Virtual Stamp Night (VSN) Creations

This past Friday and Saturday was VSN on Splitcoaststampers. I had the fortunate opportunity to host a challenge. Although, I didn't get as many cards/challenges completed as I would have liked, I was so happy to play most of the day yesterday. The theme was "on Cloud Nine" so all the challenges in some way related to that theme. Since there is a 45 minute time limit to each challenge, there is little time to fuss about your card. And there is little time to list all the supplies used; so I'll do that here now.

The first card and tote was the challenge I hosted. I called it "Cloud 9 Math" (NOV10VSNO). The challenge was to make a 3x3 tote, or a 3x3 notecard box or make 4-3x3 cards. I love how this tote turned out & I made four cards, two in green and two in red.
Supplies:
Image: Bells and Boughs (SU)
Paper: Cherry Cobbler, Mellow Moss, Vanilla (SU), DSP- Figgy Pudding (Basic Grey)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (momento), Cherry Cobbler, Mellow Moss, Soft Suede (SU)
Accessories: Lacey Squares & Classic Squares Nestabilities (Spellbinders); Scallop & Circle punch (SU), Corner punch & embosser (Fiskars); Pearls (SU)

The second card was made late last night for two challenges. The first challenge was the last VSN challenge (NOV10VSNR). to honor or remember angels in your life. I chose three angels- my sister, my mother and my grandmother. My mom and granny are in heaven now, but they were expert seamstresses. My mother made all my dresses when I was a young girl. She and my sister took the scraps from all those dresses and made me a double ring quilt as a wedding present. It is probably one of my most favorite gifts of all time. All three were/are wonderful role models. The challenge also asked that we distressed our card. I'll send this card to my sister whose b-day is later this week.

The second challenge is the FS197. Angela (aka jellybeans74) was chosen. I started with this card: http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/ga...;ppuser=106358. But is was late when I made the card & with the 45 minutes time limit for the VSN challenge, I ended up making a lot of modifications to Angela's card. But if you look close you can see the basic sketch.

A little explanation about some of the things that I used for this Sewing Angels card. I purchased for 25cents at an estate sale a retro McCalls pattern {the real deal}. I started with Gina K white paper & cover it with the pattern to give the thin tissue paper pattern some strength. I distressed it with Vintage photo ink because it lost it's crafty color with the white background. I also purchased my Baker's Twine from an Ebay store called A touch of Vintage Chic about two-three months ago when I couldn't find it anywhere in St. Louis. The store has some pretty cool stuff including fabric. Now Michael's carries MS twine, but once I saw it on SCS, I had to have it NOW! I know you know what I mean! LOL!! Last thing to let you know is the Sassfrass Lass Cherry Delicious paper comes with scalloped edges that is different than the rest of the paper. Pretty cute, huh?

Supplies:
Image: Make Your Own (Hero Arts)
Paper: Red Hot, White (Gina K), Marina Mist, Cookie Crumb (SU); DSP-Cherry Delicious-Sapphire (Sassafras Lass)
Ink: Broken China & Vintage Photo Distress Inks (Tim Holtz-Ranger)
Accessories: Real Red & Brocade Blue grosgrain ribbons (SU); Baker's Twine; McCalls pattern; stash red & white buttons; Red flower (Making Memories- embellishment suitcase)

The third card is one of those cards that I am not crazy about, but I ran out of time with the VSN. The challenge was NOV10VSNI to make a floating sentiment. Well, I must have had me head in the clouds because I chose the teeny tiny sentiment to cut up the letters. It took over 20 minutes & when I was done, time was out & I sure didn't like the look. I am planning on changing it out with a nestie label. Probably better to use a bigger sentiment to cut letters apart {Duh-Slaps head}

Supplies:
Image: Harvest Assortment (Inkadinkado), Teeny Tiny Sentiments (SU)
Paper: Really Rust, Vanilla, DSP-Autumn Meadows (SU)
Ink: Really Rust (SU)
Accessories: ScorPal, Brown Bakers Twine, Scalloped Rectangle Nestabilities (Spellbinders)

The fourth card is much more beautiful in real life. This was my take on the NOV10VSNK challenge where we were challenged to make a card based upon "What Puts You in the Clouds?". Besides papercrafting, I love coffee. The paper is SEI & it's gorgeous. I belong to the monthly SEI club where I receive a kit each month. I joined in April when the Creating Keepsakes convention was here in St. Louis. I got some great deals for signing up & the kits are fabulous. I had hoped it would spur me to scrapbook more; it has but only a little bit as I still prefer card-making. But I love the SEI products for card making & paper crafting. If you've never experienced their products, give it a try. Everything is A+ quality. Here is a link to their blog. The paper I used here is gold foiled & it is hard to see the radiance, but it's magnificent. Also I can't even begin to tell you how wonderful it feels! {BTW- I am not reimbursed with their products for blabbering about them. Too bad for me-LOL!} I'll send this card to my youngest daughter who is in college. We share a passion for Starbucks.

Supplies:
Image: My Cuppa Joe (Gina K)
Paper: More Mustard (SU), White (Gina K), DSP-Stillness- Moonrise collection(SEI)
Ink: Rich Cocoa (Momento), More Mustard (SU)
Accessories: Eyelet Circles& Classic Circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders), oval & oval scallop punch (SU); gold glitter pen (unknown maker)

The last four cards are the blue trio. You may know it's my favorite color & so I was happy it worked out for several of the VSN challenges. Card Five was a lot of fun because I just got these Nestabilities in the mail this past week. I made this for the NOV10VSNL challenge to make a card with blue and white. The card opens at the white panel, so there is a blue scallop on top and a blue scallop when opened (on the inside). I'll likely go back and add a bit more color like orange carrot noses & maybe a little flower soft, but for VSN challenges, I usually can't get all that done in the 45 minute time frame.

Supplies:
Image: Holiday Lineup & Teeny Tiny Wishes (SU)
Paper: Bashful Blue, Marina Mist (SU), White (Gina K)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (momento), Markers- Bashful Blue, Marina Mist, Tempting Turquoise, Pacific Point (SU)
Accessories: Label 14 Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Snowflake punch (MS =Martha Stewart), bling (Michaels)

Card six is one of my favorite of the bunch and very easy. I used a retired (very old) stamp set that I purchased off Ebay for a reasonable price. I loved the snowflakes & love making Christmas cards. I have been buying lots of the retired holiday stamp sets off Ebay almost always under the original price. This card was made for NOV10VSNA challenge to make a Christmas card without red and green. I immediately thought of blue and white and snowflakes!

Supplies:
Image: Snowflakes, Warmest Regards (SU)
Paper: White, Bashful Blue (SU), DSP- unknown name but by SU. I think it is really old; I bought from a demostrator at her year end sale to get rid of retired product.
Ink: Bashful Blue, Marina Mist (SU)
Accessories: Snowflake punch (MS), Bling (Michaels), Brocade Blue grosgrain ribbon (SU)

Card Seven was made for NOV10VSNG2 challenge to create a card with lots of white space. I used my recently purchased Gina K heavy base weight pure Luxury cardstock. Oh my goodness! I now know why it's called Pure Luxury! {I don't get reimbursed for telling you about how I drool over this paper}.

Supplies:
Image: Thanks (American Crafts)- Sentiment
Paper: White (Gina K), Marina Mist (SU); DSP- SU retired (as noted in the above card)
Accessories: Snowflake punch (MS), Bling (Michaels)

The last and eighth card was made for NOV10VSNP challenge where Kelly (aka Schrimcat) challenged us with a sketch. Another fun one for as I just got this DP paper in the mail with a big order from Crop Chocolate. I was excited to get the order as I thought the paper would match great with Baja Breeze but one never know with on-line color matching. It did match wonderfully as you can see. Crop Chocolate is a website that features several specials every day. You can accumulate/hold them in your "la carte" for up to 45 days. My DH calls it a virtual layaway for scrapbookers. The link is in my sidebar to a website with numerous *daily deals*.

Supplies:
Image: Happy Everything (SU); the snowflake is a sticker
Paper: Baja Breeze, Close to Cocoa, Riding Hood Red (SU), White (Gina K), DSP- Falling Snowflakes-Wintertime collection (Echo Park)
Ink: Baja Breeze (SU)
Accessories: Snowflake sticker (Wintertime collection-Echo Park); Eyelet circle & scalloped circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Buttons- white (Stash), Blue (Periphery-Basic Grey), Spritzer tool (SU), Bakers twine; lots and lots of dimensions.

Whew! SO glad you joined me today and all of us over at SCS for the Virtual Stamp Night.

Have a great Sunday! Hugs, Marilyn

Light of the World

This card was made for this past Sunday's Featured Stamper challenge on SCS where BobbiesGirl (aka Carol) was our chosen stamper. I picked this card to case. I will be making a gift set for my sister for Christmas. She is very involved with her church, so I am hoping that she will enjoy cards with some bible verses.

I'm sure you can see the similiarities to Carol's so I won't bother detailing what I changed and kept like we do for the SCS challenge. Instead, I'll share how I made the flower. For the bottom layer, I used my scalloped circle nestability; I pencil marked the center & then at every scallop, I cut toward that center mark to make the petals. The next layer was the Dahlia nestability die & the top paper layer was made with the SU scallop circle punch. The same petal making technique was used for all three paper layers. After cutting the petals, I spritzed with water and curled the edges a bit. I added the crocheted flower and used the sparkled lavender brad to hold the layers together.

Hope you like it! I have quite a few more cards from VSN (virtual stamp night) to post, so please come back soon.

For my US friends, have a wonderful Labor Day holiday!
Hugs, Marilyn

Supplies:
Image: Sentiment by B&B Cardstock COo.
Paper: Lavender Lace, Lovely Liliac, Gable Green, Vanilla (SU); Latte (DCWV)
Ink: Lavender Lace
Accessories: Nestabilities- oval, scallop oval, round scallop, dahlia (Spellbinders); Cuttlebug (Provocraft); punch- scallop (SU); lavendar ribbon (stash), Lace-hem tape (Wrights); Crocheted flower (Fancy Pants); sparkle brad (all kinds of happy-Imaginisce)

Cupcake Birthday & Coral Blooms

This card was made for the Featured Stamper challenge on SCS. LeAnne's gallery is filled with wonderful creations. I chose to case this card. I am very happy with the Close to My Heart acrylic stamps- very crisp images & no need to prep or prime the stamp in order to get a nice image. I love this sketch and have used something similar and possibly identical in the past. I used up some retired stamping up designer paper. One thing that is really nice when you use double sided DP is that you can cut the full size (in this case 3 3/4 X 5 panel) and then just cut it in half and flip one side over and mount; because the double sided DP always matches. Another thing I love about this sketch is that you can use the center ribbon or narrow paper to hide if the designer papers don't match up precisely. It is a fairly quick card.

I am really happy with how this card turned out. And happy because it is honoring a very special stamper. This was made for the Queen for the Day SCS challenge. Lesley, aka Marleygo was crowned on Friday. It took me several days to complete as I only had a few minutes on Friday and Saturday to work on it. I chose to case this card. It is perplexing to me how sometimes when I start with an idea- whether it be a sketch, color combo, a case, or embellishment and as I create the card, it morphs. Most of the time, my idea doesn't look like my imagination pictured. I know other stampers experience this as I have read similiar descriptions.

I intended to also complete this past Tuesday's color challenge with this card, but I couldn't get turquoise to work. So I stuck the other two colors- cameo coral and ruby red and added close to cocoa. The image panel started larger like Lesley's; but that didn't look right either despite numerous adaptations. I just love this creative journey, don't you?

Have a great week friends! Marilyn

Cupcake Birthday Supplies:
Stamps: Piece of Cake (CTMH-D1407)
Paper: Bashful Blue, Certainly Celery (SU!), White, DP- retired SU!
Ink:Tuxedo Black (Momento), SU markers: Apricot Appeal, Bashful Blue, Certainly Celery
Accessories: Nestabilities- circle and scalloped circle (Spellbinders), Apricot Appeal ribbon (SU), glitter glue (Sulyn Industries- stash recycled from my kids old art cabinet)

Coral Blooms Supplies:
Stamps: Eastern Booms (SU!)
Paper: Cameo Coral, Ruby Red, Close to Cocoa, Vanilla
Ink: Cameo Coral, Close to Cocoa, Ruby Red
Accessories: Ribbon- 5/8"white organza (SU!), Button (stash), adhesive pearls (want2scrap)

IC233

Today was a great day! I woke up a bit too early (around 4 am) and just couldn't get back to sleep. So instead of fighting it, I started organizing the studio. Really organizing! I removed from my file cubes' hanging pendaflex folders all the retiring SU! papers & put them in a big basket under my desk. I am going to use up as much as I can, but there is a lot there. I have every color in 8.5 X 11 card stock. So that's 24 packages of papers & some (like the purples/lavenders) are nearly full.

I filed some of the newer papers I purchased at the CK convention & a few good finds from other stores including the three local craft shops that I adore. (Red Lead, The Ink Spot, The Checkered Cottage). Each offers a little something different & I have to limit my trips because I always find way too much cool stuff.

Recently, I organized my nestabilites, my brads and embellishments, flowers and embossing powders into new places including some faux leather baskets in solid colors of bright green, an orange and a hot pink (From Hobby Lobby- multiple trips with the 40% off coupon).

I reorganized my stamps; and put my few current favorites sets, my birthday sets and my favorite sentiment sets into two baskets near my work area. I cleared off one side of my center island that serves as a second work surface (it was over-run with magazines, papers and other odds and ends). Now, I have a place for scrapbooking or other bigger projects where I can leave that current project out until it is done. Since I joined the SEI club where I receive a project each month this was a quite a necessity!

I am so thankful to have a studio room of my own where I can store all my wonderful crafting 'tools of the trade' and a place to craft. I would have never thought five years ago that I would have gotten so 'taken' by this hobby, but I love it and it seems I love it more with each passing year. I have met some marvelous women through SCS, here in St. Louis and more recently a few new friends through the CK convention. Life is sweet!

My first card:
Image: Matthew 7:7 (Stampabilities) & Innoscents 2 (Heartfelt Creations)- these fit blossom 2 nestabilities
Paper: Crushed Curry, white, DSP- Razzleberry Lemonade
Ink: Rich Cocoa (Momento); Copic Markers (I'm learning), white craft & summer sun for distressing
Accessories: Nestability Blossom 2, In stitches template (brazzil), Emboss & punch (fiskars), stickles

I posted a card yesterday in honor of Deborah, the Queen for the Day on Friday at SCS. I kept looking at it, not liking something but I decided not to fuss with it. Then when I woke up this morning, I knew exactly what to do. Out came the MS butterfly punch and I added the three little b-flys. I like it much better now. Below is the revised version. What do you think?

My mind must have worked over the problem while I was sleeping and gave me the answer when I woke up. Does that ever happen to you? It is sort of weird, but I am not going to think too much about it as I was just happy to have the improved version.

Violet Bouquet

My two days of Creating Keepsakes Convention has come to an end. This was the best time I have had in a long time. Yesterday I took a class where we made four single page layouts using new Basic Grey products. Today, I took a class where we learned a few new techniques & the products were SEI. I'll post some of these things later this week, so stop back by.

I bought lots of goodies, and amazingly I've even put everything away. In addition to spending two days doing my favorite thing, the weather has been gorgeous here in St. Louis. So, I've been able to drive with my convertible top down. It's funny but that really makes me happy!

Today Pat Smethers was chosen as the SCS Featuresd Stamper (FS166). Pat is a wonderful artist and person. I cased this card from Pat's gallery. This card was also made for the Inspirational Challenge (IC227) where we were to make a card based upon our home state. My home state is Illinois & the state flower is the violet.

This card will be for my step-mother-on-law for Mother's Day. She is quite special so I hope that this card will bring her happiness. {and I also hope that my husband likes it!}

Supplies:
Images: Breath of Spring (Just Right), Teeny Tiny Wishes (SU!)
Paper: White, Lovely Lilac
Ink: Black, Lovely Lilac, Lavendar Lace, Handsome Hunter, Sage Shadow, Summer Sun
Accessories: Blender pen, stickles, nestabilities, ribbon, flowers, leaf, brads

DRS- Featured Friday Designer

Here are the cards I made for DRS Designs as this week's Featured Friday Designer. {pinch me!! because even though it has been several weeks since Cathy contacted me, I still can't believe it}.
I chose to focus my Friday around the upcoming holidays. I jibber-jabbered on an earlier post how much fun I am having creating cards for Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas. And preparing for the DRS Friday was no exception. But really...who wouldn't have fun with these fantastic rubber stamps?!

The Halloween card is 6X6 Brazzil textured black card stock as a base. The purple panels are both 4X4, and the upper square panel is covered with DSP. I love these brads, but I have lost the manufacture information, but I doubt that they are available anymore as they were on closeout when I picked them up a few years ago. The thing I like most about this card is the sentiment from DRS Designs. I plan to make these for my team at work...they know I love chocolate and sometimes...well...the other part of the sentiment fits too.

The Thanksgiving card is a gate fold. I really enjoyed coloring this beautiful Autumn bouquet. I am going to love having this stamp in my collection. I've already thought about some different color variations for the bouquet. I used the Scor-Pal for scoring the card stock which made it super easy. On the grid across the top, there are two dots- one at 2 1/8 and one at 6 3/8; these are the scoring lines for a gate card using 8 1/2 paper. Scor-Pal has lots of tutorials including the gate fold card; you can find it here: Scor-Pal boxes and cards

And the last and final card that I made for the DRS Designs Featured Friday Stamper was the Christmas card using the Dryer Sheet technique. You can find a photo tutorial on Splitcoaststampers. You will need a Zyron machine or a spray adhesive but it is not difficult at all. Basically you stamp your image (let dry), run it through the Zyron so the sticky side is on the image, place a used dryer sheet on top (trim sheet to cardstock size) and then add glitter. The glitter sticks to the sticky image and dryer sheet. It gives a soft, glittery focus. I really love the look of the Dryer Sheet technique for holiday cards or snow card & love it because the glitter really stays put.

All the recipes are below. Have a great Friday and weekend!

Recipe for Priceless Halloween:

Images: Witch Accessories-K154, Priceless Halloween-G433 (DRS Designs)
Cardstock: Blackbird (Brazzill), Lavender Lace, Basic Black, Green Galore, Whisper White (SU!), DSP-Trick or Treat Polka Dots (the Paper Studio)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento); SU markers: Lavender Lace, Basic Gray, Green Galore, Creamy Caramel, Close to Cocoa, Crushed Curry
Accessories, Brads- cats and bats (unknown source); ribbon (the Paper Studio)

Recipe for Autumn Beauty:
Images: Pumpkin Bouquet M684, Beauty of Autumn D704 (DRS Designs)
Paper: Crushed Curry, Pumpkin Pie, Whisper White, DSP- Razzleberry Lemonade (SU!)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento), Pumpkin Pie, Only Orange, Yoyo Yellow, Crushed Curry, More Mustard, Really Rust, Dusty Durango, Ruby Red, Rose Red, Mellow Moss, Creamy Caramel, Soft Suede
Accessories: Bender Pen, Hodgepodge Hardware (SU!) Brads (Angelica by Marcella) Ribbon-Striped (Michaels), Pumpkin Pie (SU!), Scallop Circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders)
Technique: Gate Fold

Recipe for the Christmas Night card:
Stamps: Traveling Afar L673 (DRS Designs)
Paper: Night of Navy, Bravo Burgandy, WW
Ink: Night of Navy'
Accessories: Texturz Plate 1, Large silver Grommet, 5/8' Bravo Burgandy Grosgrain Ribbon, 1/2' Night of Navy Grossgrain ribbon (SU!); silver brads (Making memories), oval scallop nestabilities (Spellbinders), Zyron

Glad Grad

Don't you just love long weekends?! I sure do for lots of reasons. First, I get a little more stamping time; second, I have a little more time to do the odd jobs that never seem to make it to the top of the list during a regular week {like cleaning drawers, closets}; and most of all, I get to spend more time with my family. This has been particularily enjoyable holiday weekend because my daughters haven't been too busy & have been hanging around the house more than usual. Pretty soon they will be busy with summer jobs and summer fun & I will see them as they 'fly in & out'.

The above card was a simple one that I created yesterday evening for our niece who just graduated from college. Her school colors are red and white. I also participated in the Featured Challenge on Splitcoaststampers (SCS) where Mercy Kerin was FS #120. I chose her Mother's Day card to CASE. I kept the layout and the ribbon. I changed the large button to a brad; changed the colors and dsp; changed the image. I eliminated the paper piercing.

Just this month I purchased more nestabilities from Cut at Home. If you join their VIP list {free}, you recieve a coupon each month for 40% one item. They sell all types of card making supplies including nestabilities which come in sets of four or in singles. I purchased a set of 4 nesties-standard circles large and small & the scalloped circles large and small; a total of 28 dies. I don't usually 'promote' websites & I am not recieving any compensation; I just wanted to let you in on a good deal if you haven't already found this. One last thing- you won't get inundated with emails- max two per month.

To my U.S. friends, have a great Memorial Day!

Recipe:
Stamps: Grad cap- studio g
Paper: Real red, WW, DSP- Real red from Print packs (SU!)
Ink: Real Red
Accessories: Cuttlebug, Colluzle, Nestabilities, sponge daubers, big white brad- Hiedi Swapp, ribbon- michaels