NO CATCHY TITLE TODAY . . .

just a typical Thursday morning round here. However, the sky is looking dark and stormy which I LOVE!!!! The only thing that could be better is if I were at home on this stormy day at my desk stamping and scrapping the day away. Instead, I am at the office taking my short morning break to share my latest creation with you.

A friend of mine has this beautiful Calla Lily stamp. I don't know who makes it because I forgot to look when I borrowed it for this card. The coloring is done in shades of Sage, Old Olive, Always Artichoke and Mellow Moss SU markers on watercolor paper with just a touch of Bashful Blue marker at the edges of the shading in the center of the flowers. I drew a box around part of the image and cut it out so the image would stick out past the borders of the box. It is layered on Always Artichoke cardstock from SU to which I added a few dots using the Stampin'Up! white Gel pen to give added interest. I made an embossed border around the entire image using the scoring blade on my cutter then finished the image with gold, green and stardust stickles. It's a very simple card - but I like the clean lines and limited colors.

Don't forget the Never Before Seen promotion Stampin'Up! is offering during August and September - 15% off select stamp sets from the Fall/Winter Collection. Here is a list of the sets in case you haven't seen or heard about it.

111690 - pg. 32 -Snow Swirled - Regular Price:$24.95 Sale Price: $21.21
111586 - pg. 55 - It’s a Stretch - Regular Price: $23.95 Sale Price: $20.36
111544 - pg. 81 - Putt Putt - Regular Price: $24.95 Sale Price: $21.21
111626 - pg. 91 - Eastern Blooms - Regular Price: $21.95 Sale Price: $18.66
111672 - pg. 98 - Pocket Silhouettes - Regular Price: $18.95 Sale Price: $16.11
111710 - pg. 101 - Upsy Daisy - Regular Price: $18.95 Sale Price: $16.11
111556 - pg. 109 - Under the Stars - Regular Price: $29.95 Sale Price: $25.46
111644 - pg.145 - Heard from the Heart - Regular Price: $22.95 Sale Price: $19.51
111570 - pg. 157 - Contempo Alphabet - Regular Price: $40.95 Sale Price: $34.81

Hope you enjoyed today's card (even those of you who don't like glitter!!!) and that it provided a little inspiration for you to get creative today. Have a good day and remember to take time to appreciate all the people you love. Our time together is limited.

Jill

SCS - CC181 - KRAFTY MOUSE

Yesterday's Splitcoaststamper's Color Challenge was to use Rose Red, Basic Black and Kraft Cardstock to create a card. I wanted to play along but I didn't get home from work/babyshower until 8:30 last night. By the time I sat down at my desk I wasn't feeling very creative - maybe something to do with being EXHAUSTED!!!!!

My entire craft room is a disaster - I've been rearranging furniture, preparing for showers (bridal and baby), working on scrapbooks, creating cards and preparing for workshops - without a spare moment to straighten or re-organize. Does anyone else know what that looks like????

Anyway - I had scraps of those colors laying about and an image I had colored on Saturday - just because I liked it and was in the mood to color - so I threw it all together and came up with this. The excessive use of dots was inspired by Markie's Mom's work - though I must tell you - hers ALWAYS looks better! The mouse is stamped in STAZON and is mounted to the top flap of the card. When you lift the mouse, the Rose Red layer has the words "Love You" stamped in Rose Red Ink. That layer folds down to reveal the inside of the card which I left blank to add a personal note. The hearts are all mounted to the white/black mouse layer.

Hope you enjoyed looking.

Have a wonderful day!

Jill

IT'S TREASURE HUNT TUESDAY...

at Rubberneckers. They have the cutest scarecrow stamp to give away today. I got it with the purchase of Midnight & Jack (shown at left). This is an adorable stamp - and though I don't "do" Halloween - this guy would be right at home on a birthday or Christmas card with a big wrapped package popped up over the pumpkin!!!!! Today was the first time I played along with the Treasure Hunt - but after seeing the quality of stamps - I'm sure I'll pop in weekly. Check out the blog "Linda's Works of Heart". She has more details about the treasure hunt - but also has some BEAUTIFUL cards and other hand-stamped items on display.

This is a card I made a while ago. It uses a masking technique and sponged ink in Always Artichoke, Cameo Coral, Regal Rose, Rose Red & Chocolate Chip (I think!). The flower image is a brass stencil and is sponged using Always Artichoke, /Rose Red & Bravo Burgundy. The faux stitching was added with alternating rows of Chocolate Chip dots connected in a running crosstitch style faux stictching created with a white gel pen. The background stamps are a French Script from Jeffrey Allans and Wonderful Words from Stampin Up! I also used Itty Bitty Backgrounds (SURPRISE!) to add a distressed look and a little stardust stickles for glitz.

Thanks for looking. Hope everyone is having a great day today. Take time to give thanks, work a little, relax a little and play a little.

Jill

MY COMPUTER CRASHED!!!!!!

We had a demonstrator's meeting in Galesburg on Saturday, the 16th - which means I had to leave the house by 7 a.m. to arrive on time. The meeting was great - with lots of new ideas, sample cards and presentations. Julia Jackson presented one of the demonstrations called "FROM TRASH TO TREASURE". You should see some of creations she made from literal "TRASH". ( Actually - if I knew where I put my picture files from the meeting you could see them - but I can't locate them!!!! )

Saturday evening I attended and was able to photograph my niece's baptism. Isn't she a sweetie in her baptismal gown??? This was one of my favorite pictures from the day. It all came together - color tones, expressions, shadows, etc. I love it!

Then, Saturday night, while working on the baptism photos, MY COMPUTER CRASHED!!!!!!! Now you know why there haven't been any posts to my blog. The RAM went out - so we traded chips from Tristan's computer to mine, making his useless for the time being - but parts are on order. Besides which, all our picture files are on this computer and for digital photographers, you just CAN'T be without your photo files!!!!

It was also a busy week creatively. I made newsletters for my sister who is a Medical Missionary in South Africa, designed and created the prototype for my niece's wedding program, and created 3 cards, a gift item and gift bag to demo at a workshop I am having this afternoon.

This is a photo of the gift bag. The tutorial can be found on the Inkingaddict blog. If you make one of these try it on scrap paper first - there are a couple of tricky spots! I used Old Olive Ribbon and the new BELLA ROSE Designer Paper from Stampin Up. The circles were cut using Nestabilities and my Sizzix machine.

The final image is a gift I created for my best friend, Cindy. (Hope you're not reading this before your workshop today!!!!) The frame was purchased at Big Lots. I again used the BELLA ROSE Designer Paper as well as Kiwi Kiss cardstock from SU's IN Color line. The stamp is also from Stampin'Up! and is called "Inspired byNature". I'm planning to have a class in November for anyone wanting to make the gift bag and gift. Leave a comment or send me an email if you are interested in attending the class. I'll put out the supply list and cost later.

Hope you all have had a good week and have had some time to create.

Jill

WHAT'S PINK, GREEN & WHITE ALL OVER???

The answer to the question is apparently all the cards I made today. This color scheme wasn't intentional - it just seemed that these were predominant colors in the scrap pile on my desk and since I wanted to try out my Nestabilities with my Sizzix machine I thought the scrap pile was the best place to start.

My first attempt at using the dies with the Sizzix was a bust. There wasn't enough pressure to the die to emboss the image - and definitely not enough to cut it. I know there are adapters that you can purchase - but why buy something you can rig for free right????? So, I cut a 1/16" piece of cardboard, covered it with self-adhesive fun foam and cut this to the same size as the plastic cutting pad. I already had the magnetic adapter so this homemade adapter made the thickness and resulting pressure perfect for using the Nestabilities.

The first card I made I cut and embossed watercolor paper and Kiwi Kiss Cardstock using the scalloped rectangle Nestabilities. I colored a stamp from SU Simply Said using Always Artichoke, Pretty in Pink and Regal Rose then stamped it on the watercolor paper. The sentiment is from "Holidays & Wishes" and the heart is from SU Small Sayings.

I continued using scraps to achieve different effects. The piece cut from the Groovy Guava cardstock was saved for later use and I trimmed and used the border instead. The image is from SU Natural Beauty and is colored with Mellow Moss, Pretty in Pink and Regal Rose.

I also purchased an Inkdinkado Stamp Set called "Cupcakes" last night from Hobby Lobby. The first thing I did was to stamp the image in Stazon Black onto watercolor paper then color the image using SU markers. The icing on the cupcakes just "called" for orange, ... and you guessed it, pink and green. The image is bordered in Tango Tangerine. I had scraps of designer paper from Walmart on my messy desk that complimented my color scheme perfectly. Using a Nestabilities I cut a scalloped circle and adhered it to the green DP. I then punched each scallop using a 1/8" handheld punch. To prevent the pink background from showing through some of the holes I lined the back with white paper. I punched scallops onto a matching piece of DP with the corner rounder (won't I be happy when I get my scallop edge punch from SU???), then again punched each scallop. Added a thin strip of Tango Tangerine, added all the layers to the card front then finished by using SU brads in colors to match the cupcake icing.

At my next stamp n scrap (to be scheduled), I'll bring along my Nesties and Sizzix so you can all give it a try. I have to say these are so much more convenient than the Coluzzle cutting system (UGH!) and alot easier to store than a million punches.

Hope you are enjoying the blog. Don't foret, if you woul dlike to receive email updates each time I update the site, just fill in your email in the "subscribe" box. You can remaove your subscription at any time.

Thanks for looking and have a great weekend.

Jill

LOOK WHAT I FOUND AT HOBBY LOBBY!!!!

I have been wanting the scalloped Nestabilities dies for months and even tried ordering them direct from Spellbinders but everytime I went online, they were out of stock! I stopped in at Hobby Lobby tonight for watercolor paper and Copic markers that were on sale and found these with the Cuddlebug & Cricut dies! Sewflake Creations has a tutorial on her blog that shows how to use them with the Sizzix Machine so hopefully I won't have to invest in SU's new BIG SHOT quite yet. ___________________________________________________________________

Splitcoaststampers Challenge for today was using Copic Markers in some creative fashion. While I do own a few Copics I haven't gained as much control with them as I can obtain with the SU markers. The image I used for this challenge was one that I colored several weeks ago. It just happened to work well with Stampin'Up!'s new Tango Tangerine cardstock.

Recipe:

Hanglar Stanglar Image

Watercolor Paper

Stazon Jet Black Ink

Ballet Blue Cardstock

Tango Tangerine Cardstock

Night of Navy Cardstock

Kraft Cardstock

Ballet Blue Brads

Silver Hardware

Night of Navy Grosgrain Ribbon

Metallic Silver Paint Pen for bucket

Piercing Tool, SU Mat Pack & Night of Navy Marker

____________________________________________________________________

The final card I made tonight is for a workshop "make n take". I wanted something quick and easy for the guests who are new to stamping. I used a Level III Hostess Set from the new SU Catalog called "Happiness Always." Each flower was stamped in Lavendar Lace and overstamped in Eggplant Envy. The Stems and Leaves were stamped in Mellow Moss and Always Artichoke.

Cardstock: Whisper White, Lavendar Lace, Eggplant Envy, Always Artichoke. The sentiment is from SU Wonderful Words and was stamped in Eggplant Envy. Two white brads were added to finish the card.

Hope you enjoyed today's cards and that you get a chance to "play" today.

Jill

WE HAVE A WINNER!!!!!

I didn't have many people play along with yesterdays color challenge - this made me VERY sad


- BUT, of the 3 of you that played along and sent me a link to your entry, Carol is the winner!!!! Here is her card:

Carol - if you'll send me your snail mail address I'll get your stamp set right out to you.

Today's Splitcoast challenge was a sketch challenge by Roxanne.

This is the sketch and my submission.

Stamp Set: Beary Best (retired)

Card Stock: Red Riding Hood, Watercolor Paper,
Creative Memories Designer Paper


I colored the image with SU markers using the lighter colors first, adding shading then blending the colors together with the lighter color marker. ***This only works on quality watercolor paper.

The faux stitching was created using a piercing tool, SU Mat Pack for spacing and an Old Olive Marker. I finished the card with a length of Old Olive 1/4" grosgrain ribbon.



Thanks for looking. Have a blessed day.
Jill

WHERE IS EVERYONE?????

I seriously can't believe that only two people left links to their cards for the color challenge!!!! You all still have until noon on the 13th to leave a comment and a link to your card. If you don't have a URL - just send a photo of your card to my email (www.jhaddad59@yahoo.com) so that you can be entered in the drawing for a small, acrylic stamp set.

Here is the card I created for the challenge using Elegant Eggplant, Old Olive and Taken with Teal. I've been asked for details on this one, so here goes:

Old Olive Cardstock - 8 x .25" folded in half lengthwise (this fits in a regular #10 envelope)

Eggplant Envy - 3 panels - 3.75 x 2.75

Taken with Teal - 3 panels - 3.25 x 2.25

Whisper White - 3 panels - 3 x 2 and edge sponged in Taken with Teal ink.

Stamp Sets used are all retired Stampin' Up! sets: Seasonal Sprays, In Full Bloom and Heaven Scent. The floral sprays were colored with Old Olive, Orchid Opulence, Taken with Teal and Eggplant Envy markers. The senitiment is stamped in Eggplant Envy. I added dots to each panel with the Eggplant marker.The large flower was colored with Orchid Opulence, Eggplant Envy and Summer Sun Markers, cut-out and popped up with a demensional. The leaves are bits of Old Olive Cardstock that I tore and scored with the bone folder.

Lastly I added teal brads and a little bit of doodles beside and between them to finish the card.

This was a fun challenge for me - I hope you will all play along next Tuesday and link your cards here on my blog.

Time for bed - stayed out a little too long tonight at Mineral Springs Park watching the nieces and nephews paddle boat around the lagoon. Here are a couple of pics of the fun. Doesn't Lucy look thrilled? After about 5 minutes Uncle John gave up trying to pedal and Lucy took over. I think they lasted about 20 minutes of the 30 minute ride!

Have a sweet sleep and a wonderful day tomorrow!

Jill

STAINED GLASS TECHNIQUE

Monday's Splitcoast Challenge was to create a card using the Stained Glass Technique. This is a fun technique - and the effect can be acheived with reinkers, markers etc. The key, however, is to stamp the main image using Stazon Ink. Otherwise, you end up with a smeary mess!!!!

Recipe:
Pink Pirouette Card Stock
Whisper White Card Stock
Riding Hood Red Card Stock
Acetate
Mat Kit & Piercing Tool
Hodgepodge Hardware
Beautiful Blooms Stamp Set
Flexible Phrases Stamp Set
My Sentiments Exactly Stamp Set
White Gel Pen


The light, uncolored blooms were stamped using Pretty In Pink Marker on the Whisper White background. Then I sponged sky into the background using Bashful Blue. The colored image was stamped directly on the acetate and colored with markers. The acetate and oval cutout layer was popped up with dimensionals as was the sentiment.

Today's challenge on Splitcoast is a color challenge. Why don't you play along and see what you can create using Taken With Teal, Elegant Eggplant, and Old Olive. If you play, leave a comment here with a link to your creation - or send it to me email at jhaddad59@yahoo.com. If you email me, please be sure to put CC179 in the subject line. I'll be posting my card here and in my Splitcoast Gallery tomorrow. Oh - and just a little added incentive for playing along - there will be a random drawing from all entries for a little blog candy!!!! All comments/entries need to be posted by noon tomorrow - August 13, 2008.

Don't miss out!

Jill

BACK TO BLOGGING

After taking a little time for R&R this past week, I'm back to the internet and blogging. The new Stampin' Up catalogs have arrived so if you pre-ordered one, I'll be getting it to you soon. There are some great new stamp sets - especially in the Holiday categories - so I know I'll be ordering soon.

Today's card once again uses cardstock and colors from the new "IN" COLORS from Stampin' Up, a Level II Hostess Stamp Set and only a "handful" of dots. I even broke out the sewing machine for this one - and if you look closely you can tell it's been a while since I used it. So don't look too closely! :)

I added a little "bling" to the butterfly, flower centers and brad tops by dotting on just a little Stardust Stickles.

Hope you enjoyed looking.

"This is the day that the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it."

Jill

IN REMEMBRANCE . . .

of LuAnn. A woman of grace, beauty and dignity. After a long battle with cancer, LuAnn passed from death into newness of life yesterday evening surrounded by her husband, children, and a host of other people who were honored and priveleged to call her sister, aunt, sister-in-law and friend. She will be greatly missed. Thank you to all of you who have prayed for her during her illness. Please continue to pray for her family so that they can have courage to begin to learn to live without her.

Jill

THE IN COLORS HAVE ARRIVED!!!

I received my demo order from Stampin'Up yesterday. I didn't order many items from the sneak peek catalog because to tell you the truth, I just wasn't that impressed. I love the out-going "in colors", eg. River Rock, Bayou Blue, Soft Sky. The new colors are much brighter and vibrant and as I said on Wednesday's post - bright and vibrant is not my style.

So, anyway the order arrived, I unpacked and started to play. The colors are amazing! I was WRONG!!! Yes, I know - I admitted it. This is probably one post you might want to save as I HATE to be wrong. The new colors are Pacific Point, Pink Pirouette, Kiwi Kiss, Baja Breeze, Tangerine Tango, and Riding Hood Red. If you would like to see how they compare to the regular SU color families Julie Buhler has done a side by side comparison on her blog.

I started out by stamping the image (from one of the new hostess sets) in Stazon Black ink on Watercolor paper and using markers and a blender pen to color. I then chose three of the new IN Colors (Pacific Point, Tangerine Tango and Kiwi Kiss) to use as background layers to the image and sponged the edges of each using tone on tone. The main cardstock is SU Barely Banana edged in More Mustard and dotted with Night of Navy marker. I love polka dots but admittedly there are a FEW too many on this card! If I did it again I would only dot the Barely Banana and stitch around the colored layers. To finish I added brads, a paper flower, and ribbon.

This is an image from my Matt n Mandy drawings. I used Brocade Blue as my main cardstock and accented with Real Red, Certainly Celery and Whisper White cardstock, buttons, brads and ribbon. The Designer Paper is from Creative Memories.

The main image was colored with markers, colored pencils, white gel pen, blender pen and a sponge dauber. The leaves of the tree were created using the smallest dots from the Itty Bitty Backgrounds set and stamped in Certainly Celery, Old Olive, and Always Artichoke. The sentiment is from SU Mini Mates. The faux stitching was created by using a piercing tool and the Stampin Up Mat Pack to evenly space the holes then connected using Night of Navy Marker.

Enjoy your day - it's FRIDAY!!!! Remember to tell someone you love them and savor the moments you have with them. Life is much to short to forget the important things.

Thanks for visiting. - Jill