My Just One to Shirley

I have waited to post this because I wanted Shirley to receive it first. Shirley was my TJ Just One partner this month. She sent me just the loveliest card! No small pressure there! Well, I saw this Polished Acetate technique on the TJ CD #5 and just loved it. The technique provided the directions for the polished acetate as well as the card design. All I had to do was pick a stamp set and put it together. In all the samples on the CD, the front panel was colored, but I really liked leaving it black and white against the colored acetate. I just love this stamp set, Essence of Love from Stampin' Up! I stamped the image, then went over some of the flowers and the butterflies with my VersaMarker pen and embossed them for some additional texture. I also added some stickles to give some shimmer. The butterfly embellishment I bought at Wal-Mart!

This is the inside of the card. I sponged on the purples on the bottom and blues on the top. Then I added some Groovy Guava to help graduate the sky and highlight the sentiment. By leaving the top layer black and white, it helps the colors inside to jump out more.

Stamps: Essence of Love; Ink: Basic Black, Lovely Lilac, Elegant Eggplant, Soft Sky, Ballet Blue, Night of Navy, Groovy Guava, various alcohol inks; Paper: Basic Black, Basic Gray, Whisper White; Accessories: acetate, alcohol, felt applicator, butterfly embellishment, brads, sponges, Diamond stickles.

I am still sick. In eight days I have seen three doctors and talked to one nurse (nurse hotline). Apparently there may be more going on than just a severe head cold and ear infection, since doctor #3 took me off the ear drops (prescribed by doc #2) and referred me to ENT and had CT scan of my sinuses. He was concerned that after a week of antibiotics there isn't more of an improvement, hence the CT scan. Of course I won't know anything until next week. I just haven't had the energy to keep up with Troy AND stamp, so you can imagine which one won. :)

Whimsical Fairies

I have caught a nasty cold from my DS. It hit me fast and furious. After five days of bad sore throat and no relief from OTC meds I finally went to the doctor yesterday and got some meds to help (so far just a little.) I was able to get my TJ partner's card out to her, but I haven't stamped since then until last night. (I'll post a picture of my card to Shirley after she lets me know she received it.)

All that to say that I had some Polished Acetate sheets laying around, (but I won't tell you WHY I had them laying around!) I also received some new rubber yesterday! (No not, Stampin' Up! rubber, so I'm now committing JanTink's "rubbah-dultry"!)

A friend from SCS has started her own business designing stamps. I love her drawings and bought a few when Starving Artistamps was selling them, but now Kristin has opened her own business (Artful Inkables) so I went and bought a few more!

Since I can't color anywhere nearly as well as Kristin I decided to use up some of the Polished Acetate (TJ technique) I had lying around and just stamping with StazOn Black onto the acetate. Since the acetate was "polished" I didn't have to color in my darling little sleeping fairy. I also layered the acetate on Shimmery White c/s, so IRL you can see little specks of shimmer through the acetate (if you're looking.)

This layout is my take on Beate's week-end sketch. Due to the size of my sentiment I couldn't make it round without eating up too much space. I also decided to put it down instead of up on the left side so not to cover my fairy.

I used the retired SU Cheesecloth for the background, with the thought that it was a "net" to catch my sleeping fairy if the need was to arise. I can't remember the last time I used Gable Green! It is just a little too bright for me, but it seemed to work well with the colors I used to polish the acetate.

TIP: Be careful when stamping on acetate! Even if you don't slip, too much pressure can cause blurriness. *sigh*

Stamps: Fairy Whimsey (Artful Inkables), Cheesecloth (SU); Ink: StazOn Black, Bashful Blue, various alcohol inks); Paper: Green Galore, Basic Black, Shimmery White; Accessories: Vintage brads, 1/6th hole punch, dimentionals (sentiment), acetate.

TJ Just One Swap with Shirley

I have mentioned Technique Junkies here numerous times. The group has a monthly sign-up to swap a card with one other person. This month I swapped with Shirley R. I received her card over a week ago, but as you can tell with how quiet I've been I haven't had time to share her card before now. I wanted to share Shirley's card here so that other TJ members can get a better view of Shirley's beautiful card.

As I gaze at her card, noticing all the shimmer and shine, I start to think about what makes a great card. I believe it comes down to details. Whether those details are few yet simple to make a simply elegant card or those details are many and/or complex, the details seem to really make a card. Shirley's details span the various layers of her card as well as sprinkled on her focal point.

Texture is a part of the detail with this card. You can't help but run your finger over it to feel the glitter, the lattice, the beads and the embossed focal point. The pink layer uses the Spray Starch technique, which is an Ultimate Bonus for the 2005 CD. The lattice is an added layer with some bead-like embellishments. The focal point has been embossed the colored with something like Radiant Pearls, then a glitter glue adds both shimmer and texture.

I also love that Shirley added interest to the inside of the card as well as the envelope. She cut thin strips of Spray Starch c/s and put one strip inside the card and three strips on the front of the envelope. I often remind my students in class to stamp their envelopes to add to the beauty and handmade uniqueness of their card. I never thought to add an embellishment like this!

I will end here so I can get this published! I have been working on this post since first thing this morning! You've got to love all the business of life! (The running Troy to pre-school, the commissary, the vet's office, etc.!)

March Class Projects

Well, it has been one of those week's and I've not had any chance to stamp for just me! I did complete two cards for my class this week and here they are.

This first one was born from my desire to use Technostampers' sketch challenge #8 and I wanted to use a new stamp set from the Occasion's Mini. I think that this is one of my favorite stamp sets! I love the elegance of it! The sentiment is a little amiss because it is a single line stamp and I used my marker to color one part at a time per line and use my Stamp-A-Ma-Jig to line it up. After I stamped, then I punched! ;) The center image is black embossed with detail black EP and I forgot to use my embossing buddy and you can really tell. That Afternoon Tea DS paper is just so yummy!

I was inspired by girl3boys0 on SCS, here. As you can see, I used the same layout, just changed up the colors and stamped image. I used Porcelain Prints DS paper for the top layer, I find myself using this DS paper frequently as I really like the soft elegance. I showcased the SAB rub-ons. They are soooo very easy to use and are so sharp on both the DS paper and the textured c/s.

The bottom panel is some paper from my Pallet O'Prints. I am still using that up! You can earn some similar paper by hosting a workshop (or placing an order) that qualifies for a level one hostess item. The Prints Pack designer Series Paper (111827) is on page 19 of the Spring-Summer Collection 2008 catalog.

1st Card: Stamps: Essence of Love; Ink: CRAFT & Marker Basic Black; Paper: Basic Black, Groovy Guava, Afternoon Tea DS Paper; Accessories: Detail Black Emboss Powder, small & large oval punches.

2nd Card: Stamps: Friendship Blooms; Ink: Basic Black, Almost Artichoke (sponging); Paper: Almost Artichoke (base and Textured for the strip across the middle), Pallet O'Prints, Porcelain Prints DS Paper; Accessories: Rub-Ons, ExactO knife and cutting mat, sponge.

River Rock Wedding

I needed a wedding card for today's wedding. One of my DH's co-workers was getting married and I needed a card. Hmmmm. . . . So I procrastinated for awhile, and not to forget that I had to make my masculine congrat cards for this week-end as well so they were a good distraction. Finally I could not procrastinate any longer so I went to my Google Reader and looked at all my posts tagged "WOW" (for those that just defy any other tag!)

I came to Amy at Pickled Paper Designs and loved her card. But dare I??? Should I??? Just CASE??? No, I must add something of my own, just a little. I started with the diamonds and embossed them using CRAFT Basic Black and detail black EB powder. I wanted a little more of a tile look so I used VersaMark to add a layer of clear EP. I still had some River Rock and Porcelain Prints DP laying around and they grabbed my attention. I liked their soft and elegant colors so I went with those. I spread out my diamonds and added some new pearls that I had recently bought into the centers of each. I laid out my new velvet rick-rack and my velvet ribbon (just like the style Amy used), but I really liked how the rick-rack seemed to harmonize with the up and down flow of the diamonds so I went with the rick-rack. This is what I ended up with. (I used my Signo White gel pen to write on the inside, I debated putting a layer of River Rock inside with the corners Ticket punched but ran out of time.) (Yes, I finished this card 1.5 hours before we had to leave!)

Stamps: Mostly Flowers (I got this set just because of this stamp!); Ink: CRAFT Basic Black, VersaMark; Paper: Basic Black, River Rock, Whisper White, Porcelain Prints DP; Accessories: Detail Black & Clear EP, Mark Richards Crystal Stickers Pearls, Ticket Corner Punch, velvet rick-rack.
ETA: Those pesky labels I try so hard to remember! ;D

Aged Congrats

Well, I finally finished this card. This will be given to the second newly promoted officer that we will attend his promotion party this week-end.

I wanted to use the Faux Aged Metal piece that I had made, I finally found a sketch that I felt worked with the piece, SCS Sketch # SC120. EXCEPT. . . . . that sketch didn't have a place for the embellishments so I had to add them. And there's the kick. How to add the "congrats" that I wanted.

I rummaged through every thing I could think of. And, well, you know how you are standing there with your hands full of hair, pulling real hard??? Okay, literally, I was blurfing and I came across Mary's Stampin' Pretty post about creating boy cards. It was when I saw her card that I realized what I needed was more metal!! As in SU's Hodgepodge Hardware (HPH)!!

This large oval frame fit perfectly with the All Year Cheer III (now retired) "Congrats, Graduate" sentiment. Of course I omitted the graduate part. I did use CRAFT Basic Black and embossed with detail black to help it stand out a bit more.

The last detail was to balance the frame. I looked all through my HPH and thought of using those, ummm, well those thingies! But they didn't look right. I stole another look at Mary's card and realized that I just needed some brads like hers. So there's the truth, I "took" from her the wonderful idea of added metal (to my faux metal)! I hope she doesn't mind too much!

Stamps: All Year Cheer III; Ink: CRAFT Basic Black, various Adirondack inks and Blender, (ETA the StazOn Black); Paper: Garden Green, Basic Black; Accessories: aluminum foil, scrap cardstock, acetate, CB folder, Crafter's Tool Kit (Template, pad & Piercer), HPH.

Aged Gratitude

We will be busy this week-end. We have two promotion parties to attend and a wedding. So there goes the entire week-end! The promotion parties are Friday and Saturday evenings. So I volunteered to make congrats cards for the men getting promoted to Lieutenant Colonel. Here is the card for the first one. I used the Shimmery Metallic Background Technique (aka: Faux Aged Metal) found on the Artistic Outpost website. I also used Technostamper's Sketch Challenge #7.
I used alcohol inks on the background, trying to use colors close to SCS Color Combo Wild Wasabi, Purely Pomegranate and So Saffron. In the end they kind of muddied up so there is some brownish color to it. I did like this because it gives it a coppery feel.

Even though it is a bit of work (not difficult at all) I think the Faux Aged Metal is totally worth it. I think it lends masculinity to this card so that even though it has ribbon on it, it isn't a feminine card. I did a second piece of Faux Aged Metal for the second card so I'll work on that tomorrow. Today was another Snow Day so hopefully Troy will go back to pre-school tomorrow and I'll have some time to sit down UNINTERRUPTED and finished the second piece! LOL!

Stamps: With Gratitude, Weathered; Ink: Adirondack: Butterscotch, Bottle, Raisin, Silver, CRAFT Basic Black, StazOn, Classic Basic Black; Paper: Really Rust, Mellow Moss (the Weathered layer), Basic Black; Accessories: misc. c/s to back aluminum foil, acetate,
1/16th punch, brads, black grosgrain ribbon, 1 1/4" & 1 3/8" square punches, Black Detail EP, Cuttlebug folder.

Embrace Twinks

I wanted to have a try at Beate's week-end sketch and I really wanted a second try at the SCS color challenge #155, using Basic Black, River Rock and Whisper White. The third element I through in was using the TJ Technique Penciled Twinks. I also added some Faith Style!

IRL the Embrace flower isn't quite so bold. I stamped the flower in River Rock over all the River Rock layers, which I think helped tie it all together. I used to be so stingy with my layers, but I think I am finally letting go! I added a Pop-Up glue dot on the flower layer right side because it would look strange to be uneven. The flower has some sheen to it from the Twinkling H2Os. I also sponged some River Rock onto the White layer to soften it. I really like this card and hope you do to!

Stamps: Embrace Life; Ink: Staz-On Black, River Rock, Basic Black marker, Signo White Gel Pen, Paper: Basic Black, River Rock, Whisper White, Porcelain Prints DP; Accessories: Watercolor Pencils, Twinkling H2Os, Aqua pen.

Two Cute Wishes

I recently received the Flower Fusion Accents & Elements and the Ginger Blossom (I know, what took me so long????) and wanted to use them. I also saw this sketch challenge on Jen Del Muro's blog I {heart} 2 Stamp and decided to play along. This is what I came up with.

This card measures 5.25 x 5.25. I rarely do square cards, so this was a good challenge to get me out of my comfort zone a little. I biggest challenge for me was to balance the busy DP. Orginally I had punched some DP from this same pack but the pattern on pattern was just an eyesore! The next most difficult challenge was to find a sentiment that would fit in this square. I ended up using the "Warm Wishes" from the Hugs & Wishes stamp set, using my marker and SAMJ to make the sentiment two lines instead of one. I just LOVE my SAMJ!!!

This was my first time using Groovy Guava ink! I must admit that I haven't purchased any of the In Colors ink pads this year. I just couldn't afford to invest that much with my business in the "extremely slow" lane. I received the Wild Wasabi and Purely Pomegranate spots in the Three For You Punch Box. I purchased four spot size ink pads off the internet and purchased the ink refills for the four remaining In Colors. Now I have all the In Colors! ;)

Thanks Jan for the challenge!

Stamps: Two Cute, Hugs & Wishes, Ink: Ruby Red, Groovy Guava, Ruby Red Marker; Paper: Ruby Red, Very Vanilla, Ginger Blossom DP; Accessories: Flower Fusion, Earth Element Brads, PUNCHES: 1/16", SU scallop circle, 1 3/8" circle, 1 3/8" square, and Marvy/Uchida scallop square.

A Day Late and A Dollar Short?

Okay, I started this card Thursday night but didn't finish it until this morning. I used the SCS color challenge #155; Basic Black, River Rock and Whisper White. The colors of the scan are a little off. I used some liberty and used some SU Porcelain Prints DP on a couple of layers, as this particular pattern was River Rock. I love this pattern paper, it is so elegant!

For the life of me I can't remember where I got the sketch from!!! (If you recognize it pretty please let me know so I can give credit!) I thought it was Beate's from last week (Hence the title of my post) but I don't see what is in my head on her blog now.

I used the Cracked Glass technique on the sentiment layer. I know this technique is an oldie but goodie, it was also in the most recent TJ newsletter. I have seen several posts come through the Yahoo group using this technique, which is why it came to mind for this layer. The sentiment layer has some sparkle to it because I didn't realize I had some glitter on my VersaMark pad that transfer to the cardstock while I was adding the VersaMark. Oh well, I think it looks good!

I used my SU Distresser on many of the edges to help give it an aged look. All edges except black are sponged to add to the aged feel of the card.

I'm not sure about this card. I like that the sentiment is the focal point, but the card feels a little barren to me. It especially feels this way when I look at the scan. Perhaps a few small prima flowers would help? Or perhaps I can do some faux stitching around some of the layers?

Stamps: Morning Soft; Ink: CRAFT Basic Black, CLASSIC Creamy Caramel, Close to Cocoa, Chocolate Chip; Paper: River Rock, Basic Black, Whisper White, Porcelain Prints DP; Accessories: sponges, Distresser tool, Corner Rounder, Glossy Glaze EP & heat gun.