Mixed Media with Stampin' Up! Summer Silhouettes

After taking the Stenciled class I've really become intrigued with mixed media.  I am not a complicated stamper, so I wasn't sure if it was something that would really fit in with my stamping. I decided to try some of the Mix-Ability challenges over on Splitcoast.  I started with the first one and will work my way through them as I have time.  I hope to learn a little something along with way.  :)   For this one we had to use a matte finish and a shiny finish.  I used gesso (tinted Coastal Cabana) and embossing powder.  

I used my Aquapainter to make the ombre tag.  I am really enjoying using that and watercolor paper so much now!   I wanted to use a tag to play along at the Simon Says Wednesday Challenge.   :)   

It was so pretty out today, so we took a little trip to the park.  :)  

FM55: Ghost Sketch

So here is the "Mashup" Challenge :

1. Make a project using the " Sketch ".
2. Or Make a project using the " Ghosting (aka VersaMark Resist) Technique".
3. Or "Mash it Up" and create a project using the " Sketch & the Ghosting Technique".

Time for a new Friday Mashup challenge!    This week is my week to host so I thought I'd challenge everyone with a sketch and a new-to-me technique!  I saw a swap from last year's Convention that used the VersaMark resist technique and have wanted to try it out for a long time.  I figured why not use that for my challenge so that I finally HAD to do it?!   :)

I'm not sure you can really see the technique.  :(   I used En Francais on the background piece and the Pink Pirouette is a bit light to really make it stand out.    I'm trying to adjust to losing Blushing Bride next month, but as of right now the other pinks aren't working for me!   I pulled this combination from the Color Coach and I like it, but it probably wasn't the best to show off this particular technique.   I did use another retiring set, Vintage Vogue.  Even though I despise fussy cutting, I always seem to do it with this set.  It just looks so pretty to pop up the flowers!   

I hope you'll find a bit of time to come play along with us this week.   I'd love to see what you do with the technique and/or sketch.  :)

Club Sketch #3

Here's the last sample I made up to show off our club sketch for this month.   This one is the flipped and stepped-up version.  I'm pretty sure if I pulled this one to make at club there would be a riot over all the fussy cutting!  :)    It didn't start out of that, but it was one of those projects where I kept adding more and more until it got a bit out of hand!  

What are we going to do when Sale-a-bration ends and we have to put up this gorgeous paper?!  

Stamps:   Vintage Vogue, Petite Pairs

Ink: Pool Party, Lucky Limeade

Paper:  Pool Party, Lucky Limeade, Whisper White, Everyday Enchantment DSP

Tools/Accessories:  In Color brads, Basic Pearls, Everyday Enchantment ribbon/brad pack, oval punch

Gratitude

After a pretty crappy day yesterday, I decided to go play in my stamp room a bit before I went to bed.   Making a card is the perfect cure for the blahs!   I wanted to play along with a couple of challenges, so I decided to combine the Pals Paper Arts color challenge to use River Rock, Soft Suede, and Early Espresso with the Friday Mashup challenge to make a Thank You or Gratitude card.

Now I make a lot of cards and I like some of them, LOVE others, and hide a few too.   This card is one that I LOVE and I'm amazed at how well it turned out!   I have been trying to use some stamp sets that have collected a bit of dust, so that's where I got the Vintage Vogue inspiration.  I wasn't sure about brown flowers, but I am in love with them!   I think this card will go in my "I'm keeping it forever" stash.  :)    Now it is an overcast day here in Texas, so my photo truly doesn't do this one justice.  I tried different locations and different lighting, but it just wasn't happening today.   I really need to get that light tent ordered!

Happy Sunday!

Stamps:  Vintage Vogue, Petite Pairs, En Francais
Ink:  Soft Suede, Early Espresso, River Rock
Paper:  Soft Suede, Early Espresso, River Rock, Very Vanilla
Tools:  Big Shot, Scallop Circle #2 die, circle punches, paper snips, Basics glimmer brads, Early Espresso satin ribbon (retired)

Class Cards & a Challenge

I finally stamped this week!   I have had a pretty blah month, so I haven't felt like getting in my room and stamping very much.   I am trying to make myself go do it this week as it improves my mood so much.   I have a clean-and-simple class planned for next week, so I decided to work on some ideas for that and to do at least one challenge as well.   

This card was inspired by Maureen's card found here.   I love her style!    This one is my favorite of the three cards I'm posting today; I think it is lovely.   The layout uses the clean-and-simple sketch for this week's challenge on Splitcoast.  

Stamps:  Apple Blossoms, Vintage Vogue

Ink:  Baja Breeze

Paper:  Greenhouse Gala designer paper, Very Vanilla, Baja Breeze

Accessories:  basic pearls

Tools:  mat pack, paper piercer, Itty Bitty Punch Pack, Big Shot, Beautiful Butterflies die

Here's another simple, yet elegant card.   Here I used one of my favorite colors, Pear Pizzazz to give Elizabeth her first inking.    I find this stamp to be a tad bit challenging, but I like how this turned out.  

Stamps:  Teeny Tiny Wishes, Elizabeth

Ink:  Pear Pizzazz

Paper: Greenhouse Gala designer paper, Very Vanilla, Pear Pizzazz

Accessories:  basic pearls, Very Vanilla 3/8 taffeta ribbon

Tools:  Itty Bitty Punch Pack, Scallop Trim Border Punch

Finally, here is my challenge card for today.   This is for the color challenge on Splitcoast to use Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, and Very Vanilla.   This is one of those cards where the idea just didn't translate like I wanted, but I'm not going to beat myself up over it.    It might end up being one that I take apart or add to once I think about what needs to be changed to make me love it.  :)

Stamps:  Lovely as a Tree

Ink:  Chocolate Chip, Old Olive

Paper:  Jolly Holiday designer paper, Woodland Walk designer paper, Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, Very Vanilla

Tools:  Big Shot, Fancy Favor Die (I love the little border that it makes!)

Creative Crew Teaser Part 4

Here is my final card for the Creative Crew design team May challenges on Splitcoast. Just a few more days and you'll be able to see all of them in their entirety. :) 

Stamps: Vintage Vogue, All Holidays, En Francais

Ink: Baja Breeze, Soft Suede

Paper: Baja Breeze, Soft Suede, Very Vanilla, Elegant Soiree

Tools: Paper Snips, Itty Bitty Punch Pack, Stamp-a-ma-jig

Accessories: Basic Pearls

Just Add New Stuff!

Two benefits of being a demonstrator are getting sneak peeks and preordering merchandise from upcoming catalogs. There is going to be a new promotion coming up next month and here is just a little preview of what you have to look forward to. 

This is my take on the Just Add Ink sketch of today. 

Stamps: Vintage Vogue, Four Frames (promotion set!)

Ink: Early Espresso, Pear Pizzazz

Paper: Early Espresso, Whisper White, Paisley Petals Designer Paper (promotion paper!)

Tools: Designer Label Punch

Accessories: In Color Glimmer Brads, Regals brads, Early Espresso satin ribbon

Sorry about the bad picture yet again. The only issue with stamping at night is the lack of sunlight for good photos.

Sale-a-bration Class/Workshop

(inspired by Laurie)

(inspired by Barb)

(Not my original idea, but it has been recreated so many times that I'm not sure who to credit for the original?)

Here are the 3 cards we are making tomorrow at a Sale-a-bration workshop/class.   The ladies asked for techniques, so I focused on the different looks that can be done with the Stampin' Up! sponges and ink pads.    I love all of them and I hope they will as well.

Two Projects in One Day! Oh My!

Here's my project for today.   It is not my normal style at all!  I got the idea from this card by djahner on SCS and ran with it.   I love Melon Mambo, so be prepared to see it a lot!  Sorry for the bad picture; not much sunlight at midnight.  :)  

Card Recipe:
Paper:  Whisper White card stock (#100730), Basic Black card stock (#102851), Pretty in Pink card stock (#100459)
Ink:  Melon Mambo Classic Stampin' Pad (#115656)
Stamps:  Vintage Vogue (#118598) clear mount
Accessories:  Pretty in Pink button (retired?), Hemp Twine (#100982)
Tools:  Cutter Kit (#106958), Spiral punch (#108341)

Here is how I finished off my brayered sunset card.    I think it turned out pretty good for a first attempt.

Recipe:
Paper:  Whisper White card stock (#100730), Pumpkin Pie card stock (#105117), Chocolate Chip card stock (#102128)
Tools:   Brayer (#102395), Stamping Sponges (#101610), Stamp-a-ma-jig (#101049, Paper Cutter (#104152)
Ink:  More Mustard Classic Stampin' Pad (#103152), Pumpkin Pie Classic Stampin' Pad (#105216), Riding Hood Red Classic Stampin' Pad (will be in new catalog), Chocolate Chip Classic Stampin' Pad (#100908)
Stamps:  Upsy Daisy (#111710)  

A Cool New Tool and My "First" Card

My new best friend!   The new Color Coach (#121620) is AWESOME!   It is so helpful in picking colors that work together.   The first few cards provide so much information about color theory and then you get to the colors themselves.   On the back of each color card, there are two color combinations listed to help you plan out the colors for your cards.   Love it!

My "first" card.    When I sat down to make this card, it took me a minute to catch my breath.    I have been making cards for several years, but when I cut into this paper, it wasn't for my hobby.  It was my new BUSINESS!   I admit it, I was NERVOUS!    I love this stamp set and used it to CASE this lovely card from Ruth.     I used the Color Coach to pick two colors that worked well together and I think it turned out great!
I'll try to include all of the item codes in my card recipes to make ordering easy.

Card Recipe:
Ink:   Old Olive Classic Ink (#102277), Rich Razzleberry Classic Ink (#115658)
Paper:  Old Olive card stock (#100702), Rich Razzleberry card stock (#115316), Whisper White card stock (#100730)
Stamps:  Vintage Vogue in clear mount (#118598)
Tools, etc:   Clear block C (#118486), Paper Cutter (#104152), SNAIL Adhesive (#104332), Stampin' Dimensionals (#104430)

Stamping always requires some extra help!   :)