GCA #47 - It's Hot, Hot, Hot!!!

Hello all!! And no, I did not forget to post the challenge, but BOTH of my grandsons were here and I got sidetracked by them!!

It has been so hot here in Michigan for the past week, I thought I would embrace that with this week's challenge! For this week, we are focusing on colors that represent hot! Anything using reds, pinks, oranges or yellows is what you need! There is no particular theme to go with these colors, but just using the colors themselves.

Again, I pulled cards from my archives to show you!

So, for this week's GCA you need to create a card, project or scrapbook page that uses the HOT colors listed above, upload it either to your blog, or to an online gallery and post a link to your card to this blog entry as a comment by July 4. 2009 at 12 midnight. I will choose the winner through a random number generator and post the next Sunday.

Even if you can't make the drawing deadline, PLEASE feel free to participate in the challenge and upload your creations at any time. I would love to see it! If you upload your card on SCS, Stampin' Addicts or Paper Craft Planet, please put GCA47(NO SPACE IN BETWEEN GCA AND 47) in the keyword section. That way everyone can look at all of the creations at once! If you've been waiting to join in the fun, jump on in and have some fun!!

Happy Stamping!!!

~~~Ann~~~

GCA #46 Winner is.....

.....Dorothy (AKA etsdas on SCS)! You can see her wonderful manly sympathy card here. Dorothy please send me your address to pinkstamper06@yahoo.com so I can get a stampin goodie package out to you!

And thank you to everyone who played along this week!! I am so happy to have you join me each and every week!

Up next: GCA #47 - It's Hot, Hot, Hot!!!

Happy Stamping!!

~~~Ann~~~

GCA #46 - All About the Man!!!

Hello all!!! I hope everyone is enjoying a Happy Father's Day with the special man in their life today!!

And with today being Father's Day, the GCA for this week is all about men!! Well, masculine cards or projects that is!!

I don't know about you, but I have a very difficult time making masculine cards. I want to put all the frilly, pretty girlie things on and for a man that just wont do!

I have three samples from you, which I pulled from my archives!!! (Getting ready to leave for Indy for the week for training and not a lot of time to create!!!)

The first two samples use the Wanted set, which I think is perfect for creating male cards!! And the third sample uses the Boatloads of Love set, which would be a perfect Valentine or anniversary card!! IMHO!!

So, for this week's GCA you need to create a card, project or scrapbook page that is masculine themed, upload it either to your blog, or to an online gallery and post a link to your card to this blog entry as a comment by June 27 2009 at 12 midnight. I will choose the winner through a random number generator and post the next Sunday.

Even if you can't make the drawing deadline, PLEASE feel free to participate in the challenge and upload your creations at any time. I would love to see it! If you upload your card on SCS, Stampin' Addicts or Paper Craft Planet, please put GCA46(NO SPACE IN BETWEEN GCA AND 46) in the keyword section. That way everyone can look at all of the creations at once! If you've been waiting to join in the fun, jump on in and have some fun!! male theme!

Happy Stamping!!!

~~~Ann~~~

GCA #45 Winner is...

....Joann!!! You can see her wonderfully delightful baby card on her blog Joann's Little Things. Joann please send me your address to pinkstamper06@yahoo.com so I can send you out a stampin goodie package!!

And to my recent past GCA winners, all packages have been put in the mail to you!! I am so sorry that it took me longer than I expected to get them out, but I was just too wrapped up in little Malaki!!!

Up next: GCA #46 - All About the Man!!!

And stay tuned for the upcoming GCA #50!!! I have a special prize package already picked out for this lucky winner!!

Happy Stamping!!

~~~Ann~~~

I'm So Sorry - CC223

Hello all!!! I was able to squeeze in the color challenge for this week on the actual day it was posted!!! I should be cleaning, but dirt will always be there!!

Well, this card did not end up as I originally planned it, BUT I do like the end result, even though it is a sympathy card for stampin' sister who just lost her mother.

I wanted to play with my new stuff, which I did, but as I was playing with this I realized the colors are very soothing for a sympathy card.

I used the large image in Razzle Dazzle with the Baby Wipe tech using Ruby Red and Baja Breeze re-inkers. You can't tell very well in the pic, but I then took the baby wipe and went around the edges of the main panel. Once done, I ran it lightly, through my crimper.

The "apron" piece is up on thick dimensionals, as is the bird.

As you can see in the second pic, I did up the inside too!!

Happy Stamping!!!

~~~Ann~~~

GCA #45 - All About the Baby!!!

Hello all!!! Well, I'm sure you can tell where this challenge came from, but it's not just about MY new grandson, Malaki!! This is about all those wonderful babies out there! Whether it's a new baby just arrived or one that is due to arrive soon!!!

This week I actually made a 6 x 6 scrapbook page. I have a hard time doing scrapbook pages, not sure why, but this one came out very good, IMHO!!! This page actually started based on Sharon Johnson's weekly Friday Stamp Simply challenge 91: Half Circles! Please note: This is not a requirement for this week's GCA. I simply used her challenge to springboard my challenge, which you are more than welcome to do if you like!!!

Now, on to the page! When I first started working on this I thought it would be just a scrapbook page for Malaki's book, but the more i worked on it, the end result is what evolved!

Since I just received my sneak peek order of new stuff coming up in the new catalog, I decided to use them! The new dsp is Tall Tales and coordinates with the new stamp set Animal Stories. When I first saw this set I wasn't too sure of it, but the more I looked at it and thought about what I could do it grew on me! And since I am losing Wild About You and Zoofari, I needed a set that would be suitable for children.

The scalloped circles are made using the scalloped circle die and Big Shot. To achieve the double layer, all I did was use the bottom, or cut off, portion of the circles. The elephant was cut out and placed directly over the elephant in the dsp. I really wanted it show, but the ribbon cut him in half!

The nameplate was made with my Matchbox die and I hand wrote the stats on it. The label at the top is made with the new Modern Label punch, Word Window punch and the new set Teeny Tiny Wishes!! This is one of the sets I received for my SAB sales this year! It is a very versatile set and I can see using it alot!

The end result is a hanging scrapbook page which I am taking into work for my cubicle!! And to show off Malaki! I am in the process of making one for Cameron as well, so I'll post that when I get it done. As you can see, I finished the page for Cameron!! I used retired Western Sky dsp and last years In-Colors of River Rock and Blue Bayou. The corner piece is cut from one of the sheets in the dsp and then I cut out part of the star.

So, for this week's challenge you need to create a card, project, scrapbook page or whatever, with a "BABY" theme, upload it either to your blog, or to an online gallery and post a link to your card to this blog entry as a comment by June 20, 2009 at 12 midnight. I will choose the winner through a random number generator and post the next Sunday.

Even if you can't make the drawing deadline, PLEASE feel free to participate in the challenge and upload your creations at any time. I would love to see it! If you upload your card on SCS, Stampin' Addicts or Paper Craft Planet, please put GCA45(NO SPACE IN BETWEEN GCA AND 45) in the keyword section. That way everyone can look at all of the creations at once! If you've been waiting to join in the fun, jump on in and have some fun!!

Happy Stamping!!!

~~~Ann~~~

GCA #44 Winner is.....

...... My5Bratz's!!!!! You can see her card on her blog, My5Bratz. Please send me your address to pinkstamper06@yahoo.com and I will send some stampin' goodies to you!! Thanks for playing along with me this week!

And a huge thank you to everyone who played this week, and who has been playing weekly!!! I am so excited to see more people join in!! Thanks so much!

Up next: GCA #44 - All About the Baby!!! (Bet you couldn't guess where this idea came from!)

Happy Stamping!!!

~~~Ann~~~

He's here, He's here!!!!!

Hello everyone!!!! Drumroll please................ Malaki Lee Stone has arrived in the world!!

STATS:

7 lbs 13 oz

21 1/2"

Born at 3:25 pm

Proud parents: Gregory Stone and Misty Wampler

Big Brother: Cameron Lee Stone

He is the MOST BEAUTIFUL baby in the world!!!! I know, I know I am a little biased, but he is just too darn precious!!! He looks so much like his daddy, but I do see some of his momma in him too!

Misty and Malaki came through the entire procedure just fine. While Misty was not planning on a C-Section, she is happy with the end result! You can't really tell in the photos, but he has a head full of hair and his head is sort of "cone-shaped"!! He got stuck in her pelvic region because she is so tiny and that is why they did the C-Section. I am so thankful to God and the medical personnel for a wonderful outcome.

Happy Stamping!!!!!

~~~Ann~~~

Malaki is on the way!!!!

Just wanted to let all of you know that Malaki is on his way, but has given his momma a hard time!! My son called me at 2:30 pm today to tell me they were prepping her for a C - Section!!!

Now I am off to the hospital and hopefully meet my new grandson soon!!

Please keep them in your prayers and I'll post pics when I get some!!

Happy Stamping!!!

~~~Ann~~~

GCA #44 - Summertime Beach Fun

Hello all!!! I apologize for the late post, I was working in Grand Rapids this past week and then spent the weekend with friends in South Haven!! It was awesome! We went out on Lake Michigan in their boat, drove up along the lakeshore and shopped in wonderful South Haven!!

So, you might be able to guess where this week's theme came from!! For this week's challenge, click on the Shoreline visitors guide to get your inspiration for the challenge!! You'll find lots of wonderful summertime scenes to guide you in your creations!! Just make sure you include something summertime/beachy on your card! (Not necessarily both, at least one!)

To be entered in the challenge drawing, make a card or project using the Summertime/Beach theme, upload it either to your blog, or to an online gallery and post a link to your card to this blog entry as a comment by June 13, 2009 at 12 midnight. I will choose the winner through a random number generator and post the next Sunday.

Even if you can't make the drawing deadline, PLEASE feel free to participate in the challenge and upload your creations at any time. I would love to see it! If you upload your card on SCS, Stampin' Addicts or Paper Craft Planet, please put GCA44(NO SPACE IN BETWEEN GCA AND 44) in the keyword section. That way everyone can look at all of the creations at once! If you've been waiting to join in the fun, jump on in and have some fun!!

I hope to get my sample up soon!!! Lots of unpacking to do!!

Happy Stamping!!!

~~~Ann~~~

GCA #43 Winner is.....

......Mandy!!!!! You can see her card on her blog: Made by Mandy. Mandy please email me at pinkstamper06@yahoo.com with your address so I can send you some stampin' goodies!!!

Up next: GCA #44 - Summertime Beach Fun!!

Happy Stamping!!!

~~~Ann~~~

RAK's from Late Night Stampers

Hello all and Happy Tuesday!!

I belong to a Yahoo group called Late Night Stampers. Some are demos and some are not, but the most important thing is the friendships, laughter and sharing of ideas we give each other!! If you would like to be a part of this amazing group, click on the StampinUpLNStampers and see for yourself!!

Last week I received these two RAK's from LNS ladies!! I told you we had fun!!

The first is from Tammy Howell and comes all the way from North Carolina! Isn't is the sweetest?? And, she did the clean and simple look!! What a fabulous way to showcase the wonderful dsp SU! has!!

The second RAK comes from Mary Jo Price in New York!! I just love the Bella she used on here too!! I think it is the rubber stamping bella, but since I don't have any I'm not sure!! I love the colors she used and it inspires me to pull out the Brilliant Blue as I hardly use it!

If you have any cards "just sitting around", I encourage you to put them in the mail and help them to brighten someones day!!

Still no Malaki yet!! He is going to take his own sweet time I guess!!

Happy Stamping!!!

~~~Ann~~~

Last Chance Items from SU!!

Hello all!!!

SU! posted the last chance list, retiring accessories and decor elements today! I have to say, some of the stamp sets and items from the Decor Elements line really surprised me!!

I lost 16 stamp sets to retirement, 5 hostess sets and mini catalogs sets we are not sure if they made it to the catalog or not!!

I will be compiling a list of my retired sets I wish to part with and then posting on my bog. I will put this up within the next few weeks, but if it is before July 1st, I WILL NOT be including current retiring sets until after July 1st! If you are looking for any particular set, leave me a comment and I'll let you know if I have it.

Until then, Happy Stamping!!!

~~~Ann~~~

Rooster Birthday Wishes - FS121

Hello all!!!

The FS for this week is Rox71 - our very own Sketch Challenge hostess!!!! What an honor to peruse through her gallery and CASE one of her cards! When I saw this card http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/photo/548217?cat=500&ppuser=23790 I knew what one to chose and that I would use my Rustic Rooster set. I wanted this set when we were able to pre-order the newest hostess sets, however I opted for another one instead. So when I got the chance to get it a second time, I jumped on it!! This is the first time I've inked it up though!!

In keeping with the "French Country" look, I chose more subtle/fallish colors, but will be sending this off to my aunt whose birthday is this month. I stayed fairly true to the original layout, except I left off the triangles below the border. Instead I used my scallop lace punch and used decorative copper brads.

My rooster was stamped in CC craft and clear embossed with sponging around the edges, as well as sponging around the script panel. Now that it is covered up, it's hard to see but I first stamped Linen in Saffron and then overstamped the script. You can see it a little more clearly in the border strip, which I overstamped with the flourish.

My frame around the rooster is the "Torn Frame" technique I learned from Technique Junkies. This is a fun and fast technique and gives your card that aged look. I sponged the torn edges in brown staz on and Really Rust. I used the same sentiment set as Roxie, but I used the large button on Buttons #5 die for the scalloped look! And I punched out the center and popped it up.

The main image is popped up with thick foam squares and the border strip is up with dimensionals.

I also did up the inside, as you can see above. I had the negative piece of Very Vanilla from the Top Note die and just went that! The egdes are stamped in the same colors.

Happy Stamping

~~~Ann~~~