Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Color Challenged

The color challenge on SCS this week was Marina Mist, Certainly Celery, and Baja Breeze. I love color challenges, and this one was just that .... a challenge. :)

I didn't have the exact colors, so I improvised with a couple that worked well, I think.

Interesting colors, huh? I like the overall look of the card and the colors together. I was a bit apprehensive at first. It certainly has an Easter look about it, doesn't it??

The beautiful sentiment is from Yearly Occasions. Such a great, versatile set. The egg is cut using the Cricut and SCAL. The SVG file perfectly fits that stamp ... really cool. The stamps and SVG are available through Clear Dollar Stamps.

Card Recipe ...
Stamps: Yearly Occasions, You're Egg-straordinary, Scriptures of Peace (all from Clear Dollar Stamps)
Paper: Raging River, Billowing Clouds, Certainly Celery, vanilla
Ink: black, celery
Accessories: R81, B24
Techniques: SVG file (You're Egg-straordinary), Tabs and Tags dies, ribbon, gold dots, pop dots



This was a fun challenge - and you should try it, too. The daily challenges on SCS can really kick-start your mojo!! :)


Lots of fun coming soon!!!! Clearly Inspired Challenge on Friday .... New products coming for April ..... Yep .. you do NOT want to miss a thing!! :)

Have a terrific Tuesday and a great, big, beautiful tomorrow.



~*Shell*~

Thursday, March 24, 2011

An Inkling for a Challenge

Today's Ways To Use It challenge was all about ink. We were not allowed to use black, white, or brown ink on our project. Yikes?! That's a tough one for me!


The roses were stamped with ruby ink and colored with watercolor crayons. The leaves were stamped with olive ink and colored the same way. An Aquapainter was used to manipulate the crayon color. The large background was embossed with a Cuttlebug folder which was inked with the ruby ink.

Card Recipe -

Stamps: Roses to Die for (Clear Dollar Stamps)
Paper: Paper - white, blue, dp
Ink: Ink - Ruby, Olive
Accessories: watercolor crayons, aquapainter, Crackle Accents, sanding block, lace, ribbon, pearls, pop dots, corner rounder, Cuttlebug, folder



I'd love to hear your thoughts on my challenge card. I, also, challenge you to try it yourself. It's fun, and it helps you use things that you may have forgotten you have.


Fun stuff coming next week, so check back often. Have an awesome night and a great, big, beautiful tomorrow!!







~*Shell*~

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

We've Got A (two, actually) Winner (S)!!!!

Yippee!!! We have winners from this past Sunday's blog hop!! Are you curious?? Do ya wanna know?? Well, I GUESS I could tell you. Or, maybe, I could make you do tricks like a seal ..... act like a monkey ..... roar like a lion?? Yeah, ok, enough of the zoo stuff. Let's get to the winners!


Drum roll, please ......









Our winners are .....

From Cassie's blog

TR - A Touch of Sparkle, Shine & Color

From Laurie's blog

PAT (mspfd) - Stamp, Paper and Ink



Congratulations to both of you!! Enjoy your wonderful prize. I hope all of you will join us again next month for our blog hop. It will be on the 3rd Sunday of April (17th), which just happens to also be Palm Sunday.



Have an awesome day and a great, big, beautiful tomorrow!!



~*Shell*~

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Sisters In Christ Challenge

The challenge on Sisters In Christ this week is a really fun one. You must have something on your card that is 'hidden' from first view. I would love to do several of these! There are so many fun ways to create like this.


Alas, only one could be done tonight, so here it is. :)




The card was made using the Hydrangea set from Clear Dollar Stamps. I used 2 layers of the actual flower part for the image and one for the shadow. The piece was colored with Copic markers. The ball part of the flower is popped up from the other part, and all of it is covered in glass finish, with small 'beads' of the finish placed around the flower and leaves to look like dew. The leaves are curled under a bit to give a little more dimension.

You can see the 'dew' a little better in this picture.


The tag under the flower slides out to show a sentiment ....



The background was run through the Cuttlebug. I just love the lace 'ribbon' used here, don't you?! I can't wait to use that again. Gorgeous. The background was, also, sewn to add a little more texture and interest.


Card Recipe -

Stamps: Hydrangea, Scriptures of Peace
Paper: white, black, gray, vanilla
Ink: black, brown
Copics: R81, R83, R85, G94, G21, G24
Accessories: Tabs & Tags dies, Cricut, SCAL, Hydrangea SVG file, Cuttlebug, folder, glass finish, lace, ribbon, sewing machine, pearls, sponge dauber, pop dots



Tomorrow, we'll have the winners of the It's A Zoo! Blog Hop!! I can't wait for that!!

Hope you have a fantastic evening and a great, big, beautiful tomorrow!

~*Shell*~

Sunday, March 20, 2011

March Blog Hop - It's A Zoo!!!

What a super fun theme for the Clear Dollar Stamps' monthly blog hop!! Each month, the design team members are given a theme to work around. We're allowed to interpret that theme in any way we choose. There are some fantastic interpretations this month, and I KNOW you want to see them all!!!

Hopefully, you came here from Sarah's blog where she has shown you something incredible, but if not, and you just happened to stop by here today, you'll want to head back to Lori's blog to get started on this fun Blog Hop. She has the list there of all of the participants, as well as the details on the contest and prizes. Yep!! PRIZES! You could win just by commenting on one or all of the blogs in the hop. The more blogs in the hop that you comment on, the better chance YOU have of winning! Two comments randomly selected from all of the blog hop posts will each win a great prize this month. The winners will be announced here, as well as Lori's blog, on March 23rd. Don't miss your chance to win!!!

What could YOU win??
Two lucky winners will each receive a $10 gift certificate for the CDS store!!!


So, my interpretation of "It's A Zoo?" Here ya go!!



I created the cage card using the Cricut and SCAL. Two rectangles were welded together and 6 other rectangles were cut out of one side making the 'cage' bars. The card base was cut from silver glitter paper. The stamped, colored inside piece was white, and was adhered to the inside of the cage leaving the bars loose - with the exception of the outer rim.

Card Recipe -
Stamps - Monkey Madness
Paper - glitter, white, olive
Ink - black
Copics - B00, E31, E33, E37, G21, G24, G28, G94

Accessories - Cricut, SCAL, Tabs & Tags dies, black dot., pop dots


So what do you think?? Is this a fun theme or what??! Now, you need to do the kangaroo hop right on over to Linda's blog to see what awesome creation she has to show you.



I will have several things to show you this week, so make sure you check back soon. Don't forget that we'll announce the winner of this hop on March 23rd, so check in then, for sure!!!

Have an amazingly blessed Sunday and a great, big, beautiful tomorrow!!



~*Shell*~

Friday, March 18, 2011

Clearly Inspired Challenge #24

The challenge for today???? A sketch challenge!!!!!! Woohoo!! I love sketch challenges. They are too much fun.


For all of the information and to enter the contest for great prizes, go over to Lori's blog!


Here's this week's sketch ...

So ... what are the rules for this challenge??

- Challenges are now going to be on the 1st and 3rd Fridays of each month, and you'll have 2 weeks to finish each challenge.

-Challenges can use any stamps or digis from any company

-Only one entry per person per challenge

-Prizes will be given away after both challenges for the month. The number of prizes is determined by the number of participants for the month. For every 20 entries there will be a $10 gift certificate for stamps or digis up for grabs. (For example if over the entire month there were a total of 60 participants in both challenges, there will be 3 $10 gift certificates and 3 of the featured digital images to give away.)

-We will also be giving away the featured digi image....one for every 20 entries!


What did I do with this sketch??


What a fun sketch to work with. I used an 'out of the box' look with the roses, and don't you love that background paper?! I think it is some that was given to me long ago, but it worked perfectly with this card and the tone I wanted on it. The Blooming Bouquet dies were used to cut out the roses and the Tabs & Tags dies were used to cut the sentiment tag. The Cricut and SCAL were used, with svg files, to create the image background layers.

Card Recipe :
Stamps - Roses to Die For
Paper - dp, budding lilac, white
Ink - black, lavender
Copics - R81, R83, R85
Accessories/Tools - Blooming Bouquet dies, cricut, scal, scalloped basic shapes svg, cuttlebug, folder, Tabs & Tags dies, sewing machine, pop dots, pearls, ribbon


Make sure you head to
Lori's blog! to find out the winner of the last CIC and to get all of the details about this one. I can't wait to see what you create!!!



Don't forget to join us for our monthly Blog Hop on Sunday!!!



Have a fantastic Friday and a great, big, beautiful tomorrow.

~*Shell*~

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Clear Dollar Stamps - Digi Release Day

Today, CDS releases several wonderful digi sets. Most of you know that I'm not really into the digi stamps ... I like to ink up my hands and stamps and get messy. :) Today is special, though. Laurie has designed a *fabulous* box svg file that you just MUST try. It is beautiful, and I'm so glad she gave me the opportunity to design with it.


Isn't it cool!? Putting it together is a little tedious, but DON'T let that stop you from doing it. Laurie has written wonderful directions, and once you try it, you will see that it's not bad at all.


Here's the box open.

This would be just perfect for a small pin, necklace or other gift on the occasion of a baptism, confirmation, baby dedication, or other special event.

Recipe ...

Stamps - Cross Messages
Paper - white, gray, pink
Ink - pink, black
Accessories - Cross dies, Cross Box SVG file, Cuttlebug, folder, Cricut, SCAL, pearls, ribbon, glue dots, pop dots


I hope you'll head over to Clear Dollar Stamps and grab this box file along with some of the awesome digi sets being released today. You know ya wanna!!!


Don't forget that we'll have the second Clearly Inspired Challenge of the month up on Friday and the monthly blog hop coming on Sunday!! Lots to look forward to this week.


Have an awesome day and a great, big, beautiful tomorrow.


~*Shell*~

Monday, March 14, 2011

Stampin' Sisters in Christ Challenge

Stampin' Sisters In Christ offers up a challenge once a week. I don't get a lot of opportunity to participate, but I was able to create a card to enter today.

The challenge was to use something we treasure on our creation today. Wow .... that was a wide open challenge, wasn't it?? It sure was for me.

My creation ...

What was used on this card that I treasure?? First of all, the verse. I treasure scripture. This is a beautiful, comforting scripture to use.

Next, I used this fantastic Recollections paper. It's just beautifully embossed, and I can use a sanding block on it gently to bring out the white core. I love the vintage effect it gives.

Last, I used my Cricut to cut the layered shapes. I LOVE my Cricut. I don't think I can craft without it and without it hooked up to my laptop! :)

Thank you to Stampin' Sisters In Christ for this wonderful challenge. I really enjoyed doing it.



Tomorrow - a special release from Clear Dollar Stamps, and Friday brings us the second Clearly Inspired Challenge for the month!!!


Have an awesome evening and a great, big, beautiful tomorrow.


~*Shell*~

Sunday, March 13, 2011

VSN .... Have You Tried It?? Part 2

This is the 2nd part of the VSN post. We'll start with the kids' challenge and go to the end.

I'm going to show off each card and tell the challenge it was for. If you'd like to see the challenges - and even try some of them on your own and on your own time - go here to see them all.


The theme this month was You Make My Heart Sing.


The kids' challenge was to create a card that makes you happy. It had to include one heart.
Kids - Jaydin, my 5 year old.... she was very upset that she forgot her heart. :(

Stamps: Winged Things, Because of You, Ladybug from StampCraft
Paper: green, white
Ink: black
Accessories: colored pencils, ribbon, Cuttlebug, folder


Kids - Jonah, my 15 year old. I think his coloring is phenomenal.

Stamps: old lighthouse set from SU
Paper: white, blue
Ink: black, Copics
Accessories: crystals, self-adhesive button, crystal heart


Kids - Mine
Stamps: Monster Mash (Clear Dollar Stamps)
Paper: blue, purple, white
Ink: black, Copics (E93, 0, BV04, BV08, B21, B24, B29, YR04
Accessories: Cuttlebug, folder, pop dots, crochet flowers, crystal hearts, pearls, ribbon Cricut/SCAL (scalloped circle)


K - Use embossed vellum on the project
Stamps: Sentimental Flowers (Clear Dollar Stamps)
Paper: vellum, blue, dp
Ink: black, Copics (Y11, Y17, BV00, BV04, BV08, C5, b24, G21, R83, R85
Accessories: Cuttlebug, folder, pearls, ribbon, Cricut/SCAL, pop dots

L - Use a food or kitchen stamp. Bonus for using a key.
Stamps: Recipe for Love - digi set
Paper: teal, mat stack, brown, gray
Ink: printer, Copics (R46, BG72, BG75
Accessories: key, crystals, ribbon, twine, pop dots

M - Be inspired of one of the 4 quotes mentioned in the challenge.
Stamps: Scripture Children, For Our Lord - both sets by Clear Dollar Stamps
Paper: Bo Bunny, teal, Toasted Almond, gray, white
Ink: black
Accessories: ScorPal, ribbon, Cuttlebug, folder, pearls, oval punch
Techniques: shadowbox card

N - Be inspired by some part of the song "Wild Thing."

Stamps: Peace Out (clear dollar stamps)
Paper: white, blue
Ink: Black, Copics
Accessories: ribbon, flowers, pop dots, Blooming Bouquet dies

O - Using a background stamp as something other than an overall background.

Stamps: Print Pattern
Paper: white, Mud Pie, cocoa
Ink: caramel, pink, Copics
Accessories: sewing machine, ribbon, flowres, brads, pop dots, pearls


P - Do you hear it? Use the Thumping technique.

Stamps: Petal Prints
Paper: Bubble Gum, white, Bo Bunny
Ink: pink, red (marker)
Accessories: watercolor crayons, crystals, sewing machine, ribbon, cuttlebug and folder, pop dots
Techniques: thumping


I hope you enjoyed seeing all of my creations for VSN. I also hope that you'll join us for the fun next time.

Let me know what you think!!

Have an awesome day and a great, big, beautiful tomorrow!!


*Shell*~

Friday, March 11, 2011

VSN - Have You Tried It? Part 1

Every few months or so, SCS hosts a great event called Virtual Stamp Night or VSN. Each hour, a new challenge is posted for the participants. Folks have 45 minutes (on our honor) to complete each challenge. This event runs Friday night and all day on Saturday. Entries must be uploaded into the gallery by Monday night after the event. I have participated many times before, but I've never done all of them ... until now. :)

I'm going to show off each card and tell the challenge it was for. If you'd like to see the challenges - and even try some of them on your own and on your own time - go here to see them all.

A - a sketch challenge.

Stamps: Blooming Bouquet, Bold Butterflies = both Clear Dollar Stamps
Paper: Raging River, Billowing Clouds, Apricot, Tickled Pink, Fresh Papaya
Ink: Turquoise, Pink, Yellow, Apricot, Plum
Accessories: Blooming Bouquet dies, pearls, oval punches, pop dots

B - Be inspired by your wedding song.
Stamps: Old Time Church (Clear Dollar Stamps)
Paper: dp, mud pie, white
Ink: black, Copics
Accessories: Cuttlebug, pop dots, ribbon, crystals, slot punch




C - Use a bird on your card.

Stamps: Pretty Amazing
Paper: K & Company, white, mossy woods
Ink: red, olive, black, Copics, gillter pen
Accessories: ScorPal, pop dots, pearls
Techniques: shadowbox card

D - Use 2 or more techniques on the card.
Stamps: Heart Hugs (Clear Dollar Stamps)
Paper: white, pink, gray
Ink: black, pink, Copics (E31, E33, R20)
Accessories: Cuttlebug, folder, flocking, pop dots, glue, pearls
Techniques: faux letterpress, flocking



E - Use a red dress on the card.
Stamps: Haute Couture
Paper: white, black
Ink: black, Copics (R32, R37)
Accessories: ScorPal, crystals, glitter pen, pop dots





F - Be inspired by the picture shown in the challenge.

Stamps: Sentimental Flowers (Clear Dollar Stamps)
Paper: My Mind's Eye, white, rust, Mud Pie, Spring Leaf
Ink: black, cocoa, Copics (0, Y02, Y08, Y17)
Accessories: sewing machine, Sentimental Flowers SVG files, Cricut, SCAL, pop dots, Cuttlebug, folder, ribbon


G - A card about your dreams come true.
Paper: dp - misc., white, celery, Toasted Almond
Ink: black, Copics
Accessories: pop dots, circle punches, ribbon


H - Use Soot Stamping Technique

Stamps: Musical Manuscript, Vintage Violin and Textured Treble Clef (Stampabilities)
Paper: cocoa, black (sanded dp), glossy
Ink: black
Accessories: candle, ribbon, fixative spray, pearls, pop dots, sewing machine, sanding block, pop dots
Techniques: soot stamping


I - Be inspired by your first love (cuddly toy) or your child's first lovey.

Stamps: bear, bear prints - maker on both unknown
Paper: Billowing Clouds, Toasted Almond, white
Ink: black, Copics
Accessories: Cuttlebug, folders, buttons, ribbon, pearls, pop dots


J - Use sheet music on the card.
Stamps: For Our Lord (Clear Dollar Stamps)
Paper: cocoa, music dp, black
Ink: black, white
Accessories: Cuttlebug, folder, sewing machine, ribbon, gold dots, pop dots



So .... what did you think of the first half of the cards?? More of them coming on Sunday.



I hope you enjoyed seeing the cards I created for our VSN event on SCS. I hope you play with us next time!!


Have a beautiful Friday and a great, big, beautiful tomorrow.

~*Shell*~

Friday, March 04, 2011

Clearly Inspired Challenge #23 - A Color Challenge!

Ooooh! I SO love the challenges, don't you? They just spark my creativity and help me think of things in different ways.

This month, the Clearly Inspired Challenges are going through a few changes. In addition to our regular, first-Friday challenge, there will be another challenge on the 3rd Friday of each month! How FUN is that?!

Other changes include -

- Participants can use any stamps they wish from any company, BUT only 1 entry per person for each challenge.

-The challenges will close after their two weeks.

-The prizes are as follows: For every 20 participants there will be 1 $10 gift certificate for Digital images or stamps only, and the digital set that we can chose to use or not for the challenges.

i.e. If there are 20 participants in the first 2 weeks and 40 in the next 2 weeks, then there will be 3 $10 gift certificates and 3 of the digital sets. . .essentially 6 prizes.


As always, for more information, to enter the challenge, or to see more great samples, head over to Lori's blog!

SO ... let's get on with the challenge!!! :)



The challenge for today is a color challenge:

Or you can use similar colors, you can even use vanilla instead of white or in addition to the white. This challenge will end on March 17th and a new challenge will be posted for the 18th.


I love pastels and had a blast with this challenge.




Don't you just LOVE this piggy!? Oh my goodness. I have just been waiting for a chance to use him. I think he's SO cute. He's from the set Farm Critters at Clear Dollar Stamps.



Here he is up close - and personal. :)


The mud was colored with Copics. Then, I applied Crackle Accents. Being the impatient one that I am, I couldn't wait for it to dry. So, I took my heat gun (not the sweet little SU kind ... the BIG, HONKIN' Black and Decker kind ....) to it. Did it crackle? Well, yeah, sort of ... AFTER it bubbled. LOL! Oh well. I really like the effect it gave it. I think it added some dimension.

Card Recipe -

Stamps - Farm Critters
Paper - Pretty Porcelain, Soft Mint, Cottonball white
Ink - black
Copics - B32, E37, E33, E31, R20, R81, R83
Accessories - Cuttlebug, folder, Blooming Bouquet dies, pearls, ribbon (soft mint, pretty porcelain), Crackle Accents, corner rounder, pop dots



Ok. So, head on over to Lori's blog, get the deets on the challenge, and get your mojo movin'! I can't wait to see what you create for this great challenge .... and I can't wait to see you back on the 18th for another great challenge!



Have an absolutely beautiful day ... I have 7 - 10 teen girls coming to my house tonight ..... OH MY. I don't even HAVE a teen girl!! LOL!


Have a great, big, beautiful tomorrow!



~*Shell*~