Monday, August 31, 2009

GCA #56 - Using Stencils!


Hello all!!! Sorry for the delay in posting this week's GCA, but I got carried away in the day yesterday and didn't realize until bedtime I hadn't posted!

When you think of stencils, what do your think of? Country, lettering and such? Well, stencils are making a comeback and being used in many different ways than just putting a design on the wall with paint! Many of the craft stores sell stencils and now Stampin' Up! is selling them too! And you can create your stencils now with all of the die cutting machines and dies available! Which is what I did for my sample this week.

I just love the new Lattice die from SU!, and while I haven't purchased the die yet, I was able to make a template of it last weekend while in PA. (It will be on my next order!!) I used SU!'s window sheets to create my template and now I can use it over and over with various projects. The dye inks rinse off under running water. I used a sponge (a dauber works great too) to apply my ink to the cardstock.

So, the challenge this week is to make a card, project or scrapbook page with any type of stencil, 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 September 5, 2009 at 12 midnight. I will choose the winner through a random drawing 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 GCA56(NO SPACE IN BETWEEN GCA AND 56) 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!! And yes, my challenge is open to everyone who visits, even if you live outside the US!!!

Happy Stamping!!!

~~~Ann~~~

Sunday, August 30, 2009

GCA #55 Winner is....

.... Anat S.!!!!! You can see her glitzy creation here. Congrats to you Anat and please email me your address to pinkstamper06@yahoo.com and I will get some stampin' goodies out to you!!

Thank you, thank you, thank you to all who played this week and were patient with my posting of the new GCA and the previous week's winner!!! I hope to see you back this week, and bring your friends!!

Up next: GCA #56 - Using Stencils! I'll post later this afternoon, after my class I have today. In the meantime, get out any type of stencil you have and put your crafting cap on!!

Happy Stamping!!

~~~Ann~~~

Friday, August 28, 2009

A Charming Birthday!!


Hello all!! I am taking a break from prepping for my upcoming class and posting this card for you. This also qualifies for the SoShelli challenge this month of SIP - Stamps, Ink and Paper!

I used the new Charming set that is in the Holiday Mini and will be available for purchase on Sept 1st. This set was designed to cooridinate with the new Simply Adorned jewelry line that comes out sometime in September, too. Right now they are experiencing some quality isssues and when they have those fixed it will be avaialbe. I know I want one!!

I used more of the new In Colors, Crushed Curry and Rich Razzleberry, along with the Razzleberry Lemonade dsp. Not sure how often I would want to cut out the frame, but once in awhile is ok!

For the main image I stamped the script several times in Crushed Curry and then over stamped the flower in Rich Razzleberry. I used Old Olive to frame it out. This sketch is SC241 on SCS. The main panel is up on dimensionals and so is the sentiment panel.

If you like making vintage or shabby chic cards, this set is for you!!

Happy Stamping!!!

~~~Ann~~~

GCA #54 Winner is...

... Maureen from My C.A.S.E. Studies!! Thanks for playing along with my challenge last week and for being so patient!!

I am now home from PA, but had to take the computer into the computer doctor!! It caught a virus! Fortunately, not a serious one and I didn't lose any data.

Maureen please email me your address at pinkstamper06@yahoo.com and I will get a stampin' goodie package out to you!

Happy Stamping!!

~~~Ann~~~

Sunday, August 23, 2009

GCA #55 - Bring on the Glitz!!


Hello all!! Sorry for the late post, but I am still in PA and have limited computer access. However, I DO have the challenge for this week figured out!!
This is one of the scrapbook pages I made at the Remarkable Retreat I attended in PA! Since we were doing a baby page, I had to use pictures of Malaki!! The two pictures of him are in B&W and the other is in color. The glitter on here is in the center of the silk flower and is the blue chunky glitter. The bear on here is the new Build A Bear die coming out September 1st!

For this week we are bringing on the glitz on our projects with GLITTER!!! You can use any type of glitter, fine, chunky, multicolored or plain. You just need to have glitter on your project somewhere! I will post a sample from my weekend in PA later this week.

So, the challenge this week is to make a card, project or scrapbook page with any type of glitter, 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 August 29, 2009 at 12 midnight. I will choose the winner through a random drawing 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 GCA55(NO SPACE IN BETWEEN GCA AND 55) 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!! And yes, my challenge is open to everyone who visits, even if you live outside the US!!!

Happy Stamping!!

~~~Ann~~~

P.S. I will post the winner of GCA #54 after I get home. I still need to check them all out!!

Friday, August 21, 2009

Havin' Fun in PA!!

Hello all!!!!

Just wanted to let all of you know what I'm up to while I am in PA!! My up-upline - Janet Wakeland, is having a Remarkable Retreat for demos in her downline!! Many of us did not go to convention this year and this is a way for us to "experience" a convention type event this year! I came with my friend and side-line, Brandy.

I have already won 2 door prizes!!! I won a 6x6 red linen album and the Decor Elements "Welcome" sign. As soon as I get a project done with my new stuff I'll post pics!!

And I found someone to buy a convention bag from!! Thanks Judi!!

Happy Stamping!!

~~~Ann~~~

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

In Search Of 2009 Convention items!!

Hello all!! OK, I am shamelessly using my blog to search out for anyone who might want to part with some 2009 convention items!

What I am looking for the most is the bag!!! And I mean the bag you received at check in. If anyone out there has one, and you decide you don't want it, I would love to work out a deal with you!! Just email me at pinkstamper06@yahoo.com with your price/terms!

Happy Stamping!!

~~~Ann~~~

Sunday, August 16, 2009

GCA #54 - Watercoloring!!


Hello all!!! This week we are trying our hand at watercoloring!!! Now don't start moaning and groaning, as this can be achieved in may ways!

For example:

* Watercolor Wonder Crayons

* Re-inkers

* Ink off your lid cover

* Using actual watercolors!!!

And many more, which if you visit the Resources section on SCS you can find complete tutorials.
I am not a great watercolor person myself, but I do like to use my Watercolor Wonder Crayons and a blender pen to get that effect. You can also use an aquapainter or a regular paintbrush. Of course, having open line images goes without saying!!

Well, this isn't a new card, but one I had in my archives! (Did get the camera though!!) I used my watercolor wonder crayons on here and a blender pen. This is my "go to" choice for watercoloring, but I have used my blender pen and ink lids too. This set is from Treehouse Stamps and I'm not sure it's still available. The cardstock colors of Cameo Coral, Apricot Appeal, Mellow Moss and Creamy Caramel are from an old CC on SCS.

So, the challenge this week is to make a card, project or scrapbook page with any type of watercolored images, 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 August 22, 2009 at 12 midnight. I will choose the winner through a random drawing 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 GCA54(NO SPACE IN BETWEEN GCA AND 54) 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!! And yes, my challenge is open to everyone who visits, even if you live outside the US!!!

Happy Stamping!!!

~~~Ann~~~

GCA #53 Winner is.....

.....lorkitty on SCS!!! You can see her wonderful card here. Please email me your address to pinkstamper06@yahoo.com and I'll send out some stampin' goodies to you!

Up next: GCA #54 - Watercoloring!!

Happy Stamping!!

~~~Ann~~~

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Butterfly Thanks!


Hello all!! I just have a quick minute to post a card I made awhile ago and haven't shown you!

This uses the Inspired by Nature set, which I really love, but rarely use! And it's not because it's double mounted!

I put this together using scraps and pieces I had in my "extra" bin. Seems like I always have leftovers from club, stamp camps, workshops or just from playing around. I keep, like everything, and every once in awhile I put the pieces to good use!

I believe this color combo, Choc Chip, Pixie Pink and Pink Passion. The flowers were colored with my markers and the grass is stamped in Kiwi Kiss. The panel the flowers is on is popped up on dimensionals. The finished size of this card is 5 x 5.

Happy Stamping!!!

~~~Ann~~~

Sunday, August 9, 2009

GCA #53 - Sometimes We Need Limits!!


Hello All!! Sorry for the late post, but I got caught up in my craft room cleaning and organizing!!
Finally, here is my sample for this week's GCA!!! I started with a card base of Old Olive and then layered it with Crushed Curry and WW. I really like how Old Olive, Summer Sun and Ruby Red go together so I thought I would try it with Crushed Curry! Perfect!
I used the Birds w/leaves die for my bird and branches, and the "brads" are punched out of Ruby Red with the 1/4" circle punch. I used the Friendly Words jumbo wheel and Teeny Tiny Wishes. My bird is popped up with dimensionals. I am also entering this card in this months So Shelli Creative challenge. Click on the link for more info.

This week we are going to have limits to what you can, and cannot, have on your card. Think back to the early days when you just started stamping. Did you have every single tool, stamp set, color or embellishment? Probably not! I know I didn't, but did I want it all!! (That hasn't changed much!)

For this week you are to create a card, or project, using the following limits:

* No more than 3 layers - not including your base card

* No use of designer specialty paper

* Brads are the only embellishment (dimensionals, glue dots, etc are ok)

* Die cuts and punches are ok - no dry embossing with CB, Big Shot, etc

* No more than 2 stamps/stamp sets used. Background stamps count as a stamp.

So, the challenge this week is to make a card, project or scrapbook within the limits posted 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 August 15, 2009 at 12 midnight. I will choose the winner through a random drawing 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 GCA53(NO SPACE IN BETWEEN GCA AND 53) 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!! And yes, my challenge is open to everyone who visits, even if you live outside the US!!!

Happy Stamping!!!

~~~Ann~~~

GCA #52 Winner is.....

.....Char - The Mad Shopper!!!! You can see her wonderful Halloween card on her blog: Paper Crafts, Pass it On.

Char I can't remember if I have your address or not!! Please email me at pinkstamper06@yahoo.com with your info!

Up next: GCA #53 - Sometimes We Need Limits!!

Happy Stamping!!!!

~~~Ann~~~

Thursday, August 6, 2009

Packages have gone Postal!!





Hello all!! I just wanted to update those of you waiting on a package from me that they are now all in the mail!! Some, of course will take a little longer than others, but they are on the way!!Thank you for being so understanding.

My back is slowly feeling better. Combined with going to the chiropractor, ice, rest and a change in meds, I feel like I am on the mend. At least I feel like, and I look like, I am walking upright!!! Next Wednesday I have a massage scheduled and that will help immensely!

The pics I have to share with you show the contents of my UDI Stampin' Sis package I received from Jennifer Eby. She showered me with wonderful items and a ton of awesome cards!!!

One of the items she sent was a pack of So Saffron dsp, and I am well into my way of utilizing it!

And look at that Tri-Shutter card she sent me!! Is that gorgeous or what?? I haven't made one of these beauties yet, but it sure is on my list to try!!

Well, I am off to spend the next two days with stampin' friends here in Michigan who I met on SCS!! We are all SU! demos and we are having our own version of Convention!! I'll be back Saturday night. Don't forget to get your Halloween card done by Saturday night!!

Happy Stamping!!!

~~~Ann~~~

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Thanks in Mambo is Heavenly!


Hello all!! Here is my card I created for this week's IC on SCS!! Stef found us another great site for the IC this week!! She chose the site Heavenly Hostess, which is filled with tons of gorgeous aprons, kitchen towels and headbands. However, I'm not sure if the person wearing these aprons is the one really doing the cooking!!!

My inspiration came from this apron here:


I was instantly drawn to the colors, flowers and the contrasting prints on the tie. I tried to recreate that by using a piece of Razzleberry Lemonade, in Melon Mambo, with the small flowers, and then layered two strips of Pretty in Pink I had run through the newest texture plates: Perfect Details. I then took my Melon Mambo marker (love it!) and put a small dot on all the embossed dots. My bird, from Fun and Fast Notes, is paper pieced with Afternoon Tea dsp and the Razzleberry/Mambo. I used a Fleurette that I dyed with my PIP re inker, a 1/2: circle of Melon Mambo text and a clear rhinestone brad from my Pretties Kit.

The white taffeta ribbon is for the ribbon tie and the silver library clip is just because! I should have moved things up just a titch, because the upper right corner seemed bare - hence the library clip!

And how goofy am I? I haven't used this set in forever, and actually thought it had retired until I saw it in this years new catalog!! How how easily we forget what we have!!

Happy Stamping!!

~~~Ann~~~

Monday, August 3, 2009

Slacker I am!!

I need to send out a HUGE apology to all of you waiting (still) for a package from me!!! Unfortunately I have irritated an old back injury which is leaving me limited with my movements!! It's about all I can do to work during the day, and then sit in my stamp room with the ice pack on!! (Or lay in my bed!)

But, I am going to the chiropractor and have an appointment made with the massage therapist, too. It's just never been this bad before and sometimes I don't know when to stop and sit still! Very hard for me to do!

With all that being said, I anticipate your packages finally making it to the postal station by Wednesday or Thursday of this week. I will send an email to all of you when they go out!! Again, I am sooo sorry!!

Happy Stamping!!!!

~~~Ann~~~

Sunday, August 2, 2009

GCA #52 - It's Halloweeny Time!!!





Hello all!!! Yes, I know we are jumping all over the place with the holidays, but I was working on a Halloween card today, and thought "This is what the GCA will be!" I'm using the new Halloween dsp from SU! that is just ghoulish!!

Finally here is my sample!! I combined this challenge with the Featured Stamper challenge on SCS, who this week is VA.Sunshine AKA Teresa. She has an awesome gallery.

With the FS challenge you are to change at least 2 elements on the card you create.

My changes are:

* Colors, stamps and theme

* Kept the basic layout, which is one of the elements of the card I loved

* Used ric rak, but in a different way

* Used Big Shot Texture plates to emboss the black panel

This card uses the Halloween Frights sets that was in last years holiday mini!! As this is the only Halloween set I have, I'm glad to have it in the catty!!

The fence was made using my Word Window punch and thin strips of cardstock. I wheeled over the front of it with the new jumbo Texture wheel in Old Olive, which I also used on the Whisper White main panel.

The owl on here came out a little differently than I expected, since he was originally stamped in Basic Black. I off stamped him twice and then did the Rock n Roll technique in Soft Suede. When i stamped him onto the WW, this is how he came out!! And, this is one of the reason's I do not like SU!'s Basic Black. It leaves a purplish hue to images. I prefer to stamp all my images I wish to be a true black in Staz on black. The close up pic gives you better detail of the main panel. And, I also stamped the inside!

So, the challenge this week is to make a Halloween card, project or scrapbook with whatever types of Halloween images you have, 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 August 8, 2009 at 12 midnight. I will choose the winner through a random drawing 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 GCA52(NO SPACE IN BETWEEN GCA AND 52) 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!! And yes, my challenge is open to everyone who visits, even if you live outside the US!!!

Happy Stamping!!

~~~Ann~~~

GCA #51 Winner is....

....Raindropecho AKA Ann, too!!! (Really it's not me in disguise!!)

You can see Ann's card on her blog: Rain Drop Echo Designs. She made the cutest Christmas card with a darling Tilda image!!

Thanks to everyone who played along this week and for all who just stopped by. Ann, I still have your address so I will be getting your package out to you this week.

Up Next: GCA #52 - It's Halloweeny Time!!!

Happy Stamping!!

~~~Ann~~~

Saturday, August 1, 2009

Rich Butterfly Thanks


Hello all!! This is for the LSC this week on SCS: A Challenge to DIE for!!

This is the first time I have used my Rich Razzleberry, and I am so loving it paired with Orchid Opulence!!! That is one color I hardly EVER use and now I can see it will be used a lot!!

Since Wendy limited our stamping to either a sentiment or making our own BG dsp, I opted to use the sentiment. Again, I pulled out my new all-time fave: Teeny Tiny Wishes!!

And, since I finally got my first order in from the new catty, I had to play with new toys!!! Now, I know the M & S die has been out for awhile, but I have drug my feet about getting it, basically because I wasn't sure how to really use it! Well, I recently spent time at a fellow SCSer's house and saw how they worked! Thanks Debra!! So now I have it and the newest additions too!I used the curly label die to create my window and the modern label die to back my punched piece. Since we were limited on the number of stamps we could use, I punched three flowers from WW with the Trio Flower punch and made a bouquet.

And how about that butterfly punch!!!!!! LOVE IT!!! As you can see, the butterfly is going for the flowers.The rest is pretty obvious, except I used thin strips of WW through the button holes. (Not fun, but I do like the result!)

Happy Stamping!!

~~~Ann~~~