HSS Technique Challenge #31- Shaving Cream!

Good Morning Stampers! I am so thrilled to share with you this weeks Hand Stamped Sentiments Technique Challenge- SHAVING CREAM!!! This is a SUPER easy and fun technique to do on any project. HERE is a brief tutorial on how to create it for yourself.

Today I created a card for this weeks challenge. I know it is sort of more basic than I am used to, I admit that combining this technique with a project was challenging for me, but I finally came up with something that was simple but fun. I apologize thought, the lighting and shadow of my photo box made it even more difficult to take a clear picture of my project as well. But lets see what we can see... :)

I used melon mambo, rich razzleberry, perfect plum and a retired (pale plum, but you can hardly see that color in my sample- oh well, sometimes less is more-right?) I hope you can see that once my shaving cream design dried I embossed (in white embossing powder) my stamped image- this is a very old retired happy birthday set. I admit it was one of my first sets that I got when I first joined Stampin' Up! and it is one of my fav's!

I layered my focal piece onto a larger Pretty in Pink piece and mounted them both onto my card base. I don't know if you can tell in the photo but I stamped the base of the card with my large paisley background stamp that has long since been retired too... I can't seem to get rid of that wonderfully large stamp! Up close the card looks as if the card stock is textured, very cool!

I finished off the card with a simple sentiment and can I tell you how fun I think this font is. I know it is totally old and some might say outdated, but I like how funky and fun it is. I finished the entire project off with a few brads and BAM- funky technique birthday card in a flash!

Well I hope you enjoyed my project for you today, PLEASE come by HSS and play along. Submit your shaving cream creation, it doesn't have to be a card- it can be anything using that technique. It is super fun and delightful to see all the projects everyone submits. You get great inspiration from everyone too- so come on over and play along! Until next time~ TTFN

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HSS Anything BUT a Card Challenge #30

Good Morning Stampers!! I am so glad that I FINALLY get to share this project with you all! I have to admit that I made this several weeks ago, and have been saving it for this month... I just couldn't hang onto the bread this long :)

But this week over at HSS we are having an ANYTHING BUT A CARD challenge, yes that means ANYTHING goes!!! MDS, scrap pages, 3-D items, gifts, ANYTHING. Lets take a look see at what I did for this challenge...

First, I made a bunch of these mini zucchini breads and I needed a CUTE way to give them away to that ladies that I visit teach. I had bought these boxes from Stampin' Up! a while ago and forgot that I actually had them... you wouldn't believe at how often that actually happens- A LOT!!!


This is how the box comes, I am hopeful that they will carry something similar to these in the Holiday Mini... I think I actually have that in my possession- I should probably take a look and see what they have in store for us. :)

I put the box/bag together, placed 3 of my mini breads in a cello bag (also from SU- I believe they are the Med. size) and secured it with a twisty tie. Then I placed a card with the package- with a sweet note, of course!

First I placed the bag inside, and MAN was I relieved to know that the bread fit inside perfectly. Whew!

Then slid the card in next... so far so good!

See it actually fits! They come with this cute little flap that holds the top close- Ingenious!!!

Then I finished it off with a personal tag, I used a sharpie pen to write on this vellum metal edge tag and slid it through the handle to finish off the gift. What an EASY simple way to package a delicious gift. You could make your own boxes and bags using the Big Shot & the die cuts from Stampin' Up! or through MDS (My Digital Studio) you can download templates for all kinds of adorable little packaging ideas.

Well I hope you enjoyed today's project and now that my kiddo's are BACK IN SCHOOL I have LOTS more free time on my hands with out the constant reminder that "I'm Bored". So e on the look out for fun projects and maybe some cool give aways!!! Until next time~ TTFN

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TAX FREE IN TEXAS!!!

Good Morning Stampers!!! I am excited to share what most Texans already know... it's a TAX FREE WEEKEND!!!!! So with that in mind there are some items that are available THIS WEEKEND ONLY (from 8/20-22) that you can get TAX FREE!!! Order today before the time slips away from you. You can order from me directly (via email/phone) or go to my on-line shop and purchase the listed items below and pay NO TAX!!! What a deal!

Have a great day and thanks for checking in... new projects coming soon!!! :) Who knows maybe there will be some blog candy coming your way?? Till next time~ TTFN

NOTE: I am so dumb, and I apologize for those of you that actually check my blog for updates and current project releases (if there are any, hehe) but I scheduled this post to release on Aug. 17th but instead of doing it for Aug. I scheduled it for Sept. I have been messing with this thing almost the entire day trying to figure out what the deal is. It is operator error- :)

Good Mornin' Stampers!!! I have to admit when I first saw the sketch for this weeks challenge I was stumped... I looked at the sample that was provided in the Stampin' Success Magazine and I wrestled with my design for some time before I nailed down my final layout. But I have to admit that I think I enjoy the challenging ones a bit more than those I can breeze right through. So for this weeks HSS sketch challenge, this is what I created-

I know it is pretty simple but I prefer those kinds of cards over the millions of layers and embellishments and such. Now, don't get me wrong- I make PLENTY of those cards but I have found that people are astonished just the same with the simple cards as they are with the over the top WOW cards.

I have not used this stamp set in SO long that I actually forgot that I had it. I was looking through some old IB&C's for some inspiration for my stamp set and came across this LOVELY set called FRESH CUTS just gathering dust on my shelf. I thought it was perfect for this project and challenge. I added a few embellishments, because like I said I know that I can't simply turn my back on my instinct to weigh down a project with lots of little extras. The flower is from my retired PRETTIES KIT as is the square rhinestone brad.

I love my adorable oval punches of all sizes, I used the sentiment from the same set and finished it off with two silver brads. Simple but complete, then I added some coordinating 1/4" grosgrain ribbon around the bottom because the sentiment just wasn't enough for me. :)

I think the thing I like the most about this card is the added texture and interest to the top of the card. I used to tear and distress everything that I made and then somehow got out of that, which I guess is good. Too much of something is NEVER a good thing. But I love that this challenge has reminded me of this technique for future cards.

Well I hope that you enjoyed this weeks project. Just think in 3 weeks days the kids are officially BACK IN SCHOOL and I will have much more time to add more projects and it is my goal to be more vigilant with my posting. I have really slacked off this summer- but goals are good to have right? Please come and visit us at Hand Stamped Sentiments and take part in this weeks challenge- we would LOVE to see your creativity!!! Well until next time~ TTFN

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HSS Inspiration Challenge #28

Hello Stampers, I have to admit when I first saw the inspiration piece for this weeks challenge what came to mind was a TOTALLY different card, but I couldn't find it (I had made it for my Hostess Club last month) and the last few days have still been sort of crazy still, but slowly winding down. So then I looked at it a little more and thought that it did feel warm, cozy, and like a fire place should be near by- those things always make me think of fall in Colorado. That is where I lived before moving to TX, the state of perpetual summer. So here is what I came up with for this weeks HSS Inspiration challenge.

First I chose my colors, and yes these are mostly retired colors- but a girl has to use what she has, right? I can't seem to throw out perfectly good card stock just because it isn't currently carried by Stampin' Up! So here are the colors I used: Close to Cocoa, Basic Black, Old Olive, Really Rust, and More Mustard. Ok, so not all of them are retired. :)

I love this little effect that I created using my CROP-A-DILE. You simply punch ever so gingerly along the piece of card stock to create this dry embossed effect. Careful though, punch to hard and you will get a hole. Play with it a bit and you will get the hang of it and use the right tension.

I am almost certain that every stamp set that I used for this card is retired, yeah I have a hard time getting rid of those too. Call me sentimental... but I LOVE the large leaves that I used for the main image. I wish I had done the Rust one twice though and hand cut the second one and added it on top to give the card dimension...oh well are we ever REALLY satisfied?

I created this little embellishment using my 1-3/8", 1-1/4", and 1" circle punch, my scallop circle punch. I have COMPLETELY run out of dimensionals and didn't realize it until I made this card, so of course something else I would change would be the flat-ness of this piece. It should have some height to it. :)

I hope that you enjoyed today's project, and definitely head over to Hand Stamped Sentiments to take part in this weeks challenge- we are dying to see your creative interpretations of this weeks inspirations. So until next time~ TTFN

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BLESSINGS!!! & HSS Color Splash Challenge #27

Hi Ho Stampers!!! I am so sorry for posting this SO late in the afternoon, I have been a bit occupied with life around here. Before I get into the Challenge and project for today I want to share a bit of gratefulness with you all... part of the reason that I have been late in posting is due to my dear friend Ashlie. She was visiting her family in UT over the last several weeks and while she was there this past Sat. she had a seizure and after testing found that there was a growth putting pressure on her brain that caused her to seize. She went in for emergency brain surgery to have the growth removed on Monday afternoon and was released into post/op-recovery just today. The Doctors were able to remove the growth completely and it is benign!!! I know there are many of you that sent your thoughts, well wishes and prayers her way and her husband told me that they felt them and are so thankful for them. She is a WONDERFUL lady and is such a trooper. She is the toughest woman I know and she is so blessed as we all are that she is better and healing now. I am so thankful for miracles and that is exactly what we experienced things could have been SO much worse than they were and we (all her family and friends) are SO GRATEFUL for that. ASHLIE WE MISS YOU AND CAN'T WAIT FOR YOU TO COME HOME!!!!!

Ok, so now that I have shouted my cheer from the roof tops- onto my project for this weeks HSS Challenge, it's a COLOR SPLASH! This week the colors for our inspiration are Melon Mambo, Daffodil Delight, and Tempting Turquoise- I LOVE THESE COLORS!! So summer-ie and FUN!

I love this stamp set and even though it is retired and I only have some of the original stamps from the set, I keep it around and can't bare to get rid of it because I love it dearly. I like the watercolor look that it give the projects without having to actually do the technique. This is definitely a lazy mans card...which is kind of why I chose it this week- I had like zero extra time over the last few days. Stress and anxiety takes it out of you BIG TIME!

So I started with the inspiration colors but I also threw in some other complimentary colors as well like Pacific Point, Night of Navy, Regal Rose, Pumpkin Pie, Old Olive and Certainly Celery. Go ahead and say it- three just wasn't enough. :)
I did the main image, my rose twice and hand cut the second one out to add dimension to the card. I love how it turned out, and the great thing about the images for this card is that you can use it for ANYTHING!!!

I did a simple piercing along the bottom of the card, just under the piece of torn night of navy card stock. I hand tore one side and rubbed and distressed it to give it a worn look. Then just stamp any sentiment that you wish, this card is great for any occasion.

Use your template that comes in the MAT PACK for your piercing, it makes it quick, easy and STRAIGHT- it is so worth the price. It sells for just around $10 and comes with 3 different mats and then you can get the paper piercing tool for just under $4 or use a large safety pin- you chose! I just love the effect and texture that looks gives to a project.

I hope you enjoyed my quick card for today and PLEASE head over to HSS and play along- we can't wait to see what you create!!! Until next time~ TTFN

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HSS Technique Challenge #26- WATERCOLORING!!

Hello Stampers!!! I hope you all are well this fine summer morning, I am so anxious for the start of the new school year-

I am counting down the days. If I heard "I'm bored" one more time, my head will spin around 360 degrees like that demon from the exorcist and I might even spew green junk from my mouth. Anyway on to something MUCH more pleasing to the mind- a technique challenge!!! I did this card and technique for my club members last week and I am excited to share it with you all now as well.

I chose this particular card for 2 reasons, one being that I LOVE-LOVE-LOVE watercoloring. I can be totally messy and it still loves FAB! In fact the messier you are the better it looks, I think. :) The other reason being that it is almost an exact replica of the demo they use in the NEW Stampin' Up! Idea Book & Catalog for the Fifth Ave. Floral Stamp Set. I wanted my club members to really see how this catalog isn't JUST that, that it is over 300 pages of inspiration and techniques. So onto my card...

I did my watercoloring a little differently than they did in the IB&C. I used the Watercolor Pencils for this project. I colored simple lines near the center of the larger rose on the Watercolor paper (this is a must if you are doing ANY watercoloring!!) then using my Aqua Painter I just pulled the color from the center of the petals out.

Note: that if you are doing any coloring in a stamped image the only ink you should use is Staz-On ink, it wont run or smudge while you color.

I stamped the overhanging flower with full strength ink, and then I stamped off once for my hidden flower. I wanted there to be a slight variation in the colors of the two flowers even though I was using the same ink color.

Check out how I layered these flowers. They are all 3 cut out by hand and layered at different levels using various amounts of dimensionals. I hung one over the edge and when I was pleased at the location I cut the edge off so that it would fit nicely in an envelope.

I hoped you enjoy today's project and take a chance and head over to Hand Stamped Sentiments and take part in our little challenge. We love to see every one's creativity and inspiration!! Don't forget about the RIBBON & PRODUCT SHARE that I am currently offering- click on the link to get more details and to contact me and get your stash!!! Thanks for stopping by to take a peek see today and until next time~ TTFN!!


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