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Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Mother's Day Tea

My son's preschool hosted a Mother's Day tea this year. It was so sweet. The kids had practiced for days before on manners and how to serve tea. We had tea (apple juice) and pound cake. He presented me with a wooden spoon that he'd decorated with pics of our family and the back side had a very sweet poem about him growing up.



The design of this layout is from the Sketchy Thursday Challenge on the Design by Diana blog:




The entire layout uses Cheerful Bee line from heidi grace including rub ons. I freehand drew the word "tea" and cut it out because I was creating this layout while watching the kids out by the pool. I only brought this paper pack, rub ons, my scissors, the pics, photo splits, and my trimmer. Refreshingly freeing to create this way, with such limited supply. I don't think the pics on this layout could've been done any cuter. :)



TFL!!

Heidi

Monday, June 15, 2009

Moxie Fab World Value of Vintage challenge

Quick post. Here's a card I made for Moxie Fab World's Value of Vintage challenge.





The buttons are vintage. I've paired them with vintage-looking lace, paper (Early Bird Cosmo Cricket), and image (Unity Stamp Co.'s June Kit of the Month).


Wasn't sure which version of the picture I liked best so you get both. The first one was taken at night with my indoor camera setting so it has a yellow cast - but I think it gives the card an even more vintage-y feel. The second one was taken in morning natural light. It's colors are a little truer - except for the lace which looks white when it's really cream.

Details: Paper - Cosmo Cricket, The Paper Company; stamps - Unity Stamp Co.; ink - Stampin' Up!; diecut - Cricut; buttons - Heart & Home Collectables; lace - Wyla Lace; thread.

TFL!
Heidi

SPCC#1 Top 5!!

Didja see it? My cute little SPCC Top 5 badge in the sidebar??!! Here it is again:




This card was one of the SPCC Top 5 for the week:




Thanks Sam!!




Isn't it awesome? I just got me some new Unity Stamp Co. rubber and I'm just itchin' to get started with this!!

Heidi

p.s. I mentioned last night that I had a few more cards in mind for the Hero Arts diecuts challenge. Unfortunately, those I had in mind were all Quickutz Silhouette cuts and my Silhouette cutting mats decided they didn't wish to be sticky anymore. My original mat finally gave up a few months ago so I purchased a couple of Quickutz's new more inexpensive mats. Straight out of the packaging they were not sticky - I mean not even for one cut. So I contacted Quickutz and they sent me replacements that were supposedly re-engineered and more sticky. Broke into those last night. Same story. Ruined a couple pieces of patterned paper trying to get them to work. So frustrating! I finally resorted to painting one of them with Aleene's Tack-It Over & Over glue. It seemed to work EXCEPT that it made my mat curl and unable to go thru the machine. I've contacted Quickutz c/s again...we'll see what they say this time. Ugh! I'm bummed!! I tried using a Cricut 6" mat but that didn't work, either. It's not wide enough for the rollers to pull it through the machine. I'm wondering about cutting a 12" mat. Hmmm... Anyhoo, if anyone has any other suggestions for me for these mats or would just like to commiserate, send me a comment.

SPCC Design Team Call!!

The Scrapmaster's Paradise Color Combos site is hosting an inaugural Design Team call.

The details:

Call ends July 17th.

Scrapmaster’s Paradise Color Combos is a brand new color combo challenge blog that is looking for its first ever design team. Design Team members will be called SP Divas. We want to become the hottest new challenge blog on the web and so we are looking for fresh, new faces to make up the team to help spread the word and get people excited about colors. We are looking for at least 10 SP Divas, possibly more.

What is in it for you?

*Your name and a link to your blog on the SPCC blog.
*Your projects featured on our blog.
*A welcome prize pack containing many goodies from me as well as from our sponsors.
*The possibility of sponsor gifts and RAKs from me during your term.

What we are looking for:

Scrapbookers: We need scrappers that like to work primarily in 12X12 format.
Cardmakers: We need cardmakers, specifically who use stamping on their cards.
Alterers: We need some scrappers who like to make 3D items and altered items.

*Past design team positions or publications are not required. We would like to see some new faces so if you have no previous experience, I highly encourage you to apply.
*Crafters who are active on their own blogs and at least one online community (SCS, a scrap forum, PCP, etc)

Responsibilities:

*Design Team term is 3 months with the possibility to be extended.
*Every other week, SP Divas will be required to complete a challenge in advance and send a photo of the finished project to my email. On your “off” week, you can still send me your project in advance and I will showcase it on the blog, but the off weeks are optional.
*Promote SPCC whenever and where ever possible in the online community.
*Post comments for the crafters who enter the challenges each week.
*Post the SPCC blinkie on your blog.
*Make a weekly post about that weeks’ SP Color Combo on your blog.

How to Apply:

Part 1: Play along with the SP Color Combos as much as possible from now until the end of the DT Call. I need to see your work with color combos in order to judge you as a candidate for the DT. AT VERY LEAST, participation in 2 of the challenges is required to be considered for the team. The more you play along, the better your chances will be. I WILL NOT even consider anyone who does not play along with at least two of the weekly challenges. This is the most important part of this DT Call. Also, help spread the word about SPCC. Show me that you are excited about SPCC!

Part 2:Send the following information to Samantha at scrapmastersparadise@yahoo.com:

*Name:
*Mailing address:
*Email address:
*Phone number:
*Link to your blog:
*List of online communities you are active in (and usernames):
*Past and current DT positions (past DT experience not required):
*Publications (publications not required):
*Are you a Stampin’ UP Demonstrator or consultant for any other direct sales scrap/stamp company (A Yes will not disqualify you):
*What is your favorite color or color combo?
*Why would you like to be a SP Diva?
*What would you like to see in the future at SPCC? What changes could be made?
*Do you know of any possible sponsors? Who?
*If you are not chosen as an SP Diva, would you be interested in being spotlighted as a guest designer in the future?

NOTES:

*International crafters may apply, but will have to pay for the difference in shipping for the welcome prize pack if asked to be on the team.

*Send questions to scrapmastersparadise@yahoo.com

So, who wants to be an SP Diva? Head on over to SPCC to check it out!!

Heidi

Sunday, June 14, 2009

A few cards for a few challenges...




Last night I got busy making a few cards for a few challenges that are ending today or tomorrow.

All three of these cards are for the Hero Arts blog challenge to use both their stamps and diecuts on your creation. And, there's a bonus prize if some Quickutz items are used!

Additionally, all three of these cards are for the Scrapmaster's Paradise Color Combos challenge #1 to use these colors:



These first two cards use the Mojo Monday sketch #90:



On this one, I used a Quickutz Squeeze butterfly die and a flowers embossing folder. The butterfly's wings use the stamped resist technique.



This one uses a Quickutz Squeeze dots embossing folder. The blue triangle uses the stamped resist technique.



This card uses the Sketch for You to Try sketch :


Ever notice how things always seem more reasonable when you are tired? I didn't begin making this one until around midnight and at the time handstitching the three fabric panels seemed like it'd be easier than breaking out the sewing machine. Ha ha.



It may also be hard to see in the picture that I got the Brilliant Blue color in there on the staples. They're Making Memories colored staples. Now that I look at it, the color on this pic is a little wonky. The yellow really is So Saffron and the green banner and stem really are Old Olive.
It's also hard to see in the picture but all of the flower layers are also made with the stamp resist technique. They all have little hearts embossed on them. The paper is watercolor paper and I used some So Saffron and Old Olive ink smooshed onto a craft mat and sprayed with water to color them.



The little "happy day" banner is a Cricut Storybook Font diecut.

Details - Butterfly card: Paper - Stampin' Up!, The Paper Company; Ink - VersaMark, SU!; Hero Arts stamps; Quickutz Squeeze cutting and embossing dies; SU! punches; Stampendous clear detail embossing powder; SU! linen thread; piercing tool; foam squares.

Details - Frog card: Paper - SU!, The Paper Company; Ink - VersaMark, SU!; Hero Arts stamps; Quickutz Squeeze embossing die; SU! punch; Stampendous blue embossing powder; SU! brad; piercing tool; foam square.
Details - Happy Day card: Paper - SU!, The Paper Company; Ink - VersaMark, SU!; Hero Arts stamps; SU! punches; Cricut diecut; Stampendous clear detail embossing powder; SU! button; DMC floss; Making Memories colored staples; thread; fabric.

I'm hoping to make a couple more cards tonight that I have in mind for the Hero Arts challenge. How can I resist? Two of my favorite things right now - stamping and die cuts! If I get them done, I'll most certainly post those, too.

TFL!!

Heidi

Friday, June 12, 2009

Vintage Plum Star Search Week 5 - Red Carpet Time

Well, here it is. My last entry for Vintage Plum's Star Search 5 week challenge. This week's theme is "Red Carpet Time" for which we are to embellish, embellish, embellish.


*** Voting is OPEN! If you like this layout, please vote for me HERE. (Vote by PRIVATE MESSAGE to Mr. Ed McMahon. Hit the private message icon - person with word bubble at the bottom of Ed's post - to vote...you will be taken to another screen where you will send you vote. Please DO NOT vote by comment on the first screen. Voting end Monday, June 15 8:00 pm CST ***




I've been holding onto this pic for a while, waiting for inspiration for the perfect layout because I absolutely love everything about this picture. The title of this layout is "This". The journaling sums it all up:

"I love everything about this picture. This look. This moment. This sunlight. This shadow. This glimpse at a last diaper. This sibling love."



The design grew from the inspiration of a layout in July's Scrapbooks etc. magazine by Jamie Waters. Then it just sort of grew from there, taking cues from the gorgeous We R Memory Keepers' NoNsEnSe line and Basic Grey's Urban Prairie line.




Earlier this week there was a discussion brewing on the Vintage Plum forum about hoarding your supplies. If there was a 12-step program for it, I should be a charter member. "Hello, my name is Heidi and I'm a hoarder." So, when I set out on this final challenge I was bound and determined to use some of my stash that I'd been hoarding for years. I poured through my giant Scraprack full of embellishments and boxes of little things and was pleasantly surprised (and sometimes amazed) at what I found. One item that made it to this layout was Fastenater staple bars. Did any of you jump on this bandwagon? I have a huge supply of various colors, textures, and designs of these bars and truly do love them - I just never find a reason to use them. And look at them on this layout - they're adorable! I'm going to have to move this tool permanently out of the bedroom (where things I don't really ever use reside) and into my scrap area.

Another hoarded item that made its way onto this layout was foof-a-la rub-ons by Rhonna Farrer. You'd think they were MADE to go with the WRM NoNsEnSe line! So stinkin' cute!!

Details: Paper - We R Memory Keepers, Basic Grey; We R Memory Keepers chipboard letters; Fastenater staple bars; Making Memories color staples; foof-a-la rub-ons; EK Success canvas sticker; Prima Marketing flower; Around the Block brad; Stickles; Zig Millenium pen; foam squares.

Please come back Sunday morning for the link to vote for this last round in Plum Star Search.

I thank you all for supporting me in this challenge, for voting for me (did I tell you I won week #4??!!), and for your wonderful comments and encouragement. It means the world to me!!

Heidi

Woohoo! I won the Week #4 Vintage Plum Star Search Challenge!!

Can you tell I'm excited? I am so excited!!

This was my entry for challenge #4 for Vintage Plum Star Search. The theme was "Leaving You in Stitches".



Thank you to everyone who voted for me! I am so happy.

Scroll down or LOOK HERE for the original post for this layout with all the detail pics and info.

Please be sure to come back late Saturday or on Sunday for a look at my week #5 "Red Carpet Time" entry. This challenge is to pile on the embellishments.

Thank you all again for supporting me and my creative obsessions!

Heidi

Thursday, June 11, 2009

Hip Hop Hangover

Happy Friday everyone! Here are a couple of cards I made for challenges over on Unity Stamp Company's Thursday Hip Hop.

This is for the "Get Krafty With Unity" challenge to use Unity stamps and kraft paper.




This card also follows the SCS Wednesday Sketch Challenge #232.



The adorable mushrooms are from the Unity May Kit of the Month. I colored them in with a blender pen. The paper is from Basic Grey's Archaic collection. The corners are made from tons of brads. You should see the back of the card front!




This next card is for the "Piece, Love and Unity" challenge to use a Unity stamp and paper piece.




I feel like I went all "old school" on this one. I dug out the Basic Grey Lily Kate paper collection and I rounded the corners. I haven't used my corner rounder in AGES it seems. (You've got to admit this industry moves fast - lines and techniques become obsolete and outdated in a matter of months!)

I stamped the birdcage images on 5 different Lily Kate patterns, cut them out, and pieced them onto the base image (on a 6th pattern!). Some of the cages are popped up with foam dots for dimension. The whole birdcage mat is popped up with foam, too. The frame mat underneath is a Storybook Cricut diecut. (Surprised?) It's cut out of a light yellow cardstock and inked with a light pink and a green ink to coordinate with the blossoms in the background pattern (a 7th Lily Kate pattern). The card is finished with a gorgeous green velvet ribbon and a couple of copper brads.

Details (Krafty Mushrooms): Paper - Basic Grey, The Paper Company; Ink - StazOn, Stampin' Up!; Brads - SEI, SU!, (white & light blue unknown); American Crafts white gel pen; SU! blender pen; foam squares.

Details (Birds Sing): Paper - Basic Grey, The Paper Company; Ink - Stampin' Up, Ranger Distress Ink; Cricut diecut; makeup sponge; foam squares; unknown velvet ribbon and brads.

One of these days I'm going to have some time on a Thursday to actually sit down and follow the Hip Hop! I can't wait.
To see the list of all the other uber-ly talented people who love Unity and are participating in the HHH bloghop, go HERE.

Thanks for popping by and taking a look. Happy weekend!!

Heidi
p.s. Be sure to stop back by tomorrow to see my final entry for Vintage Plum's Star Search challenge. This week's challenge is "Red Carpet Time" - to pile on the embellishments!

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

It's blog candy-palooza week!

Impression Obsession and Shirley at Card Art, Etc. are giving away some blog candy HERE. It's a $25 gift certificate for the Impression Obsession store. Head on over to Shirley's blog to enter!!

Monday, June 8, 2009

Aaaaand...MORE blog candy!!!!!

Wow! It's a good week!
Awesome Samantha, AKA the Scrapmaster, is hosting a blog candy giveaway on her blog HERE. Just look what she's giving away:




That's right - that's a whole lotta brand spankin' new Stampin' Up! In Colors goodies BEFORE you can get your hot little hands on them!!!! Aren't the colors to die for? I know I'm hoping to win this!

Also, Sam just started up a weekly color challenge blog: Scrapmasters Paradise Color Combos. I'll be posting up her blinkie on my sidebar soon, too.

Get in on week #1's challenge!! The color palette is a masculine one just in time for Father's Day. Use this color combo for your project -be it a card, scrapbook LO, or altered item. You do NOT have to use Stampin' UP brand colors, but you do have to use colors close to these colors. Your creation is due by this Sunday evening.




So many challenges, so little time (for cleaning, cooking, sleeping, etc).

Head on over to Sam's to enter and then check out the challenge blog.

Heidi

You Are My Sunshine

I'm doing a series of layouts for a friend. Here's the first one completed. The pics of his daughter on the beach are priceless!



Aparently I didn't get enough stitching on my Vintage Plum week 4 challenge because this one is chock full of stitching - albeit machine stitching -- which I feel like takes me longer to do than handstitching. Go figure. (Probably not true but machine stitching ratchets up the stress levels for me.) I've seen a good share of these sun ray layouts lately and finally had a good subject with which to use the idea. Not a long ingredient list but lots of time invested. I don't know if you can see it very well on the pic but the word "sunshine" is covered with a bit of Stickles, too. Gotta have a little bling on a sunny,girly layout!
I'll post the other 2 layouts I'm making for my friend as they are completed. (Hopefully tonight!)

Details: Paper - DCWV, Chatterbox, Scrapworks, The Paper Company; Cricut die cuts; Stickles; thread.
TFL!

Heidi
(p.s. Does anyone else have problems with formatting their posts with Blogger? It looks all perfectly spaced between paragraphs in the text box but when I hit preview sometimes (and it seems completely random) paragraphs run together. Ugh!!)

Awesome Blog Candy Alert!!

Melissa over on Creating from the Heart is giving away some amazing blog candy this week! Hit THIS LINK to see all the details. Among the items she's giving away:



Can you believe it??!!

Heidi

Sunday, June 7, 2009

Plum Star Search Wk #4 Voting is Now Open!

Just a reminder that the handstitching challenge on Vintage Plum Star Search is open until Monday early evening. If you like this layout, please vote for me.



For full layout details and additional views scroll down a couple posts or go HERE.

Go to THIS LINK and PRIVATE MESSAGE your vote to Ed McMahon. (Please don't leave a comment - make sure your vote is a Private Message. You need to hit the little icon of the person with a word bubble on Ed's message to PM.)

As always, thank you so much for your support!

Heidi

Saturday, June 6, 2009

Thank You Card - Mojo Monday Wk 89

Happy Saturday!

Here's a very simple but dramatic thank you card.



It follows the Mojo Monday week #89 sketch:



Details: Paper - Doodlebug Designs, Stampin' Up!, The Paper Company; Stamps - Inkadinkado, Unity Stamp Co.; SU! ink & punch; Martha Stewart baker's twine.

Thank you for stopping by. Have a great Saturday!

Heidi

p.s. Don't forget to stop by tomorrow for the link to vote in Vintage Plum's Star Search week 4 challenge. Scroll down (or see THIS POST) for my handstitched entry.

Friday, June 5, 2009

Unity Hip Hop Hangover!

I apologize for the quick post (for me, LOL). One thing led to another today and I just couldn't get into my craft room until 10:30.

This first one is from the October KOTM. The cute paper is the American Craft Teen collection. The layout follows the Taylored Expressions Cupcake Challenge #70:



March 2011 issue

I'd been thinking about this one all day...it was for the Unity Has So Much to Say challenge but I didn't get it done in time. It may be a bit hard to see in the pic but the background is stamped repeatedly with "you light up my life" in VersaMark. The little black box is actually made of thread wound around the brads.



Details (music makers): Paper - Amerian Craft, Stampin' Up!, The Paper Company; Ink - StazOn, SU!; Unity Stamp Co. stamp; SU! circle punch; foam square.

Details (light): Ink - StazOn, SU!, VersaMark; The Paper Company paper; Unity Stamp Co. stamp; SU! brads; thread; foam squares.

A few other Unity items made throughout the week (details can be found in previous posts):





TFL! Happy Friday!

Heidi
p.s. Don't forget to take a look at the last post for some blog candy and come back on Sunday for Vintage Plum Star Search week 4 voting!!

Thursday, June 4, 2009

Blog Candy alert - MoMoStamper is celebrating her blogoversary!!

My cool friend and fellow Vintage Plum'er Mo over on momostamper.blogspot.com is celebrating her blogoversary with an awesome giveaway. You could win this stamp set and set of cards:







Head on over to Mo's blog for the giveaway details HERE and be sure to check out her awesome Etsy shop HERE!!! Beware - serious stuff here - you're gonna want to have your wallet ready!!

Happy blogoversary Mo!!!!

Love,

Heidi

Plum Star Search Wk #4 - Leaving You In Stitches Challenge

Handstitching is the challenge for week #4 for the Vintage Plum Star Search contest to find their July Guest designer.




This layout is titled "Future Fashionista" because my daughter has a TON of clothes, shoes, and accessories already and she's only 3-1/2! (OK, yes, I know it's not entirely (ok hardly) her decision at this point...) But this girl likes to dress up! She practically banishes me from her room so she can drag a chair up to the closet and pick out her clothes. And when we're out shopping she'll ooh and ahh the clothes, take something down from the rack, hold it out at arm's length, and proclaim just how CUTE she'll look in that and she MUST have it. I'm sooo not a girly-girl and not a fan of clothes shopping so this behavior is entirely hers.
I began by stamping the background paper with the Stampin' Up! background stamp "Sanded" with Ranger Distress Ink in Old Paper. Then I hit it with spray adhesive and adhered a piece of a dress pattern, loving and letting all the wrinkles and rips be. I then lightly sponged on Vintage Photo Distress Ink to age it and highlight all those little wrinkes. (Why is it we scrappers LIKE wrinkles when they're on paper?)

The pics are all printed in sepia tone but I printed the sparkly pink shoes with a pink tone for just a hint of color.



OK, I loved that Silhouette dress form, houndstooth paper, and fashionista paper so much from the card posted earlier that I had to include it on this layout, too. (It was actually my inspiration for this layout.)

The labels stamp is from the Unity Stamp Co. May Kit of the Month and it, too, has been hit with Vintage Photo ink. I handwrote (gee, can you tell?) the title "future fashionista" and then filled in the other 2 circles with a fashionista pic and a vintage dictionary page (conveniently punching the "fashion" definition).





The black tulip border behind the pearl-topped straight pin is a Cricut cut. So is the thread spool. I sponged it with Vintage Photo, too. That's real thread wound around it and a real sewing needle. I better not let little fingers near this layout - two pins!!




A last couple touches: I adhered a string of mini pearls where they fell. And I love the vintage buttons. I just picked a few I liked and threw them dice-style across the page and adhered them where they fell.

As mentioned, the challenge is handstitching of which there's a little bit on this layout. The buttons are all stitched on. There's a kind-of corner treatment on the upper right corner. The detail pics are stitched with a few "X" stitches. And finally there's a zig-zag stitch between the stamped labels and fashionista paper.

Hope you like it! If you do, don't forget to come back here on Sunday for the link to vote for it in the Vintage Plum Star Search challenge!

Details: Paper - Graphic 45, October Afternoon, The Paper Company; Ink - Ranger Distress Ink, StazOn; Die Cuts - Cricut, Quickutz Silhouette; Stamps - SU!, Unity Stamp Co.; Zig Millenium pen; jenni bowlin studio pearl flower; Stampin' Up! circle punches; Bazzill In Stitchz (corner stitch treatment); Heart and Home Collectibles vintage buttons; See & Sew pattern; 3M Super 77 Multipurpose Spray Adhesive; Other - lace, pearl strand, pearl-topped straight pin, thread, sewing needle, vintage dictionary, piercing tool.

Thank you as always for stopping by!

Heidi

Monday, June 1, 2009

Vintage Valentines

Yes, I know. It's early for Valentines Day. But, really, doesn't everyone need a bit of love everyday? (Oooooh...soooo sappy!)

The first card may look a bit familiar. It's another version of the Mother's Day card I gave to my M-I-L. Since I gave that one away, I wanted to make another for my stash. This one is very similar to the original, except the fussy cut flowers are different and the sentiment now says I Love You.


January 2011 issue



I absolutely love this next card.




January 2011 issue


How cool is that dress form die cut? It's done with my Quickutz Silhouette machine. I inked it to give it an aged look. Then I wrapped a piece of inked/aged lace around the waist and topped it with an adorable pink pearl flower from jenni bowlin studio.




The fashionistas paper is from Graphic 45. Really beautiful. The houndstooth is October Afternoon. The card base is stamped with a Stampin' Up! background stamp (Sanded) and then inked with a sponge to mimic the ageing on the fashionistas paper.

The little tag says, "Made for Each Other". This is a Cricut die cut. It's crumpled, roughed up with my fingernail, and inked for an aged look. The twine is also inked for ageing and an old mini safety pin is threaded through.

Finally, I'm calling this one vintage but I suppose it's more retro.


Updated:  This one was published in the February 2010 issue of Paper Crafts Magazine!!!!  Woohoo!!

The colors and image are inspired by Cosmo Cricket's new Early Bird line. I don't have a gray StazOn pad so I stamped the image with a regular SU! gray pad and then quickly sprinkled on some clear embossing powder and embossed it. I did this so I could color the image with a blender pen and not have the outline run. The adorable button is actually a vintage button so I guess this card qualifies as vintage afterall. :o)

I was so excited to be published n Paper Crafts Magazine!



Details (I Love You): Paper - Prima Marketing First Blush collection, The Paper Company; Ink - ColorBox, Ranger Distress Ink; Cricut die cut (banner); Silhouette die cut (lace); Studio g stamps; Melissa Frances Vintage Attic Treasures pearls; pop dots.
Details (Made for Each Other): Paper - October Afternoon, Graphic 45, The Paper Company; Ranger Distress Ink; Silhouette die cut (dress form); Cricut die cut (tag); Stampin' Up! background stamp; jenni bowlin studio pearl flowers; Zig Millenium pen; lace; twine; safety pin.
Details ~Out for Publication~
Thanks once again for stopping by. Let me know how you liked these cards or anything else on my blog.
Heidi