Artistic Etchings 3-D project for UDI

Hello all!!  While I LOVED being in Salt Lake City at convention, it is always nice to come home!  My cats missed me and haven't let up about me being gone for a week yet!

Anyway, I wanted to show the 3D project I made for the Utah Divas International (UDI) group I belong to.  We had dinner, a card swap and 3D swap at convention on Friday night.  It was a lot of fun and good food, too!  We had dinner at Biaggi's, an Italian restaurant.

Now, not to pat myself on the back, but this shadowbox really is not as hard to make as it looks.  I am absolutely thrilled with how this came out.  The most expensive item on here is the shadowbox itself!!!  And that I found on clearance at my LSS!  The rest is done with scraps and bits of card stock, which cost next to nothing.  (I'm not sure exactly how much, but you get the point!)  And it didn't take forever to make.  I literally completed this on the Saturday before I left for convention.  Now I did have the idea thought out in my head, but we all know how those ideas sometimes come out.  What took the longest was painting the box, which is painted with buttermilk craft paint.  The frame was stamped with the medallion in black staz-on, the decorative accent in Cherry Cobbler and then I spritzed Crumb Cake over it.

The inside is layered with black textured card stock, Very Vanilla and Cherry Cobbler.  My thought for this was a collage look, so I used as many different, yet similar, items as I could.  The Very Vanilla squares were put through the Big Shot with the new Vintage Wallpaper eb folder, which I inked up with Crumb Cake first and punched with the 1 1/4" square punch and layered on black textured c.s. 

The Eiffel Tower was stamped in black staz-on, versa mark and then clear embossed.  At the top, middle and bottom levels chunky crystal glitter was adhered with crystal effects.  The crown also has a row of the same chunky glitter.  The butterflies are from the Beautiful Wings embosslit in Wild Wasabi.  These were scraps from my swap card and had been stamped with the Very Vintage jumbo wheel.  The black 1/8" taffeta is the body.  I used half pearls and 2 of the clear crystals from the now retired Pretties Kit.  The crystals are a little difficult to see, but I placed a black brad through the top.  The buttons are Real Red from the now retired Playground set.

All of the squares, and many of the items on top of them, are up on dimensionals.  I used the thick window sheets for the "glass" so it wouldn't break in my suitcase.  The flowers on the "glass" are one of the decor elements items, just cut in half.

Don't be afraid to let your imagination take you on a new adventure!  I see many more of these in my future!

Happy Stamping!!!

~~~Ann~~~

GCA #98 - Sweet Black Vanilla Cherries

Hello all!!  Had a good long nap, but still pooped!!  Any who, I have the challenge for this week for you!!  This week we are focusing on color!  Even though I specifically name SU! colors, that does not mean you cannot play along , or enter the challenge, if you do not have any SU! colors.  The main idea is to have fun and create with the closest colors you have!

And the colors are.....

Basic Black

Cherry Cobbler (or any Red shade)

Very Vanilla

I just love the new Cherry Cobbler core color!  It has a deep red tone, which is good for so many occasions and feelings!

I'll give you all the details on my card later.  Need a nap!

Upload your creation to either your blog or to an online gallery and post a link to your creation to this blog entry by July 31, 2010 at 12 midnight. I will choose the winner the next day. If you upload your card to SCS, PaperCraft Planet, Stampin' Addicts or Stamp TV, please put GCA98 in your keywords. That way everyone can see all of the wonderful creations at once!

Even if you can't make the drawing deadline, PLEASE feel free to participate in the challenges and upload your creations at any time. I would love to see it! And yes, my challenge is open to everyone who visits, even if you live outside the US!

Happy Stamping!!!

~~~Ann~~~

GCA #97 & Blog Candy Winner is.....

.......Beth from Inky Fingers Rule/IFR.  She made a truly stunning card, and it should be framed!!!  Beth please email me at pinkstamper06@yahoo.com with your address and I will get the blog candy package out to you.

Thank you to everyone who stopped by, played along or left an entry for the blog candy.  I always appreciate each and everyone of you who stops by. 

I arrived home late last night, slept for a few hours and now up for a few hours!  The time change does it to me all the time!

Up Next:  GCA #98 - Sweet Black Vanilla Cherries

I'll post a little later today.

Happy Stamping!!!!

~~~Ann~~~

OMG - A Convention Shocker for Me!!!!

Hello all!!!!  I'm here in Salt Lake City for the annual Stampin' Up! convention and having a blast!  There is always so much to do, see and learn.  The display boards are jammed packed with delicious eye candy.  And the things they are showing us during the Main Stage presentations is phenomenal!!!!!

Every year they have an Awards night, which is exactly what it sounds like!  This is the night where those who are highest in sales, recruiting and promoting are recognized.  There are many other categories, but you get the idea. 

Well, you know that I entered the Artisan Award contest SU! has, and while I didn't win as an Artisan Award winner, I was selected as one of the finalists!!!!!  How cool is that????  And, of course, I did not go to Awards Night last so I had no idea they put my name, along with the other finalists, up on the screen!!!!!!!  I am still in shock.  Not sure what it all really means, or what will transpire in the future, but I am geeked about being named a finalist.  I have found 10 of my projects on the display boards.

My favorite project is the 12 x 12 page I did of Greg and Malaki, the day Malaki was born.  Even looking it at on the display boards brought tears to my eyes!  I love the memories this page evokes for me.  I'll give you all the details later, right now I'm ready for bed!!!  But, I had to share my good news with all my computer friends!!!!

As if you can't tell, this is me with my project on the display boards!

Happy Stamping!!!!!

And don't forget about the blog candy I have running right now until tomorrow night!!!

~~~Ann~~~

GCA #97 - How Do You Dry Emboss?? And, Blog Candy!!!!

Hello all!!  Hope everyone is having a fabulous day!  Spent time with my grandsons this afternoon, developed a migraine, took a nap and now here I am!  Still working frantically on my convention swaps, but really now to have all the parts and pieces I need to take with me to finish in Salt Lake!  As my usual, I'll be working on them on the plane tomorrow night!  It sure does draw peoples attention though!

The GCA for this week is another easy, peasy one.  How do you dry emboss?  Do you use a Cuttlebug, Big Shot, Big Kick or Quick Kutz?  Or do you still like to do the stylus and stencil method?  Or have you developed your own way to dry emboss?  Whatever the method or manner you use to dry emboss with, the challenge is to have some type of dry embossing on your creation!

My card this week uses the Square Lattice eb folder and Big Shot from SU!  I love this folder and my Big Shot!!  I also made this card for the LNS weekly challenge 79, which is a sketch. 

I turned the sketch vertical since my card base, Whisper White, was already cut in the vertical way.  My top note layer was cut in Tangerine Tango and Whisper White, layered with Pear Pizazz and Greenhouse Gala dsp.  Love the bright, fun and sunny colors of this piece of the dsp.

To mimic the flowers on the dsp, I used the extra large fancy flower punch in So Saffron and Tangerine Tango, put them through the lattice eb folder and then curled up the edges.  Hard to see in the photo, but I also peeled the Tangerine petals apart some.  The entire flower is on a Daffodil Delight scallop circle, the new 2 3/8" one with dimensionals.  The sentiment is from the new hostess level 3 set, Occasional Quotes.  This is one set you need!!  It is stamped in Tangerine Tango and backed with So Saffron.  The petals/leaves are punched from the 2 step bird punch in Cert. Celery.  I used the branch and wing as leaves.

The strip under the top note layer is So Saffron with WW, after I ran it through the lattice eb folder.  I just love the look this folder gives to card stock.  3 silver 5/8' brads finish off the strip.  I used a piece of Old Olive satin to finish the card off with.  The top note panel is also up on dimensionals.

Upload your creation to either your blog or to an online gallery and post a link to your creation to this blog entry by July 24, 2010 at 12 midnight. I will choose the winner the next day. If you upload your card to SCS, PaperCraft Planet, Stampin' Addicts or Stamp TV, please put GCA97 in your keywords. That way everyone can see all of the wonderful creations at once!

Even if you can't make the drawing deadline, PLEASE feel free to participate in the challenges and upload your creations at any time. I would love to see it! And yes, my challenge is open to everyone who visits, even if you live outside the US!

And now for the blog candy!!!  Since I will be spending the upcoming week in Salt Lake city attending the annual Stampin' Up! convention, I am offering blog candy to pass on my excitement to you!  All you need to do to enter is either create a dry embossed card or leave me a comment!  I will draw the winner on Sunday, July 25th!  The blog candy includes, 5 sheets of chipboard letters/images, SU! jumbo wheel "Lot of Hearts", ribbon, Art from the Heart CD from convention 2007, several handmade cards, plus other items I can't remember!!


Happy Stamping!!!



~~~Ann~~~

GCA #96 Winner is...

... Sammibug!!!!  You can see her wonderful creations on her blog Sammibug's Scrapshack.  Please email me at pinkstamper06@yahoo.com with your address and I will get a stampin' goodie package out to you.

WOW!!  I have to say I am overwhelmed and awestruck by the number of entries this time.  I am soo appreciative of everyone who stopped by, left a comment and/or played along!!  Hope to see you back for many other challenges!

Up Next: GCA #97 - How Do You Dry Emboss?

Also - I have blog candy this week!!!!  Remember, I said the week I am at convention I would be offering blog candy?  Well, that is this week!!!  All the deets coming in the next post!

Happy Stamping!!!!

~~~Ann~~~

GCA #96 - Anything Goes!!!

Hello all!!!  As I feverishly continue to work on my convention swaps, I have 8 days until I leave, I just could not think of a theme for this week.  So, anything goes this week!!  Show me what you are busy crafting and creating!!!

My card uses the new Level 1 hostess set, Because I Care.  A wonderful set and love the hydrangea in it!  On my hydrangea I stamped the flower in Bashful Blue and outlined it with the Concord Crush marker.  I also thumped my marker over the surface of the flower.  The stem/leaves were colored in with my Pear Pizazz marker.

Over on Stampin' Addicts the sketch challenge for last week was a minimal version of a card in the new catalog.  You can find it on page 69.  My Top Note piece is Night of Navy layered with Whisper White which I stamped the Sanded bg in NON.  I actually off stamped this twice before applying to the WW.

The dsp layer is from the Greenhouse Gala series and uses the Pear Pizazz ornate trim.  This is layered onto a piece of Pear Pizazz and the top half was stamped with the strip of small flowers, repeatedly, after I inked it up with my Pear Pizazz marker.

I used Whisper White taffeta for my bow, which I created on my bow maker I've had for years!!  There is a triple bow on this one.  The Top Note panel is popped up with dimensionals as is the hydrangea.  I used a leftover butterfly die cut, in Wild Wasabi, to add interest.  The sentiment panel is punched from Pear Pizazz with the scallop oval and WW is the large oval.  The saying is stamped in NON.  NON marker was used to create the dots on the scallops.

Have creating this week!!

Happy Stamping!!

~~~Ann~~~

Winner for GCA #95 is....

....Jan from She's Gone Stampin'!!!  She made the most adorable stair step card and the way she made the sand is fantastic!!!  Jan please email me at pinkstamper06@yahoo.com with your address so I can put a stampin' goodie package in the mail to you!

Thanks to everyone who stopped by and played along.

Up Next: GCA #96 - Anything Goes!!!

Happy Stamping!!

~~~Ann~~~

A Michigan Lighthouse!

Hello all!!!  Not too long ago I was in the thumb area of Michigan for work.  Now, I have lived in Michigan my entire life (except for 5 years in SC) and I have NEVER been to the thumb, or seen Lake Huron!!!  How sad is that???  The countryside up there was just gorgeous and helped to remind me just how beautiful our state is.  I'm not too impressed anymore with the area I live in.  That's me in front of Lake Huron.  The second pic is of the lake.

Anyway, the tiny town I was in, Deckerville, had an awesome scrapbook store that was going out of business.  Everything was 50% off!!!  I bought more than I needed, but I got some good deals!  The lighthouse stamp was the last they had and of course I had to buy it.

As I was looking through cookiebaker's, AKA Charlene and FS176's, wonderful gallery, I came across this card http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/ga...p;ppuser=16247 that just called out to me.  Good a reason as any to put ink on this stamp!
My changes are:

* Colors & type of dsp

* My "charm" is a button. Kind of reminds me of those life ring thingys.

* Kept the lighthouse idea, but used a different one

* Used butterflies

Sending this off to a good friend who lives by the lake.

Happy Stamping!!!

~~~Ann~~~

An Inspired Thanks - LNS 78

Hello all!!!  I hope everyone was able to enjoy the Independence holiday with family and friends.  I spent the weekend with friends and time in my crafting haven!!  Trying, desperately, to get ready for convention - which only 16 days away!!!!!!

Anyway, this is one of the cards I created this weekend.  The challenge for this week on the Late Night Stampers group is an inspiration one and this is what I came up with.  The minute I saw the picture I thought of my Inspired by Nature set.  Took me a little longer to come up with the idea, but when I did it hit me quick and I HAD to put this together right then!!  Ever have those moments??

I'll start with the Bashful Blue background layer.  I attempted to try a technique which uses mesh bagging to create the texture.  I had a piece from utensils I bought and just found it today while cleaning!!  Anyway, I say attempted because it didn't turn out like I thought it would.  I used my brayer, a sponge, the ink pad and then a sponge dauber and just kind of rubbed it over the mesh.  The effect on here is fine, but I would have liked it slightly more detailed.  I did use Bashful Blue ink.

The main image panel was created using Pacific Point, Bashful Blue and Whisper White.  My thought/idea was to give the look of looking out of a window, but necessarily from an inside view.  Make sense?  Not sure I quite achieved that look, but I do love how this card turned out.

The grass was stamped on Whisper White in Wild Wasabi a couple of times, to create depth.  I then sponged Bashful Blue over, with a scalloped oval, to create sky and clouds.  The sun was actually a "boo-boo", but it turned out ok.  The window frame was created by punching four 1 1/4" squares and running it through the Lattice Square eb folder.

The cone flowers were colored with markers and stamped onto Whisper White.  I used Wild Wasabi, Daffodil Delight and Chocolate Chip.  LOVE that we now have markers to go with former/new In Colors!!!  I then cut them out and popped them up with dimensionals.  To create even more depth I purposely curved the stems out some and curled up some of the petals.  I then wove them through the linen thread, which is wound around the bottom.

My sentiment is stamped with the new Perfect Punches set, using the Round Tab image and the saying is from Teeny Tiny Wishes.  Both of these are done with Pacific Point ink.

The butterflies are cut from the Beautiful Wings embosslit in Pacific Point and Wild Wasabi.  The entire main image panel is popped up with more dimensionals.  To finish this off I used my distressor tool on the Pacific Point and Whisper White panel.  Reminds me of looking at a scene on the beach.

The inside was done with the leftover butterflies, stamped some more grass and layered Bashful Blue, Wild Wasabi dsp and Whisper White together.

Happy Stamping!!!

~~~Ann~~~

GCA #95 - The Feel of Independence Day!!

Hello all!!!  A Happy Fourth of July to all my American friends!!  I hope you have a beautiful day and spend it exactly as you wish!!

When I stop and think about what the writers of the Declaration of Independence were feeling and thinking that day, it humbles me.  I cannot imagine living in a country where my independence is monitored or limited.  I am so thankful for that.

The challenge this week is to use that feeling of the Fourth of July to create your card, scrapbook page or whatever.  It does not have to be specific to the Fourth of July holiday.  Think of the colors, the sights, the sounds or just what it means to you.  Your creation could be a celebration, a message to a far away friend or just filled with the colors of the Fourth.

My card uses the colors of the Fourth to send a cheery hello to far away friend!  My base is using Real Red, which I cut with my scallop square die to make a square card.  Love my Big Shot!!  I took a piece of folded cardstock and placed it over the die, leaving the folded edge just off the the cutting surface.   And there you have a scalloped square card!  The final card measures approximately 4.25 x 4.5.

I layered the front with Daffodil Delight (my new fave color!) after I ran it through with my Perfect Polka Dots eb folder.  I rounded the right side corners with my corner rounder.  A piece of 5/8" real red gg with a piece of the new 1/8" taffeta in Daffodil Delight, is the perfect embellishment.

For my stamped images I used the new Level 2 Hostess set, Cute by the Inch, and layered them onto a strip of Night of Navy.  This hostess set is filled with 9 "inchies" in a variety of styles/occasions.  I stamped the flourish image in Daffodil Delight and the friends image in Real Red.  All three of them were stamped onto Whisper White and cut out.  I also rounded the right corners on my NON strip.  The image strip is popped up with dimensionals.

A very quick and simple card, at least for me!!!, to make!

Upload your creation to either your blog or to an online gallery and post a link to your creation to this blog entry by July 10, 2010 at 12 midnight. I will choose the winner the next day. If you upload your card to SCS, PaperCraft Planet, Stampin' Addicts or Stamp TV, please put GCA95 in your keywords. That way everyone can see all of the wonderful creations at once!

Even if you can't make the drawing deadline, PLEASE feel free to participate in the challenges and upload your creations at any time. I would love to see it! And yes, my challenge is open to everyone who visits, even if you live outside the US!


Happy Stamping!!!

~~~Ann~~~

GCA #94 Winner is....

.... Cindy from Cre8tivecindy with her Strawberry card.  She made the most delightful card with wonderful stitching on it!!  Cindy please send me your address to pinkstamper06@yahoo.com and I will get a stampin' goodie package out to you!

Thanks to everyone who played along again this week and to my new players!  You all are much appreciated!

Up Next:  GCA #95 - The Feel of Independence Day!!

Don't forget, I will have an awesome blog candy up the week I am at convention in Salt Lake City!!!  That will be the week of July 19 - 25th!  I am so excited to go and offer you blog candy!!

Happy Stamping!!

~~~Ann~~~