1 Colour Q + 1 How 2 = 5 Cards!

Hi Stamping Friends!

I know!  Bad math huh?!  But when Arielle from the COLOUR Q color challenge blog asked me to be a "guest designer" this week for her cQc9 challenge, I had so much fun with the colors that I just couldn't stop!  I ended up creating FIVE cards with the colors.  And because today is "How To Tuesday" (and if you bother to stay 'til the end of this long post!), there will be a photo tutorial on the Baby Wipe Technique.  This technique was from the Tuesday Technique Challenge from my favorite Stampin' Up! online hangout, STAMPIN' ADDICTS.  So each one of these cards is for one or more challenges.  But first the important part... here is the gorgeous challenge photo that Arielle sent me to work with:

Isn't that fantastic?!  Here's the card I created for Arielle to post on her blog:

This card is nice and sparkly IRL.  The "snow" is a layer of Dazzling Diamonds, and the trees are decorated with Swarovski Crystals (the only non-SU! products).  The trees are also dusted with some shimmer mist made with the Platinum Shimmer Paint in the Holiday Mini Catalog.

Here's a card I made using these colors for the Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge #46 over at Karen Giron's blog: the sweetest thing.  I just bought a used stamp set from Karen and I can't wait to get it and use it for one of her challenges!  :)  Here is the sketch:

And here is card number two:

The next sketch comes from the girls at Our Creative Corner.  Here is the sketch:

They made this one easy on me, since I was already planning on using the Delightful Decorations set.  I just didn't know what I was going to do until I stumbled across this perfect sketch!  Here is card number three:

The next card was taken apart and re-made after I saw the Mojo Monday 115 sketch.  I think it is my favorite card of all five of them.  Here is the sketch:

And here is my very sparkly version:

How fun is that?!  And last but not least, the only card that is NOT a Christmas card is for Stamping 411 sketch challenge SSC127.  Here is their sketch:

And here is the fifth and final card:

Isn't that Baby Wipe Technique fabulous?!  Well, if you've stuck around this long, you might as well hangout a little longer, 'cause this technique is super easy and can be done in four easy steps.

Gather your supplies:

Re-Inkers **3-4 colors**

Baby Wipes

Empty Container

Solid-style Stamps

Whisper White Cardstock

Layer four or five baby wipes in an empty container.  I used an empty SU! stamp box.  You could also use some type of Rubbermaid or Gladware.  This will be your stamp pad.  Drip your re-inkers onto the baby wipe.  I start with my darkest colors to the lightest.  I fill in all the empty space with lightest color.

Using a solid image stamp (you won't see the multi-colored effect on a line image), stamp onto the baby wipe "stamp pad" and then onto your Whisper White cardstock.

That's all there is too it!  You may want to be ready to stamp as many images as possbile, because once your ink starts to lighten, that's it.  I tried to re-ink the baby wipe, but the colors began to get all muddled.  You can see in this photo it is after I had tried to re-ink it.  The pinks and blues started to turn purple.  I don't know if you could close the lid and try again the next day, but I think your colors would bleed into each other.  The best thing about this technique is the easy clean up.  Just wipe your container clean with the baby wipes!

Thanks so much for stopping by and hanging out to the bitter end!  It's not every day that you get asked to be a guest designer.  Better make the most of it!  I hope you have a chance to play along in the Colour Q challenge cQc9 this week!

Happy Stamping!

How To Tuesday #3 Faux Marble

Hi Stamping Friends!

Well today is another "how-to" post.  This technique is called Faux Marble or the shaving cream technique.  I showed you this card last week:

I took some "how-to" photos while I tested out this technique.  I would have never done this technique myself, except I was challenged to over at my favorite online Stampin' Up! hangout, STAMPIN' ADDICTS.  They have different challenges posted each day of the week, and Tuesday is technique day.  I actually made two cards with this technique, since you can get two prints out of the shaving cream, before it turns into a big colorful mess.  Here's the second card I made, using the same colors and layout:

And here's the "how-to" photo (I know, I'm so old school, but video ain't happenin'!) tutorial:

Gather your supplies:

SU! Glossy Cardstock

SU! Reinkers

Shaving Cream

Pan

Skewer

Paper Towels

Spray shaving cream into your pan.  At least an inch thick.  I may have gone a little overboard.  You know what they say... if a little is good, alot is even better!  :)

Smooth out your shaving cream.  I just used a scrap of cardstock to smooth it.

Drop ink onto the shaving cream.  Again, not sure if you need this much.  You'd probably get a totally different look if you used less ink.

Using the skewer, swirl your ink around.  Again, I think I may have swirled a little too much, as the colors started to get kind of muddied.  I kept thinking that the entire shaving cream surface needed to be covered in ink, but I think some white shaving cream showing would have been just fine.

Once you have the desired look, press your glossy cardstock onto the shaving cream surface.

Your cardstock will look kind of yucky at this point.  I thought I had ruined it for sure! 

Now use your paper towels to dab off the excess shaving cream.  Be sure that you do not rub it off, as you will only smear your ink and loose the marble effect.  Just dabbing up and down will work.  You may use quite a few paper towels for this step.

And here is the finished product, ready for you to use on your creation!  I will definitely try this technique again.  I plan to experiment a little more with different colors of reinkers.

Again, here are the two cards I made:

On the Trendy Trees card, you may notice some dots amongst all that swirl.  I thought it would be fun to first emboss the Glossy Cardstock with the Polka Dot background stamp.  I just used Versamark ink and Clear Embossing Powder.  Its fun to see how two cards using the same layout and colors can look so different. 

Yesterday I forgot to post what I was thankful for, since it is Thanksgiving week here in the U.S..  So today I get to say two things... I am so grateful for my wonderful hubby (yea I am blinded by your awesomeness and attractiveness!) and my three fabulous kids.  My life would be incomplete without them.  Each of their unique qualities makes our family what it is.  I am so thankful that God has given me the gift of being your wife and mom.

Thanks for stopping by!

Happy Stamping!

It's A Triple Good Day!

Hi Stamping Friends!

I'm so excited to share my triple challenge card with you today!  Not because it's so fabulous, but because it comes along with some super exciting news.  Maybe I should call it a quadruple good day!  Today's card gets its sketch form the Pals Paper Arts blog PPA17.  The color challenge is from the Colour Q blog cQc7.  And the third challenge is from my favorite Stampin' Up! friendly, online hangout, Stampin' Addicts.  This is for Tuesday's Technique Challenge Tech34 Faux Marble, a.k.a. the shaving cream technique.  Here's another technique I have never tried!  Here are the challenge photos:

I just love the colors Arielle picks out every week.  And she has always finds such gorgeous inspiration pics!  I know Kiwi Kiss is retired, but since it is one of my all-time favorite In-Colors, I decided to go with it.  Here's my card combining all three challenges:

Isn't it wild and crazy?!  My kids loved it and my hubby thought it had a tie-dyed look to it.  I think I may over over mixed my ink colors in the shaving cream, but like I said, this was my first try at it.  With a little more experience, I can become a Faux Marble expert.  And so can you!  Come back on Tuesday, when I will post the how-to photos of this technique.  I'm having photo issues.  It just bugs me that I can't get a brighter pic!  I don't know if its the camera or the photographer.  More techniques I need to practice.  :)

Aren't these colors fun?!  The card base is Taken With Teal which is layered with my Faux Marble piece.  The Choo Choo stamp set images are stamped in Taken With Teal, Kiwi Kiss, Pumpkin Pie, and Soft Suede.  The sentiment comes form the Teeny Tiny Wishes set.  This is such a great set for all those little sentiments.  I think the hardest part of assembling this card was trying to get the Pumpkin Pie Striped Grosgrain Ribbon and Kiwi Kiss Kiss Corduroy Brad centered and adhered properly to the card!

I almost forgot!  I have some super exciting news... Arielle, the hostess of the Colour Q challenge blog asked me to be a Guest Designer for her December 1st color challenge!  How cool is that?!  I'm so thrilled!  I've never been asked to be a guest designer before.  She already sent me the color challenge and let me just tell you... it's going to be fabulous!  I already have two cards floating around in my little pea-brain.  I'm glad it's a holiday weekend next week.  Just means more time for me to stamp!

Well I better get some house cleaning done.  I've got my Hostess Club gals coming over tomorrow afternoon.  Can't wait to stamp and chat with them!  I've got to figure out one more project.  There's just too much stampin' goodness to choose from!

Choo Choo  #113982  $16.95

Thanks for stopping by!

Have a great weekend!

Happy Stamping!

How To Tuesday #2 and Double Challenges!

Hi Stamping Friends!

Well today you are in for double the fun!  All my challenges seem to stack up and then need to be posted ASAP.  So I have two cards today.  And they both are for two challenges.  Imagine that!  Plus, after the second card, I have a photo "how to" of the Faux Leather Technique.  Wow!  Was this fun to do!  I'm not sure how soon I'll be doing this technique again, but my kids were sure impressed with the results.

The first card is a combination of the sketch challenge from Stamping 411 SSC125 and the inspiration challenge from The Play Date Cafe PDCC04.  Here are the challenge photos:

And here is my card:

The card base is kraft layered with Brocade Blue and Christmas Cocoa DSP that has a beautiful shimmer to it.  The large snowflake is cut out with my Big Shot using the Snowflake #2 die.  The center snowflake is from Season of Joy and is stamped in Brocade Blue and has a Ice Circle Rhinestone brad in its center.  The sentiment is from Four The Holidays out of the Holiday Mini Catalog.

This next card combines the Tuesday Technique Challenge from my favorite Stampin' Up! only online hangout, Stampin' Addicts.  This is the Faux Leather Technique Tech33.  The sketch is from the Utah Divas Interenational blog.  They have some fabulous SU! stampers that contribute to their site.  Here is the card, followed by a photo "how to".

Isn't that faux leather cool?!  Here's a close-up:

This is how I did this technique, per Rhonda, the technique hostess at Stampin' Addicts.  Click on any of the photos to make them larger, if you want to see things more close-up.

Gather all your supplies:

Cardstock

Vanilla Craft Ink

Clear Embossing Powder

Masking Tape

Heat Tool

"Leather Color"  Classic Inks

Sponges

Cover your entire piece of cardstock with pieces of masking tape.  I used a Kraft piece of cardstock as the base, but it doesn't really matter, since you'll be covering it up. 

With the Vanilla Craft Ink, cover your entire cardstock with ink.

It should look like this when you are done.  Next pour Clear Embossing powder onto your cardstock.  Be careful not to pour too much on it, because you will not be able to reuse the leftovers, since it will get mixed with the Vanilla Craft Ink.  I use a small baby spoon to spoon my powder out of the jar.

Rub the Clear Embossing Powder into all the cracks and then heat up.  I did this whole process (ink and EP) twice, because I think I rubbed off too much embossing powder the first time.  It really added some fun texture to the piece.

Now start sponging on your "leather" ink colors.  I started out with my lightest color first, Creamy Caramel.  Then I added some Soft Suede and finally, Chocolate Chip.  I kept at it until I had the look I desired.  I also heat set it, to help dry the ink.  I have quite a few inky fingers after this project!

And this is the finished piece of "leather".  This would be so cool for a western-style card, but I have no western stamps!  Here's the finished card again:

Like I said, my family was quite impressed with the results.  Even my husband thought it looked like leather!  This card may have to hang around the house for awhile.  I'm not sure who deserves a card with this much effort.  Maybe I'll surprise hubby and put it in his sock drawer someday, since I'm always grateful for him.  The medallion image comes from the set True Friend and the sentiment comes from Falling Leaves.

Four The Holidays  #116921  $13.95

Falling Leaves  #115368  $21.95

Thanks for stopping by!

Happy Stamping!

Cupcake Crazy!!

Hi Stamping Friends!

I'm sure you all getting a little tired of cupcake cards.  I know I am!  But when I read about the Tuesday Technique Challenge on my favorite Stampin' Up! online hangout, Stampin Addicts, I just had to pull out the Crazy For Cupcakes set again!  The challenge is Faux Tile Tech31 and I decided to make one of those cards that look like the window of a bakery.  The color challenge is from the Cards & Things Challenge blog.

Now this was my first time using the Glassy Glaze Enamel Embossing Powder, so things got a little messy.  So be gentle.  Here's my bakery shop card:

The light cast a funky sheen over the "window", but IRL it's nice and shiny.  Next Tuesday I'll post instructions on how to do the Faux Tile technique.  I'm thinking of making Tuesday's "How To Tuesday".  The card base is Chocolate Chip layered with Mellow Moss.  The "curtain" is a piece of Rose Red Stitched Grograin.  To make the ruffle, I pulled on the top stitch and knotted the ends of the white thread.  The brads help hold it all in place.

Crazy For Cupcakes  #111618  $23.95

Stem Saying  #115078  $20.95

Thanks for stopping by!

Happy Stamping!