GCA #118 - Happy NEW Year to You!!!

Happy New Year everyone!!!  I pray all of you had a safe and fabulous New Year's Eve and Day!!!  I stayed nice and cozy in my apartment, working on some swaps I need to get out!!

Now that Christmas is behind us and the New Year has started, this week we are going to focus on NEW things!!!  What did you get for Christmas, either from loved ones or stuff you bought yourself????  Anything that is NEW to you, I want you to use it on your creations this week!!

The week of Christmas I received my Occasions/SAB pre-order.  One of the sets I ordered is from the main IB & C, but one I've wanted since the catty came out: Grunge Rock!  Not exactly sure why I like this set, but since I seem to be into more vintage/collage/distressed looks lately I think that's why I like it!

Anyway, I finally inked it up yesterday and new it would be the perfect choice for this week's GCA!!  And, I used every stamp in the set on this card!!!  That doesn't happen very often!  I also made this for the FS204 on SCS : WhiteRockMama AKA Marisa!  I liked the layout she used on her card and the colors.  The colors came from the Curtain Call Color Challenge. 

My changes are:
* Stamp set
* Colors - While I kept the Certainly Celery, I did use the original Melon Mambo and Pink Pirouette from the challenge
* The layout is basically the same, yet I tweaked my sentiment panel and didn't notch the ends.
* Left off the button and used a clip/ribbon combo
* Used rhinestones instead of dew drops

I also used my Distressing Essentials kit - Tea Stain - around the sentiment tag and the main image panel.  The sentiment tag was also distressed with my distressor tool.

Love how this turned out!!!  And I know who it will go to!!  One of my close girlfriends has a birthday in April and this is perfect for her!!  Nothing like being prepared, right??

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 8, 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 GCA118 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~~~~

Hello all!! Are you tired of Valentine's Day cards yet?? I like making these as they use some of my favorite colors!!

What an awesome pick for the Featured Stamper on SCS this week!! Anne, aka JDMommy is this week's pick by Beth!! She has an awesome and amazing gallery. And if you love red like she does, this is the gallery to look at!!

In honor of Anne, I went the route of using various shades of pinks, which are from the red family.

I chose her card here: http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/ga...;ppuser=136194

My changes:

* Colors, stamp set & theme
* Used die cut butterflies instead of stamped one
* Used the Top Note die to make a circle medallion
* Used felt flowers instead of a button for an accent
* Used the scallop trim punch

Happy Stamping!!

~~~Ann~~~

Another Poppin Pastels the Charming Way!!

Hello all!!! I have to show you the second card I made using this fun and quick technique!! Have you tried it yet? You might want to think about it!!!!!

On this card I did double stamping with the versamark and double usage of the chalks. By that, I mean I first stamped the script BG in versamark and went over it with the Pale Plum chalk. Second, I stamped the flower in versamark over the already chalked BG. (See how versatile this technique is?) I then went over the flower with the Elegant Eggplant chalk, carefully so as not to muddy up my colors. The image on the punched circle was colored with the Old Olive chalk and then a second one was stamped and the middle portion was punched out and Pale Plum was used.

I also did another circle medallion with my Top Note die!!! These are addicting!!

This was my card for FS138 who is NancyRuth this week!!! What an awesome gallery she has to see. You really should take a peek.

My card I chose is here: http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/ga...p;ppuser=42694

My changes:

* Colors & stamp set

* Kept the medallion circle, but used a different style

* used pearls instead of brads

* used my SU! texture plates instead of CB folder

* used chalks to color my images

This is also for the LateNightStampers challenge this week to use our chalks!

Happy Stamping!!!!

~~~Ann~~~

Give Thanks - FS135

Hello all!!! I decided to finally ink this little turkey! He is now available in the Holiday Mini and is only $6.95!!!!

Finally, I've had a chance to play in the FS challenge!!! Seems like forever, but boy did August go by fast!Congrats Lori on being the FS this week!! Your gallery is filled with many different stamps and wonderful creations.

I chose this card: http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/photo/1386466?&cat=500&ppuser=83483 I was drawn to the scored bottom portion and my ideas grew from there!

My changes are:

* Stamp set and colors - even thought I kept a white card base

* placed dots on my scored circles/crosses

* used the Big Shot and texture plates to create my scored area

* changed the ribbon style/presentation

* popped my top two panels with dimensionals

This is another card that fits with Shelli's challenge this month to create a fall card.

Happy Stamping!!

~~~Ann~~~

Just a Little Thanks!!

Hello All!! I just wanted to send out a HUGE thanks to everyone who stopped by blog during the recent Royal Blog Tour!! All the comments on projects are so wonderfully appreciated!!

So, my card for you today is, can you guess?, a thank you card!! I made this card back in April of this year for Featured Stamper challenge #113 - Julie (AKA JustWriteDesigns), and what an awesome gallery she has!

I chose this card to case: http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/ga...;ppuser=137985

My changes are:

* Colors, Stamps

* Flipped the layout to the right

* Used the new Window sheets instead of acrylic

* Added silver brads

Thanks for the inspiration Julie!!

Again, thanks to everyone who stopped by!! Hope to see you back many times!!

Happy Stamping!!

~~~Ann~~~

An Apple for You - FS127

Hello all!!! This week the Featured Stamper on SCS is schmircat - AKA Kelly!! She is the sweetest person and is always leaving wonderful comments in the gallery!

The minute I saw her card here http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/photo/1386260?cat=500&ppuser=146898 I knew this was the one for me!!

My changes:

* Colors - somewhat & Stamp sets

* Added a couple of layers

* Used an eyelet border punch for one layer

* Card size is 4 1/2 x 4 1/2 (not sure what size Kelly's is)

Thanks for the inspiration this week Kelly!!

I used the new Teeny Tiny Wishes set again!!! I'm tellin' ya, if there is one set you buy, this should be it!! I also used Tart & Tangy and Linen. I was so sad when SU! retired this BG stamp, but I will still use it!

Happy Stamping!!!!

~~~Ann~~~

Rooster Birthday Wishes - FS121

Hello all!!!

The FS for this week is Rox71 - our very own Sketch Challenge hostess!!!! What an honor to peruse through her gallery and CASE one of her cards! When I saw this card http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/photo/548217?cat=500&ppuser=23790 I knew what one to chose and that I would use my Rustic Rooster set. I wanted this set when we were able to pre-order the newest hostess sets, however I opted for another one instead. So when I got the chance to get it a second time, I jumped on it!! This is the first time I've inked it up though!!

In keeping with the "French Country" look, I chose more subtle/fallish colors, but will be sending this off to my aunt whose birthday is this month. I stayed fairly true to the original layout, except I left off the triangles below the border. Instead I used my scallop lace punch and used decorative copper brads.

My rooster was stamped in CC craft and clear embossed with sponging around the edges, as well as sponging around the script panel. Now that it is covered up, it's hard to see but I first stamped Linen in Saffron and then overstamped the script. You can see it a little more clearly in the border strip, which I overstamped with the flourish.

My frame around the rooster is the "Torn Frame" technique I learned from Technique Junkies. This is a fun and fast technique and gives your card that aged look. I sponged the torn edges in brown staz on and Really Rust. I used the same sentiment set as Roxie, but I used the large button on Buttons #5 die for the scalloped look! And I punched out the center and popped it up.

The main image is popped up with thick foam squares and the border strip is up with dimensionals.

I also did up the inside, as you can see above. I had the negative piece of Very Vanilla from the Top Note die and just went that! The egdes are stamped in the same colors.

Happy Stamping

~~~Ann~~~

Sweetly Thinking of You - FS108

This week on SCS the FS is Kelly_H AKA Kelly!!! She has an awesome gallery and so many different cards to choose from!!! With the card I chose I was drawn to it because of the layout and the colors!

I chose this card http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/ga...p;ppuser=65016

My changes:

* Stamp set and colors - (Trendy Trees & Choc. Chip, Pumpkin Pie, Regal Rose, Pink Piroutte and WW)

* Ribbon placement

* Added layers

* Different size scallop squares

* No dry embossing on the scalloped squares

I used the new Trendy Trees on here!! One of my new faves!! And the Sweet Always dsp is one of my faves too!!

Happy Stamping!!!

~~~Ann~~~

Bright and Restful Days - FS107

The FS for this week on SCS is SgtStamper AKA Jami!!! What an awesome gallery she has!

I chose this card to case: http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/ga...;ppuser=166165

I was drawn to the layout and the springy colors she used, so I kept the layout pretty much the same and kept to light and airy colors.

My changes are:

* Stamp sets, colors

* Left off the dew drops on scallop layer and used a different scallop punch

* Used buttons instead of dew drops

* Used the flowers from Polka Dot Punches embossed with choc. chip craft and clear ep

* Added a layer under my dspI really like the dsp for SAB this year and thought is looked really good here.

My butterfly is an MS punch, as are the leaves. I double layered the butterfly to give it more umph!!

And as you can see, I did my inside up too!! This time I tried something a little different in using the dsp as the background piece and placing the solid color cardstock on top. Since I used So Saffron for that, it's light enough that I can still stamp and write on it.

The flowers here were stamped onto the dsp in Choc. Chip ink and punched out with the 5 petal punch. I used my three flower punch and attempted to punch out the actual flower from the dsp, but they were a little bigger than I thought!

Happy Stamping!!!

~~~Ann~~~

GCA 28 - Sale - A - Brate in style!!!

Hello all!! As many of you know, during February and March of this year Stampin' Up! is hosting their annual Sale-A-Bration!!! During this period for every $50 you spend you receive your choice of 6 limited time items.

So for this week's GCA we are going to Sale-A-Brate, or Celebrate, however it works for you!!
For your card/project your them must be a theme of celebration! For example, congrats, new baby, new job or birthday. Any type of event that would require a celebration. If you have any of the SAB sets please use them on your creation, but DO NOT need them to participate!! As long as your card is celebrating some type of event, that is all you need!!

For my sample I combined two new sets; Dream A Little (level 3 hostess) and Congrats from SAB 2009. I also combined this with this week's FS: KDunbrook AKA Karen!! The card I chose to case can be found here. I've been wanting to try the patchwork style with my Top Note, and this gave me the perfect opportunity!!

The flower is from Dream a Little which I stamped the solid in So Saffron and the outline in Versamark/Sahara Sand and then clear embossed. The middle part of the flower is a second piece, cut out and popped up. Again, using the Delicate Dots dsp for my background and the Congrats set from the SAB mini!! Congrats is stamped in white craft and embossed with white ep. The ribbon is part of the Ribbon Bundle from SAB.

My "leaves" are from the Sweetest Stems embosslit. A filigree flower brad with a yellow fire circle rhinestone is the topper!! I then used my white gel pen around the edges of the Bashful Blue panel for the finishing touch! All of my colors I used today were pulled from the Delicate Dots dsp. Love that paper!!

On the inside I used a strip of So Saffron punched with the new Scallop Lace edge punch (LOVE IT!) and strip of the Delicate Dots dsp on top!! I can't believe that I've just recently been paying more attention to the inside of my cards!! They deserve some love too!!

To be entered in the challenge drawing, make a card with the focus of CELEBRATING, 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 February 13, 2009 at 12 midnight. I will choose the winner through a random number generator and post the next Saturday or 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, or Paper Craft Planet, please put GCA28(NO SPACE IN BETWEEN GCA AND 28) 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~~~

Angel on Duty FS104

Over on SCS today is Featured Stamper day and what a stamper did Beth choose!!!! Her name is BevR and she has an awesome gallery!!! Check it out! And can she color or what!!

I used the new SAB dsp - Delicate Dots on here!! Love it!!

Here is the card I chose to case: http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/ga...p;ppuser=64518

Here is what I changed:

* Stamps, colors

* I made mine a 5 x 5 which I believe is the same size as Bev's

* I used the Top Note die from SU!

* I paper pieced my angel's dress and wings

* I used a strip of ribbon around the card instead of another piece of cardstock

* Instead of the flowers, I put my sentiment on a scallop die and raised up my heart

I used leftover pieces and parts for the inside!! Remember, to do your inside too!! It makes the card even more appealing!!

I'm sending this out tomorrow to a fellow stamper who is having a hard time right now and just needs to know people have her in their prayers!!

Happy Stamping!!!

~~~Ann~~~

GCA #24 - Anything New Goes!!!

Hello everyone!! For this weeks GCA we are focusing on anything NEW!!! Christmas is behind us and I know a lot of us received some Christmas $$ we just couldn't wait to spend on new stampin' goodies!!! I sure couldn't! LOL!

The challenge this week is to use at least 2 new products (stamps, cardstock, patterned paper, embellies, etc) on your creation!! And make sure you point out what those new products are!

On my sample here I used one of the new Level 2 hostess sets coming in the Spring/Summer IBC - Dream A Little, new dsp - Raspberry Tart, and the new Flower Fusion too set!!! (I've had these flowers for awhile, but I haven't used them!). I just love this new Raspberry Tart dsp, it is so luscious and yummy!!!

And this stamp set is wonderful!! The minute I saw the hummingbird I was hooked!! My card here also is for today's FS101 on SCS.

Here's what I changed:

* Stamp set, colors and orientation

* I added a layer of Raspberry Tart dsp, and while I kept the CB panel, I used a different folder and cut with my Top Note die.

* Used silver cord and placed it in a different position.

* Embossed my flower outline with silver ep.

To be entered in the challenge drawing, make a card using at least 2 new products, 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 January 16, 2009 at 12 midnight. I will choose the winner through a random number generator and post the next day.

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, or Paper Craft Planet, please put GCA24(NO SPACE IN BETWEEN GCA AND 24) 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~~~

Please excuse the changes in my template, but I am trying to put another new one up!

GCA #23 - Non-Traditional Valentine's colors!!

Hello everyone!!! Just as much as I love non-traditional colors at Christmas time, I thought I'd try this out on Valentine's day card!! I had these pieces of cardstock on my craft table from another project and thought they would make great colors for a Valentine's card. My colors are: Confetti Cream, Tangerine Tango, Kiwi Kiss and Very Vanilla. This card is also for FS100 on SCS! This week the FS is JulieHRR, AKA Julie Ebersole! Julie has an amazing style and one that I find very hard to do on my own. She makes awesome one layer and minimal layered cards. She is NOT afraid of negative white space on a card!!! Here is the card I CASE'd: Felted Flowers Mothers Day.

My changes include:

* Colors of cardstock/ink/dsp

* Theme

* I used the Top Note die as my focal point

* I used the same felt flowers but only 2 and a small filigree brad for the center.

* I paper pieced the elephant (I LOVE doing this!!)

* I turned my card to be a vertical top folding card

I tried to keep it simple like Julie, but I may have gone just a little over!!

Now for this week's challenge!!

You are to create a card/project with a Valentine's Day theme, BUT using non-traditional colors!! That means NO use of pinks, reds, silvers, grays or golds. I know you can do it!! Your card can be elaborate or simple, that is up to you! Have fun!!

And don't foget the inside!!! (Not a requirement for the GCA!)

To be entered in the challenge drawing, make a ONE LAYER card, 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 January 9, 2009 at 12 midnight. I will choose the winner through a random number generator and post the next day.

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, or Paper Craft Planet, please put GCA23(NO SPACE IN BETWEEN GCA AND 22) 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~~~

Christmas Cards everywhere!!!

Hello everyone!! I have two cards to share with you today! I find it much easier, and less frustrating, to make my Christmas cards at various times so I can make them each individual. Sometimes this plan works and other times it doesn't!!! : )

My first sample is for SC202 on SCS this week. Fantastic layout and so many possibilities! I used the Scandinavian Season set and matching wheel which is currently available in the Holiday mini. I also included CC192 with this card which is to use Pacific Point, Basic Grey and Certainly Celery. I love to use non-traditional colors on my Christmas cards and this color combo certainly qualifies!! I also use Shimmery White on here, white is just fabulous to use with Christmas/elegant cards.

I stamped the tree in Certainly Celery and then used my Choc. Chip marker to go over the tree trunk. I then stamped the tree again in Pacific Point and just cut out the flower, which popped up on a dimensional

To add some bling, I added a crystal rhinestone to the flower center and mini green rhinestones to the corner of the sentiment panel. I had a hard time trying to figure out where to place that panel as I didn't want to cover up my tree!!

To make the snowflakes two toned, I did the Rock n Roll technique on them. I like this effect.
My second sample is one I made for FS85 on SCS!! I know I am posting this late, better late than never right? This is also for CC185 on SCS and for CCNov1008 on Paper Craft Planet!!

What is Paper Craft Planet (PCP) you ask?? Well, just follow this link here and you can discover this wonderfullt amazing new stamping community too!!!! Check it out and let me know what you think!!

My second sample uses the set Wise Men Seek Him by Treehouse Stamps. I love this set as it conveys the meaning of Christmas so well for me!

I colored in the 3 wise men with my SU! markers and highlighted the star and candle with the Bashful Blue marker. One the Very Vanilla panel I used the snowflakes folder from last year in my CB and shaded with Baja Breeze.


Happy Stamping!!


~~~Ann~~~

GCA#16 - Playing with Chipboard!!

Hello everyone! Lately I have been pulling out my sorely unused and neglected chipboard and playing with it! There are so many ways to use chipboard and give your cards and projects a definitely different look.

For example, you can:

* Emboss on chipboard, either with dye ink and Versamark or craft ink

* Cover it with patterned paper

* Use it as your focal point on your card or as an enhancement

* Trim it to fit with your card. Don't be afraid to snip off a few pieces.

* Layer your chipboard pieces, especially those that come together

* Mix and match different types/styles/fonts for an eclectic look

* Leave it plain and distress with your ink pad!

Don't have any chipboard? (I can't believe that, but here's your chance to go out and get some!!) If you don't have any chipboard at all, you use any lightweight cardboard and trace an image onto it and cut it out. Lightweight cardboard can be from an empty cereal box, or box of that type, the cardboard layer that comes in the SU! designer series packs, or even the backing of any notepad holder!

Want to spell out a word, but you've used up all of that letter? Trace the negative space onto a piece of chipboard, or substitute, and go from there!

All of my samples have chipboard that is embossed or covered in dsp. My first sample uses the barn from Happy Fall Y'all, and the other stamps are from the Jolly Snowman set all by Treehouse Stamps. I used the large snowflake from SU!'s Christmas chipboard from 2007, but I needed to trim the edges because the snowflake was too big. I stamped it in Sage Shadow craft ink and clear embossed and then covered it with a crackle finish. The crackle doesn't show up too well in the photo. I also outlined the barn and fence with my glitter pen. This card also uses SC199.

My second sample shows the original size of the snowflake from the first sample, plus I paired it with the negative image from punching out the snowflake. I stamped Not Quite Navy craft ink on the negative image piece and clear embossed over. The snowflake was stamped in white craft ink and embossed with white ep.

The third sample is a flower from SU! of last year. (See, I told you I've been neglecting this stuff!!) My idea for this came from the cuttlebugged BG panel and from FS91 - Beccastamps. She has a lot of beautiful cards in her gallery showing off the CB images. The folder I used here is the leaves and I wanted the look of the leaves coming up and out from the flower. I then tied the chocolate satin ribbon around the flower for a tag effect.

The flower was first stamped in Baja Breeze dye ink, swiped lightly with white craft ink and then covered with Versamark and clear ep. The center of the flower was covered with a piece of Ski Slope dsp, but you can't see much of that now! Lots of dimensionals were used on this card!!

I hope my samples give you a good starting point to pull out your chipboard, or create your own, and give a new look to your cards!

To be entered in the challenge drawing, make a card using the different dimensions for your cards , 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 November 14, 2008 at 12 midnight. I will choose the winner through a random number generator and post the next day.

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, please put GCA16 (NO SPACE IN BETWEEN GCA AND 16) 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~~~

GCA#10 - Spotlighted Stamper challenge!!!

Hello everyone! This week for the GCA we are focusing in on a spotlighted stamper and her wonderful creations.

Since I am running somewhat late today, I am piggybacking onto the Featured Stamper challenge posted every Sunday on SCS. But...there is an added challenge for my GCA!! Now you didn't really think I would let you off that easy did you??

The FS on SCS this week is E3stamper AKA Shannon!! Shannon is a fantastic stamper and has an outstanding amount of creations to choose from. She is also a guest designer with Treehouse Stamps and so this is doubly appropriate for this week's GCA. I have not found my card I wish to CASE yet, but as soon as I do I will get my sample done and posted.

Here are the guidelines you need to follow for this challenge:

* Follow the Featured Stamper guidelines found here.
* Go to Shannon's gallery, or blog, and choose a card to CASE.

Now for the twist!!

*Once you have chosen your card to CASE, and following the FS guidelines, changed at least 2 things on your card, I want you to leave one element on your card EXACTLY as Shannon did on hers.
* This can be the same brads, eyelets or ribbon.
* It could be the same color cardstock or type of designer paper.

Please make sure you point out what changes you made and what the one item is you left exactly the same.

To be entered in the challenge drawing, make a card/project using Shannon's creations for your motivation , 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 26, 2008 at 12 midnight. I will choose the winner through a random number generator and post the next day.

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, please put GCA10 (NO SPACE IN BETWEEN GCA AND 10) 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!!! I can't wait to see what everyone comes up with!


~~~Ann~~~

It's here - GCA#9!!! Paper Pieced lately?

Hello everyone!! Sorry for the delay on getting this week's GCA posted, but I've had some computer issues! All is well for now!

This week the challenge is Paper Piecing! This is a simple, fun, yet still packs that WOW punch to your creation. For a detailed tutorial visit SCS resource forums on Paper Piecing.

While most paper piecing is done with patterned paper, you can also paper piece with solid cardstock. This just adds to the WOW of your creation!

On my sample here I have done both. And remember you need an outline image stamp to get the best results with this technique. I used one of the newest sets from Treehouse Stamps - Olivia's Christmas - which is now available on their site! You must check them out as so many of their sets are perfect for paper piecing! I also used CC#183 - Going Gray, Riding Hood Red and Green Galore. With these colors I couldn't help but make Christmas cards!!

This card is also my card for FS#84 - LazyLizard AKA Liz!! She is a sweet person and leaves the most sweetest comments on everyone's creations! Please keep her and her family in your thoughts and prayers as they are recovering from Hurricane Ike!! You can see the Liz's card I cased here.

I changed:

* Colors and stamp set

* Theme of the card

* Placed my ribbon and swirl clip in a different spot

* Added a background panel

To start with you need to stamp your main image first, and build from there. For Olivia's wings I stamped the image onto retired dsp by SU!, Charbon. I like the effect the small pop of polka dots gives on here. For the scarf, I stamped the image onto Green Galore cardstock and then used my white gel pen to color in the dots. I then stamped the bow onto a piece of Riding Hood Red and cut that out.

I used my snowflake embossing folder and the Cuttlebug Smoosh technique for the background image. I then went around the edges with Going Gray ink to create more contrast.

I can't wait to see what everyone comes up with using this creative and fun technique!

To be entered in the challenge drawing, make a card/project using the posted colors for your motivation , 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 20, 2008 at 12 midnight. I will choose the winner through a random number generator and post the next day.

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, please put GCA9 (NO SPACE IN BETWEEN GCA AND 9) 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!!

My thoughts and prayers go out to everyone who is dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Ike and the recovery process.

Happy Stamping!!!

~~~Ann~~~

GCA2 - Embellishment Encore!!!

Hello everyone!!! Today is Sunday and that means another Getting Creative with Ann challenge!!! This week the focus is on all those UNOPENED, had to have them, love em and you haven't used them since you bought/received them, embellishments!! And I'm not talking about the embellies you just bought yesterday! I want you to scrounge your stamp space and find those poor neglected embellishments and put them to good use!


The embellishments you choose could be some you have purchased or you may have received as a gift from someone!


My sample for you combines two challenges: the GCA and the Featured Stamper #77 on SCS. You can see Julia's card here, that I choose.



Here are the changes I made:


* Stamp set: Dreams du Jour by SU! - coming soon to the new catalog!!


* Colors: Riding Hood Red, Pink Pirouette, Choc. Chip, WW & Bella Rosa dsp.


* Instead of the slit punch for my scallop, I used the new SU! scallop edge punch. I then used my white Signo gel pen to put dots on each scallop.


* Used a choc. chip stitched (non SU!) ribbon.


* Instead of buttons, I used 1/2" circle tile spots with punch outs from the stamp for my embellishment.


* Left off the sentiment strip.


* Used 2 scallop circles under the main image for bordering. Main image is up on dimensionals and then the entire panel is up on dimensionals.


The two embellishments I used, which until today were unopened, are the ribbon and the tile spots. The ribbon I received from a secret sister exchange quite awhile ago and the tile spots I bought months ago, because I had to have them, and not used since then!!! I included a pic of my embellies for you to see.

So take a minute and look around your stamp room and see what you can use that has, until today, been unopened and unused!! You know you have something, now is the time to get it out and put it on a fabulous creation!!!


To be entered in the challenge drawing, make a card with your unused embellishments, 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 2, 2008 at 12 midnight. I will choose the winner through a random number generator and post the next day. 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, please put GCA2 (NO SPACE IN BETWEEN GCA AND 1) in the keyword section. That way everyone can look at all of the creations at once!


Please remember I am leaving for SU!'s convention Tuesday morning and will return home late Sunday night. I will check in as often as I can during the week, when I find a computer!!! I will most likely post next week's challenge on Monday, August 4th. So I've given you extra time to work on this challenge!!




Happy Stamping!!!




~~~Ann~~~

Butterfly Thanks

Hello my fellow stampers!!

On my card today I combined two challenges from SCS: Featured Stamper and Try a New Technique.

The FS this week is chelemom AKA Michelle! She is a fabulous stamper and scrapbooker and she is also on the design team with me for Treehouse Stamps!!! How cool is that? As I went through Michelle's gallery, I had a hard time picking just one card to case!! But I finally settled on this card here. I was drawn to the quiet simplicity of her card and I like butterflies!

My changes are:

* Stamp set and colors of cardstock

* Type of ribbon

* I incorporated TLC175 on my card

* I cuttlebugged the white panel with the Swiss Dots folder & rubbed chalks on it

* I changed the layout of the sentiment

* Instead of stitching, I used my jumbo wheel, Lots of Dots over the Blue Brocade panel

TLC175 is Chalk Pouncing, where you rub the chalks onto the BG first, stamp your image on using Versamark and then "pouncing" the chalks onto the versamarked image. You can see the complete instructions here. I then used a sealant to keep my chalks from getting rubbed off. I used Brocade Blue, Mellow Moss and More Mustard chalks, but it's difficult to see in the photo.

I hope everyone had has beautiful a Monday as we did here in southeast Michigan!! Perfect weather and sunny all day!!

Happy Stamping!!!

~~~Ann~~~

Happy Mail Day!!

Hello everyone!!! Who wouldn't love to receive this adorable snail from Treehouse Stamps in their mailbox? Much better than receiving bills and junkmail, that's for sure!!

This card was created using Ashley's Brainwave Wednesday challenge she hosts on her blog, Ashley's Creative Corner, every Wednesday. This is for last week's challenge, BWC #11, which was a color combo with Bravo Burgundy, Old Olive, Taken with Teal and River Rock. I used white as my neutral.

I used Bravo Burgundy for my base and then decided to use my Diamond CB folder, I just had to have, and hadn't used yet for my next layer. Before I ran it through my CB, I inked up the folder on the negative side with River Rock, put my white layer in and than ran it through the CB. When your done, you have the ink on the non-embossed parts of the cardstock. You can check out this cool technique and others by clicking on the Technique Junkies logo on the left and see everything they have to offer.

I also used SC #180 for my layout. I put my olive layer on to mimic the snail in the grass. To color in the snail I used a blender pen and my River Rock and Taken with Teal ink pad lids for watercoloring. Once dry, I went over all the Teal parts with a clear glitter pen. Not sure how well this shows up in the photo.

The scallop sentiment is up on dimensionals, and I used SU!'s Old Olive polytwill for my ribbon.

That's all I have for tonight, but I'll have BWC#12 up tomorrow!! So be sure to check back here tomorrow and check out Ashley's blog for all the deets!!!

Happy Stamping!!

~~~Ann~~~