Sending Good Thoughts for SAB 2016

Hello everyone!

Well, this is the last month of SAB and sure has been a good one for me!  There are so many terrific items in the 2016 Occasions catalog to chose from and equally awesome items from the SAB brochure.

The first card I have was CASE'D from another I saw Pintrest awhile ago.  I changed up the colors, but basically the general design is the same.  Made using the Botanical Blooms stamp set, coordinating dsp and framelits, it's easy to make quick cards with this set.  And BONUS it's available as a bundle so you save 15% on all three items!!  The bundle price is $51.75, which automatically gives you an SAB item!

My next card uses the Honeycomb Happiness SAB set.  I just love this little chick and it can be used for so many things!  The sentiment is from another SAB set, Perfect Pairings.  Combined with the new balloon punch and you have a cute birthday card for any age!

Don't forget SAB ends on March 31st!  So get these limited time items by then!  To see what's next on the tour, click on Audra Monk and enjoy!

Happy Stamping!!!

Ann  :)

Up cycled chunky picture frame!!!

Made this awhile ago and realized I haven't shared it!!

I bought the frame a LOOOONG time ago, intending on doing something with it! It originally was pink with brown crowns all over it. I painted it a soft ivory with paint I used in my living room paint job. It's a nice chunky wood frame. Once it was painted, I covered the front in a piece of off white burlap, adhered with spray adhesive.

The flowers were made with the now retired Amore fabric from SU!. The three small flowers are rolled and topped with a gold metal button. The larger flower was made using the 3 inch circle die and then folded over and hot glued to a piece of felt. The leaves are made from the Mossy Meadow satin ribbon. The ruffled burlap ribbon came from Hobby Lobby.

I love how it came out and how it really makes the photo pop! That is a picture of my husband and I on our wedding day, riding off after we were officially married!!

Thanks for looking and Happy Stamping!!!

Ann

A Hoot of a Halloween!!!

Hello all!!

With fall, and Halloween, fast approaching I've been playing around with some ideas for it.  My stamp club gals are not always into investing in Halloween specific stamps, so I wanted to come up with some alternatives using other items.

This card uses everyday stamp images/punches, but in a Halloween way!  I was playing around with my Sprinkles of Life set and coordinating punch, and this idea just kind of popped into my head!

I haven't played with my owl punch in a looooong time, but I love how he fits in beautifully with Halloween.

Since I was just playing around for me right now, some of the items on here are retired now.  The base card, and top layer, are using Confetti Cream.  I ran the top layer through the Big Shot using the Woodgrain embossing folder.  Finished that off with some sponging in Early Espresso to give the look of a tree.  The circle was punched using the 2 1/2" circle punch.  I wanted the owl to appear as if he sitting inside the tree.  The branch he is sitting on is from Sprinkles of Life.  Stamped in Chocolate Chip onto Chocolate Chip card stock.  I used two.

My idea for the clouds was to give them a "dark night" look.  They were stamped in Smoky Slate ink and then I used Marina Mist and Basic Gray stampin' markers to give them  the dark night look.  I blended the colors with a blender pen.  For a little added punch I put crystal effects on the colored parts.

The sentiment comes from Teeny Tiny Wishes.

So, what do you think?

Happy Stamping,

Ann

Beautiful Dreamer - Scrapbook Page #1 for Artisan Award entry

Happy Sunday everyone!!!  Today I have to share with you the first of my scrapbook pages I entered for the Artisan Award Design Team contest by Stampin' Up!

The page is 12 x 12 and uses Basic Black as the main page color.  I pulled the colors for the page from the picture of my granddaughter, Alysha, and what she was wearing.

I just love this picture of her and how I seemed to capture her dreaming off into the future!  That's why I went with the butterflies and cloudy day embossing folder (now retired) to try to capture that.

The butterflies were cut with the Beautiful Wings embosslit and Beautiful Butterflies die.  The large butterfly was actually "double cut" with the two large half butterflies on the die to give you a double effect.  I hope that make sense!  I then topped it with the larger butterfly from the embosslit.

The scallops on the title are actually circles cut with the 1 1/4" circle punch and topped with rhinestones.  I finished off the page by shadowing the edges with the Whisper White craft pad.

I really like how this turned out!!!

Thanks for looking!!!

Stamped Blessings!!

Ann :)

Mardi Gras Mask - 3D Project #2 for Artisan Award Entry

Hello all!!!  Here is my second 3D project that I submitted for the Artisan Award Design Team contest.  It's a mardi gras mask.  I've had this idea in my head for the longest time, then SU! made one in October 2011 (I think!) and I TRIED to make one last year, but it didn't work.  Soooo, this year I rethunk my plan and this is what I came up with!

First, I found a bigger mask to work with than I did the first time.  And then, instead of trying to cover it with designer series paper (dsp), I covered it with our now retired More Amore fabric.  I was so happy that I got the words on here straight the first time!!!  I adhered it with Mod Podge.

I colored rhinestones with a black sharpie and outlined the eyes with them.  The Vanilla Flower trim (now retired) was colored with Real Red ink.  The paper doilies above the eyes were colored with Basic Black ink and just cut in half and glued onto the back.

To give the mask a little more height,  I cut some dsp from the neutrals stack and the rosette die.  I then adhered a large rhinestone at each of the scallops.

The rest is pretty much embellishments to help make it "look pretty"!

Thanks for looking!!

Stamped Blessing!!

Ann :)

Burlap Topiary - Artisan Award 3D project

Hello all!!!  I really must get back in the hang of posting on my blog!  I have so many creations to share, but it seems like life just gets in the way!

What I have to share with you today is a burlap topiary.  I made this project as one of the 3d items for the Artisan Award Design Team contest through Stampin' UP!  Unfortunately, I was not chosen as a finalist, but now I do get to show off my projects that I submitted!!

This is a double ball topiary, pre-made, that I cut flowers from the Fun Flowers die out of burlap.  I used four different shades of burlap, 2 dark shades and 2 vanilla shades.  The center of the flowers have smaller burlap flowers in contrasting colors and then centers cut from our now retired fabric.  All of the flowers were attached with straight pins and then covered with the flower centers so you can't see the pins.  I have NO idea how many flowers I cut, but I DO know that I had burlap dust everywhere!!!  And was sneezing my head off!!

The jar was painted with plain white craft acrylic paint that was tinted with Pool Party re-inker.  There is two coats inside to give it a nice thick coat.  I kept the embellishments outside simple, since I wanted the focus to be on the topiary.

Of all the projects I did, this one was my favorite.  And took me the longest to complete too!!  Probably about 3 full days if I added it all up, but it was worth it in the end, even if I didn't win.  I just hope to see it on display at convention.

Thanks for looking!!!'

Stamped Blessings!!

Ann :)

Creative Sketches Color Challenge - From a Strawberry!!!!

Hello all!!!!  Boy does it feel good to be back to stamping and blogging.  I am humbled and overwhelmed get well wishes and thoughts of concern.  So much love out there in blogland and stamping!!

Anyway, this week over at the Creative Sketches blog it is a color challenge - inspired by a Strawberry!!!  The colors are Real Red, Whisper White, Wild Wasabi and Soft Suede.  I had a hard time not making a Christmas card with these colors!!!  LOL!!

I saw the sketch for the Mojo Monday this week and decided to try it out too!  I really liked the mix of stripes and circles.  I also paired this with a new fave technique of mine: Faux Mother of Pearl.  The large butterfly is done with Real Red and the smaller on with Soft Suede.  The sentiment comes from the new Level 1 hostess set in the Summer mini.

Check out the Creative Sketches blog and play along if you have a minute.

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 #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~~~~ 

Hop on over - GCA #129

Hello all!!!  How is everyone doing??  In my area of Michigan today is BEAUTIFUL and sunny day.  Still a little chilly out, but the sun is out and that is what's important!!  Nothing like a sunny day to get the juices flowing.

Well are you ready to get back into the challenges???  This week is an easy one, I promise.  Easter is on the way and this week we are focusing on that.

So for the challenge this week, your creations need to be anything related to Easter.  Bunnies, chicks, carrots or Easter baskets, it all fits!!  My sample for this week is an easy one - even for me!!!  This was one of the cards I did for my monthly club.  The original idea came from Danielle Vincent on Stampin' Connection.  I apologize for those who are not SU! demos, as you will not be able to access the card.

What drew me to her cute Easter card was the bunny.  One: how it was punched with the 1 3/4", 1 3/8" and small oval punches and two: the button as the tail!!!Of course, I made some changes to make it my own, but the bunny is basically the same.  I sponged Regal Rose around all the edges and used a Pretty in Pink button with a pearl on top as the tail.  I also added "whiskers" to my bunny with white crochet thread.

To carry over the bunny/Easter theme I used the bunny dsp from the Nursery Suite dsp.  The striped dsp is the Pear Pizzazz from the hostess level 1 pack.  The "grass" is a strip of Pear Pizzazz card stock first punched with the pinking hearts border punch and then ran through the crimper.  I then used dimensionals behind the bunny for depth. 

I also used a new trick that I found out about from some fellow stampers!!!  SU! has the Movers & Shapers dies and XL die, which I have, but I rarely use.  Most of the time I forget I have them and the other times I just don't want to bother with pulling all that out.  But, some smart stamper discovered that if you have the clear circle or scalloped square BIGZ die, you can use the Mover & Shaper dies alone with those!  I usually just want the larger background piece so this works perfect!  The Regal Rose scalloped oval is from the Mover & Shaper and the Whisper White one is the large scalloped oval punch.  The sentiment is from Well Scripted.

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 2, 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 GCA129 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~~~~ 

Fan Flower - DIC140

Hello all!!!  Here we are again at another Thursday and time for the UDI Blog Inspiration challenge.  The inspiration piece this week is painting with a modern feel to it.

This past weekend I spent stamping and socializing with my Michigan Mingler friends in Novi.  I spent more time socializing than stamping, but I did manage to create this card for the challenge.

I took limited supplies with me, as I really couldn't take the entire craft room!!!  I did take my Big Shot and limited dies.

My inspiration card starts with a Crumb Cake base, folded at the top.  Then I used a piece of the SAB dsp in the Peach Parfait pattern, distressed with my cutter kit tool and then ripped or torn away at random areas.  Under that I layered a piece of the First Editions dsp, available in the Occasions mini.  The card base was also distressed and then sponged over with the Crumb Cake and Chocolate Chip.

The flower is made from a strip of Newsprint dsp, scored at every 1/4", folded accordion style and then shaped into a flower.  An antique brad in the center finishes it off.  Linen thread is wrapped around the card and a sizzlet leaf is the final touch.

Don't forget to check out the UDI Blog and play along if you can!

Happy Stamping!!!!

~~~Ann~~~

GCA #128 - You Are In My Thoughts!

Hello all!!!  Another week has just flown by and it's Sunday once again.  Unless, you live under a rock, you know all about the massive earthquake and tsunami damage in Japan.  The more I look at the images coming from Japan and read the articles, the more I am grateful of where I live, but most importantly my heart just breaks for those who have lost their lives and the families left behind.

So, this week the focus is to create a card, or something, for someone you know, or don't know, and let them know that you are thinking of them.  It could be a Thinking of You, Sympathy, Get Well or just a general You're in My Thoughts.  Not only have the events in Japan occurred, but closer to home I have lost a dear co-worker and another co-worker fractured her pelvis while skiing.  So, I have cards to get done!  And I have had a couple of RAK requests come through my inbox that I need to get out.

Here's my sample.  Tried to keep it simple, but that doesn't always work for me!!!  I used the sketch from TechnoStamper's blog (AKA MaryJo), TSSC164.  I'm also using this for the Late Night Stamper's weekly challenge - to go green!

The thought here was to keep the colors somewhat subdued, yet still give the recipient a bright spot to their day.  The dsp is Greenhouse Gala, layered on a Very Vanilla card base.  The Top Note piece is cut from Old Olive, layered with Cajun Craze and then Very Vanilla.  The Cajun Craze layer was punched with the corner and border scallop trim punches.  Almost forgot how to do that I haven't done it in a while!!

The large butterfly was cut with the butterfly die in the cork and the smaller one is from the Beautiful Wings embosslit.  Layered those with an Old Olive button and Pumpkin Pie flower brad.  I took the prongs off the flower brad and used my hot glue gun to attach to the button.  The entire butterfly piece is up on dimensionals.  The sentiment is from Teeny Tiny Wishes.

Upload your creation to either your blog or to an online gallery and post a link to your creation to this blog entry by March 19, 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 GCA128 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 # 127 - Let's Hear it for Green!!!

Hello all!!!  I'm sure you all so this coming didn't you??  Well, I just couldn't help it!  LOL!!

This week's challenge is to focus on the Green's in our card stock stash, in honor of St. Patrick's Day coming up.  Your creation does not have to be related to St. Patty's Day, but it just needs to have lots of green!!!  Use your card stock, embellishments or inks to bring it on!

This never-ending migraine is FINALLY gone!!!!!  I HATE those things!!!  Thank you to all who sent me well wishes!!

Finally I got the Petal Cone die from the Occasions mini and, of course, had to play with it right away!!!  I wasn't really sure what I was going for at first, except that I knew I wanted to put a "window" in one of the sides. 

The base of the cone is Pear Pizzazz and then I covered it with the Springtime Vintage dsp.  Of course, the green side!!  And to throw a little more color, I used the flowery side with Rich Razzleberry.  The handle, which you can't see all of, is using Pear Pizzazz twill.

And just because I am soooooo anal about things, I covered the inside with Very Vanilla!!  It just didn't look right with the window.  The button is one of the Sweet Stitches fabric buttons.  Once I finished this I wasn't sure what to do with it.  I was looking at the banner strips left over and decided to try greeting on them!  The ones I used are from the Bring on the Cake set from the Occasions mini.

Upload your creation to either your blog or to an online gallery and post a link to your creation to this blog entry by March 12, 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 GCA127 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 #126 - Bring on the Colors!

Hello all!!  Are you tired of the cold, dreary days?  Snow, snow and more snow???  If you live any of the areas of the world where it's gray and dreary most of the time, then you are anxiously awaiting Spring like I am!!

This week we are going to help Spring along!!  Get out those bright colors, or any colors, and make your creations!!  Any theme, any style just use color!! Color must be the majority of your card.  Use the neutrals lightly.  Help infuse the world with some color!!!

I actually made this card last week, hoping for Spring.  I used the color combo from the RubberRedNeck color round-up:  #23 - Poppy Parade, Crumb Cake and Early Espresso.  A fun color combo.  My neutral is Very Vanilla.  I used two of the SAB set: Punch Bunch and So Happy For You.  I just love that owl!!

I also used the diamond stamp from Grunge Rock on the Very Vanilla strip, off-stamped in Crumb Cake.  It's hard to see, but it's there.  I also stamped it on the Crumb Cake crimped/Faux Suede panel.  Two Very Vanilla brads and one In-Color Poppy glimmer brad finishes it off!

The layout is from the Clean and Simple blog FTL #128.  Not sure how clean and simple I kept this card, but I was intrigued with the layout.  The goal was to get out your die cuts and use them!  No problem here!!  LOL!!  I used the Top Note die in Early Espresso and then just trimmed the edges to the width I wanted.  The trickier part was trimming the Very Vanilla layer!  The owl was punched from Early Espresso and layered with a chest plate of Very Vanilla stamped in Poppy Parade.  The leaves were cut with my Big Shot and then I spritzed them with my Early Espresso marker to make them stand out more.

The inside was kept pretty simple by stamping the diamond stamp in Crumb Cake along the edge and using an owl from my stash.  And more leaves!

Upload your creation to either your blog or to an online gallery and post a link to your creation to this blog entry by March 5, 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 GCA126 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~~~~ 

It's a Celebration - Vintage Style GCA 125!!

Hello all!!!  Since today is President's Day I have the day off and therefore I can create to my heart's desire!!  And do some laundry in between!! 

Here's another birthday card for the challenge this week.  An eclectic/vintage/collage style that I love to do!

The card base is Cherry Cobbler.  The scallops were cut with the Big Shot and Tasteful Trim die.  This is still available for purchase!  Two cut in black and one from the Newsprint dsp.  The back strips were embossed with the Perfect Polka Dots folder.

You can't see it clearly in the picture, but I used the Extreme Elements set to stamp a background.  I stamped the large "splot" in Cherry Cobbler, the feather swish in Black staz on and the Fleur-Di-Lis in Versamark.  The crown was stamped in Cherry Cobbler and versamark and then clear embossed.

The other Eiffel Tower is from the Artistic Etchings set.  Not sure who makes the "face" stamp, but I thought it went very well with the collage.  The leaf is from Martha Stewart and punched in Kiwi Kiss for a pop of another color.

And to add some bling I put a rhinestone on the sentiment tab.  A mini library clip with Very Vanilla 1/8" tafetta finishes it off.  All the images are popped up with dimensionals.

Hope to have you play along this week!

Happy Stamping!!!

~~~Ann~~~

Happy Valentine's Day to YOU!!!!

Hello all!!!  Happy Valentine's Day to all of you!  Hope it was a great day and ate lots of chocolate!!

Here's my Valentine to you.  I was playing around with a new set, Clearly for You, and this is what I came up with.  Some of the parts and pieces were leftovers from other projects.

I've also been playing around with the new style out I'll call Eclectic Vintage, and I really like how it turned out.  Really with this style there is no right or wrong.  Using a variety of the smaller stamps in the Clearly for You set, I stamped them on the DSP from Springtime Vintage.  1 1/2 lattice dies were used to layer over the top.

The rest is bits and pieces, a daisy cut from the cork, scrunched Very Vanilla seam binding, the bird is from the Hostess Level 1 set, Punch Potpourri and an antique brad.  For me, what really finishes this card off, is the little crown stamped in Cherry Cobbler and popped on top of the birds head!  Is that not cute or what???  Of course, every crown needs some bling so I put one of the rhinestones on there.

I had fun making this card and isn't that what it's all about?

Happy Stamping!!!!

~~~~Ann~~~~

GCA #124 - Oh Sew Sweet!!!

Hello all!!!  In my neck of the woods in Michigan we are having a brilliantly beautiful and warm day for February!!!  Maybe spring is really on the way??

Seems like everywhere you look right now, some type of sewing is showing up in stamping.  SU! has a new suite, Oh Sew Suite, in the Occasions mini.  Now, I don't sew, but I have to say I love the new fabric SU! is carrying and the dsp in this mini.  The sewing stamps are adorable, but not for me.  That doesn't mean that I can't still be part of the sewing craze with other products!!

So, for this week, you need to incorporate some type of sewing reference on your creation.  Whether you use dsp, fabric or actual sewing stamps, just show us your love of sewing!

My card is actually one we are making for stamp club today.  The dsp, Sweet Stitches, is a delightful and fun pack to play with.  At first I thought some of the patterns, and colors, were a little too bold for me, but if you break them down into smaller pieces, they work!

I used Wild Wasabi for my card base and layered with So Saffron and Tangerine Tango.  The sewing machine side of the dsp was cut into strips and then layered over the lighter Wasabi pattern piece layer.  This is also our technique card for this month:  Inlaid Embossing and Sanded DSP.  The dsp layers were put through the Big Shot with the Square Lattice Embossing folder and then the sewing machine strip was lightly sanded over to remove some of the colors.

Not much stamping on this card, as I wanted the dsp to show off.  I really like the piece of lighter Tangerine with the dress pattern girl and wanted that as more of my main image.  The sentiment was stamped in black staz on, from Teeny Tiny Wishes.  I ran a piece of the cork sheets using the Daisy die, for the embellishment.  The button is from the new pack in the Occasions mini, Sweet Stitches.  A piece of Daffodil Delight 1/8" taffeta is tied through it.  Leaves punched from the bird punch finish it off.

Upload your creation to either your blog or to an online gallery and post a link to your creation to this blog entry by February 19, 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 GCA124 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~~~~

Pure Bliss - DIC131!

Hello all!!!  Another Thursday has arrived and so has another UDI Blog Inspiration challenge!!!  And as the title states, the inspiration piece evokes the feeling of pure bliss!  At least for me!!!

So, I have a card for you that I actually made for a recent swap.  This uses the new, Sale-A-Bration set, Bliss.  This will become available to earn for free on January 25th!!!  Remember, with every $50 you spend, you earn one SAB set.  Do you have your wish list ready?

All of the stamps on here are in this set, plus one more.  I just love the damask stamp, which I used on here as a background image.  It was stamped in Pink Pirouette on Pink Pirouette.

The dsp is the new Springtime Vintage and it is fabulous!!!  So is the fabric that matches it!!!  I took my colors from the dsp:  Rose Red, Very Vanilla, Pear Pizzazz and Always Artichoke.

A small basic pearl gives the touch of "oldness" and the bird in the Pear Pizzazz gives it that right amount of pop!!!

Check out the UDI Blog and the inspiration piece.  Why not play along if you can??

Happy Stamping!!!

~~~Ann~~~

A Nature Walk with You - DIC130

Hello all!!!  Here we are at another Thursday and time for the UDI Inspiration challenge!  This week Maria has given us an adorable birdhouse and birds to pull out our creativity!

I originally started this card for a swap and then changed my mind.  But is works perfectly for this week's challenge!

The card base is white and top folded.  Since I started this a swap, the original card base was Tangerine Tango, but I trimmed that to put it onto the white base.  The dry embossed layer is also Tangerine Tango, with the Square Lattice ef.

The stamp set used on here is the new Nature Walk that is now available in the Occasions Mini!!!  Love this set with the vintage, nostalgic feel to it.  There is also coordinating dsp too!  I used a small piece of it here, the muted olive color.

The bird is stamped in Choc Chip and the bird cage is in Tangerine Tango.  Both are cut out and popped up with dimensionals.  The sentiment tab is half of the decorative label punch and the stamp is from Teeny Tiny Wishes.

Enjoy!!

Happy Stamping!!

~~~Ann~~~

GCA #119 - Got Hearts???

Hello all!!!  I hope this finds all of you warm and cozy, in the north and dry in the south!  Crazy weather happening lately!!

Here's how we can heat things up!  The GCA this week is to incorporate HEARTS, somewhere in your creation.  Your creation does not have to be Valentine related, just include hearts on it.  You could make a birthday, wedding or anniversary card.  Just be sure you have hearts on it somewhere!

WOW!!!  You guys are so very observant, thank you!!!  Trying to do too many things at the same time yesterday!!!  The corrected date and challenge # is now up.  Here's my sample!  Will give you all the deets tonight!  Off to work!
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 15, 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 GCA119 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~~~~