Tuesday, May 27, 2014

The Shabby Tea Room - Challenge #220

Ya know, sometimes it's just HARD being me!! ;)  I rushed to make a card, then rushed to take the picture and rushed to upload the picture to The Shabby Tea Room and even rushed to upload it in a blogger post and set it as a draft knowing that I would have plenty of time between Friday and Monday to write a little something up for y'all and post it on Monday morning...how well did that work out for me??? Jeeze!

Honestly I've been super busy (there's that treading water thing I talked about last week) and my ongoing pinched nerves issues (2 years now) that are just kicking my tushie these days. I had big plans for this weekend...hubby was at the Indy 500 so I had a nice quiet house. I planed on crafting, crafting, then maybe doing some crafting ohh and I was gonna get some crafting done ;) but it just didn't happen. I did get a little crafting in but the majority of my time was spent stretching out my muscles just like the physical therapist taught me to do so they'd release the bundles of nerves and just sitting on the couch in a comfortable position. While sitting on the couch I could have written this post but I totally FORGOT all about it!!! Sigh...I'm such an idiot! I apologize to everyone...I'm a slacker!!!

Well, better late than never??? Here's our beautiful inspiration picture...

I just want to get on that darling scooter and ride off somewhere...sigh!! ;)

This week we are to: INCLUDE SOMETHING WITH WHEELS, PINK, FLOWERS and BACKGROUND TEXTURE!


As soon as I saw our little inspiration picture I knew I had the perfect image to use and how it would look great with some of the background papers from our sponsor!

Digital Papers By Janet:

DeNami Design

 
 My name is Janet, I'm Polish, live in the south of Italy and the mother of two children!!  I am a printing technician by profession, but an artist by passion.  I really like to draw and photograph everything with my camera. I am in love with old graphics and illustrations, and I always have my colored markers and pencils around me to sketch with.  I'm so happy to be sponsoring this week's Tea Room challenge!

Janet

Tea Time Top Three first place winner will receive three collage files
Tea Time Top Three second place winner will receive two collage files
Tea Time Top Three third place winner will receive one collage file 


Please link your creations at TSTR by Sunday, June 1st to play along. Winner and Tea Time Terrific Top Three will be announced Monday, June 2nd. We will have an all-new challenge for you to play along with on the 2nd as well, so please come back and visit with us again for another chance to win!

Friday, May 23, 2014

Tips & Tricks - Mixing and matching your images

Wow, where has the time gone...when was the last time I made a little "Tips & Tricks" post? I've been sooooo busy and seem to have been struggling a lot lately with keeping up. Hopefully y'all haven't noticed my little glitches too much :/    all of you gals are so amazing and you have no idea how much I appreciate you visiting with me and the comments that you leave...all of you seriously ROCK!

Hi everyone! Thought I'd talk about just one of the many things I love about DeNami...that I can mix and match just about all of their images from old to new. I touched on this subject during another Tips & Tricks post last September and even made a little video, but I thought I'd revisit this and show you just how easily this mixing and matching can be accomplished! :)



When I first received my Solid Rose Accents stamp set I was smitten...it's sooo pretty!! As soon as I inked it up I knew just how to showcase it.....
 The decorative flourish came out quite some time ago, but look how great it pairs with the newer ornate flourish and solid rose accents.

 I could have also very easily added the following stamps...they all mix and match so perfectly!


classic leaves stamp set
elegant floral sprig

swirl

mini swirl flourish


 These are just a small handful that I thought of off the top of my head, there are many many more - so dig through your collection, I'm betting you have a lot of images that you can mix, match and bring a whole new life to!!

To make this a little fun and to prove just how easy this is, you leave me a comment naming any newer image and I will make a card using it, along with some older images...whatcha think, sound fun??




Wednesday, May 21, 2014

DeNami Design Inspired By.....

Weather it be from a magazine, blog hop or website like Pinterest, we are all inspired by things we see and create something based on that. I generally try to come up with brand new ideas but often look to the Internet for inspiration. When DeNami Design came out with their "Inspired By" feature featuring cards made by DeNami fans I was really excited...what fun!! Paulina from DeNami Design (and owner of Pretty Pink Posh) contacted me to let me know I've been selected to be featured and I couldn't have been more elated!  

How this works is that Paulina and Nami choose a fans card that uses DeNami stamps and then turn the design team loose to make a card inspired by the fans. I also had the opportunity to make an inspired by card to be featured along with the design team's cards and jumped at the chance to work with some seriously talented ladies! I am so thrilled to have been chosen!! Make sure to stop in at the DeNami blog to check out what the uber talented design team has made :)

As you know, when you're inspired by something it can be the shape, color, layout, theme, etc....

Here's my card that was chosen and a link to the original post...

Stamps Used:
As I mentioned in my post for the DeNami hop this past Sunday, I just love a white panel on a white card base...something so elegant about that to me. Instead of scoring the panel like I did for that butterfly card I ran it through a dry embossing folder (stamp your sentiment before embossing). I layered a piece of charcoal card stock with a punched edge then a small piece of black cardstock and finally a piece of white cardstock that I had stamped. I finished it all off with a pretty bow and some bling. 

Using that layout, sentiment placement and the embossed panel for my inspiration, I came up with this new card...
I started with a black base and added a white dry embossed panel (stamp sentiment before embossing). To that I added a piece of black and a piece of cardstock that I had edge punched before adding another white panel. I punched scallop squares, stamped, colored and layered them then stamped the cute little bee. I finished it all up with some bling and yummy ribbon from Pretty Pink Posh.

Stamps Used:

Well I hope you like both cards and I'm just tickled pink to have been chosen for this months inspiration! Don't forget to check out what the talented DeNami Design team has made using my card for inspiration :)




Monday, May 19, 2014

The Shabby Tea Room #219 - Pretty in pink

Hello and welcome to another fun challenge at The Shabby Tea Room!!

Isn't this weeks picture beautiful??
Create a card or project inspired by the photo and INCLUDE FLOWERS and/or BALLOONS!  *Bonus point if you use BOTH!

FOR YOUR SUBMISSION TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR THE WEEKLY PRIZE AND HONORS: Because we are sponsored weekly by wonderful businesses who have graciously donated products and in the interest of fairness to all participants, any entries that do not follow our simple challenge rules will remain in the gallery but will not be eligible for the weekly prizes and top honors. Thanks for your understanding and participation!

This week we are brought to you by Bugaboo Stamps!! 
                                                  Store : http://www.bugaboostamps.com
Catch the bug Challenge blog:  http://catchthebugblog.blogspot.com

Ready to see what I made? It was hard deciding what image to choose as Bugaboo has so many that I just LOVE! I was really torn between doing something cutsie and fun or lean more towards pretty. In the end I decided on one of my favorite images.....

I printed my image from "my pictures" on my computer (I chose the wallet sized option) onto white cardstock I had put into my printer. The tulips just seems to need to be watercolored so I pulled out my pencils and gamsol but then changed my mind and pulled out my ink pads and water brush instead. I dabbed ink onto a clear block then picked it up using a water brush. Even though I just used regular old Michael's brand cardstock instead of watercolor paper it came out great. I'm feeling pretty darn accomplished about this little card because it was was all (except the card base and doily) made from scraps!! I'm always trying to use those up and it usually seems impossible! 
Please link your creations at The Shabby Tea Room by Sunday, May 25th to play along. Winner and Tea Time Terrific Top Three will be announced Monday, May 26th. We will have an all-new challenge for you to play along with on the 26th as well, so please come back and visit with us again for another chance to win!

Sunday, May 18, 2014

DeNami Design April 2014 Blog Hop - The Skys The Limit

Hi everyone, are you ready for another fun AND inspirational hop brought to you by DeNami Design? This moth's theme is The Skys The Limit!
When: The blog hop starts on May 18th, 2014 at 6 AM, PST. However, you have until May 19th, 11:59 pm PST, to leave comments on all the blogs (to be eligible for a prize).

Why: To be inspired by fun DeNami Design creations and also the chance to win mini shopping sprees on the DeNami Design website!

Prizes: We are giving away THREE $20 gift certificates to our website! We'll be giving away one gift certificate to a random participant (DT members not eligible) and then we'll also be giving away TWO gift certificates to TWO people who comment along the hop!

You should have arrived here from the uber talented Pattie Goldman's blog but if you didn't no worries, the full list of participants is on the DeNami Design blog!

Ready to see what I have to share with you today? I had issues deciding what stamps to use because DeNami has sooo many little cuties that would work with this theme...cloud, airplane, balloons, hot air balloon, cute little winged critters (just to name a few)...Paulina was right, the sky's the limit with this fun theme!


I've always been partial to the pretty little kite and since I haven't used it in ages I decided to pull it out.
I pulled out a new 6X6 paper pad that I had recently gotten (swoon) and found some bright and fun patterns. I stamped the kite then again on a scrap of patterned paper so I could pop it up on foam tape. I just love my little candy striped clouds...a recent purchase from Paper Smooches and finished it all off with a few pieces of bling and springtime sequins from Pretty Pink Posh.

Stamps Used:
Assorted Greetings petit four set

I couldn't resist being an over achiever ;) (hehehe) so I made up a little something using my favorite butterfly stamp too.
I just love a white on white card with a pop of color! I scored the white panel then cut the top at a wavy angle and attached butterflies that I had stamped and fussy cut. Fast card to put together and it makes a statement...that's a win win! ;) Can you see the subtle sparkle in my butterflies...I stamped them in several colors of Brilliance Ink. I just love that ink :)

Stamps Used:
Polka Dot Butterfly
Heartfelt Greetings petit four set


Well that's it for me today, now off you go to visit with Jennifer Loftfield...I can't wait to see what she has in store for us! Don't forget to leave comments along the way for a chance in the random drawing for a DeNami gift certificate!!




Tuesday, May 13, 2014

Creations By AR - May 2014 Blog Hop - Designers Choice


Hi everyone and welcome to another fun filled blog hop brought to you by Creations By AR! This month we are changing things up a little and doing "Designers Choice"! How fun because you get to see our favorite templates and how we like to use them! I have no idea what templates the other gals are using and am curious to see if any of us picked the same one!! Ready to get started - here's the deets:

Tuesday, May 13, 2014
Post to go live:
Pacific:  3:00 AM
Central:  5:00 AM
Eastern:  6:00 AM
GB:  10:00 AM
Costa Rica:  4:00 AM

PRIZE:
One template of your choice

HOW TO QUALIFY TO WIN:
• Leave comments on each DT blog
• Leave comment on AR Facebook Page on which template is your favorite or which one you'd would like to win:

Comments accepted until Friday, May 16, 12:00 noon Eastern
One winner will be chosen from AR FB Page and will be announced March 17 on FB




I have so many favorites that it was hard to choose!! I finally decided on something that I thought y'all may like because it's so versatile. The Lil' Bear template is meant to be more of a tag since it doesn't open like a traditional card.  However, I've changed it up and made it into an open-able card with just one easy peasy little step!

To make the card so that it opens, I simply cut out an extra bear shape and attached it to the back of the tag
 I scored the 2nd bear I cut from plain card stock just under the ears and attached it with my ATG tape runner then stamped another inside. (all stamps used are from DeNami Design -boy bear- and Paper Sweeties -girl bear-)


Well I hope you liked my little bears as much as I do :) now off you go to visit with the other designers:
Hope you enjoyed this stop along the hop and don't forget to leave comments along the way to be eligible in the random drawing to win a template of your choice!!

Monday, May 12, 2014

The Shabby Tea Room challenge #218 - "Tea Party"

Hi everyone and welcome to my turn to pick the theme for The Shabby Tea Room!!! I came upon the prettiest picture on Pinterest and couldn't resist using it for a challenge!

I ask that you INCLUDE A TEA CUP/TEA POT OR PETIT FOUR/SWEET TREAT, LACE/RIBBON and PEARLS!

This week I'd like to introduce you to The Paper Temptress! Ohh my goodness, the first time I ever visited her I was overwhelmed and blown away by the selection of cardstocks and specialty papers!!! I was excited to select a few pieces to work with and can't wait to fill up my little "shopping cart" with a few more wonderful selections right away! I don't care much for the thin cheap cardstocks that my big box stores carry so I am overjoyed to find really great paper at a great price!!

Ohh how I'd love to be at that tea party, how pretty!! Here's what I created....

Looking at the inspiration picture immediately made me think of the Best Wishes stamp set by Paper Sweeties. I just adore the wedding cake and pretty frame that the sentiments fit in. My papers came this weeks sponsor, The Paper Temptress. I had some beautiful and elegant papers to play with that were perfect for this little card.  The silver paper has a beautiful swirl pattern and iridescence that creates a beautiful "texture" and shimmer. The teal cardstock has an iridescence as well and is simply beautiful. The black card base is hard to describe, it's a heavy weight cardstock that's smooth but the feel of it is so soft and silky feeling, it's hard to believe it's paper not material...I kind of just want to sit around rubbing it, lol! ;)
Paper Temptress products:


This week's lucky winner will receive a $25 gift certificate from Paper Temptress!
Please link your creations at The Shabby Tea Room by Sunday, May 18th to play along. Winner and Tea Time Terrific Top Three will be announced Monday, May 19th. We will have an all-new challenge for you to play along with on the 19th as well, so please come back and visit with us again for another chance to win!


Friday, May 9, 2014

Chalkboard Class

Hi everyone and HAPPY FRIDAY!!! I can't believe the weekend is FINALLY here...it sure took it's time and boy was it a rough week this week...sigh! 

Since it's Mother's Day weekend, I'm hoping to get a little much needed pampering ;)

Well, I thought I'd show y'all the chalkboard card for the class I taught at my local stamping store, The Stamp Pad. I had quite a few gals sign up, how exciting!!! I'm really happy anytime someone signs up but this class was fuller than usual so I'm over the top about that! :)

As with the other cards I've shown you from my classes, I have to use products that the store carries (makes sense when you think about it) so I couldn't slip in any DeNami, but rest assured, these could easily be recreated with some darling DeNami stamps!




I have to admit that at first I didn't like the Mother's Day card. After talking to the shop owner, LeAnna, about it she suggested changing the center of my rosette to the brighter color you see in the picture. Amazing what one little change like that can do for a card! I really enjoyed playing with the inks and fun stamps (really wanting the W Plus 9 set on the Mother's Day card!). The Mother's Day card and the copper colored birthday card used pre-made tags from American Crafts. Can you believe the coloring on 2 of the cards was done with regular ole colored pencils...how cool is that? The chalkboard paper I used has a rough texture to it and it holds the ink and colored pencil colors really well. 

That's it for me today, I hope y'all have a wonderful weekend and HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY to all of you Moms out there! :)

Wednesday, May 7, 2014

A Flower For Mother's Day

Goodness, I'm glad we are finally on the downside of this week! Monday started off WAY out of control and Tuesday wasn't much better...sigh! I have high hopes for today and tomorrow I get to have fun because in the evening I'm teaching a card class at The Stamp pad (chalkboard technique). I can't wait for some down time this weekend though, I SERIOUSLY need some!! ;)

Speaking of this weekend, Sunday is Mother's Day, are you ready??? I'm not, lol! Well, I take that back, I sorta am because one of the cards I made for my class is a Mother's Day card but I haven't been shopping in forever so I have no gift! Hmmm, maybe a gift certificate to The Stamp Pad...taking the easy way out but hey, it works! ;)





Well with Mother's Day on my mind I have another DeNami creation for you...

I used one of my favorite "go to" layouts and came up with something that used fairly non-traditional colors. Who would have thought charcoal for Mother's Day, right? I thought the charcoal would lend a touch of elegance and really make the pink pop. I used 3 stamps for this card...Happy Mother's Day sentiment, Elegant Spring Flowers set and the vase from the Garden Accessories set. There's a lot of "white space" and if you follow me for long you will soon realize that I don't normally do good with that, lol...I had to refrain from adding to this card. Now that I look at it on the computer screen I'm glad that I left well enough alone!

Well that's it for me today, I'll see ya on Friday!!!


Monday, May 5, 2014

The Shabby Tea Room challenge #217 - "pretty prints"

Hi everyone! This week at The Shabby Tea Room I really had to think outside of my box because the theme threw me off a bit. But after a lot of hard thinking I realized that I was OVER THINKING things...jeeze!!! What's new, right? Well, this week our assignment was to use the colors in the inspiration picture AND include fabric...how was I going to use fabric??? After a long while it dawned on me that DUH, pre-made flowers can be fabric, burlap can be fabric, fabric covered buttons, Use a strip of fabric to make a fun frayed knot in place of a ribbon one, etc...easy peasy!!! Not sure why my mind took so long to get into gear on this one, jeeze, lol!!!

create a card or project inspired by the COLORS IN THE PHOTO AND INCLUDE FABRIC!

Here's what I came up with after all of that AND it only took me a few minutes, lol....
I just got that banner die last week and am in love with it. I'll have to look up the name...I'm horrible about that, lol, but it made the patterned paper part and I layered the little kraft flags under it - CUTE! My paper came from a 6 X 6 pad as usual and I found some random flowers along with the yo-yo that is Michael's brand Christmas embellishment!! I finished up my card with one of my FAVE Paper Sweeties sentiments, Make Today Beautiful. I really love that whole set because it comes with flowers, leaves and a little pot so you can build your own flower, it's so adorable!! 


Paper Sweeties is owned and illustrated by Debbie Marcinkiewicz, and offers  high quality, on trend acrylic stamps and metal dies.  Our heartwarming images allow paper crafters to create adorable dolls with interchangeable outfits and accessories! We also have a wide variety of wonderful all-occasion sentiments, labels, frames and accessory sets - perfect for every paper crafted project!  The Paper Sweeties boutique carries tea-stained seam binding too!  The Sweeties dolls, accessories and sentiments are so much fun to play with and are sure to bring back fond childhood memories!  You'll enjoy using the Sweeties stamps and dies to create projects for card making, scrap booking, party invitations and favors, home decor, gifts and so much more!


Winner will receive a $20 gift certificate from the Paper Sweeties boutique!


Please link your creations at The Shabby Tea Room by Sunday, May 11th to play along. Winner and Tea Time Terrific Top Three will be announced Monday, May 12th. We will have an all-new challenge for you to play along with on the 12th as well, so please come back and visit with us again for another chance to win!

Friday, May 2, 2014

Mother's Day Daisys


Ohh my goodness, Mother's Day just keeps creeping closer and closer!! How about another card for inspiration?? The inspiration for this card came from one of the project booklets that DeNami had a while back.


This card was super easy to make! I started with a white square base then layered a fuchsia square in the center. I took a strip of celery cardstock and stamped the chevron from the Modern Borders set then added a narrow strip of the fuchsia in the center and layered it all onto the left side of the fuchsia part of the card base. Onto that I layered a square of the celery then the white square that I had previously stamped with the Mother's Day sentiment and tulips I "built" using the Spring Flowers set. To finish it all off I added glitter to the flowers and a few punched circles from the same cardstocks but it could easily be changed up by using some yummy sequins instead of the punched circles. 

Have a great weekend!!!