GCA #48 - The Basic Tools!

Hello all!! I hope everyone had an enjoyable 4th, and safe one!! For this week's GCA, we are focusing on those basic tools we all had when we first started stamping!!

I have been using my crimper A LOT these days, and every time I use it I remember why I like it, but many times I forget to use it!

Both of my samples for you are using the crimper, but you DO NOT have to use a crimper. Any basic tool you really haven't pulled out and used in awhile is perfect! Remember when we used a light box and stylus for dry embossing? So make sure you're tools are basic!

My first sample I made during the week I spent in Indy for training. I took 1/2 of my stamp room with me, I think! I'm sure the hotel staff didn't know what to think! But, I had a lot of parts and pieces of things and used them to create some cards, and this is one of them!

The black piece was put through the crimper, length wise and not real tight, to create a subtle textured BG. The rest just kind of went together by chance, and there it is. I kept trying to put something at the top of the card, but nothing ever looked right and now I like it just fine! Actually, it is one of my favorites!

My second sample was created for this weeks Color Combo challenge on SCS: Kraft, Night of Navy and So Saffron to make a quick and simple thank you card for a co-worker. Actually, my layout/design came from a shirt she was wearing one day!! The only stamping on here is the sentiment. All the rest is Big Shot or punching!! I used my Simple Flower embosslit and Little Leaves sizzlet for the main images and to add a little texture, I crimped the So Saffron layer.

Again, I used the new set Teeny Tiny Wishes for sentiment. I am so loving this new set, and I can't seem to stop using it!! There is a sentiment for almost any occasion in there. The polka dotted ribbon I used is the new Crushed Curry gg. Yummy isn't it?

So, for this week's GCA you need to create a card, project or scrapbook page that uses any of your BASIC TOOLS, 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 11, 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 GCA48(NO SPACE IN BETWEEN GCA AND 48) 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~~~