
Donald heard a mermaid sing,
Susy spied an elf,
But all the magic I have known
I've had to make myself."
Shel Silverstein (Where the Sidewalk Ends)

TSC20: Gettin' Sketchy - Using At Least One Stampsmith Stamp

2011-08-15T11:13:00.006-03:00

This week, The Stampsmith Challenge has a sketch to use as a starting point for your project! This challenge asks us to push the boundaries and come up with some innovative ideas for the sketch following these easy guidelines:

project may be any shape or dimensions
sizes and positioning of layers may be altered to meet your needs
colors of squares and circles have no impact on paper choices (i.e. reuse papers, etc.)
embellish any way you wish (any materials, any placement)
add sentiments anywhere you wish
this is just meant to be a starting point
most of all, just have fun!! :)

Here is the little project I created. I flipped the sketch around, modified the shapes a bit and added a bow embellishment and a few pearls. I hope you'll join the challenge too for a chance to win a gift certificate to spend in the Stampsmith Store!!

Image: from the Wedding Bells Plate by Stampsmith
Paper: from the Botanical Collection by Prima

"Success in marriage does not come merely through finding the right mate, but through being the right mate."
Barnett R. Brickner

SDC#36: Altering A Book Page - Using Stamps From Any Company

2011-08-10T05:00:00.000-03:00

It's time for the next Stampotique Designer's Challenge and this week I got to pick the theme again! I have been so inspired by all of the art journals that I have been seeing in magazines and online that I thought we should all try a book page! So this week the challenge is to try altering a page in a book - any book: novel, journal, sketchbook, cookbook, music book, coloring book, dictionary, whatever! Any book counts! Be sure to grab some inspiration from the amazing design team projects to get you started!

Originally I chose this theme mostly to challenge myself to try something new. That certainly happened and then some... it worked too well!! I found myself waaaayyyyyy outside of my element with this one but gave it a go anyway. I hope you'll give it a go too - even if you've never tried one before!! This week, the challenge is also open to any stamps - so
"have at 'er" and let's see what you create!! For your chance to win, link up here!!

All stamps by Stampotique Originals:
Femme Collage, Princess, Goddess,
Single Tear, Honeycomb Background

Here's my attempt!!!! I used a background paper and then stamped the Honeycomb on it and stamped Single Tear on a spare scrap and placed it in the corner. Then I layered a piece of tissue paper stamped with Femme Collage over the background with glue stick (icky & difficult with tissue paper!!!!!!!!) Next, I popped up the Femme sentiment on another layer and then and added the side and bottom sentiments. Finally, I grunged everything up with a bit of sponged Ancient Page Lavendar ink. C'est tout!

Warm Holiday Wishes!!

2011-08-08T19:21:00.001-03:00

I know it's early, but I am busy creating holiday classes already for the local stamp store, so I have been trying to 'get in the mood' so to speak!! I was looking back through the cards I created from recycled calendars and magazines last year and found quite a stash that I don't think that I have shared yet. Here are just a few of them!!

If I Could Fly...

2011-08-04T23:33:00.001-03:00

If I could fly, this is exactly how I would want to do it - floating on a flower!! LOL! This wonderful stamp is from Third Coast's Winter '06 Release along with sooooo many other amazing images on my wish list!! Keep an eye out for the new release on it's way from Third Coast!!

The image has been colored with Copics and mounted on a Spellbinder oval against this gorgeous background paper (I finally used a page from the gazillion 6'x6' books in my stash!). I left room above the birdcage for a sentiment but it grew on me without one, so now nothing I put in that spot looks quite right to me!

I am entering this project in the Allsorts Free & Easy challenge where anything goes this week - why not join the fun too!?!

Image: Fairy Floriane by Third Coast
Paper: 6'x6' Butterfly Wings from Butterfly Garden by PinkPaislee

Faeries, come take me out of this dull world,
For I would ride with you upon the wind,
Run on the top of the dishevelled tide,
And dance upon the mountains like a flame.
William Butler Yeats, "The Land of Heart's Desire," 1894

2011 CD Calendar - August

2011-08-03T18:22:00.000-03:00

What a contrast in weather from last month's calendar post!! Last month is was amazing and sunny and today we're getting record rainfall after a thunder and lightening storm that shook the house last night - for nearly 8 hours!! Nova Scotia weather is so sporadic... it's like a grab bag - you never know what you're gonna get!! I thought that if I was visiting here right now, the weather would just make me laugh, so that was my inspiration for this month's CD calendar! The color of the bling kinda turned out too blue when I scanned it, but you get the idea :)

Images by Stampotique Originals:
Altered Laugh, Vintage Post Card

"There will be a rain dance Friday night, weather permitting."
George Carlin

TSC19: Teal & Yellow - Using Stamps From Any Company

2011-08-01T01:30:00.005-03:00

It's the first of the month again and The Stampsmith Challenge is a doozie this time!! I really encourage you to play! The odds of winning the random draw for The Stampsmith Gift Certificate are EXTREMELY good!

Karen has asked us to combine the colors teal and yellow in our creations - using stamps from any stamp company!!! Of course, these colors do not have to be the main colors and you are welcome to add any other colors you wish - but teal and yellow have to be in there somewhere!! Be sure to visit The Stampsmith Challenge Blog where the design team has some great inspiration to get you started!

Here's my little creation! I use a bit of Mustard Seed Distress Ink on a CD and dabbed into it with a wet paintbrush to achieve the color on the flowers. This image is so excellent, it stamped nicely on a smooth, teal cardstock with VersaFine Ink on the first try! I have also entered this in the Allsorts Challenge that has a Free and Easy theme this week!

All images by The Stampsmith:
Camelia, Say It With Flair

"An unhurried sense of time is in itself a form of wealth."
Bonnie Friedman, in New York Times

Third Coast Rocks Halloween!

2011-07-30T00:19:00.000-03:00

I'm finally allowed to show you one of the projects I've been working on! This witchy woman is being released August 1st at Third Coast Rubber Stamps - isn't she great!!? Her 'fabulous' outfit is achieved with paper piecing and the accessories have been colored with Copics! Be sure to head on over and check out the new rubber release on Monday!! Happy weekend!

“Each of us has that right, that possibility, to invent ourselves daily.
If a person does not invent herself, she will be invented.
So to be bodacious enough to invent ourselves is wise.”
Maya Angelou

SDC35: Red, Yellow, Orange - Using Stampotique Stamps

2011-07-27T01:06:00.000-03:00

It's time for another Stampotique Designer's Challenge! This week Kaz has us working with some spicy colors! Here's the challenge in her words,

"When I took this week for my challenge back in the winter, I thought it would be lovely and summery so I decided to set a colour challenge using the sizzling colours of red, yellow and orange. I should have known better really as I do, after all, live in England. It's been positively Autumnal this month. Rain, wind and grey skies. Yuk. So I'd like you to help us entice the sunshine back to help warm my cold toes!!"

I don't think Kaz is going to be cold for long! Just check out the HOT inspiration along with all of the details on the challenge blog!

Here's my card to help heat things up for Kaz!

Beauty Mosaic by Stampotique

To create this look, I started with a white piece of card stock and a white piece of seam binding. I spritzed both with Tsukineko's Walnut Inks in Terra Cotta and Cherry Blossom. I dropped a few drops of Daffodil Dye Ink re-inker on them and then spritzed with water to help spread the yellow and then used the heat gun to help speed the drying time. This is the first time I have used the seam binding tape I received in June for my bday (thanx Kimmy!) and I really had fun with it creating this flower! There's a good tutorial on how to make a flower like this (using fabric) from Scrappinology on YouTube ... I just used the seam binding instead! :)

A Note From Home

2011-07-22T11:53:00.003-03:00

I just love this adorable little stamp and I challenged myself to a one layer card this time.... here's the result! I dabbed Worn Lipstick and Dried Marigold Distress Inks on a solid stamp and spritzed it with water to create the background and dried it with the heat gun. I then stamped the image with Onyx Black Versafine ink and added a little pearl above the chimney. C'est tout! La voila! Don't forget that you still have time to join us for the Flower Power Stampotique Designer's Challenge!

5114 A Note From Home by Stampotique

"Human beings are the only creatures on earth that allow their children to come back home."
Bill Cosby

It's A Bugs Life!

2011-07-22T01:07:00.001-03:00

Here's a little 4"x4" altered picture frame. I painted the edges with acrylic paints and adhered the design paper to the front with LePage Press-Tite Contact Cement Green (the best stuff ever as it doesn't curl the paper)!!! It didn't have any glass, so it seemed perfect for inserting a sentiment. I foam-mounted the 2"x2" sentiment on a 4"x4" piece of card stock so that it can easily be removed and replaced with a picture. The little Swarovski crystal gives it a bit of sparkle!

Oh ladybug, I wish you joy
As you complete your garden chores.
I'd like to put aside my work
And join you in the out-of-doors!
~Author Unknown

A Tidbit

2011-07-20T00:13:00.002-03:00

There's a lot going on behind the scenes here right now... stuff I can't show on the blog yet! Thought I'd share a little creation I did a while back but haven't ever posted. These are the hardest cards for me... especially trying to figure out what to put inside. If you have really nice sentiments for sympathy cards, I'd love to hear them!!

SDC34: Flower Power

2011-07-13T01:01:00.011-03:00

It's time for a new challenge at the Stampotique Designer’s Challenge blog!

This week Gez is challenging us to use flowers in our creations - using stamps from any stamp company! I'm a flower-o-holic, so this challenge is 'on the money' for me! Be sure to take a look at the fabulous Design Team samples to juice up your flower power!! LOL!

Here's my floral creation using a card fold we had fun with at a recent crafty night! (Thank you to Bella Mio who provides a wonderful tutorial on this fold!!) Instead of incorporating a bunch of flower stamps for the challenge theme, I thought I would switch things up and use floral paper to accent the beautiful sentiment and accent stamps from Stampotique! I have to say that I am certainly not used to cutting so many angles, but I love the result!!

When the card is folded
Friend sentiment by Stampotique
Paper: Butterfly Garden by Pink Paislee

When the card is unfolded

A closeup of the centre piece
All stamps by Stampotique:
Floral Flutter, Footprints, Stones and Grass Cube, Sprig
Paper: Gabrielle by BoBunny

"I ran into Isosceles. He had a great idea for a new triangle!"
Woody Allen

Happy 70th Birthday Daddy!

2011-07-11T00:12:00.000-03:00

July 7 was Dad's 70th birthday so Mom organized a surprise party for him last weekend (on their anniversary). She was smart and used their anniversary as an excuse for my brother and I to visit! It was a beautiful day and many friends and family dropped in for a yummy potluck and delicious cake!! Here's the little card I made to hold his bday wishes and dollars. Both tags pull out (the bottom tag has a pocket for a hidden gift :)

2011 CD Calendar - July

2011-07-05T15:11:00.001-03:00

As I sit in my craft room on this gorgeous sunny day, I can hear the neighborhood kids celebrating their summer freedom down at the lake! I can hear splashing, laughing, a dog barking, and the occasional scream that would curl your hair! I must go down and join in the fun! It really is summer! To celebrate, here is a new CD calendar page for July inspired by all the fun in the water!

Smumanha and Octopet by Stampotique
Oceana paper by Creative Imaginations

out of the sea a maiden fair
is singing so sweetly while combing her hair
enticing young sailors near... but BEWARE!
for underneath those innocent eyes
lies death awaiting in disguise!
Janice Stanborough

TSC17: Christmas - Using Stamps From Any Company!

2011-07-01T01:26:00.000-03:00

I'm not sure why we start thinking of snow just as summer really starts to heat up, but here we are challenged to create a Christmas project at The Stampsmith Challenge! Perhaps this will inspire us all to get an early start on creating our handmade greetings and gifts!

I have been waiting to use this Stampsmith image for just the right project, so I inked it up for this holiday theme! Aren't they cute!? Be sure to play along for your chance to win the random draw for a gift certificate to shop at The Stampsmith store! Your odds of winning are very good!!

Thank Heaven For Little Girls by Stampsmith,
Peace by The Stamp Barn, Paper by BoBunny

"Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful."
Norman Vincent Peale

SDC33: Use Your Scraps with a Magical Mystery Tour (Blog Hop)

2011-06-22T09:00:00.039-03:00

Stamps by Stampotique Originals:
3 Girls, Dragonfly #2

Today marks the beginning of Stampotique's Magical Mystery Tour! Why a Magical Mystery Tour? Comment on all the blogs and along the way we have 2 mystery prizes to give away!!

If you have arrived here from the Stampotique Designers Challenge Blog then you are in the right place, if not, you may want to visit the Stampotique Designer's Challenge Blog and begin your tour from there.

A few weeks ago, I hosted the recycling challenge and this week I have everyone cleaning house again!!! This week, I am challenging everyone to dig in their stash to see how many scraps we can use up in our projects. Just about anything qualifies as a scrap - as long as you're utilizing a piece or part of something that you generated before but never used up... it counts! So what will it be? Bits of an old master board or freaky background? Leftover pieces of your favorite designer paper? Part of an old piece of grunge board? Fragments of a previously inked image? Or the remnants of some odd embellishment? Let's see just how creative you can be!

Here's my project made using strips of scraps fashioned into a bargello pattern to create a backdrop for these adorable girls flying their dragonfly kite! My quilting friends would be proud that I have used a traditional quilting pattern in my project!

As you make your way through the tour make sure you comment on each and every post. There will be 2 prize winners chosen randomly amongst the blogs. For some additional chances to win another prize join us with our "Scraps" Challenge using your Stampotique stamps for your chance at a $30 gift certificate for Stampotique stamps and at being our August Guest Designer, see our blog for additional information.

Our tour will end on June 28th and the winner or the 2 tour prizes will be announced on our blog on June 29th.

Be sure to jump on over to Kaz Boughton at Slightly Wonky Crafts next to see what kind of scraps she has used on our Magical Mystery Tour!

"Throw your dreams into space like a kite, and you do not know what it will bring back, a new life, a new friend, a new love, a new country."
Anais Nin

TSC16: Friends and Friendship - Using at least one Stampsmith stamp - And a Bonus!

2011-06-15T15:01:00.000-03:00

This week, Lynne has chosen the wonderful theme of Friendship using at least one Stampsmith stamp for The Stampsmith Challenge! Will it be friendship between children, a couple, furry friends or probably the most important type of friendship ... female friends? Whatever you decide, share it with the designers at The Stampsmith Challenge for your chance to win a $10 gift certificate to shop in The Stampsmith Store!As a bonus, anyone who submits their Stampsmith Challenge Friendship project to any other challenges will receive an extra chance to win. Link to the Stampsmith Challenge and any other challenges you submit your project to in your blog writeup and we will automatically put your name in the hat twice!!!

Here's my friendship creation for the challenge... can't wait to see yours too!

Stamp from the Darling Boys Plate

"A Friend may well be reckoned the masterpiece of Nature."
Ralph Waldo Emerson

TSC15 - Birthday Theme - Using Stamps From Any Company - And A Bonus!!

2011-06-09T00:13:00.000-03:00

I JUST realized that I did not set my Stampsmith Challenge post to publish!! Doh!! Anyway, better late than never!

This time at The Stampsmith Challenge, I get to use my birthday as an excuse to be the hostess!! And... OF COURSE, I set the challenge to create a project with a Birthday Theme! This is the first of the month, so you are welcome to use stamps from any company... of course, if you have Stampsmith stamps, we'd love to see your inspiration with them :)

As a bonus, this week you also have a chance to have your name entered multiple times in the draw! If you mention our challenge to your stamping friends and they participate in our challenge, you will each get an extra chance to win the draw! All they have to do is link to your blog and our blog in their writeup!! So be sure to spread the word to play along!

Here's a quick little birthday creation I did for my dad - I know he'll love the image!! *Wink*!

The Belly Dancer by Stampsmith

You're not 40, you're eighteen with 22 years experience.
Author Unknown

SDC32: Clean and Simple - Using any stamps!

2011-06-08T01:01:00.004-03:00

This week Joanne Wardle challenges us to keep it Clean and Simple (CAS) for the Stampotique Designer's Challenge!! If you've ever visited Joanne's blog, you know that she loves the CAS style. What do we mean by CAS? Minimalistic designs, empty spaces. Joanne knows that some people find this style difficult, but she maintains that it can be very cleansing artistically and encourages us to give it a try! This week you can use stamps from any company, but if you have Stampotique images, we'd be thrilled to see how you incorporate them into this challenge!

Here is my attempt at keepin' it simple! I used a Kalleidacolor pad on a solid piece of rubber to create the gradient background and then stamped Lavender Sprig twice using the darkest color on the Kalleidacolor pad. I added just the first word, "Happy" from the Happy Unbirthday stamp for the sentiment. Easy peasy!

Stamps by Stampotique:
Lavender Sprig, Happy Unbirthday

Hanged up in houses,
it doth very well attemper the aire,
coole and make fresh the place to the delight
and comfort of such as are therein.
By John Gerard, 1597

Getting Organized

2011-06-05T13:37:00.000-03:00

It's been a busy month and my new work contract is chewing up all of my crafty time... sobbing! LOL! Anyway, I saw these great To Do List books at the dollar store (don't you just love the dollar store?!) and I thought, "That's just what I need to get organized!!" Of course, they were hideous, so I added a ring binding at the top and decorated the front cover with BoBunny's Gabrielle paper. I didn't want too much fru-fru so that I could keep it neatly in my purse. Here's what I came up with!

The Crafter by Stampotique

Details:

"I would rather be crafting" is created on clear Dymo labels and then applied before sponging distress ink around it to form a resist making the words easier to read.
The original todo list was 1/2" thick (too thick for the Cinch) so I punched a piece of paper with the same dimensions as the cover, put a bit of tape on the back, affixed it to the cover of the todo list. I then used the holes in the paper as a guide for my McGill single hole paper drill and drilled each perfectly-spaced hole individually straight through the entire book - worked like a charm!

SDC31: Acetate

2011-05-25T09:54:00.000-03:00

It’s time for another Stampotique Designer’s Challenge. This week Willy is challenging you to use ACETATE in your creation. You can make your whole creation of acetate or just use a little piece of acetate in it… there are so many possibilities. This week is a Stampotique Originals stamps only challenge, so take out your Stampotique stamps and join us for a chance to win a $30 gift certificate to shop at Stampotique Originals. Be sure to check out the Design Team inspiration and link up your project!

Smushasha by Stampotique

Here is my creation for this challenge - inspired by the fantastic mermaids in the new Pirates of the Caribbean movie - a fun adventure story!

The pattern behind Smushasha is a hand silk-screened piece of Screen Prints acetate from Hambly Screenprints called Vintage Plaid... aren't they pretty!? Behind the acetate is a a piece of color washed high gloss card stock. This look is achieved by scribbling Tombow and Crayola markers on a piece of acetate, spritzing the color with a wee bit of water and then pushing the glossy card stock directly into the color. Smushasha is also cut from a piece of color washed high gloss card stock but her hair was hand painted with a matching Tombow colorwash.

I really struggled with what sentiment to add to this piece (partly a space issue and partly not knowing what to add). I would really LOVE to hear your suggestions for a sentiment for this piece!

A mermaid found a swimming lad,
Picked him for her own,
Pressed her body to his body,
Laughed; and plunging down
Forgot in cruel happiness
That even lovers drown.
William Butler Yeats

2011 CD Calendar - June

2011-05-20T12:42:00.000-03:00

I am trying to will the butterflies into my yard this year, so I have created a new page for my CD calendar using Stampotique's new Large Butterfly by Jo Capper-Sandon on this gorgeous paper from Webster's Pages! I'm really enjoying creating a new page for my calendar each month - it's nice to have a scrappy calendar propped up in a cd case on my desk all the time! :)

Large Butterfly by Stampotique
Paper by Webster's Pages

"How does one become a butterfly?" she asked. "You must want to fly so much that you are willing to give up being a caterpillar."
Unknown

Mojo Monday 191

2011-05-17T14:57:00.000-03:00

I'm so happy to have found some time to craft last night and I can't believe that I actually finished something! Thankfully the weather is cooperating more today and it's not pouring rain so I was able to get a pic of my little project outside - and it's WARM out there!! YAY!!

Since yesterday was Monday, I knew there'd be a new sketch challenge over at Mojo Monday so I took my inspiration from their wonderful design team! I hope you'll check it out and play along too! Here's my entry... measuring a whopping 5" x 8.5"!!!

Butterfly by Inkadinkado, Flourish by Impression Obsession, Brown DP by My Mind's Eye, Butterfly DP by Harmonie

"Happiness is a butterfly, which when pursued, is always just beyond your grasp, but which, if you will sit down quietly, may alight upon you." ~ Nathaniel Hawthorne

TSC14: Starring Role - Using at least one Stampsmith Stamp

2011-05-15T22:54:00.000-03:00

This week at The Stampsmith Challenge, Lynne challenges us to create a project highlighting a Starring Role, using at least one Stampsmith stamp. The Stampsmith is known for it’s images of actresses, famous films and divas which would be perfect; however, she invites us to push the boundaries of this challenge and explore the star of anything. Be sure to check out the design team inspiration and link up your project over at The Stampsmith Challenge! Your odds of winning are fabulous - give it a go!!

Here's my card for this challenge. The background paper has sugary glitter throughout the pattern, so it really shines in person - not sure the picture really captures it...

Lucille Ball from the Fame plate by Stampsmith

The secret of staying young is to live honestly, eat slowly, and lie about your age.
Lucille Ball

Stampotique Sponsoring The Play Date Cafe

2011-05-12T00:49:00.000-03:00

Today, Stampotique is sponsoring the Play Date Cafe challenge so I thought I would join in the fun!! Be sure to play for your chance to win a $30 gift certificate for stamps at the Stampotique store. Use this color scheme and link up over at The Play Date Cafe for your chance to win.

Want to double your chances of winning? Stampotique Designer's Challenge just started yesterday and the theme is to recycle, reuse or re-purpose. You can check out some of the design team creations at the link above.

Here's my tag creation for the PDCC#81 Color challenge. Although this tag is considerably larger, I have used inspiration from my SDC#30 Recycle challenge project for this piece.

All stamps by Stampotique:
Pretty Party Dress, Fabulous

A girl should be two things: classy and fabulous.
Coco Chanel

SDC30: Recycle - Using any stamps

2011-05-11T01:02:00.000-03:00

Hi everyone! Sorry I've been MIA for the last little bit; life took me away from my crafty world! I can't believe it's already time for another Stampotique Challenge! Did you check out the amazing entries from the last challenge?? Just unreal!!

This week, I'm excited to take a turn choosing the challenge theme. Since we just celebrated Earth Day here with a big neighborhood cleanup (yep, purple rubber gloves and all!!), I thought I would challenge everyone to make use of items that might otherwise be destined for the landfill! Re-use them or re-purpose them into a unique piece of art using stamps from any company! Play along for your chance to win a $30 Stampotique Originals gift certificate!

Here is my recycled creation! The book pages are made from toilet paper rolls covered in patterned paper... a project we learned how to do in a local class. I noticed that there are a gazillion tutorials on how to do this on-line! It's actually quite addictive - and a fun way to recycle too! LOL!

All stamps by Stampotique Originals

Waste is a terrible thing to mind -- Recycle
~bumper sticker

SDC29: Sketch - Using Stampotique Stamps Only

2011-04-30T01:03:00.001-03:00

It sure has been a crazy busy couple of weeks so it's nice to finally sit and catch up with you :) This week brings us another Stampotique Designer's Challenge with Kim Howard as our hostess. Any of you that follow her blog know what a love she has for sketches. She uses them frequently.

This challenge is a Stampotique only stamps week, so we encourage you to break out your Stampotique stamps and join our creative design team for your chance to add to your stamp collection with a prize of $30 gift certificate for stamps at Stampotique!

Here's the quick little card I created using our hostess' versatile sketch. I love the distressed sentiment and I tried my hand at sketching a little border around Minkygirl; even though it's uneven, I think it works with the offset letters in the sentiment as well as the quirky Minky. The itsy bitsy pearls were created on a non-stick sheet with a Viva Decor Pearl Pen and later transferred to the corners as accents - I love making a bunch of unique-sized pearls to have on hand!

All stamps by Stampotique Originals:
Altered Hello, Minkygirl

"Whenever you feel a warm breeze brush against you, that's the kiss I blew to you."

2011 CD Calendar - May

2011-04-23T13:56:00.000-03:00

Well, we do have some flowers here on our little slice of Nova Scotia but none of them are THIS big! We're still looking at itty bitty crocuses and happy coltsfoot!! The daffodils are trying very hard to break open the sheaths that surround them and the hyacinth heads are up through the ground but are still very very green. The tulip leaves are just an inch or two up through the ground so we have a ways to go yet, but I really wanted to celebrate today's quote (below) so here's my latest calendar page to fit in my CD calendar holder.

All stamps by Stampotique:
Carol's Flower (sm), Sun Design, Moon Belly, Tangled

"Sweet April showersDo spring May flowers."
Thomas Tusser, A Hundred Good Points of Husbandry, 1557

SDC28: Newsprint/Old Book Pages - Using Any Stamp Company!

2011-04-15T16:04:00.000-03:00

"I read the news today, oh boy"
This week our fantastic Stampotique Designers Challenge host, Jo Capper-Sandon has challenged us to use newspapers/magazines/newsprint on our creations. The challenge is open to any stamps this week, so please join us by linking up directly to your creation on this post. A winner will be chosen randomly and announced at our next challenge.

Joyful stamp by Stampotique Originals

"Of all the things you wear, your expression is the most important."
Janet Lane

TSC12: Spring Theme - Using At Least One Stampsmith Stamp

2011-04-15T03:15:00.000-03:00

I just can't believe how fast time flies! It's time for another Stampsmith Challenge already! This week, Karen would like us to celebrate the coming of Spring by creating a Spring-themed project using at least one Stampsmith Stamp! I hope you'll play along for your chance to win a $10 gift certificate to the Stampsmith Store.

I'm simply thrilled that Spring has finally arrived in Halifax and I have been enjoying the music in the yard from all of the songbirds. This card was a tribute to Spring and the joy it brings...

Image from Christmas Cards Sheet 1 by Stampsmith

Spring is nature's way of saying, "Let's party!"
Robin Williams

Mysterious

2011-04-12T12:34:00.000-03:00

Good morning! Well, last week I was out of town so I have been having crafty time withdrawals, but I finally had a chance to sit and finish this project late last night. It started out to be a "Spring" card, but the blue paper kept reminding me of water, so I went with it!! The 6.5" scalloped background was actually traced from the cardboard packaging for some embellishments I had on hand. The 5.5" centre circle was created with my Memory Makers circle cutter (love that tool!!) I'm not sure that you can really see the Stardust Stickles in all of the bubbles, but it really does look quite kewl in person... almost like real bubbles. Wishing you all a mystical day!!

All stamps by Stampotique:
7097 Bubbles, World All Her Own, Smushallaum

Magic
Sandra’s seen a leprechaun,
Eddie touched a troll,
Laurie danced with witches once,
Charlie found some goblins gold.
Donald heard a mermaid sing,
Susy spied an elf,
But all the magic I have known
I've had to make myself.
Shel Silverstein (Where the Sidewalk Ends)

Silver Crow Creations Magical Challenge

2011-04-07T11:51:00.000-03:00

Do you have any stamps or goodies from Silver Crow Creations?
If so, dig 'em out and join their current Magical Challenge where they invite you to make anything involving a magical creature. It could be a faerie (fairy), elf, mermaid, gnome, pixie or even a character conjured by your imagination.
Looks like fun!

TSC11: The Female of the Species - Using Any Stamp Company

2011-04-01T01:31:00.002-03:00

It's time for another Stampsmith Challenge!

This week, Lynne has a great challenge theme for us - "The Female Of The Species". This can be interpreted in so many ways - we can't wait to see what ideas you come up with! Will you use some of the beautiful Stampsmith ladies or do you have some other tricks up your sleeve?

If you have not yet started your collection of Stampsmith stamps, now is your chance to join in the fun using any stamps for a chance to win a $10 gift certificate to shop in the Stampsmith store!

Here's my creation using the epitome of femininity... the unforgettable, Marilyn.

Stamp: Marilyn Monroe by The Stampsmith
Paper: Gabrielle by BoBunny

"I don't know who invented high heels, but all women owe him a lot. "
Marilyn Monroe

Who Are You In Your Mind's Eye?

2011-03-27T22:30:00.000-03:00

Good morning! I had a fun weekend creating just for the heck of it - that's the best! I giggled when I saw this leopard print background stamp and thought of how our cat used to think she was a dog always laying on her back with her feet in the air. Then I got to imagining how Puss Puss likely thinks she's a tiger or a leopard and I started putting ideas together and came up with this! LOL!

The background is yellow/orange Basic Grey distressed paper with 'Spotted' stamped on it in VersaFine Sepia. The 'hill' is half of a circle punch with 'Splatter' stamped on it in VersaMark. The sentiment was created with a clear label adheared to brown card stock and then trimmed into a word bubble. It's just simple, but it makes me laugh!

All stamps by Stampotique:
Spotted, Splatter, Puss Puss

Where beams of imagination play,
The memory's soft figures melt away.
Alexander Pope

SDC27: Triptych Card - Stampotique Stamps Only

2011-03-23T16:26:00.000-03:00

Today Vicki is our host for the Stampotique Designer's Challenge. She has challenged us to make a triptych card. There are a many different types of triptych templates out there in web land and you may use any one you like - or create your own.

This week we are to use only stamps from Stampotique Originals.

Be sure to check out the Stampotique Designer's Challenge blog to see what the rest of the team has created - there will be several posts over the next two weeks! Here is my little creation for this challenge - inspired by the sad news that an incredible friend is going to be moving to another province shortly... *weeping*

All stamps by Stampotique:
Small Butterfly, Fresh Picked, Make magic wherever you go

All stamps by Stampotique:
Magic, Giant Shroom, Mushroom Group, Moon Girl,
Make magic wherever you go

"If nothing ever changed, there'd be no butterflies."
Author Unknown

2011 CD Calendar - April

2011-03-21T01:00:00.000-03:00

I must be thinking of the garden this week because our Garden Club meeting is this Wednesday evening! In Nova Scotia, blooming happens a bit later than it does for our southern friends, but there are signs of green everywhere - AND the robins have JUST arrived to welcome Spring!! With all of that in mind, I created my little CD calendar page for April with a garden theme. Personally, I think that the sentiment could not be more true!! LOL!

All stamps by Stampotique:
The best fertilizer is the gardener's shadow,
Moon Garden, Heart Flowers

"Gardening requires lots of water - most of it in the form of perspiration."
Lou Erickson

TSC10: Blue and Brown - using at least one Stampsmith stamp

2011-03-17T02:24:00.000-03:00

Karen is hosting The Stampsmith Challenge this time and she has asked us to create a project using the colors blue and brown and at least one Stampsmith stamp. Simply link up your entry to The Stampsmith Challenge Blog for your chance to win a $10 gift certificate to The Stampsmith Store!

Be sure to checkout the beautiful design team inspiration as well as the mouthwatering entries from previous challenges over at The Stampsmith Challenge Blog. Here is my little creation for this challenge.

The Little Conductor by Stampsmith

"Music is the literature of the heart; it commences where speech ends."
Alphonse de Lamartine

Going Grey with Scrap-Creations: Anything Goes(Plus A New Release!)

2011-03-15T14:11:00.003-03:00

Stampotique is sponsoring a challenge over at Going Grey with Scrap-Creations beginning today and the theme is Anything Goes! Come join us over there for yet another chance to win a $30 Gift Certificate to the Stampotique store. (We still have our current challenge there too for another chance to win!)

And while you are perusing the Stampotique store making out your wish list, check out the new images being released today!!! You can check out some of the new creations over at the Stampotique Designer's Challenge blog.

Here's my little creation to play along with the Going Grey challenge!!

All stamps by Stampotique:
Buttons, Beauties

Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another, "What! You, too? I thought I was the only one!"
C. S. Lewis

My Shoe Fettish

2011-03-10T08:00:00.009-04:00

I bet you can relate to that extra bounce in your step when you're wearing the perfect pair of shoes! Well, paper shoes put that same bounce in my step! I just love them! They have been featured on the pages of my favorite magazines, in the posts of my favorite bloggers and in the galleries of some of the most talented crafters!

Before Christmas I decided that it was finally my turn to create some shoes of my own but they were gifts so I didn't post them. Now, months later, I'm finally revisiting the pics of them and am determined to get them posted!

Here is the first one I would like to share. This was one that I taught in a class at Photo Memories just before the holidays... the ladies did a beautiful job on them in class! Thank you to Terri at Artful Affirmations for her wonderful template, tutorial and inspiration!

Fairy Flora paper and Feather Flowers by Prima, Flourish stamp by Tim Holtz,
Cotton Lace by Hero Arts, Border Punches by Martha Stewart

"I still have my feet on the ground, I just wear better shoes."
Oprah Winfrey

SDC26: Animal Insect or Bird - Open to Any Stamps

2011-03-09T20:10:00.000-04:00

Yay, it's Stampotique Designer's Challenge day again today! Being the first challenge of the month, it's open to any stamps from any stamp company! Play along and create a project that incorporates an animal, insect or bird for your chance to win a $30 gift certificate to The Stampotique Store!!

I tried a few different ideas for this challenge before I finally settled on putting together this little card with hand-drawn, felt-pen stitching around the endges:

All stamps by Stampotique:
Grass, Butterfly, Even Silence Speaks

"Teaching a child not to step on a caterpillar is as valuable to the child as it is to the caterpillar.
Bradley Millar

2011 CD Calendar - March

2011-03-02T12:31:00.000-04:00

Well, we're two days into March - spring is getting closer!!! Although it's still cold here, the sun is out, the siding on the house is creaking, the birds are singing and the ice on the lake is moaning with growing and shrinking pains. Driving through our neighborhood, you can see the remnants of a giant snow dinosaur, a bare tobogganing hill and icy paths with bare spots at the parks... for us, those are signs of Spring! LOL!

Here is the next page for my CD calendar - inspired by my drive! :)

All stamps by Stampotique:
Tree, Global Warming?

"It was one of those March days when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold: when it is summer in the light, and winter in the shade."
Charles Dickens

TSC9: Try Something New - Using Any Stamp Company

2011-03-01T01:02:00.000-04:00

Well, with the short month of February, it's already time for another Stampsmith Challenge!

I had the fun of choosing the theme for this week and I finally settled on "Something New". I am hoping that you will branch out and use a new technique, or dig out some new supplies waiting to be used, try a new stamp, join new challenges, employ a new layout, build something other than your standard project - something - anything - new to you!!

This week is a perfect chance to join The Stampsmith Challenge fun even if you don't have any Stampsmith stamps yet. You may use any stamps to create your project and join for your chance to win a $10 gift certificate to The Stampsmith Store.

Here is my creation for this challenge.

Image by Stampsmith:
Thank Heaven For Little Girls II

For the background, I have used a new paper and have tried a new technique for me! I have pieced together coordinating one inch paper strips from a 6"x6" Basic Grey paper pad. This stamp is also the first I have used from the Thank Heaven For Little Girls II sheet and the tear drop embellishments are a new purchase from the bridal isle at Michaels. I have used the flowers and ribbon-lace on my paper shoes at Christmas but this is the first time I have featured them on a card - so lots of firsts here!! LOL!

“Never be afraid to try something new. Remember, amateurs built the ark. Professionals built the Titanic.”
Unknown
(Original quote by Frank Pepper)

Upcoming Class - Inspiration - Re-offered!

2011-02-24T11:00:00.000-04:00

Tag Bookmark

Just a quick note to let you know that this class at Photo Memories in Bayer's Lake, Halifax, NS is going to be re-offered on Friday, March 25th from 6pm until 8pm. This class features a wide range of stamps from the Tim Holtz collection.

Inspirational Post Card

During this class, we will be working on these three projects while we learn about paper piecing techniques, stamp positioning, distressing, tearing, color combinations, card substitutes, paper choices, postal options, how to work with minimal embellishments and much more.

Post Card Back

This class is designed for any skill level and will provide a wealth of information for the beginner. Each project features an inspirational sentiment which could easily be exchanged for another sentiment making the projects suitable for any occasion!

Top Folding Card

Come join us for a relaxing evening of paper crafting.

Looking forward to seeing you there!
Val :)

SDC25: Faux Barnwood Technique - Stampotique Only

2011-02-24T03:21:00.000-04:00

Stampotique has given us the ultimate challenge this week!!! Our hostess, Monique challenged our team to use a technique on their creation with all Stampotique Stamps. When you're looking for techniques, one fantastic source is Pat Huntoon of the Technique Junkie Newsletter, so we've teamed up with the Technique Junkies team to create projects using the Faux Barnwood Technique.

There are two prizes this week, so be sure to check out all of the details on the Stampotique Challenge Blog and play along for your chance to win! Here is my Faux Barnwood panel created using a Barn Red base with a Taupe topcoat. I have stamped on it with Walnut Stain Distress Ink and then layered it up with a giant flower I made during a great crafty night with Julie following this fantastic tutorial.

All images by Stampotique:
Papillon Script, Small Butterfly, Floral Swirl

"I was so naive as a kid I used to sneak behind the barn and do nothing."
Johnny Carson

TSC8: Travel - At least one Stampsmith Stamp

2011-02-15T01:53:00.000-04:00

This week The Stampsmith Challenge, Lynne is our hostess and one of her favorite themes is travel. She is asking us to create a project (using at least one Stampsmith image) reflecting a recent trip, a destination you'd like to visit, memories of a by-gone travel era or whatever inspiration this topic brings to you. Be sure to play along for your chance to win a gift certificate to shop in the Stampsmith Store!

Here is my little creation for this challenge. When I first started this project, I planned to make an ATC but once I got going, I just couldn't stop! LOL! Here's what it looked like when I finally finished (at 6"x6")!! The backgound papers are all from Basic Grey's Wisteria line.

Flower lady from the Carvings of MJ Hopper Plate

"Travelers never think that they are the foreigners."
Mason Cooley

A New Toy & Altered Alice Challenge!

2011-02-13T23:22:00.000-04:00

I have been so inspired by all of the beautiful bound projects lately! Everyone is making these amazing notebooks, journals, sketchpads, message pads - you name it! Sooooo.... yesterday I indulged and purchased a new toy - a Cinch binding machine!

Tonight I made my first little project using it and it was a boat load of fun! I can see a new addiction blossoming!! Stampotique is currently sponsoring the Altered Alice Challenge where the challenge is to create a project that features a dress form or something that changes in form. My project was inspired by this theme - a weed being transformed into a flower simply by observing its beauty. Be sure to join the fun too for your chance to win a $30 Stampotique gift certificate!

Stamps by Stampotique:
A weed is no more than a flower in disguise,
Sunfleur

"The universe is transformation; our life is what our thoughts make it."
Marcus Aurelius

SDC24: Love or Valentine - Open to Any Stamps

2011-02-10T00:23:00.000-04:00

Today starts another Stampotique Designer's Challenge! In preparation for the upcoming love-themed day many of us will be celebrating, Kim challenges us with a Love or Valentine's theme this week. This week feel free to use ANY stamps at your chance to win a $30 gift certificate for stamps at the Stampotique store.

Here's my little project for this week's challenge... my funky pumpkin couple. The freaky corner is a Martha Stewart punch and the stitching is hand-drawn - gak! LOL!

All images by Stampotique:
Batty; Hearts Cubed; Halloween Cube; Crown; Batty About You;

Will you love me in December as you do in May,
Will you love me in the good old fashioned way?
When my hair has all turned gray,
Will you kiss me then and say,
That you love me in December as you do in May?
James J. Walker

Stampotique Sponsoring Card Positioning Systems

2011-02-08T15:18:00.001-04:00

I'm a bit late posting but life took over! Last week, Stampotique sponsored sketch#203 (below) over at the Card Positioning Systems (CPS). I love working with sketches and often use CPS as a great jumping off point for my own creations. If you haven't had a chance, be sure to check it out and play along - they always have a great new sketch and loads of inspiration!

Here's the sketch:

And here's my take on it:

All stamps by Stampotique:
Hearts Cubed, Boing, Prom Queen, Picket Fence,
Puss Puss, Hanging Hearts, Abstract Foliage

2011 CD Calendar - February

2011-02-01T23:21:00.000-04:00

Happy February!

Here is the next installment in my 2011 Stampotique CD Calendar. I still haven't found the CD cases with the hinge that folds back with the little lip at the bottom... if you know where I can find 'em, please let me know!

Background: Daniel's Hearts
Foreground: Love You Heart, Girl With Heart Purse

"The past is behind us, love is in front and all around us."
Terri Guillemets

TSC7: Royalty - Using Any Stamp Company

2011-02-01T09:58:00.001-04:00

This week, Lynne is hosting The Stampsmith "Royalty" Challenge. She would like to see how you interpret this theme with projects depicting royalty of any sort - royal couples, princes or princesses, royalty in music, a royal gesture, royalty of history, etc.

This week we invite everyone to join in by creating a little project with this theme - even if you don't have any Stampsmith stamps yet! This is your chance to play for a chance to win a $10 gift certificate to the Stampsmith Store to start your collection!

Here's my silly creation for this challenge. When I think of "The King", Elvis immediately comes to mind so I've given him a Tim Holtz crown! LOL! I am again experimenting with the Copic Express super smooth cardstock and it is working beautifully with the Stampsmith Photo images! I have used Ancient Page Chocolate ink directly on the Copic Express cardstock... it's easier to get a photograph to because it's not shiny like high gloss :)

Elvis from the Fame Plate by The Stampsmith
Sentiment by Hero Arts

"He is a king who fears nothing, he is a king who desires nothing!"
Seneca

SDC23: Orange and Turquoise

2011-01-26T13:10:00.000-04:00

It’s time for another Stampotique Designers Challenge. This week Willy is challenging us to use the colour combination of orange and turquoise in our creations for a chance to win a $30 gift certificate to shop at Stampotique Originals! This week is a Stampotique Originals stamps only challenge so take out your Stampotique stamps and create a project in these wonderful colours and share them with us for your chance to win!

Also, don't forget, it's your opportunity to be Stampotique's March Guest Designer! Details on how to play for your chance to win are here! (Contest closes on Jan.31/11.)

Here's my little creation for this challenge. It's been a long time since I created an ATC, so I thought I'd take a crack at one this week - here's what I came up with! Anyone wanna trade one of your creations - just let me know! :)

Maryilyn and Goddess by Stampotique

"I hate the word housewife; I don't like the word home-maker either. I want to be called Domestic Goddess."
Roseanne Barr

TSC6: The Power Of Love - At Least One Stampsmith Stamp - Other Stamps Welcome

2011-01-17T23:55:00.000-04:00

This week, The Stampsmith Challenge is featuring a "Love" challenge. The Stampsmith would like to see how you interpret this theme with projects depicting any kind of love - marriage, valentine, love for a pet, love for a child, etc. for your chance to win a $10 gift certificate to spend in the Stampsmith Store!

Here is my creation for this challenge. Visit The Stampsmith Challenge for more design team inspiration to get you started!

Couple: from the Darling Boys Plate by Stampsmith
Sentiment: Stampin' Up

"Ah me! love can not be cured by herbs."
Ovid

2011 CD Calendar - January

2011-01-17T13:32:00.001-04:00

Happy January!
Here is the Stampotique CD Calendar I have started for 2011. I keep seeing them and think they are adorable so I wanted to try one. The trickiest part was finding a CD case that had a clear lip at the bottom and a hinge that let the front fold backward to create a "stand". In the end, I just took the front cover off of the CD case and put it back on in the position where I wanted it. I'm going to keep hunting around for perfect cases... anyone know where to find them? :)

Background: Spiralling Out Of Control

Snowman: Chilly

Snowflake: Martha Stewart Punch

Calendar: January

O, wind,
If Winter comes, can Spring be far behind?
Percy Bysshe Shelley

SDC22: Put On Your Best Mask

2011-01-12T00:01:00.000-04:00

Hi everyone! It's time for the first Stampotique Challenge of 2011!! This week, Vicki has challenged us to use any type of masking technique in your creation using stamps from any company you like. Of course, if you have Stampotique images, we'd love you to include them in your project! Just add your project to the Stampotique Challenge Blog post to be included in the draw for a fabulous $30 gift certificate to the Stampotique Store!

There are so many different techniques that could qualify as masking that I had a hard time deciding which one to incorporate into this challenge. I finally decided to use the basic approach of creating paper masks from Post-It Notes. Here, the heart has been stamped and masked, then Winter has been stamped and masked and finally the background was stamped. When the masks were both removed, the following scene remained to be colored and distressed.

All stamps by Stampotique:
Love You Heart, Winter, Daniel's Hearts, Abstract Foliage

Anyone can be passionate, but it takes real lovers to be silly.
Rose Franken

Double-Sided Bookmarks

2011-01-10T00:56:00.000-04:00

A little collage of bookmark gifts for those avid readers on my Christmas list. Bookmarks make quick work of using up the paper scraps! The opposite sides each have paper that coordinates with the fronts and, in some cases, a middle layer that creates an outer border and adds extra strength. I love using the Stampin' Up small ribbon punch at the top to hold the ribbon adornment.

"Anyone who says they have only one life to live must not know how to read a book."

Author Unknown

Stampotique Portfolio and Design Team Call

2011-01-03T13:12:00.000-04:00

Happy New Year everyone! It's been a beautiful holiday season here with loads of family, friends and fun! Today is my first day getting back into some sort of a routine! I was so busy creating before the holidays that I didn't have much time to blog and share all of the creating going on in Mrs. Claus's Workshop! LOL!

Here is a card folio containing a series of all occasion cards featuring Weasel by Stampotique on the cover. The medallion was just folded by hand and cut apart with scissors to make it look sort of like a flower. Looking at it now, it might have been cute to clip the edges to make the petals rounded... hmmmm... might try that next time :)

Weasel by Stampotique

Have you heard that Stampotique is currently looking for new design team members? This is the most fantastic group of artistic people that I have ever had the pleasure of working with and Carol and Jim at Stampotique are just amazing!!! Be sure to check out the details on the Stampotique Designers Blog.

"What I don't like about office Christmas parties is looking for a job the next day."
Phyllis Diller

My Recycled Christmas 2010 - Set #1

2010-12-20T00:01:00.000-04:00

Kim P. says I've cheated because there is minimal stamping on my holiday cards this year! I'm trying to think of it as my effort to purge and recycle!

You see, my stamping room is being overrun by crafty supplies so I have been working on making some space in there and getting a bit more organized. To that end, several magazines had to go - well, at least the pages I didn't want to save! LOL! From the pages I saved, I have created almost all of my Christmas cards.

I mail out about 60 cards and I create another 20 or 30 to hand deliver and this year, although the idea is the same for all of them, each card is made unique by the different images I've salvaged. Here is the first set I thought I would share with you. These were created for hubby's team members. The special size accommodates the gift certificates inside them and the No.8 envelope (3 5/8" x 6 1/2") they fit in.

Sentiment by Hot Off The Press

"To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment."
Ralph Waldo Emerson

Stampsmith Blog Candy - Open To All

2010-12-18T21:33:00.000-04:00

Over at The Stampsmith Challenge Blog, the very generous Estelle has offered a grab bag of her beautiful Stampsmith images for a spectacular holiday blog candy!!!

In keeping with the holiday tradition of giving, the Design Team has also decided to spoil the lucky winner with a few other little surprises, so be sure to enter by January 15th for your chance to win!

To enter, simply visit The Stampsmith Challenge and leave a comment telling about your own little holiday tradition... that's it - it's that easy!

Good luck in the draw!
Val :)

Greetings In A Hurry

2010-12-15T22:59:00.001-04:00

For me, this time of year means rushing from one holiday event to another and scrambling to keep my ducks in a row. This rushing usually involves popping a little something in a gift bag and plunking a couple of stamps on some paper to make a quick greeting card! LOL!

I have been stalking the One-Layer Wednesday Challenge and I am really inspired. Last May, there was a challenge to create a on-layer card with a sentiment overlapping an image. Although this challenge is long past, it was great inspiration for this quick little Christmas Card for my girl friends.

Image: St. Nick by BoBunny
Sentiment: Tis The Season by BoBunny

"If instead of a gem, or even a flower, we should cast the gift of a loving thought into the heart of a friend, that would be giving as the angels give. "
George MacDonald

Blessings

2010-12-15T02:17:00.000-04:00

Femal Image: Portland by Stampotique
Sentiment from Christmas Words by Hot Off The Press
Paper: Lemonade Collection by Basic Grey
Ink: Toffee VersaFine by Tsukineko

My hubby's grandmother is an avid reader so I created several bookmarks to send in her Christmas card.

On this one, I have added darling Portland coloured with Copics to match the background paper.

My favorite thing about this bookmark is that the opposite side has a coordinating paper from the same collection so it's double-sided.

I can see making more of these great little stocking stuffers in my holiday plans!

"When I started counting my blessings, my whole life turned around."
Willy Nelson

SDC21: Punches and Die Cuts - Use Any Stamps

2010-12-08T03:36:00.003-04:00

I'm always amazed how fast the time flies! It's time for another Stampotique Designers Challenge and I'm excited to be setting the team challenge this week!. I'm asking everyone to dig into your crafty cupboards to pull out our favorite punches and die cut shapes and images. Create a project that includes at least one punched shape and one die cut shape or image! They can be any brand, any style, any size - shapes, layers, flowers, swirls, snowflakes... anything!!!! Even hole punches count as punches and pre-cut purchased shapes and chipboard count as die cuts - right!!??? We think so!!! :)

Since it's the first challenge of the month, you are welcome to use stamps from any company. Of course, if you have Stampotique images, we'd love you to include them in your project! We hope you'll escape from the seasonal weather in your craft corner and join us for our longest running challenge to date - open until 01/11/11!!! Just add your project to the Stampotique Designers Challenge site to be included in the draw for a fabulous $30 gift certificate to the Stampotique Store!

Here's my creation for this challenge. I took a little liberty and made the mistletoe berries red instead of white - it just looked better!!! LOL! I used the Curved Rectangles Nestability to frame Little Zin (Zinnia), the Martha Stewart String Lace Corner Punch, and a 1/8" punch in the tag! I couldn't resist the sentiment just begging to be added - with her standing there holding those ominous looking shears!!

All stamps by Stampotique: Lil Zin (Zinnia), Mistletoe
Computer generated sentiment inspired by Freakin' People Person

Mistletoe

Sitting under the mistletoe
(Pale-green, fairy mistletoe),
One last candle burning low,
All the sleepy dancers gone,
Just one candle burning on,
Shadows lurking everywhere:
Some one came, and kissed me there.

Tired I was; my head would go
Nodding under the mistletoe
(Pale-green, fairy mistletoe),
No footsteps came, no voice, but only,
Just as I sat there, sleepy, lonely,
Stooped in the still and shadowy air
Lips unseen—and kissed me there.

- Walter de la Mare (1913)

TSC5: The Holiday Season - Open To Any Stamps

2010-12-01T03:04:00.002-04:00

Honestly, I cannot believe it's Dec. 1 already! How time flies! It's time again for a new Stampsmith Challenge!

The Stampsmith Design Team knows that you're out there getting ready to celebrate the holidays in your own special way and they have asked us to take the opportunity to share some of your great creations (using any stamps you want) before taking a break during the holidays. Be sure to visit The Stampsmith Challenge blog for more details and inspiration from the Design Team!

Here's my card for this challenge. A special thanks to Kim Prince who has been encouraging us to create distressed images in her wonderful classes! Here, I've used her idea of stamping in red and then distressing to achieve a more vintage look. The poinsettia was created by punching 2 green daisies for leaves and 2 burgundy daisies for petals. Chunks were then hand cut out of the petals at random to make roughly the right shape. The flowers were then stamped and distressed, and finally assembled and embellished. I added Rock Candy Distress Stickles to the holly branch and the poinsettia after I took the picture and it adds a very subtle bit of life to this piece!

Holly image from Christmas Cards Sheet 1 by The Stampsmith
Punch: Large Daisy by Paper Shapers
Paper: tba

Remember
This December,
That love weighs more than gold!
Josephine Dodge Daskam Bacon

SDC20: Bling Bling

2010-11-24T01:51:00.000-04:00

It's time for another fun Stampotique Challenge! With Christmas right around the corner, Kim Prince thought the theme of BLING would befun! She says she loves seeing sparkles, shimmer, and shine. So, make your project toinclude bling of any kind (using Stampotique stamps only this week).

Be sure to play along for a chance to expand your collection of Stampotique Originals stamps! Carol and Jim, the owners, are giving away a fabulous $30gift certificate to the Stampotique store!

Here's my 'blingy' project created using a sketch from Paper Crafts' Go To Sketches - a great resource for inspiration!

All images by Stampotique Originals: Leaf, Happy Unbirthday

"When I was younger, I could remember anything, whether it happened or not."
Mark Twain

TSC4: With Gratitude

2010-11-15T10:50:00.001-04:00

It's time for another Stampsmith Challenge!! We hope you'll join in the fun for your chance to win a gift certificate to The Stampsmith Shop! Congratulations to Melanie Bennett who won the draw for the last challenge!

In honor of Thanksgiving, the theme for this challenge is Thank you, Thanks, or Thankful. So, you must use a Thank you, thanks, or thankful sentiment on your project. This week your project must use at least one Stampsmith Stamp but can also include stamps from any other company.

If you have not yet started your Stampsmith collection, please join us on the first of every month (starting again on January 1st) when The Stampsmith Challenge is open to any stamp company.

Our Design Team has some fabulous projects on The Stampsmith Challenge site to inspire you so be sure to drop on by and check them out! Here's my card made with a stamp from the It's Greek To Me 2 Plate. I've simply stamped it on a Basic Grey background and colored it with copics for a soft look. Thank you to Kim Prince for letting me use all o f her supplies to create my project while I visited last night!

Dancing Divas from the It's Greek To Me 2 Plate by Stampsmith

I have entered this creation in the Copic Blog Candy at Crafty Goings On... wow, the links to the projects for this blog candy are unreal! Be sure to check them out!

"Not what we say about our blessings, but how we use them, is the true measure of our thanksgiving."
W.T. Purkiser

Imagine and Achieve

2010-11-13T21:57:00.002-04:00

My DH isn't doesn't really seem to understand the sentiment behind giving a card and basically does not ascribe to giving them; however, when his birthday rolls around, it just wouldn't seem right if I didn't make a card to mark the occasion! Do you find men's cards as challenging as I do? This was the first time that I actually liked the massive black Dewdrops (why did they make them so big anyway?)

Seahorse by Tattered Angels
Sentiment by Unity Stamps

"The three great essentials to achieve anything worth while are, first, hard work; second, stick-to-itiveness; third, common sense."
Thomas Edison

Party Shoes

2010-11-11T23:02:00.000-04:00

I thought I would share the little birthday card I made for my goddaughter. She turned 5 on Oct.30th and she had asked for some "party shoes" so that's what I picked up for her! Every little diva needs a great pair of party shoes!

Here's a pic of the shoes on her... it's not the best pic but it was with my phone, so not bad considering! Can you see the little bows on the toes (with the bling on them)? I know you can't see the heals here, but they do have little, flat, wide, cloppy heals - she was SOOO thrilled with that! (Yes, I did ask her mom if it was ok with her first! LOL!)

Here's a pic of the "matching" party shoe card! It's a tad mature for her at the ripe ole age of 5 but she'll appreciate it more when she's older; her mom saves her 'special' cards for her :)

Fashion Plate by Time To Stamp
Party Sentiment by Studio G
Patterned Paper by Crate Paper

“Give a girl the correct footwear and she can conquer the world.”
Bette Midler

SDC19: Girly Girl

2010-11-10T02:17:00.002-04:00

This week Kim Prince has us creating girly projects for the Stampotique Designer's Challenge! This challenge is open to any and all stamps, but if you do have Stampotique stamps, we would love to see you use them! If you would like to be in the draw to win the FABULOUS $30 gift certificate from Stampotique Originals, please upload your card on the challenge site and you will be entered in the draw!

Here, Moon Girl sits on her wishing well waiting for her wishes to come true when her fairy gothmother appears! Will all of her wishes come true?

Stamps by Stampotique:
Angel, Angelboy, Moon Girl, Daisy Daisy, Hanging Hearts, Swirl Stalks

A Little Punk - Steampunk That Is!!

2010-11-06T02:01:00.000-03:00

In October, we challenged our crafty group to create a project that included metal - real or faux metal. Of course, the crafty girls made the most gorgeous creations and we drew names to swap - too much fun! Here's my little project using the most delicious new Steampunk Debutante papers from Graphic 45 - yuuuummmmmyyyyy!!! I know I didn't include any stamping on the front, but I felt that the papers just spoke for themselves!! Hope you like it!!

Steampunk Debutante papers by Graphic 45

Corner punch and Butterfly punch by Martha Stewart

Ribbon punch by Stampin' Up

Metal clockworks by Tim Holtz

"A clockwork heart can't replace the real thing."
Dru Pagliassotti (Clockwork Heart)

Upcoming Class - Easy Holiday Elegance!

2010-11-03T11:37:00.002-03:00

Fabulous Flourish by Hero Arts

My second class at Photo Memories is coming up this Friday, November 5th from 6pm until 8pm! We're going to be making easy elegant holiday cards and a surprise decoration!

To maximize the use of your stamp and paper collection, we are going to explore how the use of different inks can change a project dramatically! We will also be working with some non-traditional pattered papers to create a fresh new holiday look.

Joyeux Noel by Penny Black

During this class, we’ll be learning about masking, sponging, paper folding, color combinations, ink options, layering, interesting card sizes and folds - and so much more!

Merry Christmas Trees by Hero Arts

Apply these elegant ideas to any projects and any season!

If you're in the area on Friday, be sure to join in and have fun with us getting ready for the holidays!

Looking forward to seeing you there!
Val :)