Friends and Chipboard

Good morning!  It's time for another Friends of Speedy TV challenge.  The challenge for today, if you choose to accept it, is to use chipboard.  You will find challenge number 40 on this page.  I hope you play along, as you there is always a prize involved!!  Since we are in October now and just released some really cool Halloween stamps, I couldn't resist getting them out again.  Who am I kidding?  They never left my desk (wink, wink)!  Anyhoo, the challenge isn't about Halloween, it's about chipboard.  I wasn't satisfied with my selection of chipboard images and shape, so I made my own. 

I got out some lightweight chipboard and my new Spellbinder's Shapeabilities Spider Web and created my own chipboard spider.  I got a little tricky with my embossed web image too.  I die cut the web and then covered the die cut with Versamark.  Then I turned it upside down (Versamark side down) on my card base and used my brayer to transfer the ink.  Then I sprinkled embossed powder over it and heated it up.  I love the splotchy look that comes from the imperfect transfer and not-so-fine embossing powder.  I think it matches the distressed look of the font on my Boo! sentiment from I'm Going Batty.  I finished up my card with a few more details like the embossed thread from which the spider is hanging, a couple of rounded corners and some sponging around the edges of the card base.  

I thank you for coming by and hope you have a fabulous day!

Details - Stamps: I'm Going Batty (MFP); Paper: Basic Gray; Ink: Versamark, London Fog; Accessories: Lightweight chipboard, Spellbinders Spider Web, Winter Wonderland ep, heat tool, corner chomper, sponge dauber, stampin' dimensionals, Touch Twin Marker.  

ETA:  Bring on the Sun is the prize for this week's challenge!!

 

Vroom - Mark's Finest Papers Mini

Let's not forget about this new set!  Mark's Finest Papers, A Heinrich Company is releasing this fun mini set this month too!  It's just in time for Halloween and has some really fun sentiments.  It's also offered free of charge when you purchase the four stamps sets releasing this month!  Little Witchie is just too much fun to not have her own stamp set! 

I opted for my standard clean and simple style with an embossed card base and a fun sentiment stretching across the card.  Witchie was fun to color in purple and green.  Those are my favorite colors and happily work on Halloween cards. 

I'm so glad you stopped by and don't forget to check out today's blog hop for your chance to win some new Mark's Finest Papers stamps for yourself.  (My post for the hop is just below).

Details - Stamps: Vroom (MFP); Paper; Whisper White, Basic Black; Ink: Tuxedo Black; Accessories: Copic & Touch Twin Markers, SU rhinestones, paper snips, stampin' dimensionals; Linen & Canvas impression plate (PTI).

Tweet That - Mark's Finest Papers, A Heinrich Company Blog Hop

Welcome to Mark's Finest Papers a Heinrich Company's 

   September Blog Hop! 

This month's New Stamp Set Releases are

Buried Treasure Featured September 25
Going Batty Featured September 26
Autumn Splendor Featured September 27
Tweet That Featured September 28

Please hop along with us! You have a chance to win one of the above stamp sets! Just comment on the following blogs (don't forget this one), each day for more chances to win! (You do NOT have to comment on all the blogs each day! The names are drawn randomly!) All four winners will be announced on September 29, 2012 on the Mark's Finest Papers blog. You can go back and comment if you missed a day. (HINT: The more you comment, the more chances you have to win and comments on the MFP blog count twice!) The deadline for commenting is 11PM EST on Friday September 28, 2012.

 

 

These are some cute birds in today's featured set called Tweet That.  The birds kind of remind me of the blue jays we have around here.  So I colored him up all blue.  I had a little bit of fun with the birdhouse and the base of the birdbath.  I did some masking and now I have a birdhouse on a post!  I die cut out a heart to create a peek-a-boo sentiment for my card.  A couple of lengths of oyster colored baker's twine finishes off today's card. 

 

Thanks for stopping by and don't forget to see what Tangii has created with this new set.

 

Details - Stamps: Tweet That (MFP); Paper; White (MFP), Going Gray; Ink: Tuxedo Black; Accessories: Heart collection framelit dies, oyster baker's twine, colored pencils, corner chomper, craft knife, two way glue, glue dots.



Holly Jolly Greetings - A Mark's Finest Papers Extra Set

I am a little late for the dance (insert blush here).  Here is a card I made with the 5th set released by Mark's Finest Papers, A Heinrich Company called Holly Jolly Greetings.  Some other ladies from the Marks Finest Papers Design Team made samples, along with me, that were featured today on the company blog.  While this set had multiple cute images, I opted for something really simple and stamped up the holly!  It went perfectly with the namesake sentiment (go figure) and made a perfect CAS card.  I found some designer paper that set the tone for me, cut out a couple of Nestabilities, did some faux stitching,wrapped some silver cording.  I tied a bow, stamped my sentiment and attached my colored and trimmed out holly!

 

Thanks for stopping by!  Don't forget to come by tomorrow for the last day of the September Mark's Finest Papers release!

 

Details - Stamps: Holly Jolly Greetings (MFP); Paper: Whisper White, Basic Black, AC Merrymint dp; Ink: Tuxedo Black; Accessories: Touch Twin Markers, Nestabilities, silver cording, stampin' dimensionals.  

Autumn Splendor- Mark's Finest Papers, A Heinrich Company Blog Hop

Welcome to Mark's Finest Papers a Heinrich Company's 

   September Blog Hop! 

This month's New Stamp Set Releases are

Buried Treasure Featured September 25
Going Batty Featured September 26
Autumn Splendor Featured September 27
Tweet That Featured September 28

Please hop along with us! You have a chance to win one of the above stamp sets! Just comment on the following blogs (don't forget this one), each day for more chances to win! (You do NOT have to comment on all the blogs each day! The names are drawn randomly!) All four winners will be announced on September 29, 2012 on the Mark's Finest Papers blog. You can go back and comment if you missed a day. (HINT: The more you comment, the more chances you have to win and comments on the MFP blog count twice!) The deadline for commenting is 11PM EST on Friday September 28, 2012.

 

 

Today's card is a blend of new and old.  I had to showcase these gorgeous pumpkins from Autumn Splendor.  You can only see one of the tendrils on each pumpkin because I paper pieced them and then popped them up, but each pumpkin has three tendrils.  It's really a gorgeous image!  I colored the patterned paper a bit for the leaves, stem and some shadow on the pumpkins.  The bit of old is the sentiment from Greetings and Salutations.  You see, I have a friend who is not well and I felt compelled to make a card from her.  I hope that when this reaches her, she is well on her way to health!

 

Thanks for stopping by and don't forget to stop by and see what Tangii has for you today!  Oops, I nearly forgot to say that I borrowed my sketch from Card Positioning Systems. 

 

Details - Stamps: Autumn Splendor (MFP), Greetings and Salutations (MFP); Paper: Premium Vanilla Cream (MFP), Soft Suede, Recollections Autumn dp; Ink: Tuxedo Black, Soft Suede; Accessories: Copic & Touch Twin Markers, paper snips, SU rhinestones, stampin' dimensionals.

Going Batty - Mark's Finest Papers, A Heinrich Company Blog Hop

Welcome to Mark's Finest Papers a Heinrich Company's 

   September Blog Hop! 

This month's New Stamp Set Releases are

Buried Treasure Featured September 25
Going Batty Featured September 26
Autumn Splendor Featured September 27
Tweet That Featured September 28

Please hop along with us! You have a chance to win one of the above stamp sets! Just comment on the following blogs (don't forget this one), each day for more chances to win! (You do NOT have to comment on all the blogs each day! The names are drawn randomly!) All four winners will be announced on September 29, 2012 on the Mark's Finest Papers blog. You can go back and comment if you missed a day. (HINT: The more you comment, the more chances you have to win and comments on the MFP blog count twice!) The deadline for commenting is 11PM EST on Friday September 28, 2012.

 

 

Today's card was completely inspired by that little ghost image!  How cute is he???    You know he will be shouting Boo! at you, followed up quickly with a Trick-or-Treat and finished off with a Happy Halloween.  There just wasn't that much to color with his white sheet, so I kept my card black and white.  I found some designer paper that worked and divided them with some velvet ribbon.  Now, if only I could convince my daughter she wants to be a ghost, then I wouldn't have to sew!

 

Thanks for coming by!  Don't forget to see what Tangii has on her blog today.  It'll be a treat for sure!

 

Details - Stamps: I'm Going Batty (MFP); Paper: Whisper White, Basic Black, Night & Day Specialty dp; Ink: Tuxedo Black; Accessories: Nestabilities, corner chomper, black velvet ribbon, scor-tape. 

Buried Treasure - Mark's Finest Papers, A Heinrich Company Blog Hop

Welcome to Mark's Finest Papers a Heinrich Company's 

   September Blog Hop! 

This month's New Stamp Set Releases are

Buried Treasure Featured September 25
Going Batty Featured September 26
Autumn Splendor Featured September 27
Tweet That Featured September 28

Please hop along with us! You have a chance to win one of the above stamp sets! Just comment on the following blogs (don't forget this one), each day for more chances to win! (You do NOT have to comment on all the blogs each day! The names are drawn randomly!) All four winners will be announced on September 29, 2012 on the Mark's Finest Papers blog. You can go back and comment if you missed a day. (HINT: The more you comment, the more chances you have to win and comments on the MFP blog count twice!) The deadline for commenting is 11PM EST on Friday September 28, 2012.

 

 

What a fun set this is!  I just had to go with the map image.  I stamped it on tissue paper and then colored it with my Copic Markers.  I left the right end long and rolled it up.  Then, I adhered it to some white card stock to allow the colors to show.  I distressed the edges of the white to match with my map's distressed edges.  Next, I matted it on a light brown card stock and then did some scoring to accentuate my sentiment.  I finished my card off with a deep brown card base. 

 

Thanks for stopping by and don't forget to head on over to Tangii's blog to see what "treasure" (sorry, I couldn't resist) she has in store for you!

 

Details - Stamps:  Buried Treasure (MFP); Paper: Deepest Mahogany (MFP), Textured Brown (MFP), Premium White, tissue paper; Ink: Tuxedo Black; Accessories: Copic Markers, Scor-pal, MM edge distresser, dimensional adhesive.





Friends and Tags

Good Monday morning!  It's a foggy day here at my house.  This morning I am sharing my card for the Friends of Speedy TV challenge to use tags or tickets on your project.  It's challenge number 39.  I opted for tags on mine and stamped up those babies!  I used the basket weave image from Background Fun and then stamped a poppy image and sentiment from Welcome Poppies.  I colored in my poppies and then sponged the edges of my tags.  Finally I threaded a little burlap twine through each tag and called it good.

I incorporated one of my Mark's Finest Papers teammates VSN challenges into this card too.  Angie, challenged crafters to use red in their project.   I just had to oblige with some red poppies.

Don't forget that Mark's Finest Papers offers up a prize to one random participant for this challenge.  This week the stamp set being offered is called Island Life.  You can see an image of it below.

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!

Details - Stamps: Background Fun (MFP), Welcome Poppies (MFP); Paper: Premium White (MFP), Basic Black, Chipboard (MFP); Ink: Tuxedo Black, Crumb Cake; Accessories: SU tags, Copic & Touch Twin Markers, scallop border punch, sponge dauber, black burlap twine, Stripes ef, stampin' dimensionals, glue dots. 



Using It, Fancy Fold Style

Happy Saturday!  Today I bring you a fun card from Thursday and Cathy's Ways To Use It challenge.  Cathy is having us get creative with our folds.  This is fun and easy fold (when you use your Scor-pal).  I basically used the Center Step Card tutorial from Splitcoaststampers and modified it to make it fit in a regular A2 envelope!  There are a couple of quick cuts, a few scores and some folding and then you are onto embellishing.  I used some great fall designer paper to back up my owl here.  Speaking of my owl, she's a sneaky peek from a set that will be released next week by Mark's Finest Papers called Autumn Splendor. 

Hey, if you are looking for something to do today or a way to get stampy, you might want to head over to Splitcoaststampers for VSN. 

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!

Details - Stamps: Autumn Splendor (MFP); Paper:Chipboard (MFP), Early Espresso, Very Vanilla, Sun-kissed Autumn dsp; Ink:  Rich Cocoa, Early Espresso; Accessories: Copic & Touch Twin Markers, vanilla burlap twine, Nestabilities, modern label punch, stampin' dimensionals, Scor-pal.

Sneaking Into Halloween

Isn't that little witch just the cutest!  She's sneaking onto my blog today to let you know what Mark's Finest Papers is up to.  Next week will start the monthly blog hop coordinating with the September release!  Witchie makes an appearance in the mini set called Vroom. 

I colored her in traditional Halloween colors, cut her out and then popped her up over my sentiment strip.  I embossed my card base for interest and added a couple of rhinestones I colored with my markers. 

Inside, the next part of the sentiment says, "It's Time To Get Your Broom!".  This is pretty fun and definitely a good card for a girlfriend or a sister! 

Thanks for stopping by!

Details - Stamps: Vroom (MFP); Paper: Whisper White, Basic Black; Ink: Tuxedo Black; Accessories: Copic & Touch Twin Markers, paper snips, SU rhinestones, Canvas & Linen impression plate (PTI).

A Sneak Peek and An Announcement

I have a fun treat box to share with you today.  It's  a milk carton box that opens and closes, just like the real deal!  I followed the tutorial on Splitcoaststampers for this one.  I have it decorated up with a band and a cute little kitty.  She's all dressed up for Halloween and comes to you from Mark's Finest Papers.  Next week, she will be released in a new set called I'm Going Batty!  The set has a bunch of other fun Halloween images in it that you will just love!  While I was putting the finishing touches on this box, my little girl came into my stamp room and asked who I was making it for.  I answered that I didn't know yet who would get it.  She then asked if she could give it to her teacher...after we will it with candy.  I fear that this is just the beginning of the items my girl will claim out of my craft room.  At least I got it photographed before she swiped it!

 

That leaves just one more thing for me to share.  Last week, I received some really great news.  I applied for and was accepted for the Scor-Pal Design Team!!!  I will be joining a wonderful team of crafters over the next year to create and share some amazing projects.  I hope you'll tag along!!

 

 

Thanks for stopping by!  Be sure to come by in the next few days for some fun new projects!

 

Details - Stamps: I'm Going Batty (MFP); Paper: Recollections Halloween dsp, Basic Black, GKD white; Ink: Tuxedo Black; Accessories: Scor-Pal, scor-tape, Copic & Touch Twin Markers, scalloped oval punch, large oval punch, MS Arch Lattice punch, 1/8" taffeta ribbon, stampin' dimensionals.



Friends and Bingo!

Good morning!  Today we have a new challenge through the Friends of Speedy TV!  Are you ready to play Bingo?  I love these kind of challenges!  There were plenty of options for me to go with, so I had a really great time creating today's card.  I got out my stamp set called Welcome Poppies and my Scenic Selections and had a ball.  While I don't usually stamp on patterned paper, this grid paper was calling to me and I had to oblige.  I really like the fancy script in this set so I used it a couple of times.  I made an easel card so that the card can be displayed and the personal note remains personal, inside!

Here is the bingo board and you can see how I used the second row down by creating an Easel card with ribbon and butterflies!

 

Please don't forget how generous Mark's Finest Papers is and play along for your chance to win a new stamp set!  This set being offered as a prize this week is called Old Summer and you can see it pictured below!

Thanks for stopping by and have a fabulous day!

Details - Stamps: Welcome Poppies (MFP), Scenic Selections (MFP); Paper: Whisper White, Chipboard (MFP), Poppy Parade, Welcome Neighbor dsp; Ink: Tuxedo Black, Crumb Cake; Accessories: Scor-pal, scor-tape, Copic and Touch Twin Markers, small circle punch, thin black satin ribbon, sponge dauber.

 

Diamond Origami, Butterflies & A Tutorial

I found this very cool fold quite some time ago.  I decided to play around with it a little bit tonight while I was watching television.  I grabbed my Verve Stamps to give me a hand!

First, I trimmed my designer paper to 11" by 11". 

I placed my paper with my desired pattern down.   Then I fitted the paper snug up against the top and left hand sides of my Scor-pal.  I brought the bottom right hand corner up to the top left hand corner and creased the fold, forming one large triangle. 

With the longest side of the triangle against the top of the Scor-pal, score first at 3" and then again at 5 1/2".  Taking the right side of your triangle, flip it over and score at 3" and then again at 5 1/2"

Line up the long edge of the triangle at 7 3/4" on your Scor-pal.  I didn't have a groove, so I had to get creative (wink, wink).  Then score down at 3 1/2". 

Trim out those two little triangles that are shown, leaving what looks to me like an envelope flap.  Now, you want to crease all of your folds well. 

Here is where the diamond comes in.  Each end has a small triangle on it.  You pull the outside bottom of the triangle up to meet the top, thus forming a diamond. 

Crease it well.  I am showing the right hand side of the card and you will want to repeat this process on the left. 

Here is what it should look like now.  You have a flap on the top and two diamonds on either side.  Ready to move on??

Got your scor-tape?  Okay line the outside edges as I have above.  Peel the backing off and press it down!  Caution:  When you get to the right hand corner, don't forget to make your diamond shape again!!!

We are ready to fold now.  Take your right hand side diamond and pull it to the left. 

Fold the left had open diamond over to the right.

Now tuck the envelope flap into the open diamond and your card is all folded up! All you have left to do is decorate it.  You can decorate both diamonds and the inside for a great looking card!

Once more, all folded up :)

I hope you have enjoyed my little tutorial for this evening.  If you try this, be sure to leave me a link in the comments so I can see your creations! 

Thanks for stopping by!

Details - Stamps:  Because of You, Blue Skies, Making a Statement (Verve); Paper: Soft Suede, Very Vanilla, Everyday Enchantment dsp; Ink: Rich Cocoa, Poppy Parade, Peach Parade, Crumb Cake; Accessories: Scor-pal, scor-tape, sponge dauber, paper snips, crumb cake seam binding, glue dots.  





Friends and CASE's

Good Monday morning!  Today's card is in direct response to this week's Friends of Speedy TV challenge to CASE (copy and share everything) another crafter's work.  I chose this lovely by Lois, a fellow Mark's Finest Papers Design Team member.  Now her card is beautiful and I subscribe to the "if it isn't broke, don't fix it" mind set, so the changes I made are quite subtle.  To make it my own, I changed the orientation from landscape to portrait.  I chose a sentiment that is still offered by Mark's Finest Papers in a set called Tree Greetings.  I changed the piercing to go all the frame the focal image panel and then added a burlap twine bow.  I used the same image from Pussy Willows and kept the color scheme the same. 

 

There is a stamp set up for grabs this week for one lucky participant in the challenge.  New Pines is the name of the set and you can view it here.    You can also see it just below. 

 

 

 

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!

 

Details - Stamps: Pussy Willows (MFP), Tree Greetings (MFP); Paper:  Snow Columns (MFP), Basic Black, Whisper White; Ink: Tuxedo Black; Accessories: Copic Markers, Mat Pack, piercing tool, black burlap twine, stampin' dimensionals.



First Day, First Grade

 Today is the first day of school for my little girl.  She's in first grade and could not possibly be more excited!!!  Last year, she went to the school where I work (out of our neighborhood) for childcare reasons.  This year as she attends school all day, we won't need daycare any longer.  Here she is waiting for the school bus!  It was a little chilly, so she had to put on her new hoodie!  Excitement got us out to the bus stop about 15 minutes before the bus was expected.  After a while she said, "Mom, this is boring!".  I told her that she could come out later tomorrow.

Here she is getting on the bus!  Hopefully, I did not scare the driver be following her from my house, all along her route and then to the school before heading out for my eye exam.  I hope she isn't referring to me as Stalker Mom with all her co-workers at the Transportation Building.  Although, I can't say that I would really blame her.

Okay, I'll get to the crafty part!  I kind of went a few rounds with my six year old about not buying a new backpack when last years pack is perfectly good!  I wasn't getting anywhere until I thought about decorating her pack.  She bought it completely.  One quick trip to the craft store to get the right color felt and an emergency trip to the drug store after I broke the trigger on my hot glue gun and here we are.  I doubt that she will lose this one.  Incidentally, I stitched on the butterfly trail while we watched The Fellowship of the Ring last night.

 

Thanks for stopping by!

 

Details - Accessories: Sissix Daisies #2 die, grass die (MFT), Flutterby die (Verve), Stickles, hot glue, glitter felt, stiffened felt, silver thread and a needle.



Friends Going Back to School

Hey there friends!  Today the challenge at Speedy TV the challenge is a themed challenge and it is all about going back to school.  It is perfect around these parts as my daughter starts school tomorrow and I go back to work (at a school) on Wednesday!  By now, you are probably used to seeing my clean and simple creations.  I got a little tricky this week by layering my wide grosgrain ribbon through my patterned paper.  I used my craft knife to trim around my apple and then just wove it through there.  I secured it on the backside with some scor-tape!  The patterned paper provide me with the perfect place for my sentiment, which I masked and stamped a couple of times to get it on one line.  A bit of bling finishes it out!

 

Don't forget to play along and then you can be in the running for a Mark's Finest Papers stamp set called I'm in Stitches.  Take a look at it right here! 

 

You know that measuring tape in this set doubles so well as a ruler too!

Thanks for stopping by and have a fabulous Labor Day!

Details - Stamps: Lesson Learned (MFP); Paper: Poppy Parade, Basic Gray, Recollections Autumn dsp; Ink: Tuxedo Black, Basic Gray; Accessories: Copic & Touch Twin markers, corner chomper, Recollections rhinestones, craft knife, sponge dauber, So Saffron wide grosgrain ribbon, scor-tape.