Taylored Expressions Cupcake Challenge #25 & note to locals July 18, 2008

Happy Friday everyone.  It is time for another one of Taylor’s challenges.  You do not have to use cupcake images to participate.  Check out her site to learn how you could be next weeks featured sampler (and sometimes she even gives away goodies).

I usually try not to work with flowers, but when I saw this weeks sketch, I had the perfect images in mind for it.

       

Yes, I will be heading to the store today to pick up some new blades for my paper cutter before I start my swap cards for convention.  When a blade goes bad, it seems to add way too much character to the cut lines of all the thinner papers….that wouldn’t be acceptable on my swap cards

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Check out more sites for samples of Taylor’s Cupcake Challenge:

 Ana Wohlfahrt, Jami Sibley, Lynn Mercurio, Monika Davis, Sherrie Siemens, Stephanie Hargis, and Vicki Chrisman

This weeks featured cupcake sampler is Donna Baker.  You can see her creation at Serenity in Stamping.

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FOR THE LOCALS……

Tomorrow, Saturday the 19th, I am selling all the Stampin’ Up! cards* I’ve made and you’ve seen here on my blog.  If you are interested in my work, I will be at Tree Of Life Lutheran Church located at 1492 Linglestown Road (Susquehanna Township, Harrisburg Pennsylvania, Near Mountaindale community).  I will help in the fundraising efforts for an upcoming Guatemala Mission.  Starting at 11am, there will be food, baked goods, a car wash, ……my cards, and all of my retired stamp sets. 

*angel policy guidelines followed 

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all supplies stampin’ up!

STAMPS:  Big Flowers, Little Flowers, A Beautiful Thing

CS:  Certainly Celery, Bashful Blue, So Saffron, Whisper White; Cutie Pie DSP

INKS:  same as CS

ACCESSORIES:  Build-a-Brad, Bashful Blue striped ribbon, Vintage Brads

PUNCHES:  all circles 1/16″, 1/4″, 1/2″, 3/4″, 1″, 1-1/4″,  1-3/8″; 5-petal flower

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Have a wonderful weekend.  Okay, I have no idea why the content of this post looks messed up after the picture…lol

Taylored Expressions Cupcake Challenge #24 July 11, 2008

Happy Friday!  So much to share and I’m going to try and post it all here this morning.

First up is Taylor and her awesome sketch this morning on her blog Taylored Expressions.  Remember, you don’t have to use cupcake images to play along.  She also has a summer sale going on right now.  You could be next weeks featured cupcake sampler:)  How’s that sound?

Here is what I came up with for the sketch:

             

How funny of a sentiment for the theme of this card.  The wording is from SU! Many Happy Returns set.  I took the set of 3 stamps and cut it into a set of 34 sentiments that I mounted on wooden blocks from the block guy.    

          

Check out more samples for Taylor’s Challenge from the Cupcake Crew:

Ana Wohlfahrt, Jami Sibley, Lynn Mercurio, Monika Davis, Stephanie Hargis, and Vicki Chrisman

This weeks featured cupcake sampler is Terri Dodd at Simply paper and stamps

Now, about the scallop edge punch.  I received many questions on how to create the scalloping inside of the frame. 

 Create a CS Frame…MAKE SURE THE INSIDE OPEN SPACE IS 2-1/2″ OR GREATER FOR THE PUNCH TO FIT IN.

  This is what I mean about “punch fitting into”

  Lined up (the size used in pic is 3-1/2″ with 2-1/2″ opening)

  Here is what reverse side looks like.  I always work with punches upside down…botton side…KWIM

  A punched inner frame.  You will find that the punch will not let you get into the corners of the inner frame. 

  Finished frame.

Scallop Edge Punch Introduction July 9, 2008

Here you have it!  You are seeing some creations here first!  Some more punch ideas with the newest SU! punch that will be available this August.

I actually didn’t purchase this yet.  I wanted to play with it first to see if I really need it.  Could it take the place of my corner rounder/slit punch?  My friend Deb Kemp put me up to the challenge to see what I could create with her punch.

Here is placement of paper in punch for perfectly rounded corners:

 

Here are Squares created with the punch:

 

Here are the measurements you need for creating the squares:

2 scallops to a side = 13/16″ square piece of CS

3 scallops to a side = 1-3/16″ square piece of CS

4 scallops to a side = 1-1/2″ square piece of CS

5 scallops to a side = 1-15/16″ square piece of CS

6 scallops to a side = 2-5/16″ square piece of CS

7 scallops to a side = 2-3/4″ square piece of CS

8 scallops to a side = 3-1/8″ square piece of CS

9 scallops to a side = 3-1/2″ square piece of CS

10 scallops to a side = 3-13/16″ square piece of CS

AND SO ON!!!  ETA….the measurements above are estimates due to where and how you line up the scallop punch.  For the measurements I listed above, do not slide the piece of CS all the way in till it stops.  I just found it easier (and lined up better) if I lined up the cs with the bottom edges of the scallop punch. 

Here is a pic of rectangles I made perfect for sentiments:

 No specific chart for this due to you creating whatever size rectangle you need for an image or sentiment.

Here is a pic of some frames:

 Tips for the frame on the right — omit to top and bottom inner punch and thread some ribbon originals or large twill tape through; insert a squared piece of cs into all the slots; to punch inside to create scalloping border within a frame for the image on the left….HAS TO BE 2-1/2″ OR GREATER SO IT FITS OVER THE PUNCH.

Here are some pics of frames, borders, and photo corners:

AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST….MY FAVORITE CREATIONS WITH THIS PUNCH:

A small flower, the top of a cupcake, a turtle, a bumble-bee, and how about some braces border to cheer up the kiddo who just had them placed

Here is the base image for the cupcake and turtle:

Now, get busy with this punch and see what you come up with.  AND WAIT TILL YOU SEE WHAT I HAVE TO POST TOMORROW!!!!  SO COOL.

Taylor’s Cupcake Challenge #23 July 4, 2008

Happy 4th of July!!  I hope everyone has a safe and fun-filled holiday.  For this Friday I thought I would make two cards with totally different styles….one for the holiday and one for my daughter who thinks I put stamping before her (”you never take me to the mall because all you care about is stamping!”).  I guess she knows just what to say to kick in the guilt factor.

You don’t have to use cupcake images to participate in Taylor’s cupcake challenge…but if you have them, why not use them. 

I never thought I’d be making a 4th of July card with this Stamping Bella image Cuppacakeabella.  Once I found a good sentiment from MFT’s Let’s go for a walk and some patriotic colors, I think it turned out very nice.  I created the background paper using Whisper White CS, SU Star and Large Star Punches, Crystal Effects, and Dazzling Diamonds glitter.  The image was colored in with Prisma Pencils.  The sentiment was stamped on vellum.  The ribbon is SU! Jersey Ribbon Originals.

Here is a close up:

 The cupcake icing was created with a layer of Baby Blue Stickles, covered with Crystal Effects, and finished with a fine dusting of Dazzling Diamonds glitter. 

Here is the second card that I made for my daughter.

For this one I used BasicGrey Two Scoops PP Paper Pad and SU! stamp set Seriously Sassy.  The main center rectangle is a sheet of metallic vellum with a border created with Pretty in Pink CS and Faux-stitching.  Flowers are from the Pretties Kit with flower punches from Boho Blossoms Punch.  Added pink adhesive rhinestones throughout card.  Ribbon is May Arts.

Check out what the other Cupcake girls have created:

Ana Wohlfahrt, Jami Sibley, Lynn Mercurio, Monika Davis, Stephanie Hargis, and Vicki Chrisman

This weeks featured cupcake sampler is Michelle from Just Painting Around.  Make sure to check out her creation for today as well.

Enjoy your holiday weekend and thanks for stopping by

Stampin’ Up! Happy Mail sneak peek June 30, 2008

Oh what a treat in the mail today.  I thought I would share with you my invitation to the Artisan Award dinner that I will attend during convention.  Okay….I love this card.  Simple but THE MOST ELEGANT style.  And check out the images.  This is definitely a must have and I will be recreating this invite for sure.

Now if only I could make all the travel arrangements…lol  We did book the airline and hotel arrangements.  We plan to do a lot of touring during our visit to SLC.  If you have any suggestions for hubby and I, that would be great!  As far as swaps, that is kind of still up in the air.  I am participating in an organized “wow” swap but that is it for now.  I may make up a couple to have on hand????  Guess it will be a surprise

Hope you have a wonderful Monday and thanks for stopping by.

Taylored Expressions Cupcake Challenge #22 June 27, 2008

Yes, it’s Friday!  I woke up this morning thinking it was Thursday…lol.  I have been so disorganized and thrown off my normal routine all due to a dentist appointment yesterday.  Man, that gets me so worked up and it went so smoothly without pain:)  Now I can focus on getting back to stamping.

Here is what I quickly came up with this morning for Taylors cupcake challenge.  I wish I had more time to play with this sketch and give you more of a wow factor, so I posted a “masking maniac” creation below it with the same set (was going to submit it to the stamping royalty contest but I, once again, had other things get in the way and I wasn’t able to send it in.

  I had some other ideas and maybe I’ll get to that later this weekend.   I added two little cupcakes to go with the cupcake theme.  Remember, you don’t have to use cupcake images to participate in the challenges.  Give it a try with whatever you have.  Believe me…I have very little cupcake images and I’m now on the lookout for some cute ones.

If you want to see more samples from the cupcake sketch team, check out their sites:

Ana Wohlfahrt, Jami Sibley, Lynn Mercurio, Monika Davis, Stephanie Hargis, and Vicki Chrisman

And this weeks featured cupcake sampler is the most fabulous Sharon Harnist (yippeee).  You can check out her creation at her blog paperfections.

HERE IS THE CARD I MENTIONED ABOVE.  DO YOU HAVE THE PATIENCE FOR MASKING WITH 4 DIFFERENT SETS TO CREATE A SCENE??? 

 

Let’s just say it took a whole weekend of on and off stamping to create this card..lol  That’s right!  4 stamp sets:  MFT’s Meet me at the Cafe (cafe window scene), Can Ya Dit It (hat), Gone to the Dogs(lady walking dog), and Behind the Scenes (floral design on wall). 

The window is covered with Crystal Effects with a touch of Adirondack Aqua Re-inker for the glare effect. 

 

Hope you all have a happy Thursday   Friday!

 

Baby Carriage Bouquet June 24, 2008

A while ago, I was blown away by the most talented Lauren and her ability to create a baby onesie bouquet & cards in this post –>here<–.  I never get the opportunity to create for babies.  It seems like all my friends and family are past that stage.  When I went to work last weekend, there was a little slip of paper on my mailbox stating that I was to bring in a “secret gift” for an aid for nurse’s aid appreciation week.  My secret buddy is expecting and having a little girl in August.  I instantly thought of Lauren’s idea…yeah the opportunity to create baby stuff.  I was even more motivated because she’s naming her baby Morgan like my daughter

What to do with these $1 tins I found at Target??

Not wanting to do the exact same thing as Lauren, I had to find a way to utilize this tin.  I had one of those moments while driving….how about trying to make a baby carriage?  I am so pleased with the way this project turned out.  I had to take a step back when I was finished and decide if I wanted to give it away..lol.

 

Just an FYI, don’t ask the dimensions for the umbrella to the carriage.  I was playing around creating, trying to make it work, and didn’t write down any dimensions/score lines/etc.  And, if you do decide to re-create, it is likely that the dimensions to your tin won’t be the same

Here is an upclose of my flower bouquet inside the carriage:

  Rolled the onesies, added some Prima flowers, created leaves with a Sizzix Diecut and Machine.

Here is a pic of the whole package she’ll receive tomorrow:

I used MFT stamp set Congrats all Around for the Onesie Cards because she’ll need to have some cards on hand post-delivery for thank you’s or announcements if she wishes.  The card package contains 10 cards and envelopes with coordinating patterned paper belly band around the envelopes.  Ribbon is May Arts to continue the theme from the carriage to the card package.

Have a wonderful day and thanks for stopping by.

Birthday wishes June 21, 2008

Today, we will be celebrating my daughter’s 14th birthday.  For a teen, colorful and fun comes to mind.   Lauren Meader has a challenge posted –>here<– on her blog and I thought I would give it a try this weekend.

  The challenge is to use part of a stamped image.  I used Unity Stamp Co. Confetti Birthday set for the challenge.  With the rather large birthday sentiment, omitting parts of images worked well for this card (or the card would be a crazy 10″ long). 

For the inside, I created a little pocket to hold some cash.  I continued the theme to the inside and only stamped the candle from the cupcake with another simple sentiment.

  

Hope you are all enjoying your weekend.  Thanks for stopping by.

Taylored Expressions Cupcake Challenge #21 June 20, 2008

Hmmmmm, I think the words that come to mind are funky, groovy, 8-tracks, and throw the peace symbol in there as well.  Just a little before my time, but I think the card I made for Taylor’s challenge is more of a flashback friday creation…lol  It’s a busy one, but I wanted to make a bright & fun card.  Remember, you don’t have to use cupcake images to participate in the challenges.

 

Doesn’t that PP used for the wallpaper shout out 60’s?  And the ribbon…I had to use this oh so soft and funky May Arts ribbon.  I had a lot of fun creating this card.  Now, if only I could find the opportunity to plop myself in a chair and gobble down some ice cream.

To see more samples for Taylor’s challenge, check out these sites:

Ana Wohlfahrt, Jami Sibley, Lynn Mercurio, Monika Davis, Stephanie Hargis, and Vicki Chrisman

This weeks featured cupcake sampler is Tammy from Stamp Happy.  Make sure to check out her creation as well.

STAMPS:  MFT Here’s the scoop.

CS:  Shimmery White, Close to Cocoa, and Ruby Red.  PP:  My Mind’s Eye Day Dream Funky Flowers, Candy Stripe, and In Bloom.

INKS:  Stazon Jet Black, Pumpkin Pie, Close to Cocoa, Ruby Red, Regal Rose, and Blush Blossom.

ACCESSORIES:  Dew Drops, May Arts Ribbon, Horizontal Slot Punch, 1-1/4″ & 1-3/8″ Circle Punches, Coluzzle, 3/16″ Corner Rounder Punch.

Have a wonderful weekend and thanks for stopping by.   

 

Beate’s weekend sketch challenge #53 June 20, 2008

TGIF!!!  I’m looking forward to a weekend of relaxation and family time.  I seem to be so busy lately and only have time to post on Fridays.  Believe me…that doesn’t mean I’m not stamping.  Busy with design team stuff that you’ll have to wait and see for now:)  Will share in the future.

This is my card for Beate’s wsc:

  Very little stamping (only a sentiment).  Truth be told…I just had to use the patterned paper that I fell in love with from Cosmo Cricket.  Just a card to have on hand for any occassion. 

Check out the sites of these talented ladies to see more creations for Beate’s wsc:

Cambria Turnbow, Charmaine Ikach, Jenn Balcer, Laurie Schmidlin, Lori Craig, and Sharon Harnist

Make sure to stop back shortly for a funkedelic flashback creation.

STAMPS:  MFT Essential Sentiments

CS:  SU! Chocolate Chip and Vellum.  Cosmo Cricket Gretel: Autumn & Woodland PP.

INKS:  Chocolate Chip

ACCESSORIES:  Mini Brads, May Arts Ribbon, linen thread, ticket corner punch.