Two Cards from the Sea

I have two cards to share today -  both made with backgrounds created using the Oxidized Shaving Cream technique - discovered by Lydia over at Splitcoaststampers.  She used it as the technique for the Mix Ability challenge on Friday.  You will find her YouTube video here. 

So here's the first card I made for Lydia's challenge.  I kind of covered up my lovely shaving cream background by stenciling this wonderful sea turtle from Stencil Girls over it using black embossing paste - but he looks perfect swimming in the ocean I created - along with 3 little schools of fish (the Friday Free 4 All challenge at SCS was back to school!)   The fish and sentiment are from S'Whale stamps and die sets from Ellen Hutson.

I'm linking my Sea Turtle card to:

Happy Little Stampers Mixed Media Challenge

 Country View Challenges

Sun Sea and Sand

Simon Says Wednesday Challenge

Back to School

 So then today's Inspiration Challenge at Splitcoaststampers was a nail polish website, OPI - and I chose this Marbled Waves manicure for my inspiration.  

I had made several backgrounds from the shaving cream technique so I used another one on this card!  You get to see more of the lovely background since I just did some stamping over it - the hilarious sentiment is from Impression Obsession and the mermaid tail is from Inner Mermaid from Ellen Hutson.  I die cut the panel with Pierced Feature Frames die from PTI (my favorite framing dies at the moment!)

 Hope you are all having a lovely weekend -  we are having intermittent sun and showers at the moment - but it's a hot summer's day!

Tortoise card
Stamps:  S'Whale - Ellen Hutson
Paper: white - PTI
Ink:  Hero Hues Black, Ranger Distress Peacock Feather, Ranger Distress Reinkers Peacock Feathers, Bundled Sage, Tumbled Glass, Shabby Shutters
Accessories:  Turtle stencil #S417 Daley - Stencil Girl, Black Embossing Paste - Wendy Vecchi, shaving cream, paper plate, foam dots, S'Whale Dies - Ellen Hutson

Mermaid card
Stamps:  If your thighs touch - Impression Obession, Inner Mermaid - Ellen Hutson
Paper:  white - PTI
Ink:  Hero Hues Black, Ranger Distress Reinkers Peacock Feathers, Bundled Sage, Tumbled Glass, Shabby Shutters
Accessories:  Pierced Feature Frames Die - PTI, shaving cream, paper plate, Tiny Twinkles - Taylored Expressions

Fusion Challenge - Sept 3 - Back to School

Well, here it is September already - and we're so glad to be back with the Fusion Challenge - did you miss us over the summer??!!  Here's our challenge for the next two weeks:

I couldn't get my head around the sketch this week -  so I went with the photo inspiration - the school and blackboard theme in particular!

I made my own little canvas using the Mini Canvas Die from Lil Inker Designs.  I die cut it out of woodgrain paper from Amuse.  I embossed the sentiment from Paint Your Canvas with white embossing powder on chalkboard contact paper.  I removed the backing and adhered it to the canvas.  I left the little flecks of powder around the sentiment to make it look like chalk dust.  (i.e. I didn't use my embossing buddy!)

I stamped a sentiment from Desk Top Design from PTI on a piece of lined paper card from Amuse that I punched with my Spiral punch from SU (boy, I haven't used that in years!)  The apple and heart are from the same Desk Top Design set.  I also used the coordinating dies for the apple and the pencil cup.

The pencil cup holds pencils and a pair of scissors - too cute, right??!!

I placed my blackboard canvas on this cute little wooden easel - also available from Lil' Inker Designs.

So welcome back to FUSION!!! We hope you will join us - you will find lots of inspiration from my talented Teamies over at the Fusion Blog!  Can't wait to see how YOU are inspired!!

I'm also linking this to the following challenges:

AAA Cards - Spectacular Embossing

 

Addicted to Stamps - Use Die Cuts

 

Sweet Stampin - School Days

 

Julia

Stamps:  Paint Your Canvas - Lil'Inker Designs, Desk Top Design - PTI
Paper:  Woodgrain and Lined Paper - Amuse, Chalk Board Sheet - Contact Brand.
Ink:  Versamark, True Black, Orange Zest, Pure Poppy, Simply Chartreuse, Soft Stone, Hawaiian Shores - PTI
Accessories:  Mini Canvas Die - Lil' Inker Designs, Desk Top Design Dies - PTI, ScorTape, Spiral Punch - SU, heat tool, Wooden Easel - Lil' Inker Design, White Embossing Powder.

First Day of School

I made today's card using some of the wonderful Petite Places stamps and dies from PTI -  I am SO enthralled with the little 3D  buildings you can make with these dies - but as you see here -  you can also make them flat.  The school, flag with fence and sentiment are from Petite Places School Stamps and coordinating dies.  The tree is Scene It Everyday Die and the blue circle is Scene It Basic Backer.

I'm linking this card to:

Addicted to CAS challenge - Code Word School

 Can You Case It?

First Day of School
Stamps:  Petite Places - School - PTI
Paper:  White, Simply Chartreuse, Textstyle Bitty Box Basics - PTI
Ink:  True Black, Pure Poppy, Enchanted Evening - PTI
Accessories:  Dies - Petite Places Schook, Scene it Basic Backer, Scene It Everyday Die - PTI, Black Sharpie.

Art with Heart Challenge - Star Student!

I finally finished my project for Eileen Hull's Art with Heart July Challenge -  Red, White and Beautiful.  

I had the box  (Sizzix Blocks/Cubes 3D) and panels all made and put together but just couldn't decide how I wanted to decorate it. But now the deadline is one day away so I put the creative engine in full gear!  And here is my interpretation of Red, White and Beautiful!

I used a Clock Key for the top and tied some wrinkled seam tape around it in a bow and let the tails dangle down.

The 3D Star die is from Savvy Dies and the gem stars are from JoAnns.  I used 2 thick foam dots layered together in the center of the star to adhere it to the sides of the block.

Given that fall and getting back to school are just around the corner (although I do NOT want to wish the summer away!!)   I'll save this to give to "a star student'  in the fall. The top of the box opens so a little treat can be placed inside.   The stamp and stitched banner are from Lil' Inker Designs.

For the panels - I stenciled a big strip of white card stock using Wendy Vecchi's Translucent Embossing Paste and Tim Holtz Layering Stripes Stencil.  Then I inked the panel with both Salty Ocean and Festive Berries Distress Inks.  To finish it off - I stenciled Graduated Stars from MFT in Archival Black ink.  Then I cut the panel into 2" squares and adhered them to the cube.  You can see it most clearly on the bottom side here.

So I guess I'm finishing this project just in time to find out what the August Art with Heart Challenge will be!

Stamps:  2 Cute Ink - Bunny Star - Lil' Inker Designs

Paper:  White Little Sizzles Mat Board, White - PTI, DP October Afternoon Farm House and Sidewalks.

Ink:  Ranger Distress Salty Ocean and Festive Berries, Memento Tuxedo Black, Archival Black.

Accessories:  Stripes Stencil - Tim Holtz, Graduated Stars Stencil - MFT, Wrinkled Seam Tape - Prairie Bird Boutique Etsy Shop, Wendy Vecchi Translucent Embossing Paste, sticky stars - Joanns, 3d Star Die - Savvy Dies, Stitched Sentiment Flag Die - Lil' Inker Designs, thick foam dots, Idea-ology Clock Keys, Sizzix Block/Cube 3D.

Starting School and Thinking of You

 There was a fun Mix-Ability Challenge over on Split Coast last Friday -  Drip, Drip, Drip -  to drip water over an inked or colored panel for your background.  I made two cards - a bright colorful one and a softer tone one.

First up is the colorful one - that I combined with the other Friday challenge on SCS - Free 4 All which was to use the primary colors of red, yellow and blue.

I made the background by sponging Ranger Distress inks over a white panel - then I dripped drops of water on the background using an eye dropper.  I didn't want the water to run, I wanted just drops on this one - so I patted a paper towel over the panel to absorb the water.

My 3 year old grandnephew, Landon, is going to start pre-school one day a week this month so I thought I'd send him this card.  I think he'll love seeing himself on the card - I hope he is just as happy his first day of school!  I cut out this picture of him and popped it up on the panel with foam tape.  I made the sentiment with my Brother P-Touch Label maker.

For my 2nd card - I again made a background by sponging a white panel with ink and then dripping water on it using an eye dropper.  This time I wanted the water to run as I was trying to make it look like this photo below.  This is a wall paper sold at Eskayel - a web store that was our inspiration for the IC challenge on Split Coast on Saturday.

And here's my card:

I cut the panel with Labels 18 Nestabilities.  The flowers are layered over the panel, some with foam tape. I used a beautiful flower set I just purchased, Fresh Cut Florals, and the coordinating dies from W Plus 9

I love how this came out!

Starting School
Paper: white, true black - PTI
Ink: Ranger Distress - Salty Ocean, Festive Berries, Squeezed Lemonade
Accessories: foam dots, photo, Brother P-Touch Label Maker, water, eye dropper 

Inspired Thinking of You
Stamps: Fresh Cut Florals - WPlus9
Paper: white - PTI
Ink: Ranger Distress Stormy Sky, Victorian Velvet, Milled Lavender, Archival Jet Black
Accessories: Labels 18 Nestabilities, Fresh Cut Florals dies - WPlus9, water, waterdropper, paper towel, foam dots

Stampin' Sisterhood Sept Challenge SS#21 AND 25% off!!

It's the first Sunday of the month and that means Jacquie has the Stampin' Sisterhood September Challenge up!  This month she has an inspiration photo for us - appropriately enough - the theme is school!

I was inspired by the ruler and primary colors in creating my card today.

I used the fun Rubbernecker Alphabet Set #3  and a piece of ruler twill from Michaels.  I also added black rhinestones symbolizing 1...2...3.   I adhered the red, orange and yellow strips to another piece of card stock and then cut the panel with a Deckled Mega Rectangle Nestability.  I layered it to a piece of black card stock with foam tape to give the impression of a blackboard in a classroom!  To finish it off I adhered the ruler twill along the bottom with ScorTape.

You have all of September to link your challenge card over at the Stampin' Sisterhood blog where all the details will also be found -  just click on the challenges tab at the top of the blog to take you right to the current challenge!  You could win a Rubbernecker stamp of your choice!  We hope you'll join in!

There's also a big SALE going on over at the Rubbernecker store through Sept 5th!  (which just happens to be my birthday!)  25% off all accessories - think Tim Holtz, Spellbinders, Memento Inks etc, etc!!

I'm also entering this card in the CCEE challenge  and CAS-ual Fridays Challenge-  back to school!

Stamps:  Rubbernecker - Alphabet Set #3  Pup Cat
Paper:  white, True Black, Pure Poppy, Orange Zest, Lemon Tart, Fine Linen - PTI
Ink:  Versafine Onyx Black
Accessories:  Foam tape, ScorTape, Deckled Mega Rectangle Nestability, ruler twill - Michaels, rhinestones - Kaiser.

Back to Primary Color School!

I'm the hostess for the Color Challenge over on Split Coast this week - and I chose the colors of Real Red, Daffodil Delight and Night of Navy (or red, yellow and blue!).  I chose these colors to go with my dessert option of using the theme 'Back to School' (think back packs, pencils, notebooks, kids, apples, stars, lined paper etc!)

I decided to make a little note/photo book using my challenge colors. 

I found the pattern for this cute little Mini Fold Book on Lisa Johnson's blog here.  Alex from Rubbernecker is all set for getting back to school this fall.  I colored him with Copics, cut him out and adhered him on the front flap.   I used velcro to hold the flap closed.

Here are some views of the inside pages.

A side view.

and the back!

I used my P-Touch Label maker for all the words -  a great way to get the exact words you want and have them be all matchy/matchy! 

What would you use a little book like this for??

Stamps:  Rubbernecker Scooter Kids Alex #570-14

Paper:  Kraft - Gina K Designs, Text Style Bitty Dot Basics, Bitty Square Basics, Bitty Star Basics - PTI

Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black

Accessories:  Scotch Quick Dry Adhesive, Copics:  Y02, B39, E00, R20, R29, BG10, YR24, P Touch Label Maker, Corner Rounder - Zutter, Star punch - Fiskars, Velcro - Staples

Rubbernecker Scooter Kids & Friends Blog Hop

Welcome to our little HOP!!  We are SO happy that you could join us in celebrating some NEW stamps! 

 Mr. Rubbernecker released some SUPER cute images, on the down low, a few weeks back and we wanted to share them with you!!  They are SO adorable that we just HAD to show them off!  We have sweet SCOOTER KIDS, some new ANIMALS, and we even got some cute new FRIENDS!!!   

You can find them by visiting RUBBERNECKER STAMPS and clicking on the 2011 NEW RELEASES!! 

Hey, wait, there is MORE!!  We also have something else to CELEBRATE!!!  Our design team has a NEW name!!  We are SO excited!!  I bet you were wondering what was up with that!!  Weren’t you?!  We are NOW the……………………………..

Cool, huh?  We are going to have SO much to share with you!!  It will TRULY be a SISTERHOOD , for sure!!!  OK now, a HOP would not be a HOP without a little PRIZE!!  Right?  Of course!!  SO, in honor of our news AND our new images, if you visit ALL the participants and leave some LOVE?  You will have the chance to WIN a……………………

$25 RUBBERNECKER STAMPS CERTIFICATE!!

WOW, more coolness!!  Our winner will be announced on TUESDAY, so you will have plenty of time to hop!  OK, better get HOPPIN’!!  Thanks SO much for being a part of our excitement!!  You will find the HOP ROUTE and my creation below!!  Have an AWESOME day!!!

Now that you have all the deets from DT Coordinator Jacquie -   Here is my card!

I used two of the Scooter kids on my card today - Alex and Audrey - and they're off for their first day at school!  Their back packs are filled with paper, pencils, rulers and crayons!

I did a little hand stitching on the side of my card - piercing holes and stitching with some bakers twine.  I even put a little sequin flower on Audrey's headband!

Now off you go to my fellow Stampin' Sisterhood blogs to see what stamps they're playing with today!

• Charlene Merrick
• Frances Gumprecht
• Jacquie Peifer
• Jen Charboneau
• Joan Ervin
• Judy Rozema
• Julia Aston  You're here!
• Juliana Swanson
• Kecia Waters
• Kittie Caracciolo

Stamps: Rubbernecker - Scooter Kids: Alex #570-14, Audrey #570-09 

Paper: True Black, Vintage Cream, White - PTI, DP Red school paper - unknown, alphabet paper - unknown, Lined paper - We R Memory Keepers Grandmas Kitchen/Pen Pals

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Accessories: glue dots, foam tape, paper piercer, twine - PTI, Rhinestones - Kaiser, Pencil Sticker - EK Success, Copics - R20, R37, RV02, BG10, B45, E00, E13, E33, YG95, Pinking circle and circle Nestabilities, flower sequin - Cartwrights.

Some Exciting News!

I'm thrilled to announce that I have been chosen to be a member of the newly created PSA Stamp Camp Design Team! You can read the announcement here on the stamp camp blog, and read more about PSA Essentials Peel & Stick stamps here.

I find myself on a team with a couple of my blogging buddies - Jennfer and Carly - as well as many new acquaintances. Libby is still announcing all the members over at her blog.

Here are the projects I submitted as my application for the design team and they were posted on the Stamp Camp Blog on October 5th to celebrate World's Teacher Day.

I made these magnets stored in a little tin using the set PSA - Super Star. The circles are mounted to a magnet sheet (I used my Krylon Machine with the magnet/laminate cartridge) so these can be used to hold those 'ever so special' school papers that come home every day on your fridge for all to see!

I even stamped on the twill I adhered around the box. The tin is from Papertrey Ink.

For my second teacher project I decorated a purchased First Aid kit that I got at the Dollar Store.

I used the PSA set Hello Kitty - School Days for the image - the heart circle framing is from the PSA set - UBU Dress Up. I used my Brother Label maker for the sentiments, added some papers to cover the label and tied a bow!

Here's what came in my little kit. Perfect for teacher to have on hand for all those little 'boo boos' that happen during the school day.

My last project was decorating a purchased note pad. I got this on sale at Staples for $1.oo (!) It already had all the M&M's printed on the cover.

Again - I used the PSA Hello Kitty School Days set. (the sentiment is Papertrey Ink)

So there you have it - some easy, fun gifts for teacher!

You can buy PSA stamps on line or at stores near you .

Thanks for stopping by today - I hope you are having Columbus Day off tomorrow - I do (Yippee!) - and I know there will be some extra stamping going on in my craft room!!! How about you???

Speedy the Cats Friends Challenge #12

It's Saturday - and time for another Speedy the Cats Friends Challenge!




This week it's a color challenge - to use yellow, orange and red - bright summertime colors!

So what do I make??? A Fall Back to School card! LOL!! One student has brought an apple for the teacher - and another student has brought in a frog!

So what kind of card will you make using yellow, orange and red? Come on over to Marks Finest Papers Blog and link your card there. You could win an MFP stamp set!!

If you load your card on Split Coast please use Speedys Friends in your keywords.

Stamps: MFP - Apples and Camellia

Paper: red & cream - MFP, Orange Zest - PTI, Barely Banana - SU, DP Cosmo Cricket/Girl Friday/Monday

Ink: Ranger Distress Ink Barn Door, Memento Tuxedo Black

Accessories: Buterfly punch - Martha Stewart, Spiral punch - SU, frog charm - MFP, Sponge & wood applicator - Ranger, glue dots, Tim Holtz Cracked Sizzix embossing folder.

Thank You Teacher

Have you been checking out the Nicole's blog everyday like I have??? Papertrey Ink is having a super 2nd year celebration - everyday there is a post and you can enter to win something. Today you can win a full year's supply of Card Stock! You have to make a card using Pure Poppy, Ripe Avocado, Ocean Tides and Summer Sunrise. I chose to make this fun little back pack instead of a card.

I used all Papertrey supplies on this. The card stock is Summer Sunrise. The designer paper is Polka Dot Parade and the stamp set is 'Teacher's Apple", and the ribbons are Ocean Tides twill and double stitched.

Here is a side view so you can see the fun straps on the back. Just like the real thing only in miniature. This little pack would hold a gift card inside the main compartment or a couple of miniature candy bars. The front little pocket could hold some paper money folded up. I used velcro to hold both sections closed.

You can see my tutorial on how to make this cute little back pack here.

I've got a really busy weekend coming up so I may not be back until Sunday night or Monday! I'm teaching a class at the Papertree Shop in Manchester, NH tomorrow - maybe I'll see you there??

And don't forget - I'll be having some blog candy offerings on Feb 9 - my one year blog-aversary!!

Thank you so much for stopping by today!

Stamps: Teacher's Apple: PTI

Paper: Summer Sunrise, DP-Polka Dot Parade: PTI

Ink: Pure Poppy, Ripe Avocado, True Black: PTI

Accessories: 1/4 hole punch, 1/8 hole punch, Ocean Tides Twill & Double Stitched Ribbons: PTI, Fantastix Coloring tool (to ink leaf & stem) Tsukineko, Velcro tabs, Nestability Double ended tag