No Perfect Words

It's Bloggers Challenge Friday and today the theme is with sympathy.  I based my layout on this week's Mojo Monday challenge  which is a tall and skinny sketch. My card is 3 3/4 by 6 inches. For my background paper I used design paper from Graphic 45. I kept my card in shades of grey and black with just a touch of blue. The sentiment is from Club Scrap.

I am also entering my card into these challenges: Take a Word -- blue; Marks Finest Papers Simple Salutations -- sympathy; and CAS-ual Fridays --2 shades of grey.

Love Letters

This is one of those unusual cards that started as an idea in my head and actually was completed as planned. That doesn't happen often. The challenge at Stampendous is love letters and the challenge at Mark's Finest Papers Friends of Speedy is tissue. I started with a lilac background stamped with the butterfly flourishes (Stampendous). The flower is 2/3 of the giant tattered flower from Tim Holtz which I cut from his music tissue paper. The love letters stamp (Stampers Anonymous) was stamped on vellum, cut out, and adhered to the background. the white card base is a simple frame for the card.

Love Defined

It's been so long that I've forgotten how cool embossing paste is to use. My card background was made with almond colored embossing paste and a stencil.  My focal image was created using the trellis die, miniature rose die, and ivy corner flourish (all from Cheery Lynn Designs).The stamped sentiment and hearts are from the Tim Holtz collection. the result is a texture filled card.
My card is being entered into these challenges: Cheery Lynn Designs -- die cut flowers; Ink on My Fingers Sunday challenge --heart; Simon Says Stamp Monday challenge -- paste; Tuesday Throwdown -- anything goes; Simon Says Stamp Wednesday challenge -- anything goes with pearls; Word Art Wednesday -- anything goes; Fashionable Stamping -- anything goes; and Frilly & Funkie -- stencils and texture.

Creative Chemistry 102 -- Day 3

Smudge Stamping and Brayered Stains

Photo Tinting and Faux Cracked Glass

Distress Glitter Rock Candy and Distress Glittering

Today I decided to take a break from challenges. As I have said before, I was in the hospital during the time period of the Creative Chemistry 102 classes. Today I worked on day 3. There are only two more days to go and I'll be caught up. I wish I could have participated in the live classes, but I'm so happy that I am able to participate after the fact.

Birthday Circle

Today I decided to play with offset dies technique from the current Technique Junkies newsletter. I also used the out of the box technique (Oct/Nov 2004).I used a kraft basecard. I chose several colors of cardstock for the frame and offset circles. I stamped the background frame and the brown circle with background stamps from Rogue Redhead Designs behind the scenes plate. The image and sentiment are from RRD Winter Women. The lime and orange circles were dry embossed using a Sizzix (Tim Holtz) embossing folder.
This card is being entered into these challenges: Technique Junkies Try This Technique -- offset die cuts; Flourishes Timeless Tuesday -- lotta polka dots; Three Muses -- out of bounds; and Mark's Finest Papers Simple Salutations challenge -- stamped background.

Inspired Thoughts

I was in the mood to create a tag this afternoon. SweetStamps Cameo Girl was stamped on canvas and framed with an ornate frame die cut (Tim Holtz). She makes a wonderful centerpiece on a tag covered with Graphics 45 flowered design paper. She is embellished with lace. The sentiment is found on the pin and tag (Inspire and Thought).
 I am entering my tag on these challenges: SweetStamps -- anything goes; Simon Says Stamp Monday challenge --a cameo appearance; Mark's Finest Papers Speedy Fox and Friends challenge -- anything but a card; and City Crafter challenge -- flowers and lace.

Hope

My card layout today is based on the Mojo Monday challenge layout. I created the background using the distressed letterpress technique. Putting distress ink over one side of an embossing folder and then embossing the cardstock results in a cool background. I cut a piece of burlap paper for the back layering panel. The next panel was stamped in white ink using the Sweet 'n Sassy birch trees stamp and the tops of some trees from Mark's Finest Papers. The bird and sentiment are also MFP stamps and the little squirrels are from SnS. Except for the squirrels, I only used parts of all the stamps to get the look I wanted. I used the sentiment "Hope" because I'm tired of this winter weather and hope that Spring will be here soon! Please!!!
I am entering my card into these challenges: Mojo Monday Card Sketch challenge -- sketch; Mark's Finest Papers Tutorial Time on Speedy TV challenge -- distressed letterpress; and the Sweet 'n Sassy Friday Feature challenge --delightful backgrounds.

Fancy Fold Card

I have seen this pleated front fold (Technique Junkies) several times and really liked the look. Today was a perfect time to try the technique since the  Bloggers challenge and the monthly SweetStamps challenge were both fancy folds.
I used the depth of field technique (Technique Junkies) to stamp the background. Then I folded the front of the card. The image, colored with distress markers, and the background stamps are from SweetStamps. I die cut the image with an oval die and layered it over an oval frame which matches the inside panel. the card was a lot easier to make than I thought it would be.

12 Tags of 2014 -- February

It's nearly the end of the month and I finally finished the February tag for the 12 Tags of 2014, the challenge on Tim Holtz's blog. I know its hard to believe, but I don't have several of the items that Tim used on his tag. I think my substitutions worked pretty well. I do love the chalkboard technique, especially since it uses real chalk. The gradient effect done with the stencil gives a great effect.
I am also entering my tag into these challenges: Word Art Wednesday -- anything goes and Mark's Finest Papers Speedy Fox and Friends -- chalk.

Time Travel

It's a beautiful day. The sun is bright and the temp is about 48 degrees (balmy weather!).  I love to create Steampunk art when I'm in a fun mood. Here's the result. I started with a kraft base card. I die cut the background from copper metallic cardstock using the concentric circles mesh die from Cheery Lynn Designs. The die cut Steampunk owls with gears are also from Cheery Lynn. The old-fashioned bicycle and the owl's goggles are Dazzles from Hot Off the Press. The sentiment letters are stickers I found in my stash. Can you believe that they are the right size and that all the letters I needed were still there!
My card is being entered into these challenges: SanDee and Amelie's Steampunk challenge -- Time Machine and Ink on My Fingers Sunday Challenge -- birds.

Love

I love challenges that make me veer from my norm. This card is an unusual shape card. I used the Infinity Doily angel wing to make the base card in white. Then I adhered the Infinity Doily die cut in kraft as the front layer of the card. I cut the base and front so the result was a kind of diamond shape. I love the result. Along the bottom left side I added die cut leaves (flourish leaf strip), a handmade red rose (large rose), and several die cut violets (build a flower embellishments#2). All of the die cuts except the letters are from Cheery Lynn Designs. I cut the tag and stamped a flower flourish (SweetStamps). The letters for the sentiment are from Tim Holtz.
My card is being entered into these challenges: Cheery Lynn Designs -- shaped card; Kraft Journal -- use a die cut; Simon Says Stamp Wednesday challenge -- get krafty; and Frilly and Funkie -- bloomin' marvelous (hand made flowers).

Happy Valentine's Day

First, I'd like to say Happy Valentine's Day to all of my friends. Hope it is a fun day!
Today I am sharing a fun and non traditional Valentine that I made for my grandson. He's seven and not the frilly, lacy Valentine type. He does like to see the peacocks at the zoo though.
I started with a piece of design paper from my stash. I loved the color as a background for my peacock. I then die cut a heart from a piece of Heartfelt Creations design paper and adhered it to the background. The peacock, an outline sticker, was then layered over the heart. I used distress markers to add a little color to the peacock. My sentiment and the stamped heart are both from Quietfire Designs Rubber Stamps.
I am entering my card into these challenges: Bloggers Challenge -- use two designer papers; Our Daily Bread Designs -- non-traditional Valentines Card; and Mark's Finest Papers Simple Salutations -- Valentine's card.
Note: prepared my blog post in time for Bloggers Challenge. However, I had to go and assist my father's leaving the hospital and adjusting to being home, so I didn't get to link to the challenges until today (Saturday)

The Best Part of Myself

This Valentine is somewhat non-traditional -- no hearts, no pink or red, no lace. Yet, I think it is my favorite Valentine I made so far this year, and I have the perfect person to give it to.
I found this piece of designer paper in my stash and I have been waiting to use it. This wonderful sentiment stamp comes from Quietfire Designs Rubber Stamps as does the hugs and kisses. The kraft base and center panel is unusual for Valentine's Day, but works perfectly with the card. I like how the center diamond panel extends just a bit above and below the card. (Yes, it fits into a 5 1/2" square envelope.)
My card is being entered into these challenges: Ink on my Fingers Sunday Challenge -- Shine on You Crazy Diamond; Kraft Journal -- love; Frilly and Funkie -- Valentine's Day with a twist, no hearts.

Style and Grace

I had a chance to play with the Rogue Redhead Designs new Winter Women release again.  This time I stamped and colored (distress markers) my image. I fussy cut her out and layered her against a background of embossed pine needles and pine cone to keep with her wintery look  I framed her with the Cheery Lynn Hawaiian Luau doily frame. I think the frame really directs the eye to the image. I layered the entire framed panel on a yellow base card and added the sentiment framed in a heart. The rhinestones finished off the look.
I am entering my card into these challenge: Cheery Lynn Designs -- frame it.

Love is a Promise That Lasts Forever

It seems like Christmas was just yesterday, and now we're days away from Valentine's Day.  So many challenges are looking for Valentine's Day type themes. Here's another Valentine with red, pink, white and hearts and love for you to see.
For my image I used a larger SweetStamps stamp which I die cut into a heart shape. I then overlaid the sentiment (rub-on). The background is a fun red with white polka dot design paper. I used the Club Scrap Love stencil painted with white distress paint across the bottom of the card and added a little heart and bling..
I am entering my card in these challenges: SweetStamps -- pink, white, and red; Three Muses -- love; Simon Says Stamp Wednesday challenge -- have a heart; Flourishes Timeless Tuesday challenge -- red and love; Great Impressions -- floral image; and Mark's Finest Papers Sketch with a Twist -- sketch and hearts.

Winter Women -- new release

Welcome to the Rogue Crew's Winter Women blog hop!

Rogue Redhead Designs is proud to announce its 15th unmounted rubber stamp plate - Winter Women!  With vintage sophistication, Winter Women will wow you with its fabulous and fashionable focal images, elegant elements and smashing sentiments!  Our mini background is the perfect size to adorn an ATC or add interest to a graceful greeting card.

Winter Women is available for its introductory price of US$12.00 (reg. $15.00) until March 8, 2014!

In addition to the great price on this new plate, we also have several bargains in the Specials section of our website and some fabulous deals among our limited availability Singles.

I'd like to share some cards I created with these wonderful stamps.

My first card uses the upright diamond fold technique (Technique Junkies). Notice how the wind is blowing our lovely lady. She was colored with distress markers. The sentiment panel is embellished with the cool high top shoe.The sentiment says "Laughter is the sun that drives winter from the human face."

My second card is a simple birthday card. Using the hearts as frames, I stamped the adorable young lady, fussy cut her, and attached her to the large heart. The birthday sentiment was stamped directly on the smaller heart. The hearts were layered on a dry embossed panel.

Hope you'll hop along with us and check out what the Design Team has created with these stamps. Don't miss any of these wonderful designers, Here are your links to follow:

Sharon Briss - Ill Tempered Ink

Helene Huber - Lotsa Scrap from 2amscrapper

Krisha Ogle - Krisha's Keepsakes

Vicki Robertson  - He"Artful" Validation of Vicki 

Debi Ryan - My Bird Flying Free

Trisha Too - Easily Amused, Hard to Offend...

Barbara Washington - Magic Delights (You are here)

Sharon Briss - Rogue Redhead Designs blog 

Be a Good One

"Whatever you are, be a good one" is one of my favorite sayings.It's also a stamp from Artistic Outpost. Today is Friday which means it's time for the Bloggers Challenge. This week the challenge is black/white with a splash of color. Today the black and white pulled me in two directions (fortunately compatible). I immediately thought of the chalkboard technique and of newspapers or book pages. I used both on my card. The splash of color (gold) was inspired by the Ink on my Fingers Sunday challenge which is black and gold. 

To make my card I started with a page from an old book. I then added the gold by painting a stencil with gold distress paint and then laying it on the panel. This gave a reverse of the stencil and you can still see the words on the book page. I then stamped the sentiment on black cardstock with embossing ink and heat embossed with frosted crystal embossing powder. The chalk was rubbed over the embossing. Thanks Tim Holtz for that technique! The card was embellished with a white ribbon and three flower diecuts (Cheery Lynn) with gold brad centers.

I am also entering my card into these challenges: City Crafter -- splash of color; Word Art Wednesday challenge -- anything goes; Inspiration Journal challenge -- show with words; and Artistic Outpost monthly referral challenge -- anything goes with Artistic Outpost stamps.

A Little Sneak Peak

A note from me to you...Check back on Saturday. Rogue Redhead Designs has a wonderful new release which will debut this Saturday, Feb. 8. The new stamps will be featured in a blog hop by the Design Team members. Come by Rogue Redhead Designs on Saturday midday and join in the fun.
With my little atc I am sharing a sneak peak at a few of the new stamps. See you Saturday!

Love Gives us a Fairy Tale

Today's Valentine is a large tag with a little Steampunk influence. Are you starting to see a pattern? To create my background, I started with several drops of distress paint. I pounced the brayer in the paint and then on to the tag. I stamped (all stamps from Tim Holtz) the Valentine words and then letterpressed them using the matching texture fade. The hearts were stamped next. Before stamping the sentiment, I used a bit of picket fence distress stain so the sentiment would stand out better against the darker background. Jacob, the focal image is from Simply Betty. I added the metallic paper die cut wings and an arrow spinner. The tag string was dyed using a distress marker.
I am entering my tag in these challenges: Simply Steampunk -- wings/grunge; Simon Says Stamp Wednesday challenge -- twine or string; Word Art Wednesday -- anything goes; Flourishes Timeless Tuesday challenge -- purple; Fashionable Stamping -- tag along; Artistic Stamper -- use distress; and Stampin' for the Weekend -- anything but a card.

Another Steampunk Valentine

I'm not sure how it happened, but another steampunk Valentine just rolled out of my studio. The layout of my

card is based on a turned version of the Kraft Journal sketch challenge this week. All of my die cuts are from Cheery Lynn Designs. I especially love the corset. It's a great image. I used Core'dinations paper embossed with Valentine hearts (Cuttlebug) and sanded for the background. Behind the corset is an oval of embossed (Sizzix) vellum. The design paper is from Club Scrap. Kraft cardstock was used for the card base.
My card is being entered into these challenges: Cheery Lynn Designs --  tickled pink; Kraft Journal -- sketch; Mark's Finest Papers Friends of Speedy challenge -- dry embossing; V's Sweet Ideas blog challenge -- red, white, and pink; and finally (only a day late) Bloggers Challenge -- embossing.