You Make My Heart Flutter - SPCC #13

Monday are so busy!  Two posts in one day! 

Here we are at this week's SPCC color challenge #13:

At first I was not feeling this combo.  The rose threw me.  But once I got it all pulled together I loved this combo!  Here's how I used it:

October/November 2010 issue

The colors are all so beautifully represented in Basic Grey's Urban Prairie collection.  Of course, I just had to do some fussy cutting...the flowered border (obvious) and the zig zag green diamonds border (abutting the photo, which isn't as obvious in the pic that it's cut zig zag). 

Lovin' the trimmed ribbons on this layout, too.  I like stuff with "interest".

And how about that Unity Stamp Co. heart?  Yes, I know...I've used it before already.  But I LUH-UHVE it.  And both these pics really do make my heart flutter. 

More masking fun on the right side of the l/o.  First I laid down a Heidi Swapp mask, then stamped a music staff image all over with VersaMark, then I sprayed it with some pearl Glimmer Mist.  I love the way the mist blurred the stamped image in some areas and in other clung to and highlighted it.  Yum!

The design of this layout is compliments of last week's Sketchy Thursdays sketch.  I realized half way through making my layout that I wouldn't be able to post this during the proper week on ST.  Oh, well.  I think Diana will forgive me.  LOL!

Details:  Paper - Basic Grey, Stampin' Up!; Stamps - Unity Stamp Co., Delish; Ink - StazOn, VersaMark; Heidi Swapp mask; Glimmer Mist; SEI pearl brads; ribbon - Michael's, unknown; Zig Milennium pen.

OK, let's see your SPCC creation this week using this awesome color combo!  Link it HERE to Mr. Linky.   Be sure to check out what all the amazing SP Divas created for your inspiration, too.  Leave them so love!!

And, of course, I can't forget to let you know what you're playing for this week...another AMAZING Copics set from iCopic.com:

Copic Ciao - Set of 8 Craft Pastel Marker Kit + 1 Multiliner Pen.  This retails for nearly $40 and one lucky winner is going to be the proud owner of this amazing set!!

Thanks for stopping by!!

Heidi

Spunky Ham & Cheese

Woohoo!  Welcome to the next Spunky Scrappers challenge!  The prompt this week is FAMOUS PAIRS.

You can go so many different directions with this one...you can refer to two people as Bonnie & Clyde or Romeo & Juliet.  Your kid and their best friend go together like peas & carrots.  You can do opposites like the roadrunner & coyote.  And it doesn't have to be people either...light & dark, ketchup & mustard, black & white.  OK, enough.  The possibilities are endless.  Just be sure to have fun and keep it spunky!!!

Here's my interpretation, "Ham & Cheese":

I am sorry to say I no longer remember the story behind this picture. I just remember it was so funny that my son was crying while my daughter was running around laughing and acting crazy. Usually, however, the scenario is reversed, hence my subtitle, "For once, she's the ham to his cheese."

I based the font of "ham" and "cheese" on Stampin' Up!'s doodle alphabet stamps, although they're hand-lettered and changed up a bit.

I'm sooooo happy to have my sewing machine back (even though it technically wasn't broken, but I thought it was).  Had some more stitching fun.  I love the way it looks when you backstitch slower than the machine wants to...the more loopy and uneven the better if you ask me!!!

Oh, man, do you think my son's going to kill me someday for posting these pics of him?  Ha ha!!!  I have a lot of great "blackmail" pics peppered throughout all his scrapbooks.  Better not mess with Mama, sweetie, if you don't want your friends introduced to these pics.  Bwah-ha-ha!!  Don't get me wrong - I'm an equal opportunity blackmailer.  My daughter has her fair share, too. 

Details - American Craft paper; Zig Milennium pen; thread; Gilbert Pizza menu. 

OK, let's see just how Spunky you are!!!!  Come on!  Whip it out!!  Link up your spunky famous pairs project to the Spunky Scrappers gallery.  And be sure to check out what the Spunky DT created for your inspiration.  Leave them all some love because they did amazing jobs!

Heidi

Weekend Shout Outs

Hey there out there in virtual world!  Hope you all have been having fabulous weekends!

Nothing new to show you today but I have a few shout outs. 

First of all, I am so honored and surprised to have won the Artist of the Month blog giveaway on Susan Z's gorgeous blog Imagine. Create. Express.!!!  

Look at this adorable haul I won!!!

I've come to know Susan through SPCC and she has been the super Guest SP Diva this month.

And did you know you, too, can be the next lucky winner of this wonderful blog giveaway?  How, you ask?  Head on over to Susan's blog and make a comment.  You will go into a draw to win a monthly prize which will be drawn at the end of every month. Also if the winner has a craft related blog or website they will be featured as as the "Artist of the Month"!  Cool, eh?

And truly, I'm not sending you to just any old blog to win some candy.  Check out Susan's art.  She really is a great scrap and card artist as well as a genuinely sweet and wonderful person!

PLUS, Susan also has a special giveaway every other month just for becoming a public follower!  On the 29th of September, November, January, March, May and July the names of five new followers will be drawn to win a small prize.

AND, just when you thought there couldn't be any more goodness from this wonderful little lady, for every comment made on her blog, 20c will be donated to World Vision Australia http://www.worldvisionaustralia.com.au/!  I'd say Susan deserves a standing ovation!!!

Thanks Susan!!

Some other really cool news this weekend...Sam from SPCC has started up another challenge blog. 

Just Buggin' is a weekly Cricut challenge blog. Every Wednesday you will find a new challenge to help inspire you to use your Cricut machine.  At least one die cut from the Cricut must be used for each challenge entry.  You may enter the challenge as many times as you want. 

Yippee!  I feel like I've been neglecting my Cricut lately.  This is going to be so fun!!

They will be mixing up the types of challenges they are going to be posing -sometimes the challenge will be a word inspiration, sometimes an ABC inspiration, sometimes a color, sometimes a material...you just never know what they will have in store for you!


The first challenge is the word "serene".  The word "serene" doesn't actually have to appear on your project...it's just a starting point.


OK, well, that's all I have for you tonight. 

Be sure to check back here periodically this week.  There's the new SPCC color challenge and the Spunky Scrappers challenge on Monday, I'll have a new Tuesday Techniques challenge for you over on Memories Always-Forever for you on (you guessed it) Tuesday.  The Pink Ninjas "concerts" challenge is due on Wednesday.  Sketchy Thursdays' sketch challenge is due on Thursday.  Friday is the first Unity Stamp Co. Friends with Flair Friday, which is replacing the much beloved Hip Hop Hangover.  And, I'm sure, I'm forgetting plenty of other fun, fun, fun challenges for the week.

Happy Sunday evening!

Heidi

Hip Hop Hangover...I don't want it to end!

Happy Friday! Happy Hip Hop Hangover!

It's quite melancholy knowing this is the final Hip Hop Hangover. Yes, I know Angela said Fridays will still remain the customer showcase day, but nonetheless, Hip Hop as we know and love it is coming to an end. Boo hoo. Plus, I love the name...here's hoping the new Friday showcase will have an equally adorable name!

I've made a few Unity offerings this week, but I'll start with the new one. I just realized I haven't made a card since the very beginning of August! It's wasn't that long ago but in terms of creating it seems AGES.

Nice and simple. I apologize for the dark nature of the pic. Hazard of indoor nighttime photography.

This card was going to include a bit of machine stitching on it but my machine decided to pout. I don't recall anything seeming wrong with it when I last shut it off but suddenly it won't go forward. Nice. It'll go backward fine, just not forward. If anyone has a suggestion for why it's doing this and/or how to fix it, PLEASE let me know!! I have 2 layouts in queue that were going to have machine stitching on them. I'm a little bit panicked. I might go into withdrawals if I can't fix it!

Update: The sewing machine mystery is solved!!! Thanks to a friend who suggested I should just make sure none of my settings looked "off". Somehow the darn bobbin winder was engaged and apparently that prevents the needle from moving forward. Whew!! Thanks Theresa!!

Details: Unity Stamp Co. stamp; Ranger Distress Ink; Making Memories journaling card; The Paper Co. paper; unknown ribbon.

Now onto the Unity Week In Review:

(Click on the title to see the original post with additional shots and details.)

Old Skool

I Adore You

Aaaand, for those of you who may have missed them last week (*pout* my blog got left off the HHH list last week *pout*):

What The?!

Love Is In the Air

Hope you all have an AWESOME weekend ahead of you. We've got a jam-packed one full of playdates (for the kids AND the parents) and a couple of birthday parties.

Have fun on the rest of the hop!!

Heidi

p.s. - Don't forget to check out the Sketchy Thursdays Design Team Call!!

p.p.s. - And, did you SEE the SPCC prize this week??!! Another set of Copics! AWESOME!

Sketchy Thursdays Design Team Call

Happy Hump Day to you all!!

You know how much I love my Sketchy Thursdays challenges, right? I mean, have you SEEN the gorgeous sketches that the talented Miss Diana graciously blesses us with every week??!!!! Just LOOK at this week's sketch, for instance:

Sheer genious! Every week Diana's sketches are clean, accessible, interpretable, and just so much FUN!! And, to top it all off, there's a PRIZE every week for a randomly drawn participant so EVERYONE has a chance - everyone can get in on the fun! Are you playing along??

Come on! I CHALLENGE YOU! Let's see your entry this week!! (due tonight by midnight)

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaannnnnnnnnnnnnnnddddddddddddd...

Did you know Sketchy Thursdays is currently having a Design Team Call??!!!!!

O. M. G.!!!!!

The deets:

Beginning Aug. 14 through Sept. 5, submit your entry to join the Sketchy Thursdays Design Team.

3 Sketchy Players will be chosen to serve a 6-month term beginning Sept. 12.

Sketchy Players will receive a small RAK as a thank you, as well as the sketches for the month in advance. Potential for further RAKs may arise with continued sponsor support.

Sketchy Thursdays is a weekly sketch challenge. Winners are chosen randomly and given a prize by a sponsor. Sketches are posted on Thursdays.

The DT will submit their weekly layouts no later than the Tuesday night before the Thursday posting for the reveal.

Please submit your application to dianadesigns@rochester.rr.com by Sept. 5.

• Include 3 layouts, cards or projects that best reflect your design style.

• Include your name, email address, links to any photo galleries, the link to your blog if you have one, and any other Design Teams you are currently on.

• Also, put in 3 sentences why you think you will be an asset to the Sketchy Thursdays weekly challenge.

Sketchy Players will be contacted by Sept. 12 by e-mail. The DT will be announced on the NEW Sketchy Thursdays site with the Sept. 24 sketch reveal.

Woot! Woot! How exciting is that??!!

SPREAD THE WORD!! The more talent that plays along on the site, the more inspiration for us all!!

I can't WAIT to see who gets on the new DT! (Me! Me!! Pick me!!!)

Heidi

Old Skool

Hey there!
I'm starting to create more layouts just for me and a lot of the prompt challenges I like to frequent work just as well for "me" layouts as the traditional family, kids, vacations, etc. layouts. So, when I saw the prompt on The Pink Ninjas this week, "Old Skool", I immediately thought of MY o-o-o-o-l-l-l-l-d school pics.

This is my FIRST GRADE class picture! Aaaaaaah!!! In the pic I'm only 6 months older than my son is now!!! Wow, really puts things into perspective. This is one of the last school pics until late Jr. High that I think I look cute because I got glasses in second grade and you know how those early 80s HUMUNGO, plastic kids' glasses looked! (Got contacts when I was 13!)

I'm soooo loving the color scheme on this layout, too. It's this week's SPCC color combo:

AND, I used this week's Sketchy Thursday sketch:

(Have I MENTIONED I absolutely L-O-V-E the Sketchy Thursday challenge site???!!!)

And how perfect are the school and bicycle stamps from this month's KOTM from Unity Stamp Co?!!

And, boy, when I started piling on the challenges for this layout, I REALLY PILED ON the challenges.

There's hand stitching for the Memories Always-Forever Stitching Challenge. And there are flipped letters in my title ("o", "d", "k", and "l") for the MAF Wacky Wednesday Challenge. I intended to also get the MAF Stamp Your Layout Challenge in on this, too, but realized 2 of my 3 stamped images are in black ink. Oh, well. I'll try for that one again later!

And, I was FINALLY able to complete a SPCC Finally Friday Challenge - fancy borders. (LOVE these Doodlebug borders, just don't use them that often, go figure.) I've fully intended to participate in the Finally Friday challenge each week as they've all been AWESOME but for some reason they never seem to make it on my layouts in time.

And, since I was already piling the challenges on, OF COURSE, I had to get Pile It On's challenge in there, too!! "Good Things Come in 3s." There are 3 rhinestones in my flower border, the 3 main colors (orange, hot pink, and turquoise) are repeated several times throughout, three wavy lines on the left border, and there are 3 stamped images (school, bike, flourish). Three is such a magic number when it comes to design.

Whew! That's SEVEN challenges in one layout! I'm kinda impressed with myself. Tee hee!

Details: Paper - We R Memory Keepers, Stampin' Up!, The Paper Co.; Stamps - Unity Stamp Co., Autumn Leaves; StazOn ink; Stampendous embossing powder; Pressed Petals chip chatter chipboard alpha; Doodlebug Design Inc. paper frills; K&Company rhinestones; Making Memories clip; We R Memory Keepers cardstock shapes; Ranger Stickles; Zig Milennium pen; Bic Mark It! marker; DMC floss.

Of course, I can't forget to mention (ahem) the AWE-HA-HAWSOME sponsor and prize for this week's SPCC Color Challenge. Once again, iCopic.com has GENEROUSLY donated another AMAZING Copics prize:

Copic Ciao - Set of 8 Craft Manga Muted Colors Marker Kit + 1 Multiliner Pen. This set retails for nearly $40!!

OK, off to reorganize my craft area. I've been negligent in cleaning up after every project this week so the room looks like it exploded. I have soooooo many stamps to clean, too, mostly from my "I Adore You" collage layout. You can kinda see on this layout the price you pay if you don't clean your stamps as you go...there's some black ink mixed in with the orange on the flourish. Shame on me!!

Have a great Tuesday!

Heidi

I Adore You

Hope you are all having an excellent weekend!

Tried something new with this layout. I've never done a stamped collage before. I was inspired by a Heidi Swapp layout.

At first I didn't really like the way this came out but it has since grown on me. I now think it looks pretty cool. I love the color scheme. So romantic.

I used an old My Mind's Eye cardstock die cut to mask the heart. I'm sure that heart and it's negative area will be making their way onto layouts soon, too. They look so cool all stamped and inked up.

I love the pic of my little rocker!

Details: Basic Grey paper; Daisy D's cardstock sticker (frame); Ink - StazOn, VersaMagic; My Mind's Eye cardstock die cut; Stamps - Unity Stamp Co., Delish, Technique Tuesday, Autumn Leaves, Heidi Swapp, Tim Holtz, Stampin' Up!, Inkadinkado, Delta, Hampton Art Stamps.

Don't forget to check out this week's fun challenges:

Sketchy Thursday

SPCC Color Combo #11 (ends tonight!)

The Pink Ninjas prompt - Old Skool

Spunky Scrappers prompt - What Makes You Spunky?

Memories Always-Forever Tuesday Techniques Masking Challenge.

So, go! Create!!

{smile}

Heidi

What The?! Unity Hip Hop Hangover!!!

Happy Hip Hop Hangover!!!

Have you seen the August KOTM? I have to say this is my favorite one so far. So many images I know I'm going to reach for again and again! This layout contains one of my favs, the camera:

March 2011 issue

I made this layout for the Hip Hop Color Challenge (to use red, blue, and green in any shade) and also for Scraplift Challenge #2 on Challenge U 2. It's a lift of my girlie, the awesome and talented Miss Diana of Sketchy Thursday!

So, OK, the pic on this layout. Yeah. Ummmmm... Had to scrap it because it's just so darn indescribable. I mean, yeah, I can see what my son's doing. (Ew.) I just don't know WHY. Hence the title and subtitle, "What The?! Yeah. No clue."

But seriously, how CUTE is that camera??!! I've also included a couple stars from the Stylin' Stars kit.

The adorable little robots from a Kia brochure are making another appearance, as well as a piece of masking tape from a super yummy Quiznos sub I had this past weekend. I just KNEW I could use that adorable Q tape. Wish I would've grabbed more!

The title is made from alpha stickers (maker unknown), stuck on a dictionary page, and outlined with a slick writer. And, I'm loving that Prima paper with its deckled edge. Wish I would've grabbed more of that, too.

Details: Unity Stamp Co. August KOTM & Stylin' Stars stamps; Ink - StazOn, Stampin' Up!; Paper - Prima, Cosmo Cricket, October Afternoon; Making Memories alpha stickers; Around the Block flair brad; Slick Writer; unknown green tape & ribbon; playing cards; Kia brochure; masking tape; dictionary page.

Make sure you check out this weekend's deals on Unity Stamp Co. Awesome as ever!

And, don't forget to come play with me on Spunky Scrappers (prompt - what makes you spunky?), on Memories Always-Forever (Tuesday Technique Masking Challenge) and on this week's SPCC color challenge:

So many fun challenges!!

Have a great weekend!!!

Heidi

White Out! Love Is In The Air

It's that time of the week again...Sketchy Thursday!!!! (OK, well, it's that time of the week when I post my Sketchy Thursday entry.) This sketch, I have to say, is soooo cool, with so many possibilities. It's just begging for a top 5 list, don't you think?

Per Diana, you don't have to include the numbers on your layout, so that's what I did. I went for 5 hot air balloons instead:

No, don't try to adjust your screens...this layout is entirely white (except for the pic). (Which I also had a super hard time photographing so it's really hard to see some of the balloons and the title...I apologize!!) I also made this layout with the current Dream Girls' challenge in mind - "White It Out."

The Unity Stamp Co. hot air balloons are stamped in either VersaMark Dazzle and embossed with clear powder or in VersaMark and embossed with white powder. There are stitched lines emanating from the tops of the balloons which is supposed to look like them floating upward or something. I don't know...it seemed like a good idea at the time! I think it looks pretty cute.

The title (lower right corner), "Love is in the Air" is also embossed with white.

And, yes, I agree that silver is not white, but it sort of looks white so there are a couple silver-ish elements on this, too.

Make sure to tune in to Sketchy Thursday tomorrow for your next dose of SUPREME SKETCHINESS!!

Details: Basic Grey paper; Unity Stamp Co. stamps; Prima rhinestone flower; Bazzill fabric flower; Ink - VersaMark, VersaMark Dazzle; Embossing Powder - Stamping Up!, Stampendous; Martha Stewart pearls; trim: Michaels, Making Memories; Carolace; Joanns; unknown thread, ric rac, and trims.

Have a great evening!!

Heidi

Dude! Masks!

Welcome to the next installment of Tuesday Techniques on Memories Always-Forever. My technique challenge to you this time around: Make a layout using masks.

Now, mind you, I'm not talking about party masks or facial masques. I'm referring to those items which, when placed on your layout, will mask off an area, leaving it untouched by whatever medium you layer over it.

October/November 2010 issue

Note, the theme of this layout was inspired by The Pink Ninjas prompt this week: "Dudes!".

There are several great masking products on the market these days including those by Tim Holtz and Heidi Swapp (of which I used for this layout). You can also create your own masks by temporarily adhering a die cut, sticker, or other object to your layout.

You can layer several medium over masks, too: Glimmer Mist, paint, adhesive and glitter or beads, ink, etc. You are only limited by your imagination.

Here you can see what the applied flames mask looks like before I've layered Glimmer Mist and glitter over it.

And the after:

I'm going to show you how I used the Heidi Swapp letters masks. First, the letter masks are applied to my layout in their desired position. The great thing about these types of masks is they hold onto your layout with a repositionable adhesive backing.

Once you've applied your medium (in this case, paint) you simply peel off the mask and return it to its backing sheet. There's no need to clean off the mask front for medium can be layered over and over again on it without interfering with the results. Should you get something on the adhesive backing you only need to wash quickly in mild soap and water and then dry the mask upside down.

Here's a little tip I learned the hard way: do not allow the masks to fall upon lightweight, fiberous paper (such as newspaper) for it will adhere itself to the adhesive and prove quite difficult to remove.

So, let's see what you've got! Don't hide your masks! Display them proudly over on Memories Always-Forever.

This installment of the challenge ends Monday, August 31.

Details: Autumn Leaves paper; Heidi Swapp masks; Glimmer Mist; Making Memories paint & letter stickers; Martha Stewart glitter; Stickles; Stampin' Up! circle punch.

Thanks for looking and for playing along with me!

Heidi