Monday, February 28, 2011

Hobo dinner cups

Last Saturday we attended a Hobo Garbage Can dinner at church.  The entire meal was cooked in a brand new and cleaned garbage can over a fire.  We ate off of pie plates and our cups were tin cans.  Well, not one to have something "simple" I decided to decorate the cans.  I used a western theme using the Happy Trails set, the Swirley-Bet set and brown cardstocks.


I used my Crop-a-Dile to make the holes and set the eyelets after laminating the sleeves.  Twine made a good way to tie these on the cans for easy removal.






Everyone got a big kick out of them.


Saturday, February 26, 2011

Canvas Scrapbook page

The owner of our LSS went to CHA and brought back some scrapbook kits to sell in her store.  Us instructors were asked to make up some of the kits for samples for the customers and here's one of the two I'm working with.  The kit is made by Quick Quotes Scrapbook Company and is SO easy!  I followed the directions - which is a shock in itself!


The kit came with all the paper, brads, ribbon, die cuts, and an ink pad. It's 12" x 9" x 1" and you can add a picture hanger on the back for hanging.

All the wording is printed on vellum.  I did get one a bit off center but still like the looks of it.


I did learn that you need an industrial tape (I used red line) for the scrunched ribbon.   The pictures are of our youngest son taken a few years ago.

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Colorful plants...

Back on Feb. 3rd Holly was the guest designer for the TAC Savvy Projects blog using the Watercolor Plants set.  I also have this set (and have posted many cards using it).  I was so inspired by Holly and Rita that this card came to mind.


Again I used one of the cool free downloadable designs, DCWV cardstock, and off-white cardstock. The flowers were stamped in Gingerbread, Pink Grapefruit, and Tea Leaves VersaMagic inks.  The phrase is from the Joyful Notes set.

The green ribbon is by Making Memories and TAC used to carry it a couple years back.

I want to thank those wonderful people who leave me comments or rate my projects. I rarely get back to you to thank unless you ask a question but I do VERY much appreciate you!

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Sunflowers in a window...

If you haven't been to the TAC Savvy Projects blog this month you are really missing out!  On the 16th Maria was a guest designer showcasing the set Sunflowers.  Since I have this set (and like a dummy, I will soon have another due to not paying attention when I placed an order last week) I just had to play!


Mischelle, the CEO and owner of TAC, has inspired many to make "window" cards and I did just that. I downloaded the most recent cool designer patterns for printing (click HERE to view) and used one of them for the top layer.

I colored my sunflowers using Copic markers: N1, YR23, YR24, E55, G12, and G82. I highlighted the butterfly (and he's a left-over from another project so I can't even tell you how I colored it), flower petals, and leaves using the Stardust Clear Gel pen (you KNOW how much I like that pen!).

I used my Mega Jumbo Scalloped Oval punch to make the window.  The piece that the flowers are stamped on was edged with Pink Grapefruit VersaMagic ink as it came real close to matching the pink in the designer paper.


Here's a view of the inside.  The phrase is from the Joyful Notes set. So....   What do you think?

Sunday, February 20, 2011

It's Blog Hoppin' Time!!

Well, here we go again!  We're hoppin' blogs!  There aren't very many of us this time but the creativity is flowin'!  Are you ready?  This hop is sponsored by Paper Wings where you can view cool projects using only TAC stamps!


I chose to use Swirled Spring Life, a level A set. I thought it was the perfect set to use with the designer paper I printed!  (Just check the left sidebar for a link to the different papers you can print for your personal use.)
I printed the designs on Stardust cardstock and also used it for everything on this card.  The flower is stamped within a Super Jumbo Scallop Oval punched piece.


I colored the bird and flower with the following Copic markers: R81, R01, and  G82. I used a black glitter pen on the bird's beak and dots and the Stardust Clear Gel pen on the wings and tail. The oval is edged with Pink Petunia Versamagic ink and the images are stamped with Memories Tuxedo Black ink. The bird is raised with foam mounting tape which really makes it pop....  (yeah, I'm punning here.) Oh, I used the Fiskars Treading Water border punch on the striped piece of cardstock.

Please leave a comment as to what you think of my card then hop to the following angels' blogs for more inspiration.
Shirley
Rita
Angela
Laura N
Chelsea
Kerry
Seleise

Saturday, February 19, 2011

Whooo Loves Ya, Baby?

I recently showed you the twine sampler pack I got from The Twinery.  I did use a small piece on this card and hope to get even more "creative" soon.  This twine is soft and very much like thin yarn. I've been looking at projects on their blog for more inspiration but this card just gave me a bit of a feel of how the twine handles.

I started with a beige base.  I scored and "bugged" the brown cardstock on my Scor-Pal and distressed the edges. The owl and phrase are from the Whooo Loves Ya Baby hostess level A set.  I stamped  both with Burnt Umber PH ink.


Here you can also see that I added some Stardust Clear Gel pen to the eyes and colored with a couple Copic markers.  This card is very simple and quick to make.

Oh, and come back tomorrow evening! I'm taking part of a Blog Hop sponsored by Paper Wings using Hostess sets! I printed up some of our new designer paper that you can download! 

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Love those Double Diamond cards!!!

Yesterday I worked hard on making 3 more Double Diamond cards for an upcoming March class at our LSS (local scrapbooking store) in Green Valley, AZ.   I don't make them real difficult due to time issues as I want to be sure my "students" can complete all 3 within the 2 hours allotted to me. I am using TAC stamps on these.  Let me know what you think!


Aren't these wild??
Stamps used: Floral Vines (retired) and A Thousand Thanks (Hostess level C set)
Inks: Turquoise Gem VersaMagic and Noir PH
Punches: Mega Circle, 1" Circle, Super Jumbo Circle, Super Jumbo Flower, Extra Jumbo Flower, and small flower.
Embellishments: Stardust Clear Gel pen (used in top left card's center)and Clear & Pearl Gem Collection (bottom card's flower center)
Paper: all from the LSS except for the white which is Georgia Pacific

Now, onward to work on 3 more cards for my 2nd March class at the LSS.....

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Twine It!

For the record, I didn't make the TAC™ Design Team.  The angels that did are VERY talented and created some amazing projects.  I congratulate all those that got called.

Now, on to today's post. Yesterday I got a package of cool twine from a company called The Twinery. I ordered the sample pack and can't wait to finish a couple projects to start playing with these cool twines.  These are WAY different than Scrappers Floss.


Hopefully by the weekend I'll have something done with some of these!  Aren't the colors delish!! There's 1.5 yards in each color, enough possibly to get you hooked???  I paid $20 plus shipping for these so check out their site and blog!


Saturday, February 12, 2011

Double Diamond card...

I will be teaching a class at GVR (Green Valley Recreation, AZ) on February 23 and this is what I'll be teaching.  It's a take-off on the Spring Fold card and is fun to make.  I think I'll be teaching this at the LSS in Green Valley in March, too.


This is it closed.  I had to use a large paper clip to keep it closed to photo. It doesn't like to stay closed due to the way it's folded.  I used Amberly Grace SWIC, matching cardstock & ribbon, along with my Scor-Pal, Scor-Bug, and sanding block.


This is it open. The phrase is from the Give Praise to Him set stamped with Noir PH ink. See the crystals in the corners?




I used my I * Rock tool and some metallic crystals. These are just TOO cool!

This card is way easier than it looks! The hardest part for me is how to decorate it!  I'm making 3 more for my samples for my class at our LSS so keep your eyes open!

And a quick update on my colonoscopy Friday... the doctor removed a polyp 4mm in size. This is extremely small and is rarely cancerous but, if left to grow, will become so.  The worst part of the procedure is the afternoon before when you have to drink a gallon of laxative!  So, I thank you all for your prayers! They are greatly appreciated!!

(oops, this was supposed to post tomorrow.....)

Friday, February 11, 2011

Shutter Album Class

I just have to show you my "students" at my recent G.V.R. class (Green Valley Recreation, AZ) this past Wednesday.  They gals did a great job on a project that took a lot of thought, measuring, and planning.


From left to right is Sandy, Michele, Mary, and Judy.  They worked very hard on their albums and, though we didn't have time to really embellish, they did get a long way on their projects. 

Today I'll be getting a colonoscopy as a precaution as my mom just had colon cancer surgery right before Christmas.  I will have to pay for this myself as it's less than our insurance deductible ($5000). Ouch.  This  pretty much guaranteed that I won't be attending our annual TAC™ convention in June in Wichita. Oh well, thank goodness for payment plans! LOL! I would appreciate prayer that all is ok with my colon. Thanks and I'll have a project to post shortly!

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Love Heart and more...

 My friend and fellow angel, Christine, loves digi images and even created some background paper for us to play with! Well, I printed her designs on pink cardstocks and am having a ball!  I'm also using a technique I learned on Technique Junkies and have shown before called Neutral Shadows. Are you ready?  I am using a retired stamp set called I {Heart} You...


I punched the cool "background" paper with my Giga Jumbo Scalloped Circle punch.  I made a rather simple card as I didn't want any more "distractions" from the design.  The stamps are inked with Versamark then white embossed before adding the Toile Pink PH ink.






Here's a close-up of the card center. I'm finding out that if you purchase a very inexpensive stencil brush that it will fall apart quickly! I may have to try some Q-tips or something similar.  TAC does have some stipple brushes but the one I have just didn't work that well, the image was too faint.  I also used foam mounting tape under the punched scallop circle and the heart for some dimension.

I am working on another Valentine using this technique.  I have a class today teaching a Shutter Album. I haven't yet finished it but that's because I need to print some pics....   And I have some other projects that need to be finished.  Do you have this problem???

I also want to thank those wonderful people who have been comnmenting on my posts. I really appreciate it! Got a couple great ideas to try and more! Thanks!!


Monday, February 7, 2011

Happy Valentine's Day...

Mischelle, the owner and CEO of TAC™, made a most wonderful card (actually a LOT of cool cards) that really inspired me and I had to give it a go.  I did change it up as I didn't want to CASE her (copy and stamp exactly) but add my own thoughts to it. So, here's my "version" of her great card:


I used the phrase from a retired set called Valentine Trio.  It's an adorable set with a cat, dog, and gecko plus the phrase.  I probably have some cards posted somewhere on here using it.  Anyway, I cut out the red heptagon to frame my heart made from the Bitty Dots GWP that I stamped inside a reverse-cut heart then sponged with L'Amore PH ink.  Is that clear as mud?  I added the ribbon that had dots on it to kinda match the heart.



I used a black glitter gel pen to make the squiggles on the corners and around the heptagon.


Finally the flower.  I have a package of these red flowers in my stash so I added a black button and a heart from the Clear & Pearl Gem Collection.  Mischelle did her's in a lovely shade of Chartreuse and a cut-out heart.

Also, have you been checking her Savvy Projects blog for the fun You Make February Fabulous creations??


Saturday, February 5, 2011

Shadowed again...

I purchased a small stencil brush the other day and had to correct this card from the 3rd.

Remember this card?


Well, here's how it's supposed to look....


I definitely like the corrected one much better!!!  What do you think??

Friday, February 4, 2011

Retiform and a Blog Hop!

Well, we're doing it again! TAC™ is sponsoring a Blog Hop where our projects must use the Retiform technique.  What is this technique? Well, it has to do with masking and multi-stamping!  I've had previous posts but I haven't looked for them to give you a bit of a reminder. But here is my card:


I used images from 4 different sets; the pickup, gas pump, and green phrase from the Good Things set; the raccoon from the Give Praise To Him set (picture not available yet but it's really cool!); the Sunflowers, and the Just Because from the Thinking of You set. I had trouble getting enough light on the Copic markers for you to tell what I used so they are: B41, B45, T7, N4, T2, R35, R37, and R32.




Here's a close up of the pickup.  I don't think I did quite so good on the coloring but it's ok.  I love this little truck as it reminds me of the 1947 International pickup my hubby and dad are restoring.




Some where along the line I acquired this little pickup eyelet. It stuck in my Crop-a-dile when I was setting it. Bummer. The back of the eyelet almost came through the front right between the wheels.  I used 5 different inks, all PH: Noir, L'Amore, Starry Night, Sunflower, and Viridian Leaf.


 I did stamp the pickup on the white base piece but I colored it in with a black marker.  I tried to show it a bit here and it really seems to give quite the shadow effect. I just used my Tombow black but you can use the Copic black if you desire.

Today will be my first day back to working out at Curves.  I have a great podiatrist who says I have a pinched sural nerve in my foot but we have yet to figure out where the pinch is, ankle or lower back. And it's my birthday! Hopefully tonight or tomorrow we'll go out to dinner.  I got some great pics of the grandkids and the movie Secretariat earlier this week from 2 of our kids. I should hear from the youngest son sometime today.

Anyway, please check out more projects using this cool technique. 





Thursday, February 3, 2011

Shadowed Watercolor Plants...

Today Holly Mays is the featured artist and Watercolor Plants the featured set on the TAC Savvy Projects blog. I happen to have this set!!  So I can take part (sorta) in the blog hop (sorta) for this set! Are you ready?  I tried a technique that is in the Feb/March 2011 Technique Junkie Newsletter called Neutral Shadows.  I really needed a much smaller stencil brush but I used what I had...


I used the Uptown Girl paper collection, Claret PH ink, white satin ribbon, and  Copic marker RV19.


To do the flowers I used VersaMark ink and clear embossing powder. Not bad but I really need a small brush to get a better effect. Guess that'll be on my shopping list....

(Got a small stipple brush today. See the enhanced card on the 5th!!)



Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Sing, Laugh, and Hope....

I've finally finished my samples for my 2nd February class at our local scrapbook store in Green Valley, AZ. They had some beautiful paper by Adorn It and our Graphic Blooms were perfect with it! I also used a retired set called Dance With Your Spirit.





I inked the image with Bordeaux ink then stamped the stamp with the "Sing" stamp to remove some ink prior to stamping on white cardstock.





I colored the little white flower with a Copic marker (YR23) that coordinated with the Raw Sienna ink. I also used my Super Jumbo and Mega circle punches.



Here i used some black metallic pieces and my I*Rock tool to adhere them.  Again I used Raw Sienna PH ink to stamp the image and used the Rock 'N Roll technique to make it faint in the center.  I used the same punches as the previous card.

All designs were inspired by sketch drawing on blogs that I follow.  I love blurfing as I get lots of inspiration.  I hope you get inspired by my blog.