Blogger's Challenge Week 11 - This one was hard!

This one was sooo tough. The challenge was to use the Circus Train card from page 92 of the Stampin' Up! catalog as inspiration. I struggled with this one! I did not find the layout appealing initially -- very plain backgrounds just don't do it for me! After an hour of struggle, I finally was inspired. I have to admit, this started out simpler -- but I just kept going and going... It has ALOT of elements, but I actually like it!

Make sure to check out the other Blogger's Challenge cards from the ladies in the group -- you will be amazed at the absolute variety and creative thinking that was put into this.
Perfect Presentation, Season of Joy, Snowburst, All in a Row Stampin' Up! Stamps; Papers and ink: Colorbox, SU!, Memories

Tag Flower Challenge Results

At the end of last week's Blogger's Challenge, I challenged YOU to make a tag flower card using the tutorial I presented. What great cards were submitted! All of the submissions are in the slide show below -- thanks to all of you!

I randomly picked three people to receive the cards I made last week from the entries. Vera LeMarsh, Betsy Hawkins and Ronnie Crowley will all be receiving tag flower cards from me.

Of course, I couldn't resist making just one more... It is on the right. It was made with Close To My Heart's Adorable Stamps and Wild Asparagus Paper.

Enjoy the slide show!

Bright and Colorful Creations

I joined a color challenge on one of Yahoo lists last week to use Tempting Turquoise, Pumpkin Pie and (either) Green Galore or Garden Green to create a card for a partner. Well, if you read this blog, you know me -- I can't just make one! I made three for this challenge and had my kids select which one went to my partner.

Since the list this was for is strictly Stampin' Up!, the materials listed below are all from SU. The top card uses the Fabulous Flowers, Brocade Basics and So Many Sayings Sets. To make the large flower:

1. Color the flower with markers in the colors desired. I used turquoise on the center petals and green on the outer petals.
2. Spritz the flower with water and stamp on white CS.
3. Spritz stamp again and stamp the flower on the green panel to make the background paper. Note: I spritzed and stamped several times for multiple images.
4. Allow the flower to dry, cut out, add pop-dots, and pull up some of the petals around the edge for more dimension.

The second card, on the left, was made using the Priceless and So Many Sayings Sets. Note that I Made a Popcorn Scallop Border and added eyelets in every other lower scallop. Directions for creating the popcorn scallop border are here. I also used a flower from the Pretties kit and colored it with dye reinker and water.

The final card (below) uses the Wanted, Fabulous Flowers and Priceless sets, along with the Sanded background. The words and the orange dots are covered with Crystal Effects. It is very striking in person! This is the card I sent to my partner. I think my boys chose it because it is a very in-your-face card -- the words just pop right off the page.

This is not a combination that I have ever worked with before, so it was a little challenging for me! I really like it, though -- such striking cards. So, which is your favorite?

New Stamps, A New Z-Fold

Two weeks ago I was contacted by a former subscriber who wanted to take advantage of the special pricing I had on my site a few weeks ago. She wanted to resubscribe to the TJ Newsletter and she was especially interested in the Z-Fold card from the August 2007 issue. I told her that if she re-subbed, I would send her one.

This week I returned from vacation and found these gorgeous SU stamps on my doorstep. I just had to make her a new card! Who cares that I have 6 or 7 other samples I could have sent...they won't go to waste, I'm sure.

In any case, this card uses Stampin' Up!'s True Friend set, along with various papers. I think the designer paper is from Daisy D. Hope you like her card (and I hope she does, too). I have to say -- I just LOVE the die cut rubber!

Blogger's Challenge Week 9 "Get Punchy"- With a how-to

This Friday's Blogger's Challenge was to use Punches on our creations. I had been tossing ideas around in my head all week for this and had several ideas, then I received a RAK from Kelly Mahoney that inspired my card. Using a tag punch to create a flower was new to me; since I received the card I have seen several on the net. I suspect, though, that this idea may be new to some of you, too, so I have included the "how-to" directions below. I hope you enjoy!
I also couldn't just make ONE card. I made two this week! The one above uses a small tag punch for the flower and a Key-tag punch for the word window. I love double-sided paper! So many options. I used Stampin' Up!'s Priceless set, Sanded Background Stamp, designer paper and cardstock for this one. I also used my Scor-It board for making the ridge around the top panel.
This is the second card I made:

The paper for the flowers was originally cream and brown; I brayered turquoise ink all over it to change it to the colors I wanted. This is not my original idea, it was an idea was introduced to me by Lisa Somerville.
Teal, Red,Brown and Gold (looks like cream, but it is gold)! I am certainly working hard at expanding my color palette, don't you think?

The background and "friendship" are both from SU's Tres Chic Background -- the doodles are from SU's Priceless set. I also used a ticket punch in some of the corners, too.



Here is Kelly Mahoney's card to me that inspired this adventure:
I love the rhinestone brad in the center of Kelly's flower.

















Want to know how to make these tag-flowers? Here is how:
- Start by punching a 8 small (or 7 large) tags from double-sided paper.

- Fold the bottom left corner up to meet the opposite edge, from straight edge to straight edge, as shown.

- Fold the top right corner of the triangle to meet the fold on the left side. You just made your first "petal!" Repeat with remaining tags.

- To assemble, find the center point on your prepared background and adhere the tag-petals around it in a circle, butting edges against each other to create the flower. Add a brad, button, bead, chipboard or glitter in the center and you are done!

Here is a challenge for YOU -- try the punch flower and email me your creations. I will post them next Wednesday and mail my cards to two randomly drawn entrants.
My email address is:
phuntoon@optonline.net

If you prefer, send me the URL of where I can find your posting in the comments and I will post it from there. Hope you will play along!

Make sure to check out the other Blogger's Challenge players listed in the left column. I am always amazed at the creativity and sheer variety of talent on this great challenge group!

Nice Matters Award

Lisa Somerville awarded me the "Nice Matters Award -- thanks, Lisa! According to Lisa's blog, "This award is for those bloggers who are nice people; good blog friends and those who inspire good feelings and inspiration. It is also for those who are a positive influence on our blogging world.
Once you've been awarded please pass it on to others who you feel are deserving of this award." Thanks, Lisa! There are so many great bloggers out there -- I can't pick just a few! Lisa would be MY number one choice, though...

Another batty card with a peek-a-boo window

I meant to share this yesterday -- I made this as an alternative to the card yesterday, but ended up keeping this one. Directions for the window are here.

I have a ton of cards to share -- I just need to take some pictures of them!