Tuesday, July 29, 2014

Shopping Our Stash #162: Triple Threat

Hello peeps and good morning! It's time for another challenge at SHOPPING OUR STASH! This week, we want you to use at least three of the following: ribbon, flowers, lace, pearls, sprays/mists, punched elements or die cut elements, rhinestones, doilies (stamped will work also), dry embossing or scoring OR use three of one type of embellishment. We've given you a boat load of options to work with to get your crafty mojo going! LOL! Here's the card I made:


 and the inside:

Here's my list of elements used: a border punch, oval die cuts, ribbon (first time using it - there was a nice coating of dust on the cellophane wrapping), lace, and pearls. I based the colors I used from the ribbon. (well, duh!) I punched one side of the white strip under the ribbon, and trimmed the other side close, as I was going to sew some cross stitches over it. Then I decided that was a bad idea. Now what to do with this lopsided panel? Hmm, I spotted that lace and thought that would look cool/weird/different. So that's what I did. ☺ Finished the inside and that was it.

Now it's your turn! Make a card or project with at least three of the above items and add it to the linky at Shopping Our Stash! Please do check out what my teammies made to inspire you also! Thanks for stopping by and I hope you get the chance to play along!

Chris
Supplies:
Stamps: Paper Smooches - Paws for a Cause
Ink: Memento - Rich Cocoa, Tuxedo Black; Ranger DI - Tumbled Glass
CS: the Paper Co. (blue); scraps
Accessories: Michael's - ribbon; EK Success - paw print edger punch; May Arts - lace; Creative Charms - pearls; Grand Calibur, Lg & Sm Oval Nesties; Faber-Castell - Pitt Artist pen
Adhesives: SA by 3L - MyStik permanent, 3D foam squares; Recollections - red tape


Sunday, July 27, 2014

Procrastination is my Superpower!

For my Sisterhood of Snarky Stampers post, click here, or just keep scrolling! ☺

Hello peeps! I have a card to share combining a couple challenges, one of which is about to expire, so this is gonna be quick. (wink!)


 Here is the inside:

I'm playing along with Merry Mondays #118 (use buttons and ribbon), and Freshly Made Sketch #146.
It's pretty self explanatory. The two horizontal strips are bits of ribbon. I glued a button on top of the snowflake. When I had everything adhered on the front, I thought there was too much white space, so I took the nozzle off of the glimmer mist and tapped splotches over the card. (I did cover the main elements so they didn't get any ink on them) I wasn't planning on doing that on the inside panel, but I smeared some brown ink on it (Grrr!), so more splotches. A strategically placed splotch covered the smear. It's like I meant to do that! LOL!

Here are the challenge graphics:

 

That's all I have for now. Thanks for hanging out, and I hope you have a great day!

Chris
Supplies:
Stamps: Unity - October 2012 KOM
Ink: Memento - Rich Cocoa
CS: Recollections
Accessories: KI Memories - ribbon; Michael's - snowflake; button & twine from my stash; Tattered Angels - graphite Glimmer Mist; Grand Calibur; Cuttlebug EF from the James set
Adhesives: SA by 3L - MyStik permanent, 3D foam squares; Ranger - Glossy Accents


Saturday, July 26, 2014

Sisterhood of Snarky Stampers #13: L is for Layer (as in one!)

(Here is Flat Edna, frolicking in the flowers!)

Yep, that's right. The SISTERHOOD OF SNARKY STAMPERS want you to create a one layer card. You can use a card base plus one layer - but that's all! Flat Edna may appear sweet and innocent, but don't forget she wears combat boots whist in the bathtub, and she won't have any reservations about shoving her boot.....well, you get my meaning. (wink!)  Here's what I made:


Here's the inside:

After sizing and printing out the image, I colored it with my Spectrum Noir markers. I tried coloring the letters like chrome. (I Googled chrome lettering to get an idea of how to color them. Amazing what you can find on the Google!) I liked how it came out, but thought it was missing something. That's when my hubby came in to see what I was working on. When I asked him if the letters looked like chrome, he said yes, but they should be shiny. That's when I gave myself a face palm and said, "I can do that! I have Glossy Accents!" Hubby does come up with some excellent ideas! Here's another pic showing all the shiny:


I recently made aware this acronym to my older bother, Steve. It's now one of his favorite things to say! LOL! I'm going to send this to him. He's also a muscle car buff, so that was why I tried coloring the letters like chrome, as a nod to that. I'm sure he's going to get a kick out of this card!

Once the GA dried, I adhered the panel to my card base, then doodled in all the corners to break up all that white space. One more stamped sentiment on the inside finished the card.

So, ready to play along with the one layer card challenge at the Sisterhood of Snarky Stampers? Of course you are! Just link up your card with us by 11:55 PM EST on August 8th. Don't forget to check out what my teammies came up with, and also our newest Queen of Snark, Karola, a.k.a. Pink Unicorn! You'll be amazed! Have a great day, crafty peeps!

Chris
Supplies: Stamps: Bugaboo digi - Stella CRS; Rubber Dance - Sarcasm Superpower
Ink: Memento - Tuxedo Black
CS: Copic Xpress It; Darice
Accessories: Spectrum Noir Markers; Ranger - Glossy Accents; Faber-Castell - PITT Artist Pen
Adhesives: SA by 3L - MyStik permanent

Tuesday, July 22, 2014

Shopping Our Stash #161: 5 A Day...

Good morning peeps! Time for a new challenge at SHOPPING OUR STASH! This week we want to see fruits and/or veggies on your card or project. Here's my card:


Here's the inside:

I started out using Freshly Made Sketch #145, but it took on a life of its own. ☺ I was digging through my stash of these little shapes, and found a couple carrots. I'm sure I bought them for some reason years ago, but can't for the life of me remember why. I also found a carrot shaped shank button in my button stash. SCORE! I just broke off the shank and glued all the pieces down using Glossy Accents. Except for the card base, all the papers are scraps. I broke out my itty alpha set for the sentiments. Had to have a little snark on my card. (wink!)

And now, for a surprise, I made another card! Yay me! Here it is:


and the inside:

I sort of cased another card shown here as one of the samples. There's no watermark on it so I don't know who made it. I'm assuming it's by Kim Hughes herself. (Thanks for the inspiration!) Again, except for the card base, all papers are from the scrap pile. I colored the veggies and trowel, fussy cut and adhered. The 'dirt' was die cut from one of the Borders 1 dies. I did a bit of masking with the sentiment in the cloud. I already gave this to my next door neighbor, Cathy. She helped me butcher back all the overgrown bushes in my front yard. The next day, I helped her dig out, line, plant bulbs, and mulch a new flower bed. I. Am. Sore! But I'm so glad she moved next door - great neighbors rock!

So, have any stamps or do dads that are fruits or vegetables? Why not use them to make a card or project! Be sure to link it up at Shopping Our Stash! If you get the chance, make sure you check out what my teammies came up with! Amazing cards by all!

Thanks for visiting, and I hope you have a fantastic day!

Chris
Supplies - Bite me card:
Stamps: Studio G - Alphas; Paper Smooches - Hullabaloo (smiley face)
Ink: Memento - Tuxedo Black; Ranger DI - Worn Lipstick
DP: Sandylion
CS: Darice; scraps
Accessories: plastic carrots & carrot button from my stash; Grand Calibur, Std. lg & sm circle Nesties; twine from a package I received.
Adhesives: SA by 3L - MyStik permanent, 3D foam squares; Ranger - Glossy Accents

Thanks so mulch card:
Stamps: Paper Smooches - Green Thumb, Cyber Cafe (thanks), Many Thanks
Ink: Memento - Tuxedo Black; Ranger DI - Salty Ocean
DP: scraps
CS: Darice; scraps; Copic X-Press It
Accessories: Grand Calibur; Paper Smooches - Cloud & Borders 1 dies; Spectrum Noir markers
Adhesives: SA by 3L - MyStik permanent, 3D foam squares; Scotch scrapbooker's glue



Monday, July 21, 2014

Dang, you're old!

Hi there! I have a card to share using Sweet Sunday Sketch #228. Ready? Here it is:


Here is the inside:

Here is the sketch:


I purposely made the card monochromatic so that the image would pop. I think it worked. ☺I wasn't sure what to use for that flower element, but then remembered that I just bought these skull and cross bone adornments and thought, why not?! I used one of my all time favorite sentiment stamps on the inside to finish the card. Who's the lucky recipient of this card? That would be my younger brother, Jim, who's birthday is at the end of this month. He's gonna LOVE this! MUAHAHAHAHA!!!

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you have a great day!

Chris
Supplies: Crackerbox Palace - J00708; Unity Stamps - Feb. & July 2012 KOM
Ink: Memento - Tuxedo Black
DP: Nikki Sivils; LYB scraps
CS: Recollections; Copic Xpress It
Accessories: Spectrum Noir markers; Grand Calibur, Sm & Lg Std. Circle Nesties; Ranger - Diamond Stickles; Tim Holtz - skull
Adhesives: SA by 3L - MyStik permanent, 3D foam squares; Ranger - Glossy Accents



Wednesday, July 16, 2014

Random cards...

Here are some cards that I made, some this past weekend, some a month ago but never posted until now. In no particular order:


and the inside:

This was based on now closed Freshly Made Sketch #144. I know, procrastination is my superpower!


the inside:

This is based on CAS(e) this Sketch #84. I absolutely don't like this card. But, I had these rainbow pieces sitting on my desk for 4 months, and figured the sketch would work with them. Look at me, I used some of the die cut bits cluttering up my craft desk. And there was much rejoicing. Ok, next.

I saw this card and knew I was going to case it. (And now that I've unfortunately know about the big stink of the Gallery Idol winner, a disclaimer: I cased because I loved this card. I did not enter ANY contests with my cards - only sent them to my Father and FIL. Please don't kill me.)

 inside:
 Second card:
 inside:

I don't have the tie die (Hee hee, get it?!) that Amy used. I just used free clip art from the Google, printed, and fussy cut. Let's see, what else....

 inside:

I wasn't around for, like, almost a month because I had two back to back vacations, so most of the cards I made and scheduled were for my design teams. But I did manage to make the Dad's Day cards, and a couple baby cards. This next card was based on Retro Sketches #118:

 inside:

Cute, huh? I thought so too. Love those itty bitty onesies!

Well, that, I think, is enough for now. Time to get dinner started before the DH gets home from work. Thanks for sticking it out until the very end! LOL! Have a great evening, I now hear my wine glass calling to be filled up. (wink!)

Chris
Supplies: Too many to type. If you need specifics, email me at cdring at comcast dot net




Hey, look at that. I'm on time....

...to post this card for two challenges - and they are still open! Woot Woot!! I used the current sketch from Dahlhouse Designs - Wanna Sketch #17 and used the colors from Color Throwdown #301.


 Here is the inside:

and related graphics:


  



This is a mixture of NBUS (See what I did there, Darnell?), and old items. The NBUS: the flip flop dies by Taylored Expressions that I just received in the mail yesterday. (Also, my first purchase from that company - don't think it will be my last!) The rhinestone bling border is also being used for the first time ever. I think I bought it last summer. I was channeling my Snarky Sister, Donna, as she is the queen of the bling borders! The coral paper is from a Stack that came out earlier this year, but the blue and grey papers are scraps from older Stacks. Amazing how well they went together! 

Well, that's it for this post. I've more to get to. Thanks for sticking out until the end, and I hope you have a great day. I'm hoping my evening gets better. Right before I started this post, I was coming home from walking my fur baby, when I was attacked for no reason by some UFSB (unidentified flying stinging bug!) It went right for my shoulder and stung me! Hurt like hell, but it's getting better. Somewhat. I hate bugs in general. I fear stinging bugs in particular. I'm sure it looked really funny the dance I did to get it away from me! I'll leave you with that image. ☺

Chris
Stamps: Paper Smooches - Get Outta Town; Unity Itty Bitty - It's All Good
Ink: Versa Mark; Memento - Tuxedo Black
DP: DCWV: Summer Magic & Lemon Flower, Linen Closet Stack scraps
CS: Recollections
Accessories: Grand Calibur; Taylored Expressions - Flip Flop die; Inkadinkado - black EP; heat gun; David Tutera - rhinestone bling border
Adhesives: SA by 3L - MyStik permanent; 3D thin foam squares; Glue Dots




Another Christmas card...

...for which I combined 3 challenges: 2 of which have since expired. (Cuz that's how I roll....sadly.) Anyway, the three challenges are Just Us Girls #249 - use woodgrainThe Challenge #10, and Merry Monday #116 - white w/shades of green. Here's what I came up with:


here's the inside

The woodgrain paper started out as white washed, but I took mowed lawn DI to it with a blending tool and Wah La! Now it has a nice green tint to it! I did the inlaid die cut technique with the word Christmas. (using silver glitter paper, because a card needs to sparkle!) Shopped my stash for the green burlap ribbon, the holly leaves and the pearls. Finished the inside and was done!

Short and sweet. Now I must go and walk the fur baby. He is insisting on a walk! Thanks for stopping by and I hope you have a great day!

Chris
Supplies:
Paper Smooches - Christmas Sampler
Ink: Memento - Bamboo Leaves; Ranger DI - Mowed Lawn
DP: MME - Dolled Up; AC - glitter paper
CS: Recollections (kraft); Darice (white)
Accessories: Grand Calibur; Paper Smooches - Christmas words die; Michael's - ribbon; Recollections - holly leaves; Creative charms - pearls
Adhesives: SA by 3L - MyStik permanent; Recollections - red tape; Ranger - Glossy Accents

Tuesday, July 15, 2014

Shopping Our Stash #160 - I Can't put it down/away!

Hello and happy Tuesday to you all! SHOPPING OUR STASH has a new challenge starting today, in which we want you to use something(s) that you haven't been able to stop using or put away. Seems simple enough. ☺ Here's my card, then I will explain...


Here's the inside:

So, lately I've been using my Distress Inks a lot. This card uses a stencil (that I won at least 3 years ago and never used until now). I know stenciling is a big fad right now, but I rarely jump on the band wagon right off the bat until 5 or 6 months have passed, if ever....or until I remember I have stencils which I won 3 yrs ago which are buried somewhere in a box. *koff* I can't believe I waited this long to break out a stencil on a card. I mean, I'm no stranger to stencils. I've stenciled borders in one of my bathrooms and the upstairs hallway leading down the stairs. (Sounds impressive, huh?)

Picture taken 4 yrs ago with a timer. Note to self - camera timers are useless when trying
to photograph your always moving dog with you. Anyway, you can see the stencil 
really well in this picture. Don't mind the crappy, messy floor.

But I digress. Back to the distress inks. I've been slowly building up my stash of these babies, cuz I likes to use them! Mostly for making backgrounds, sometimes for stamping sentiments, or for distressing the edges of panels. It's fun! 

Also, I've been using my hoarded butterfly stickers lately. (It's amazing what one finds when one actually looks around in her stash bins!) Not to be left out, the rhinestones sprinkled on my card make a lot of appearances too. 

So there you have it. My long winded explanation of my "can't put it down/away" shtuff. So, what have you been using a lot of lately? Why not make a card or project and link it up at Shopping Our Stash? You know you want to! Don't forget to check out what my teammies dreamed up for your viewing pleasure! Thanks for stopping by, now go get your craft on!

Chris
Stamps: Unity - Fashionistas: Sabrina
Ink: Ranger DI - Worn Lipstick, Squeezed Lemon, Mowed Lawn; Memento - Tuxedo Black; Versa Mark
CS: Recollections (black); Darice (white)
Accessories: Stencil and rhinestones from my stash; K&Co. - butterfly sticker; Martha Stewart - ribbon loop punch; Stampendous - white EP; heat gun
Adhesives: SA by 3L - MyStik permanent; Glue Dots


Sunday, July 13, 2014

Orange is the new black....

I've yet to see that show. (I only have basic cable - no Showtime or HBO). Guess I'll have to Netflix it sometime.

And now, the segway into my card, in which I based the colors from Color Throwdown #300:


 Here's the inside:

and the colors:

Now, as I look at this picture, the baja breeze color looks more greenish than when I was looking at it last night. Oh, well. :P All paper used on this card came from my s-crap bin. YAY! I even used some hoarded ribbon! The twine came from a stamp purchase and was tied around the stamps. I NEVER through away the free bits of twine, because I just know I'll use it at some point! And here you go!

So, there you have it. Thanks for stopping in for a visit, and I hope you have a great day! Stay crafty my friends!

Chris
Supplies:
Stamps: Botanicals 1; Happy Birthday
Ink: Memento - Tangelo, Paris Dusk
DP & CS: scraps
Accessories: KI Memories - ribbon; EK Success - Deco Scallop punch; twine from stash
Adhesives: SA by 3L - MyStik permanent, 3D foam squares; Recollections - red tape

Saturday, July 12, 2014

Sisterhood of Snarky Stampers: #12 - B is for Buttons or Brads!


First off, thanks to Sister Lee for this incredibly YUMMY graphic for the new challenge! Bradley Cooper and Brad Pitt are making an Edna sandwich - so jealous of her! LOL!

Yep, the SISTERHOOD OF SNARKY STAMPERS want you to make a card using buttons or brads. In my case, I used both, since I didn't read the directions carefully enough. *koff*


So, I made an apple tree. On a tag. Which I rarely use. I colored the tag with DI's, then used a couple small cloud stamps and "tried" to stamp them with water. Didn't really work, and you can't really see them. Oh well. I stamped the tree, and glued buttons (leaves) and added brads (apples). Found some ribbon (another hoarded item) that I've had for years but only used one other time and tied it on the tag. A bit of scrap DP underneath and I was done with the front. As for the inside, it's not done yet. I'm still figuring out what to put on the inside. Do I make it a nice card and just add a birthday/thinking of you/etc. sentiment? Or should I add something like "Well, the apple sure doesn't fall far from the tree!"? Decisions, decisions. ;)

In any case, I hope that you get a chance to play along with the Buttons or Brads challenge at the Sisterhood of Snarky Stampers! Please be sure to check out all the fabulous inspiration by my teammies! Now go forth and get your craft on! Have a great day!

Chris
Stamps: Paper Smooches - Gently Seasoned; Metropolis
Ink: Ranger DI - Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint; Broken China, Tumbled Glass, Salty Ocean; Memento - Rich Cocoa
DP: Studio Calico - Snippets
CS: Recollections
Accessories: tag, buttons and brads from stash; American Crafts - ribbon; SN markers; water spritzer
Adhesives: SA by 3L - MyStik permanent, 3D foam squares; Glue Dots



Thursday, July 10, 2014

I'm back!

Yep, I had two vacations scheduled pretty much back to back starting mid June thru last Sunday. I went to visit my sister in NC for a long weekend. Then a few days later, my husband, fur baby and I drove home for two weeks for our annual Illinois/Wisconsin trip. (We are both from Illinois, but most of his family have since moved to WI.) Because of that, I made cards only for my DT responsibilities and scheduled all my blog posts for, like, the last month! But THIS post is happening right now! LOL!

While visiting with my in-laws, there were days that all it did was rain. Not a problem - I came prepared with my Spectrum Noir markers and a bunch of stamped images to color! This was one of the images I colored while there, and now it's made it onto a card:


 Here is the inside:

I just love Eunice! Look at all that attitude! LOL! My favorite things about this image are her smirk, that big hair, and the sneakers! The inside sentiment was printed from my computer. I've used the sketch from STS#24 for my inspiration.

Well, that's it for now. I'll leave you with some pictures from our vacation. Enjoy and have a great day!

Colby LOVES to swim in the lake!

....it's a BIG lake!

The LOML - Andy!

My best friend since Jr. High, Laura and her adorable son, Emmet!

Two very important men in my life - my little brother Jimmy and big brother Steve!

Chris
Supplies:
Stamps: Art Impressions - Eunice; Bugaboo - Gus Tidbits: At My Age
Ink: Memento - Tuxedo Black
DP: Basic Grey - Persimmon
CS: Copic - X-Press It; Bazzill
Accessories: GC, Sm & Lg Std Circles Nesties; Spectrum Noir markers; Faber-Castell - Silver Pitt Artist pen; Inside sentiment computer generated
Adhesives: SA by 3L - MyStik permanent; 3D foam squares


adding pinterest script 3. Changing the Position of the Pin it! button The cool thing about this code is that you have some freedom over where the Pinterest button for Blogger will go over the image. Take a look at the code that you just copied and pasted into the HTML for the word 'center'.