Bloggers's Challenge -- Alter It

Hello! Remember me? I'm sorry it's been so long, but it's good to be back! You see my computer completely died and I needed a new one. I had a laptop that was close to six years old still with the original battery.......I rarely used it without electric. Well that battery had far outlived its life expectancy and it seems that it was the cause of all my computer woes! So, it took time to purchase another computer and have all my data transferred over to the new one.......AND to become accustomed to this newer unit. But, I'm progressing.....as with all new things, there is definitely a learning curve! It seems my fabulous computer guy saved most everything except the almost completed online scrapbook that I had been working on from my trip to New Orleans last month. So, it's back to the drawing board on that one! I'm also discovering some little things that are gone....more of an inconveniece, nothing major.

So, while I was trying to work out all my 'puter issues, I was working on.....and completed....75 Save the Date cards and envelopes for my son's upcoming wedding. Now, I have a bit of time to play! There are a number of things that I hope to share with you shortly, so please come back and visit.

But for today, I have this cute altered mirror to share. I was inspired by a sample that I saw this past summer when visiting CHA in Orlando and then re-created the idea for my Stamp Club ladies....who, by the way, loved it! They really enjoyed making their own and are thrilled to have a new Halloween decoration for their homes.

This is really an altered black wood framed mirror from Ikea that retails for $3.99. They are nice enough in a plain sort of way, but what do you think of it now? Isn't this fun?!! That's a rub on on the mirror and beneath the bow from our Halloween rub-on collection, Spooky Treats. The only stamping on this whole project is that cute little skeleton in the upper corner of the mirror from Scary Skeleton.....he's embossed in Winter White and then cut out. The purple bottom is none other than Lovely Lilac CS. The background paper is not SU....you see I needed all 7 frames to match! (These ladies just love to create and have a Mom's night out.) Then the final touch is that fabulous striped grosgrain ribbon, which is stapled on the back. Oh, and take a look at all the faux stitching....really sets everything off!

Stamps: Scary Skeleton
Inks: Winter White Craft

CS: Lovely Lilac, Basic Black

Misc: Non-SU scrapbook paper, Basic Black Marker, Spooky Treats Rub Ons, 1 1/4" Wide Striped Grosgrain Ribbon in Pumpkin Pie, Winter White Embossing Powder, SU Glue Stick , Non-SU DSP

Please note: Some supplies are SU.

Thanks for stopping by today!

(Check out my new signature below....created with my new program, My Digital Studio! Fun, fun, fun!!!)

PS....I haven't quite mastered the "new" photo program, so when you click on the photo, it is really, really LARGE! As I had on my old computer, I am using Micorosoft Photo Editor, but this time around there are some differences. If you have ANY suggestions, or know how to reduce the size.....you know, how to reduce the size of the file......please, please, let me know!!! Before I just could compress the file and it would work....now I can't find anything like that!

Lovely Medallion

When was the last time you used your Chalk Pastels? I know it's been a really looooonnnnng time for me! So, recently, I was playing with this new stamp, Medallion, and thought it would look really wonderful stamped in Versamark and partially highlighted with the chalks.....I think I was right, don't you?

The technique used here is an oldie, but a goodie....Poppin' Pastels.....and it's as fun as it ever was! Medallion is the number one selling new stamp in this year's new catalog, and I can see why. It's elegant and it's fun to use in so many ways.

Here it is paired up with the greeting from Kind & Caring Thoughts, which is a Hostess Level 3 set....one which, as a demonstrator, I was able to pre-purchase before the release of the catalog in July. I fell in love with it because I just adore the font used for all the greeting stamps.

So, there you have it.....a quick, easy, and fun to make card! Thanks for looking....here's the deets:

Stamps: Medallion, Kind & Caring Thoughts

Inks: Versamark, Night of Navy

CS: Natural Ivory, Kraft, Brocade Blue

Misc: Photo Corner Punch (to create the "V" on the greeting tag), Brocade Blue Chalk Pastel, Kraft Corduroy Button, Linen Thread, Pop Up Glue Dot (to adhere the button), Cutter Kit (to distress the Brocade Blue CS layer)

Please note: All materials used to create this card are from the current SU! catalog.

New Header Design

Check out my new blog header design. I've been wanting something more than that plain old name header that I've had since I started this blog. Now that I'm beginning to get a handle on my new program, My Digital Studio, I've designed my own! It's actually a pretty simple design, but for now....or until I learn more....I'm pretty happy with it! There's so much you can do with this fabulous program.....can't wait to share more with you!!

Bloggers' Challenge -- Designer Series Paper

It just so happens that this card was made last week at a recent workshop I gave....featuring (among other things)....Designer Series Paper! Or, as we so fondly like to call it....DSP. This was definitely inspired by this lovely card created by the amazing Mary Brown, one of my many stamping heroes.....I have never seen a card posted by Mary that I didn't absolutely adore! So, here it is, finally.....the card was ready, but I needed to find time to post.

This card also showcases the Rock-n-Roll Technique, which is why that lovely flourish has a 2-toned effect. Easy to do. I also reminded the ladies how to color their stamps in 2 colors (see the greeting) by coloring over with a darker marker.....it's always good to go back to basics!

This card uses a lot of accessories....punches, brads, ribbons, markers, and paper. See the following for details:

Stamps: Friends 24-7

Inks: Chocolate Chip, So Saffron

CS: Whisper White, So Saffron, Chocolate Chip

Misc: Chocolate Chip Marker, Ticket Corner Punch, Eyelet Border Punch, Paper Piercer (for brad), Crystal Brad (Round-Pumpkin), 1" Dbl Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon in Chocolate Chip

Please note: ALL materials used to create this sample are from Stampin'Up! and are currently available in the catalog.

Thanks for stopping by today and making your visit a part of your day! Want to learn how to do this technique?....contact me today for your class or workshop!

Announcing........My Digital Studio!

Yes! SU has come out with a fabulous new software program, called My Digital Studio! Well, actually, right now it is only available to demonstrators, but in just a short time (October 1), it will be available for purchase to everyone!! Right now I'm just learning all the ins and outs of this program, but it is VERY user friendly! The beauty of this program is that the elements included in the software all match the SU line....and as time goes on, there will be downloads available so that we can add even more new elements!

When I arrived home from my trip to New Orleans this week, my package from SU was waiting for me and My Digital Studio was in it.....and I just couldn't wait to play!! If you have never scrapbooked....or even if you are an avid fan....I promise you will absolutely LOVE this!

I've completed a few pages, but this is my first one. As you can see, there are images added in using our stamp sets....and the size can be adjusted to suit your needs!! Check out the photo corners, brads, and the Hodgepodge Hardware! The background was added in....and, yes, it matches our DSP line!......and the stitching was also added.

With this program you can make cards, scrapbooks of various sizes, videos and so much more. For this first project, I'm putting together an 8"x8" album and starting from scratch....or, in other words.....I'm not using templates.

There is still a lot I need to learn about this program, but I'm pretty happy with my first attempt......what do YOU think?

Lunchtime Challenge....Yes, This is Late, Too!

In one of my recent posts, I mentioned that I had just finished a wedding scrapbook for my niece. In it I used quite a bit of Sahara Sand CS, and have really fallen in love with this color. It's neutral, but seems to take on a different hue as you change the colors you pair it with.

Well, as you may have guessed, Sahara Sand has been used in this card.....I used it for the base. Here I matched it up with Mellow Moss and the new In Color, Rich Razzleberry. To be honest, I wasn't really sure how I felt about this new In Color, but I really love this color combo.

This is another of MaryJo's sketches. I think she actually created this sketch for a long card...you know, a business envelope sized card. But, I made it into a regular card size and it works really well. You can see MJ's sketch here. Here, I've featured the beautiful Hostess Level 3 set, Kind & Caring Thoughts. Although, it cannot be purchased, it can easily be earned for FREE. (Just contact me to find out how!)

The flower on this card is one stamp, but I achieved this look by coloring just the flower with the Rose Red marker and the stem with my Always Artichoke marker. Before stamping, I carefully edged the petals of the flower in the Rich Razzleberry ink pad and then stamped. After this, I glittered the petals with the 2-Way Glue Pen (just can't live with out it!) and of course, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter. SU now carries markers in each of the new In Colors....one of these days, I really must add them to my collection!

Stamps: Kind & Caring Thoughts, Short & Sweet, Friendly Words Jumbo Wheel

Inks: Mellow Moss, Rich Razzleberry

CS: Sahara Sand, Mellow Moss, Rich Razzleberry, Whisper White

Misc: Rose Red Marker, Always Artichoke Marker, 2-Way Glue Pen, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter, Eyelet Border Punch, Rich Razzleberry Polka Dot Grosgrain Ribbon, Mellow Moss Button*, Linen Thread, Cottage Wall DSP

Baby Blog Challenge -- Way, Way Late

This one was due a few weeks ago, and I just didn't have the time to get to it when or before it was due to be posted. So, I finally completed it just before I left for New Orleans (more on that soon), but didn't have the time to post. Well, I snapped a photo of the card, downloaded it, and took my laptop with me and had every intention of posting it for you all to see....BUT, I just couldn't seem to get an internet connection! Actually, if I went down the street to the coffee shop, I know I could have, but once I left the hotel, (to be honest) I really wasn't thinking of card samples.

So, finally, I'm back home....just arrived a short time ago. Unpacked....or more like I threw all the dirty clothes on the floor in front of the washing machine....it will wait till tomorrow......and then sat down to the computer.

This card was fun....but it really uses only a few SU items. You see, a couple of weeks ago, I attended a scrapbook expo and took a class while there. It was interesting to see how just scrapbook papers and rub ons were used....they used no stamping! The price of the class included a package of papers, and we used a bit during class and took the remainder home. I'm in love with all the dainty patterns in this paper....and the pinks.....perfect for a baby girl card, don't you think?

On my sample, I used a couple of stamped items, unlike the cards made in that class......the "baby" focal point is actually from the recently retired Lovely Labels.....you know, there's just some things I cannot part with! This was stamped, punched, and layered on the scallop circle punch out. The "welcome" is also a stamped addition, punched with the fun, new Modern Label Punch. See below for more info.....

Stamps: Lovely Labels, Warm Words

Inks: Pixie Pink, Rose Red

CS: Very Vanilla (base)

Misc: Scrapbook papers (Basic Grey), Border Punch (Martha Stewart), Narrow Very Vanilla Grosgrain Ribbon, Modern Label Punch, Round Scallop Punch, 1 3/8" Round Punch, Circle Scissor Plus, Basic Black Marker, Rose Red Marker

Please note: Stamped images are SU; all other items are SU, except as noted above.

As always, thanks for stopping by.

I'll Be Back Soon!

Well, I took my laptop with me to New Orleans.....and I have a few new things to post and share with you. Problem is, the interenet connection has been non-existent! So, I'm here in the New Orleans airport waiting to fly home and finally have a connection!! I'll post soon, I promise! AND, it's almost time for another Blog Challenge! YIKES!!

Blog Challenge #116; Techno Challenge #86

It's been awhile, hasn't it?!! I really have NOT forgotten you....you see, I've been busy putting together a scrapbook wedding album for my hubby's niece. She was married on June 27 and I just finished it yesterday and mailed it out today. I've also been working on Save the Date cards for my son's upcoming wedding in May. That hasn't left much time for working on Challenges!

So, this card is doing double duty.....it fits this week's Bloggers' Challenge theme of "thinking of you," and the sketch that MaryJo put out last Monday. The images are all SU! and the background paper is something I purchased awhile back (don't remember where or when!), but bought it because it reminded me of Trendy Trees......actually, everything BUT the background paper is all SU! I know you can't tell on screen, but the background of the DSP is really shimmery. Gotta love that!

Stamps: Trendy Trees

Inks: Ballet Blue, Chocolate Chip, Apricot Appeal, Old Olive

CS: Sahara Sand, Chocolate Chip, Ballet Blue, Old Olive

Misc: Ballet Blue Mini Brads; Photo Corner Punch; Paper Piercer; Word Window Punch; Modern Label Punch; Wide Old Olive Grosgrain; Old Olive, Really Rust, Ballet Blue Markers*, Sponge Dauber

*I used the Thumping Technique on the "circle" tree, and then sponged in some extra color on the stamped image.

Thanks for stopping by. Please take a bit of time and check out what the others have been up to!

I've made a couple of other samples to catch up on the Challenges and have downloaded them into my computer. Tomorrow, bright and early, I'm leaving for a quick get away to New Orleans....but I'm bringing my laptop with me, and plan to post them while I'm away. So, hopefully, I'll be all caught up by the time I return home.....only to fall behind again, I'm sure! Please come back and visit soon.

Another Edition of MJ's Layout!

Last night I was in my stamp room working on another project. I was almost cleaned up and ready to go to bed, when inspiration hit again.....it's so rare, that I needed to go with it!! Of course, this was probably inspired by something I saw recently while blog hopping....you know, something must have been stuck in the crevices of this old brain! You know I love simple lines and easy-to-re-create cards, and this one definitely is. It is a scaled back version of MaryJo's weekly sketch....check out my previous post to see.

This sample has a Sahara Sand base....I'm loving it with the brand-new Bermuda Bay, one of this year's In Colors. Then a bit of Basic Gray was added in, along with a dash of Whisper White. The floral background is by Stampendous....it's a 3-step stamp, and I just couldn't resist when I saw it! I'm thrilled with the way this came out.....it's even better than my other one, I think.....and unlike my previous version, the colors this time around look great on screen!

Stamps: Open Bloom (Stampendous), Full of Life

Inks: White Craft, Basic Gray, Bermuda Bay

CS: Sahara Sand, Whisper White, Basic Gray, Bermuda Bay

Misc: Corner Rounder (retired version), Basic Gray Taffeta Ribbon, Clear Dew Drops (non-SU)

Please note: All materials used to create this sample are from SU, except as noted above.