Happy Mother's Day - DIC145

Hello all!!!  Two posts in one day!!!  Need some more inspiration for Mother's Day cards?  The photo that Maria has picked out for us on the UDI Blog can help you out!

I'll post all the details tonight.

Happy Stamping!!!

~~~Ann~~~

Happy Father's Day - CS28 with a Holiday!!!

Hello all!!!  This week the Creative Sketches team has an awesome sketch and combo of making it a holiday card.  Any holiday, just pick one!

Off to work right now, but will post all the details later.

Happy Stamping!!!

~~~Ann~~~

Hello Baby Cakes - GCA133

Hello all!!!  We had a gorgeous day here in Michigan, but we are also under a tornado watch!  That must mean that spring is here!

Here's another baby sample for this week.  I made this on Sunday with the leftovers from the cards I made the grandkids.  Guess I was having too much fun with the quilting technique!!

With these squares I just randomly, in some order, put them together!!  Make sense?  Once I had the pattern I wanted, I went around each square with my white gel pen and did the faux stitching.  Doesn't show up too much after I embossed it with the Elegant Lines ebf.  Backed it with a Crumb Cake layer.

The sentiment and white/pear scallop oval come from the Nursery Suites Quick Accents.  I used my oval scallop from the Movers & Shapers set and then backed that with a Whisper White decorative label punch.  The overall set is up on very thick dimensionals.  Then, I used dimensionals under the pear scallop layer and one more under the sentiment.

The baby jammies is from the Simple Life level 1 hostess set out of the Occasions mini.  I used paper piecing by stamping first on WW in Brown staz on and then again onto the dsp.  The heart is punched from the owl punch and popped up with a tiny dimensional.  A mini library clip with the new WW baker's twine finishes that off.

The scrunched ribbon is using the Crumb Cake seam binding and then pulling a thread from the middle of it.  I've tried to do this many times and usually break the thread I'm pulling on!  But this time it worked perfectly and I am very happy with the end result.

The finished size of this card is 4 1/4 x 4 1/4 and has a WW card base.

Happy Stamping!!!

~~~Ann~~~

GCA #133 - Anything Baby!!!

Hello all!!!!  Happy Easter to all who celebrate this wonderful day!

With the blossoming of spring, new buds on the trees, flowers coming up and the birds returning, what does that make you think of?  Babies, right?  And not just people babies, but the baby birds, animals and plants!  Yes, I said plants!  They are babies too to start with.

My sample for today is three cards made with the Nursery Suites dsp and Quick Accents that coordinate.  I actually made these for my grandchildren's Easter cards, but they can easily be baby cards too.  I purposely left off a sentiment on the outside and will write each of them something inside.

I also created one of the "Quilted Cards" that was recently spotlighted on SCS.  It was much easier to make than I thought it would be and I really like how it came out.

The two blue/green cards are for Cameron and Malaki and the pink one is for Alysha.  So happy to have a baby girl to create for now!!!  Love my boys, but there is something special about girls!!

Upload your creation to either your blog or to an online gallery and post a link to your creation to this blog entry by April 30, 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 GCA133 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~~~~ 

Winner of GCA 132 is....

..... Kelly from Kelly's Kreative Korner!!!!  Check out her delightful stair step card done with heat embossing!  Kelly please email me your address so I can send you out a stampin' goodie package to amf1066@comcast.net.

Thanks to all who stopped by, played along and left a comment!!!  All of you are much appreciated!

Up Next: GCA#133 - Anything Baby!!!

Happy Stamping!!!!

~~~Ann~~~

GCA #132 - Anything Goes with a Technique!!

Hello all!!!  Sorry for the late posting.  Actually, I thought I had it posted earlier and just needed to add my sample!  Oh, well!

So, the challenge this week is "Anything Goes" theme wise, but with the additional twist of using a technique. Is it required to use a specific technique? No. I just like finding all the new techniques that I can!! If you do use a technique you found on a blog, in a paper craft mag or even one you came up with, let us know so we can check it out too!!  A couple of sites I can lead you to is SCS - Try a New Technique challenge and Technique Junkies.

Actually the sample I have for you tonight is one of the technique cards we did at club today.  This one is called Faux Mother-of-Pearl.  And does it pack a WOW!!  A little messy, but the results are worth it.

Started with a card base of Daffodil Delight, folded at the top.  On a piece of Whisper White the swirl from Baroque Motifs was stamped in Wild Wasabi and the flower in Tangerine Tango.  Once those were stamped the entire piece was run through the Big Shot using the Square Lattice ebf.  Sort of gives the panel the look of fabric, doesn't it?  I took my inspiration for this card from one I saw on Stampin' Connection by Brenda Ruse.

The butterflies were cut with the Butterfly die and Big Shot with glossy white card stock. 

To create the Faux MOP look you need shimmer paint, preferably white, plain or glossy white card stock, paper plate, plastic wrap and ink.  Here's how it goes:

1.  Pour a little of the shimmer paint onto a paper plate.  Scrunch up the plastic wrap and lightly dip into the paint.  Dab off excess if needed.
2.  Dab the paint over the image, or panel, randomly.  Leave parts of the card stock open.
3.  Set aside to dry.  Doesn't take long.
4.  Once dry, use a sponge or brayer to cover the image or panel with the ink of your choice.  On my sample the large butterfly is sponged with Daffodil Delight and the smaller one with Tangerine Tango.
5.  Set these aside to dry for a few minutes.  Then embellish and finish your card!

Daffodil Delight 1/8" taffeta and white crochet thread finishes off the butterfly.

Upload your creation to either your blog or to an online gallery and post a link to your creation to this blog entry by April 23, 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 GCA132 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 #131 Winner is....

.....Glenda from Gilby's Corner!!!  Take a moment to check out her cute card and the fabulous site she got her sketch from!

Thanks to all who stopped by or played along!!!

Up Next:  GCA#131 - Anything Goes with a Technique!!

Happy Stamping!!!

~~~Ann~~~

Creative Sketches Color Challenge - 28 & Diva Inspiration

Hello all!!!  Another week has come and gone and here we are at another Thursday.  Time for both the Creative Sketches and UDI Blog Inspiration challenges!!!

The challenge this week on Creative Sketches is to use the colors of Daffodil Delight, Bashful Blue and Elegant Eggplant.  What a combo!!!  I played with this combo some the other day for my GCA 131 card.   I have to say that the Bashful Blue threw me for a loop!

So, I started with a Whisper White card base and the sketch from Stamping 411 for this week.  A nice easy and clean sketch.  Worked for me with these colors!  And I pulled out a stamp set that I haven't used, at all, and put ink to it!!  (And I buy more why???)

I used Silhouette Sentiments, a level 1 hostess set.  Since the Bashful Blue was throwing me off, I tried to keep it to a minimum.  I stamped the weedy flower image in Bashful Blue, randomly.  With the sketch you can really use anything on the left hand side, so I stamped the images in the three colors.  The smaller flower which I stamped in Elegant Eggplant, is from Because I Care, another level 1 hostess set.  Notice the theme???

The rest is really quite simple, and easy.  I stamped the bird/branch and then stamped the bird again and cut it out.  It's popped up with dimensionals.  Whisper White taffeta and Daffodil Delight 1/8" taffeta were used with white crochet thread tied around and through the button to hold it on.

If you get a minute, check out each of the sites and play along!!

Happy Stamping!!!

~~~Ann~~~

GCA #131 - Anything Goes with a Sketch!!!


Hello all!!!  Today is a fabulously warm and beautiful day in my area of Michigan!!!  It's at least 80* out!  Not to last forever, but the temps coming up this week aren't so bad either.

I haven't done an "Anything Goes" challenge in awhile, but this one has a slight twist.  I've said it on here many times that I LOVE sketches.  Any time I find a new one, or a card with an unusual layout, I make I save it!  There are so many blogs out there now that have specific sketch challenges and one of them I happen to be a design team member of!!  What a plug, I know!  Check out the Creative Sketches blog to see all of the fabulous sketches they have.

So, the challenge this week is "Anything Goes" theme wise, but with the additional twist of using a sketch.  Is it required to use a specific sketch?  No.  I just like finding all the new sketches that I can!!  If you do use a sketch you found on a blog, in a paper craft mag or even one you came up with, let us know so we can check it out too!!

My sample this week is using the weekly sketch challenge on Mary Jo's blog, TechnoStamper.  She posts a new sketch every Monday.

Upload your creation to either your blog or to an online gallery and post a link to your creation to this blog entry by April 16, 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 GCA131 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~~~~ 

Winner of GCA #130 is.....

..... Hazel!!!  You can see her fabulous card on her blog My Crafty Outlook.  So soft and pretty, I am sooo looking forward to spring!!!

Thanks to mall who stopped by this week!!

Up Next:  GCA #131 - Anything Goes with a Sketch!

~~~Happy Stamping!!!

~~~Ann~~~

Clearly for Mother - GCA130 & LNS115

Hello all!!!  I have another Mother's day card to show you today.  As you know this is the theme for this week's GCA and for the Late Night Stampers group I belong to.

Actually, for me, this card turned out to be quite CAS!!  Doesn't happen very often, but I used the sketch from the Create with Connie and Mary blog that just said CAS to me.  And, I was able to use up some scraps that I had laying around!  Bonus!!!

The card base is Whisper White, layered with a piece of the Love Impressions textured dsp (still available in the Occasions mini).  The panel was cut at 3 3/4 x 5 to leave some of the card base showing.

For the main image I decided to open up, and use, the Beveled windowpanes I've had since the Occasions mini came out!!  I also used the stamp set, Clearly for You, which coordinates with the windowpanes.  Pretty in Pink satin wraps and holds the windowpane to the card.  These are tricky little things to play with, but I do like the end result!  I used a piece of Crumb Cake seam binding around the know and used a hat pin (non SU!, but we no longer carry these!) through the middle.

Not sure how well you can see in the photo, but I also used my Tea Stain distress ink around the edges and on the crown.

Happy Stamping!!!

~~~Ann~~~

Creative Sketches 27 and Diva Inspiration 142!!!! A winning combo!!!

Hello all!!!  Two fabulous things, NEW, have happened for April!!!  The first I told you about yesterday and that is the guest designer for Late Night Stampers for April and the second is I am joining the design team for Creative Sketches from April to October!!!  I love sketches and I love new challenges!!

With that being said, let me tell you about my card!  You can check out the sketch on the blog.  I hope you can play along with us this week!!!

To start off the card base is Very Vanilla, 5 x 5.  The color combo is Tempting Turquoise, Melon Mambo, Daffodil Delight and Early Espresso.  I did take some liberty with the UDI Inspiration pic for this week with these colors.  But, I wanted to use the Sweet Stitches dsp and the matching rub-ons.  I'm sure Maria will understand!

There is a lot of dimension on this card to.  The rub-ons I used are the of the little girl and the row of straight pins.  Daffodil Delight buttons from Sale-A-Bration with pearl centers finishes it off!!

Don't forget to check out the Creative Sketches blog and UDI Blog for two awesome challenges!!  Let me know if you play along too so I can check out what you created!!!

Happy Stamping!!!

~~~Ann~~~

GCA #130 - Happy Mother's Day!!!

Hello all!!!  Finally, I have the never-ending wedding invites done!!!  I am so envious of those stampers who can do CAS to perfection!  I have another set to do later this year and I will definitely be doing them CAS!!!

While Easter is late this year, it seems that Mother's Day is EARLY!!  (We can never win can we??)  So, anything related to Mother's Day: cards, scrapbook pages, gifts or whatever are in order for this week. 

My sample for this week's GCA is also a combo with the Late Night Stampers weekly challenge of Mother's Day.  And, I was also asked to be the guest designer for April!  How cool is that??  Now I'm really nervous about posting my work!

The card today is really quite simple and easy.  The base is Very Vanilla textured (and leftover from the invites), the second panel is plain Very Vanilla and the punched scallops and circles are Peach Parfait textured.  The dsp is from Sweet & Sour.  The sketch is from Clean & Simple stamping - FTL134.

Upload your creation to either your blog or to an online gallery and post a link to your creation to this blog entry by April 9, 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 GCA130 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 #129 Winner is....

......Carlie from Carlie Bug!!!!  Not too many girls her age craft and blog, but I'm glad she does!!!  She is very creative with her work.  Check out her blog and she what I mean!!  Carlie please send me your snail mail addy to amf1066@comcast.net and I will get a stampin' goodie package out to you.  Please make sure it's alright with your mom or dad that you do.  Thanks for coming by and playing along.

Thanks to all who stopped by, left comments and played along.  Sorry for being so late, but these wedding invites seem to be never ending!!!!!

Up Next:  GCA #130 - Happy Mother's Day!!!

Happy Stamping!!!

~~~Ann~~~

BLOG CANDY WINNER IS ............

........ Terri!!!!  You can see her delightful blog, and cards, at her blog Terri's Tries At Making Cards.  Terri please send me your snail mail addy to amf1066@comcast.net by April 8th, or I will chose another winner!

Thanks to all who stopped by, entered and/or left me a comment.  I love reading them and I do read every one of them!!!  Sorry to be so late today, but I have been slavishly working on wedding invites all day!   Almost done, thank goodness!!!!

Happy Stamping!!!!

~~~Ann~~~