Monday, June 30, 2008

Bloomin' Beauties!!!!!!!

A quickie post to share another sample made from one of the soon-to-be released Artful Inkables sets. This awesome set is called "Bloomin' Beauties" and, like its name, there is opportunity galore to make beautiful projects with this set! This card came together very easily. I stamped the images with SU Classic inks then heat set them for a few seconds so when I colored them with my Copics it would not smear. I pierced the stem to add texture and variety and the little photo corners are actually smaller blooms from this gorgeous set. We had a rough night at our house with Rachel waking up from a nightmare just when I was about to go to bed. Her little internal alarm clock wakes her up between 6 -6:30 regardless of when she went to bed. Needless to say I'm functioning on about 2 1/2 hours of sleep! So.... while Rachel is taking a nap, I am going to take the opportunity to get some rest, also. I'll be back later this evening with another sample! It's ALWAYs A Stampin' Good Time! Take care!

Bloomin' Beauties recipe:
Stamps: Artful Inkables- Bloomin' Beauties
Paper: Cameo Coral, Poison Ivy, PP- Basic Grey Stella Ruby
Ink: Ruby Red, Almost Artichoke, Chocolate Chip
Accessories: Swirls embossing folder, Nestabilities, Cuttlebug, Copic markers, Mat pack, paper piercer, SU SS brads, SU grosgrain, sponge

Sunday, June 29, 2008

How About Another AI Sneak Peak?!?!

I just couldn't wait until tomorrow! I made one more sneak peak card today using the soon-to-be released set "Plant Prints" from Artful Inkables. I teamed this awesome silhouette set with the new Basic Grey- Euphoria papers and glazed brads. Both of these BG products can be found at Jacksonbelle Embellishments but hurry because the 6 x 6 pads are quick to sale!

I started by making 4 Inchies using the Poppin' Pastels technique. First, I stamped the image onto Whisper White CS with Versamark. *A quick note about card stocks: there seems to be as many opinions about white CS as there are crafters these days. IMHO, I have found that there is no single perfect CS that "does it all!" SU Whisper White has seemed to fall out of the limelight, lately. Most likely because it does not work well with the popular Copic markers and it is a bit flimsy when used as a card back. What I love SU Whisper White for is stamping solid images. It takes the ink beautifully. I, also, use it when I do a lot of the different stamping techniques such as Poppin' Pastels, Embossing Resist, and even Gamsol Magic, although I do use other CS with that particular technique.
Back to the card- after stamping with Versamark, I took a paint brush and covered the water marked images with 4 different colors of pearlescent chalks from both the Shimmers and Jewel Tones chalk sets by Pebbles. Next, I punched one 1" square from each colored image and matted them on a black mat punched with a 1 1/4" square punch. I added a Basic Grey Glazed brad to one and arrange them on the raspberry piece of PP. Next, I inked up the image with Andirondack Pitch Black ink and stamp it several times on the floral PP. After combining those 2 pieces, I added some silver cord from SU (discontinued) and stamped the sentiment from the soon-to-be released, Basic Salutations sentiment set. This was punched with a small oval punch then matted with PP punched with the large oval. I arrange the sentiment with a felt black bird from Maya Road and another BG glazed brad. A few stitches in the silver cord in the right upper corner one more BG Glazed Brad and Voila- a neat card that came together quite quickly. Be sure to see the rest of this set plus 3 others and the awesome Basic Salutations set on July 1st at Artful Inkables. I'll be back tomorrow using 1 more new set and hopefully, a 3-D projects if the stars are aligned for me- LOL! Also, be sure to check out Julia's blog to see the gorgeous creations she is making for the sneak peaks! It's ALWAYs A Stampin' Good Time! Take care!

Plant Prints Euphoria recipe:
Stamps: Artful Inkables- Plant Prints, Basic Salutations
Paper: Basic Black CS, PP- Basic Grey Euphoria
Ink: Andirondack Pitch Black, Versamark
Accessories: Square punches,Oval punches, Pebbles Shimmer chalks, paint brush, BG brads, Silver cord- retired SU, Maya Road felt bird, paper piercer, Mat Pack, Stampin' Dimensionals

Artful INKables Sneak Peak

I am so excited about today's post! On Tuesday, July 1st Artful INKables will be releasing 4 brand new image stamp sets and a wonderful sentiment set! Today I get to share with you 2 cards that I have made that feature a sneak peak of 2 of the new sets! First, the July 1st releases continue the AI tradition of variety and versatility in their sets. There is definitely something for everyone (or if you are like me, you'll have to have them ALL)!!!

This first card showcases images from Pressed Petals. This set can be used in a silhouette style, as I did here, or using the 2-step stamping technique. I am absolutely in love with the little "tuft" style blossom and cannot wait to use both outline and silhouette images for a whimsical look (can you tell I'm already working on that one in my head- no wonder I've been so scatter-brained this weekend)! A stamping-off technique was used with Old Olive and Brocade Blue inks onto Neenah Classic White CS. My color combination was inspired by one of my favorite Basic Grey patterns of all times, Lily Kate. To tie the bottom strip of the paper to the focal image, I stamped the outline version of the stamps in Chocolate Chip ink. The chipboard frame is Maya Road and it, as well as, the brads are heat embossed using Versamark and The Powder Keg French Vanilla EP. The sentiment, included in the Pressed Petals set, is stamped with Chocolate Chip ink onto the white CS and run through the Cuttlebug with tag Nestabilities. All paper piece edges were sponged with Chocolate Chip ink. May Arts ribbon was threaded through the tag and tied to the frame and Dew Drops were adhered to the card.The second sneak peak set may just be my favorite of the AI July 1st releases. I love the clean, classic look that dandelion images can provide and Sunburst Dandies is no exception. This is such a sweet, unique stamp set that I cannot wait for you to see the rest of it! For this card, after stamping the stem with Old Olive ink, I simply stamped the flower image in Versamark onto a Hero Art's Kraft note card and a piece of scrap that I had from the same note card pack (love it when I can be thrifty)! I then heat embossed both images using Ranger Seafoam white EP. I put the note card aside and began to cut out the little individual "seeds" from the other flower. Next, I ran the little seeds through my Xyron and placed them on the notecard, as if the dandelion was blowing in a breeze. Next, I took a small piece of Old Olive CS and dry "embossed" it with my Scor-Pal, the trimmed the edge with the scalloped blade of my Paper Trimming Buddy. The "A Sunny Day" sentiment is part of the Sunburst Dandies set and I stamped it using Chocolate Chip ink onto white CS then die cut it with a Nestability tag die. Ribbon is SU Chocolate Chip polished twill! Pure stamping fun!!!! Be sure to check back in the morning for 2 more projects using the awesome Artful Inkables July 1st releases! It's ALWAYs A Stampin' Good Time! Take care!

Note: If you are wondering just what made me pull out my BG Lily Kate when my stamp room has been taken over by beautiful and more recent papers, well, the Our Creative Corner Blog challenge for this week is to use "old" Basic Grey. If you upload your card to SCS using OCCC in the keywords by Friday, July 4th at noon, you will be in the drawing for a 15.00 Gift Certificate to Jacksonbelle Embellishments! How yummy is that!


Pressed Petals Basic Grey recipe:
Stamps: Artful Inkables- Pressed Petals
Paper: Chocolate Chip, Neenah Classic White, PP- BG- Lily Kate
Ink: Brocade Blue, Old Olive, Chocolate Chip
Accessories: Maya Road Chipboard, May Arts ribbon, Cuttlebug, Nestabilities, MS border punch, SU brads, The Powder Keg EP, Heat Gun, Dew Drops, Sponge, Circle punch
Sunburst Dandies in the Breeze recipe:

Stamps: Artful Inkables- Sunburst Dandies
Paper: Old Olive, Neenah Classic white, Kraft notecards by Hero Arts
Ink: Old Olive, Chocolate Chip, Versamark
Accessories: Paper Trimming Buddy-Marvy Uchida, ScorPal, Nestabilities, Cuttlebug, SU twill, Ranger- Seafoam white EP, Mat Pack, paper piercer

Friday, June 27, 2008

So Who Want to See New Rubbah?????

I had a very happy mail day today. The soon-to-be released stamp sets from Artful Inkables arrived on my doorstep!!!! Let me tell you, I was and still am completely blown away! AI will be releasing 5 awesome sets this Tuesday, July 1st. Be sure to stop by the company store on that day to see the new sets, learn about the July sale and check out the new look that the web store is sporting! Until then, it will definitely be a happy stamping day tomorrow! I will have a little sneaky peak to share with you some of these FA-BU-LOUS images!!!!

Until then, I would like to direct you to fellow AI DT member, Julia Aston's blog for your very first sneak peak of the awesome set, Sunburst Dandies and brand new all-sentiment set, Basic Salutations. Julia received her sets yesterday and was right on top of things using them for today's Limited Supply challenge over on SCS! Love what she did with this set!

Be sure to check back tomorrow for my sneak peak... It's ALWAYs A Stampin' Good Time! Take care!

Thursday, June 26, 2008

Ways To Use It Challenge is For the Birds!

Good morning, All! Lots going on here at the house this morning but I absolutely had to play today's SCS challenge. Julia is usually the hostess for this challenge but she was super busy this week and asked no other than our lovely Lindsey Botkin to fill in! THAT mixed with the fact we were to incorporate bird images into our projects, made it a no brainer for me to play. Truly this card took me all of about 20-25 minutes to put together. The cute little Artful Inkables parrot was stamped with Momento Tuxedo Black ink then colored with Copic Markers. The main image and mat were run through my Cuttlebug and Nestabilities. The cute little scallop on the bottom of the PP comes as is on the paper- lovin' it! As I said, a super simple card just made with lots of great products! It's ALWAYs a Stampin' Good Time! Take care!

For the birds card recipe:
Stamps: Artful Inkables
Paper: Black CS, Cosmo Cricket Hello Sunshine PP
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: Copic markers, Nestablitities, Cuttlebug, Zig white paint pen, American Craft brads, ribbon from stash, prima flowers

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Way to Go Wednesday

I had better hurry with this post or Way to Go Wednesday is going into the wee hours of Thursday morning. So without further ado:

First, I would like to introduce the newest member to the Artful Inkables DT, the creative and talented Pam Miller! I am so excited to get to "meet" Pam and work with her on the AI DT. Not only is she a sistah stamper, she is, also, a fellow nurse- God love her!!!! If you would like to see some beautiful creations, be sure to stop at Pam's blog and while you're there, I'm sure she would love a "atagirl" comment!

Second, it was quite a week for Kim Teasdale. Not only was she selected for the AI DT, she, also, received an invitation for the Clear Dollar Stamps DT! What can we say Kim? When your hot, your hot! For some viewing pleasure, be sure to check out Kim's wonderful creations at her blog!

And what about our own fearless leader, Lindsey Botkin, from Jacksonbelle Embellishments. TWO of Lindsey's fa-bu-lous cards were published in August's Crafts 'n Things and another one is on their website. You will need to register to see this one but it is well worth it!

Before I get to today's card, I would like to send out a Happy Anniversary to my dear blogging friend, Jill Dunn and her husband Dave! They have been married for 11 years today! Here's wishing your a wonderful anniversary, Jill & Dave!

Also, a quick note about a blog candy opp: Starving Artist has a most generous candy opportunity on their blog. Take a minute to leave a comment and you will be on your way to chance at 1 super cute image stamp set and 2 hilarious sentiment sets to go with it (I'm still chuckling over some of them)!

So that takes care of the "housekeeping" aspect of today's post now onto the card! Monday I received my first order from Artful Inkables. The day that I found out about their DT call, I rushed over to their web store to have a look and was thrilled at what I saw! Not only are their stamps deeply etched, red rubber, they are already cut and adhered to mounting cushion. All the images are hand drawn and there is such a nice variety of styles (including my favorite - nature inspired whimsy.) You can find something for everyone! I knew right away, that AI either would have a devoted DT member OR a faithful customer in me!

The first set I purchased was this cute little Enchanted Fairies. I love these sweet little images and since my DD loves all things fairy, this was a perfect choice for me. My layout is for today's Sketch Challenge at SCS. I haven't "played" with a SCS challenge is a little while so I was determined to do so today. The background is a 5 1/2" x 5 1/2" square of Regal Rose. All paper pieces except the focal image were distressed with Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Ink- Antique Linen. I love to use Antique Linen when I want a very subtle distressing. The little PP squares are BG Sugared and measure 1 1/2" x 1 1/2." They are mounted on Chocolate Chip CS. My cute little fairy is stamped on Neenah Classic White with Tuxedo Black Memento ink and colored in with Copic Markers. The sparkle of her wings was painted on with Star Dust Stickles. The little flower blossoms were made with 2 different Martha Steward hydrangea punches, then blinged with a Sakura Stardust pen and distressed with the Antique Linen ink. The little flower centers are Lime Green Stickles and the leaves are actually petals cut from the largest hydrangea blossom. Voila- today's sketch challenge Artful Inkables style!

Be sure to check out the Ways To Use It Challenge on SCS tomorrow! Lindsey Botkin is the guest hostess and she has a challenge that most of you will love! It's ALWAYs A Stampin' Good Time! Take care!

Enchanted Fairy card recipe:
Stamps: Artful Inkables- Enchanted Fairies
Paper: Regal Rose, Chocolate Chip,More Mustard, Barely Banana, Neenah Classic White CS, BG- Sugared
Ink: Momento Tuxedo Black, Ranger Distress- Antique Linen
Accessories: Copic markers, Cuttlebug, Nestabilities, Stickles, May Arts ribbon, American Craft brads, Martha Steward punches, Sakura Stardust Glitter pen

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Jacksonbelle Tuesday

Wahoo! Tuesday once again and time for another Jacksonbelle Embellishment Design Team challenge. This week it is Anything Goes- you gotta love that! We would be thrilled to have you play along so if you do, please be sure to use JBE008 in your keycode when you upload to the gallery at SCS. Looking forward to seeing your wonderful cards! Be sure to take a look at the other DT members blogs to see what they came up with today!

First off, a quick disclaimer. My challenge card did not photograph very well. IRL, the yellow in the little bird is not as harsh. Hopefully, tomorrow I can take a better photo in the daylight to exchange for this one.

My Harmony Prima PP had been neglected for a while so I decided to pair it up with this new little Inka bird & frame stamp. After coloring the bird with Copic Markers, I die cut the image with Nestabilities and added a SU rub-on phrase inside the frame. The "thanks" sentiment and the little dotted flourish and flowers are rub-ons from the same pack (Love & Happiness from Sale-a-bration.) I had the most fun with the Prima flowers. The large blue flower is, also, from the Harmony line and the little mesh flowers (are those cute, or what) are brand new from my lss, Once Upon a Scrapbook. The centers are clear button from AL topped with a little piece cut from Prima lace. FUN, FUN! I stamped the kraft colored piece of PP with a CHF Polka Dot backgrounder (I so {{{{LOVE}}}} the CHF backgrounders) using MM paint. The rest is pretty self explanatory. TFL!

I got a bit of a late start this evening on my card because we celebrated Mary Elizabeth's 11th birthday this evening. Our family along with her 3 bffs went to the local Mexican restaurant (ME's fav.) for supper. It was truly a delightful, fun time for everyone. Just wanted to share a couple of photos of my girls when the wait staff came out and placed a huge sombrero on the birthday girl and sang to her! Feel free to click on the pics to see the fun the girls were having!Be sure to stop by tomorrow for Way to Go Wednesday. It's ALWAYS a Stampin' Good Time! Take care!

Inka bird card recipe:

Stamps: Inkadinkado, CHF Polka Dot backgrounder
Paper: Curious Iridescent Crycogen White, PP- Prima Harmony
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Ranger Distress Ink-Brushed Cordoroy
Accessories: MM paint, Cuttlebug, Nestabilities, Copic markers, SU rub-ons, Prima flowers, AL clear buttons, Prima lace, K & Co. ribbon, American Craft brads
Techniques: Stamping w/ paint, alcohol markers