Playdate Goes Western!!

Hello all!!!  Here we are at the end of 2010!  Kind of hard to believe that in 24 hours, or less, we will be starting a New Year!  Do you have your resolutions ready?  And can you keep them for more than a day??? LOL!!

Today I have 2 cards for you that I created using my newest set, Out West.  This set is perfect for any and all male cards.  And, if you are like me, those are not the easiest to create!!  Both of these cards actually started, and were completed, with scraps/leftovers on my craft table.

Each card uses pretty much the same supplies, just in different ways.  The background piece is what started it.  This was left from the strips I used on my reindeer scrapbook page.  It's rolled with the Rough Texture wheel in Crumb Cake and stamped with the Sanded bg in Choc. Chip.

What I really want to point out are the techniques on the two cards.  On the first card, I used the out-of-the-box technique with the horse and cowboy.  Normally I would leave a little more of the base card, but every time I placed it on the square layers it looked liked just a little more needed to come off!!!  I do like how the cowboy and horse seem to really be coming off the card!  They were colored using my aquapainter and stamp pad lids.  Once dry, I went over some of the highlighted areas with my markers.

On the second card I used the "Depth of Field" technique I learned from Technique Junkies.  You have to look very carefully, but the horseshoe is there, stamped in So Saffron.  Then the cowboy hat in Old Olive and the steer in Choc. Chip.  Not sure how many cowboys wear green boots, but it certainly does make the boot pop off the card!!  The felt ribbon is from last year's holiday mini and the baby safety pin came from a recent clothing purchase.  It was just sitting on my craft table and tried it on here.  I like how it looks on here.  This will be my card for my supervisor who is retiring in April.  Since he likes "cowboy coffee" I thought this set was appropriate!!

I'm also entering both of these in Shelli's monthly So Shelli contest.  This month is focused on techniques!

Happy Stamping!!!

~~~Ann~~~

A Nature Thank You - DIC128

Hello all!!  This week the UDI inspiration piece is 3 very yummy looking cocktails.  Each in their own fabulous color.

I mainly went with the colors from the piece to build my card, but still not quite sure how the cocktails translate to birds!!!  Anyway, I love how this came out and I just love this new set coming out in the Occasions mini, January 4th!!!

While the overall look of the card is clean, it not necessarily simple!!!  I combined alot of techniques on this card, once again!

The first is using the dry embossed method with the new Framed Tulips embossing folder and Perfect Polka Dots folder.  However, the fun part is that I double embossed them!  To do this you run your secondary folder through first and then place your card stock into your primary folder and run it through the Big Shot again.  You will still notice the secondary embossing, but just not as pronounced.

The second technique I did was Out-of-the Box.  This is a fun and fairly easy technique to do.  The tough part is making sure you don't cut into your image when trying to trim part of the card stock away.  To do this you stamp your image onto the card stock and then trim away parts of it.  You should cut your card stock as close to the size you want to end up with.  The idea is to leave part of the image "cut out" of the card stock.

The third technique is watercoloring.  Pulled out my watercolor wonder crayons and blender pen, and colored away.  Not sure if there is a bird this color in real life, but I think it's pretty!  The eggs were colored with markers direct to the stamp and then cut out. 

I couldn't resist the fly on here, since the cocktails are fruity and flies also come around with the sweet things!!

If you have a chance to play this week, check out the UDI Blog and see what you come up with.

Happy Stamping!!!

~~~Ann~~~

GCA #117 - New Year Bling!!!

Hello all!!!  I hope everyone had a fabulous, special and magical day with loved ones yesterday.  I spent the afternoon with my grandsons and son.  It was so much fun watching those two open their gifts.  Cameron, the 5 1/2 year old, kept saying "this is the best Christmas ever Grandma!"  How sweet is that??

Now that Christmas is over for another year, now we prepare for the New Year.  And what do you think of when you picture New Year's Eve?  Bright colors, lots of sparkle, bling, bubbly and so much more!!

So, this week your creation has to incorporate some type of sparkly/brightness to represent the coming of the new year.   Still trying to put my house back together after yesterday!!!  As I was in the process of cleaning up, I also tackled my stamp room!!  In putting away this and that, I found that I had cut pieces of cardstock everywhere!!!  So this is where my sample came from; all those cut pieces and scraps.

These were leftover pieces from some wedding invitations I designed.  I used the Medallion bg stamp and the Charming set.  The colors the bride-to-be chose were Taken with Teal, Tempting Turquoise and Very Vanilla.  The idea with this design was an overall stamped collage using both stamps and then cut as needed.  The script stamp in Charming was overstamped in black and then I smooched it with the Silver smooch spray.  It's hard to see in the photo, but IRL it does sparkle!  I added some rhinestones to increase the bling value.  I left the sentiment off, because I'm not sure what I'll do with this card.  Maybe the wedding card for the happy couple???

Upload your creation to either your blog or to an online gallery and post a link to your creation to this blog entry by January 1, 2011 at 12 midnight. I will choose the winner the next day. If you upload your card to SCS, PaperCraft Planet, Stampin' Addicts, Stampin' Connection (for SU! demos) or Stamp TV, please put GCA117 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~~~~

Three Silly Reindeer - DIC127

Hello all!!!  I'm still plucking away at Christmas gifts and such this week, how about you???  This week's UDI Inspiration piece is a traditional Christmas picture of Santa with a darling little girl.

No Santa on my creation, but I do have 3 of his silly reindeer, chomping at the bit to get going!!!  At my December stamp club this is the scrapbook page the girls made.  The colors and feeling of the piece are what I used.  This is 12 x 12.

Do you have the owl punch yet?  If not, what are you waiting for???  You can do so much more than just owls with it!  The reindeer were made with the owl punch, minus the little feet!  I'm not sure who came up with idea, but it is one darling, and clever, use of the punch!!  I used a card I found on SCS for the basic idea of the reindeer "looking" over a stall.  We had a lot of fun making this page.

Be sure to check out the UDI Blog and play along if you get a minute!!

Happy Stamping!!!

~~~Ann~~~

Christmas Slacker I am!!!!

Hello all!!!  I do so apologize for not getting this week's GCA up and posted.  I have been so busy finishing up Christmas projects, putting things in the mail and so on, that time is literally getting away with me!!!  And, I know that I am not the only one this week!!!

So, this week the GCA is on hold until this Sunday 12/26.  If you want to start thinking ahead, or maybe you have a creation ready, GCA #117 will be all about the New Year!  Think bright colors, bling, parties and more!!!

Again, thank you to all who stop by and visit.  You are so very much appreciated!!

Happy Stamping!!!

~~~Ann~~~

GCA #116 Winner is....

.....tampatha from Creatively Me.  She made the most fabulous non-traditional colored Christmas card I've seen in a long time.  Please send me your address to amf1066@comcast.net and I will get a stampin goodie package out to you.

Thank you to all who stopped by, played along and/or left comments!  I just love seeing everyone come back for more each week.

Up Next: GCA #117 - Anything Goes - Christmas Style!!!

Happy Stamping!!!

~~~Ann~~~

GCA #116 - Non-Traditional Colors of Christmas!!!

Hello all!!!  How is your day coming along?  Today was supposed to be stamp club, but I canceled it due to the snow we are getting.  It is that heavy, wet snow that makes driving very difficult!  Wouldn't want anyone to get hurt on their way to stamping!!!

If you've followed my blog, or visited a different times, you know that I love to use non-traditional colors at holidays!!!  So, this week was a no-brainer!

This was one of the cards we made at my Christmas Club this year.  Very quick, simple and easy.  Soooo hard for me to do!!!  But, the girls loved it and so do I!  The idea came from a card I saw on Stampin' Connection.  I made a few changes, of course, to make it my own, but overall the original idea is still there.

The stamp set used is Winter Post.  I actually bought this from a fellow stamper who was cleaning out her collection.  She already had it mounted on cling and only wanted $5!!!  How could I not buy it?  I have really enjoyed using it and like the cards I've made with it.

The non-traditional colors I used are Blushing Bride, Shimmery White and Early Espresso.  It's hard to see on here, but the Shimmery White panel is off-stamped in Blushing Bride with the Linen background stamp and the snowflakes were over stamped in full color.

The scallop envelope die was used, but I only cut the out portion out.  Since we were using the back and not the front, the flaps weren't needed.  This is also up on dimensionals.  The felt ribbon is from last years holiday mini.  I have alot left over!!!

 Upload your creation to either your blog or to an online gallery and post a link to your creation to this blog entry by December 18, 2010 at 12 midnight. I will choose the winner the next day. If you upload your card to SCS, PaperCraft Planet, Stampin' Addicts, Stampin' Connection (for SU! demos) or Stamp TV, please put GCA116 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 #115 Winner is....

.... Stacy from Stacy's Scraptastic World!!!!  You can see her beautiful Chirstmas card on her blog.  Stacy please send me your address to amf1066@comcast.net and I will get you a stampin' goodie package to you.

Thanks to all who stopped by, played along and/or left comments!!  You are appreciated.

Up Next:  GCA #116 - Non - Traditional Colors of Christmas!

And here's what we woke up to in my part of Michigan today!  It is so beautiful and was so quiet out when I took these.

Happy Stamping!!!!

~~~Ann~~~

Girl in Christmas Red - DIC125

Hello all!!!  With Christmas right around the corner, the inspiration pieces on the UDI Blog are all about Christmas.  I had ideas for my card this week, but in getting ready for my own Christmas projects, I ran out of time!!!  So this one is quick and simple.

At my Christmas card club this year we made this card and the ladies loved how easy it was.

I used Old Olive for the card base, a strip of the Holly Jolly dsp, Cherry Cobbler square and layered with a Very Vanilla scalloped square.

The scalloped square was cut using the Big Shot and the duo scallop die in the Holiday mini.  It fits so well with the large clear scallop square.  The image is embossed with black craft and black embossing powder and then watercolored.  We used ink from the stamp pads to watercolor and an aquapainter.  While watercoloring is not my forte, I do enjoy it and keep trying to improve my skills.

I still needed to add something, so I put a scallop edge in Old Olive on here.

So, check out the UDI Blog if you get a moment and play along.

Happy Stamping!!!!

~~~Ann~~~

GCA #115 - The Colors of Christmas!!!

Hello all!!!  Did you think I forgot??  I really didn't didn't, but I got pulled away by two very adorable and lovable little boys yesterday!!!  However, on to the stamping today!!

This week the focus is on the colors of Christmas.  Traditional colors, like:

RED
GREEN
GOLD

You may use any combination of these colors, or or just one, but your creations for this week must include one of the colors above.  Of course, neutrals may be added as needed.

The card I have to show you today covers 4 different challenges!!!!  The first is CC299 on SCS.  The colors are Real Red, River Rock and Old Olive.  The second is SC309 on SCS.  The sketch calls for a square card and I went with it!!  The finished size is 5.5 x 5.5.  This is one large card!!  The third is for Shelli's monthly challenge on her blog, So Shelli.  She is the co-founder of SU!  The challenge this month is techniques.  And of course, the fourth is for the GCA!

Most of the details are pretty obvious, but I want to talk about the techniques I did on here.  The most obvious is the Torn Frame technique I learned from the Technique Junkies.  It really is easy to do and makes a wow for your images.  Another one, and one of my favorite, is watercoloring with my Watercolor Wonder Crayons!!  I used my blender pen to pull off the color from the crayon and onto the image.

It's a little difficult to see, but I used the Champagne Mist shimmer paint for the tree ornaments and around the scallops on the sentiment.  I used my stylus, dipped it into the paint and then dotted the shimmer paint where I wanted it.  The background dsp is from Presto Patterns, which I highlighted with Real Red and River Rock.

And the last technique on here is the hot new trend with ribbon: scrunching/ruffling!  This is so much fun to do and very easy once you get the hang of it!  When you give it a try, be prepared though, because you do use more ribbon than you think you will!!!  The bow was tied using my bow-maker.

Upload your creation to either your blog or to an online gallery and post a link to your creation to this blog entry by December 11, 2010 at 12 midnight. I will choose the winner the next day. If you upload your card to SCS, PaperCraft Planet, Stampin' Addicts, Stampin' Connection (for SU! demos) or Stamp TV, please put GCA115 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 #114 Winner is....

....Sandi from Another Chance to Stamp!!!!  Check out her awesome paper Christmas trees!!!  Every year I say I am going to make one, and I never get to it!!!  Thanks Sandi for the inspiration once again.  Please send me your address to amf1066@comcast.net so I can get you a stampin goodie package out!!!

Thanks to all who stopped by, left comments and played along.

Up Next:  GCA #115 - The Colors of Christmas!

Happy Stamping!!!

~~~Ann~~~

A Candy Cane Christmas - DIC124!!

Hello all!!!  This week Maria, over at the UDI Blog, has presented us with a yummy inspiration picture of candy canes!!!  Since I have been working on Christmas cards I had this one all ready!!

The card base is Blushing Bride along with Real Red, Whisper White and the Candy Cane dsp.  Love that dsp!!  The stamp set I used is Season of Joy.

The eyelet punched border is attached on the inside of the front and I cut 1" off the bottom to make it even.

My first intent was to stamp the collage sentiment in the Blushing Bride and then over stamp the tree in Real Red.  Well.... I decided that wasn't going to work, so I stamped the tree on Whisper White and cut it out.  I used the new stick on rhinestones for my "bling"!  The big Candy Cane buttons was used with the Blushing Bride poly twill. 

So check out the UDI Blog and play along if you get the chance!!

Happy Stamping!!!

~~~Ann~~~