Postcard Art

Today's challenge at Sunday's Postcard Art was to alter a real postcard. After spending a considerable amount of time hunting for a real postcard (rejecting the postcard reminder from Jiffy Lube that I needed an oil change) I chose this second postcard shown. This vintage Halloween postcard was all I could find. Seeing that I wasn't that crazy about the image, I decided I'd alter that.

I was quite pleased with the results shown in my first postcard here. I've been wanting to use the sentiment stamp, "Do one thing every day that scares you," for a while on a Halloween card and it seemed to fit perfectly here.

Thinking of You

Today I was needing to make a card for a male co-worker. I was totally uninspired.

But then two different challenges got me going. The Thank God It's Friday Challenge called for earth tones. Okay, that's masculine. And Nancy's sketch challenge on 2 Peas in a Bucket helped me put it all together. I remembered this stamp from Paperbag Studios which is an oldie but goodie, and the rest was easy.

I embossed the image with Tim Holtz' distressing EP. Can somebody tell me what I am missing about this stuff? It doesn't seem that much of a difference from regular EP.

Anyway, here is my card for my co-worker whose father died. Glad to have gotten it done:)

Arty Girlz Challenge

When I saw the challenge this week at Arty Girlz was to create something "vintage," I knew Id be joining in right away. I created this card using an image from my friend, Sarah. I also did some stitching which should make Jacqueline smile as I vehemently told her I would never use an iron or sewing machine for cardmaking. I did do the sewing by hand, however, just a couple stitches.

Thanks, Dawn

I received this lovely photo stamp of a curly haired girl from from Dawn as an RAK. Dawn and I both had a bit of trouble with it -- it certainly didn't respond to the usual procedures I follow with a photo stamp. So after doing the opposite of everything I would normally do -- in this case I didn't use glossy paper with Staz-On and I didn't use minimal ink with light pressure -- I got a nice image. And was able to make this card with the quote from Cloud Nine Designs.

I stamped a crackle design on the chipboard embellishments.

Thanks again, Dawn for the RAK!

Wednesday Stamper

Brown and ivory are the two colors I used for the two-tone challenge at Wednesday Stamper.

I used stamps by Paperbag Studios, Tim Holtz, and Studio G.

ATC Valentines

I've had these little vintage valentines stickers for quite a while -- don't even know who made them. I created a couple ATC's from them. For the one above I applied distress ink directly to my paper and then used a crackle stamp (PSX) to create the background. Other stamps are by Inkadinado (months) and Limited Edition (ruler).

This one I made as a challenge for Stamping D'Amour to create a cut-out ATC. I used my same type of sticker and created a cut-out heart. The inside contains a Two Hugs and a Kiss (PSX) sentiment and lips (Studio G) stamped in white ink.

Vintage Valentine

I created this vintage valentine for one of the challenges at Winterstamp this weekend. I used Basic Grey paper, staming my hanging flowers (Studio G) in the background. I addded an image from Crafty Individuals, some dolllar store ribbon and flowers. The ribbon slide was created with my Cuttlebug. I then stamped a heart from Rhonna Farrer and the sentiment from StampinUp on that. Yes, I know that lace heart is gorgeous. My friend Sarah gave that to me from her trip to Germany.

Growing Old

Won't be so hard if I have friends to walk with me. I'm very blessed that way. That's why I used this wonderful picture to create my card for Wednesday Stamper. Last week we were challenged to make something involving children, and this week we are moving in the other direction and creating something about growing old. I used stamps from Stampington, Hero Arts, and Making Memories to create my background.
The sentiment comes from a stamp by B Line Design.

Autumn Colors. That was the challenge this week from Wednesday Stamper. I had some lovely shiny cardstock onto which I stamped my tag (StampinUp) with Rusty Brown StazOn.

Using that same cardstock I created a background using the Rusty Brown as well as Olive Green and Timber Brown StazOn. I then stamped my gentlemen (River City Rubber Works) onto that with Black StazOn. I think it shows some real autumn colors. I also punched a few leaf sprigs from the scraps to add to the card. The two travel tags are from See-D's stamps which were stamped on cream cardstock with brown ink.

Hats

Just found this image I had saved on my computer from Lisa Vollrath's site, Go Make Something. Thought I'd try giving this sweet little face a couple of different hats.

For both of these cards I used this brown flocked paper I found at Big Lots. Another one of those amazing buys where they were selling three packs with 12 sheets in each pack for $1. It's just a shame you can't feel this paper.

The flourish and harlequin stamps on each tag are from Technique Tuesday. It's a clear acrylic set called Old World Squares. A great stamp set of small collage pieces, perfect size for ATC's or smaller projects. The witch hat is from PSX and the crown is from Brenda Walton clear stamps. I added a little dollar store bling to the crown.

Challenges

Both of these card were made for various challenges held over at Stampin D'Amour. They have about two challenges a week over there all featuring vintage or shabby chic style cards.
This first challenge was to feature the color red which I did with my card. This card uses images from Crafty Secrets and papers from Basic Grey. This card was for a lighthouse challenge and I used a lighthouse stamp I really like from Stampendous. The ephemera is from Hot off the Press. Don't remember where the background paper is from.

Wish Upon a Star

This card was created from K&Co's Maison pad by Brenda Walton. No stamping here, just ended up with a card that I thought was extremely pretty.

Happy Halloween

I had the most incredibly creative and productive weekend. I created enough stuff to share all week long. But then I stopped at the store on the way home today and bought some of the new Basic Grey paper. Thank goodness, I'm not crazy about all of it, but I did like the Mellow series. It has some nice fall patterns in it, and I really like when I find the 6x6 pads for cardmaking. So I started playing around with it and ended up with this little Halloween card.

I stamped my flourishes in white Brilliance ink and black Memories ink on the Basic Grey paper. I added some orange rhinestones. I stamped my costumed tykes on glossy white cardstock with Stazon. I then used some tissue paper and folded it back and forth accordian style to make a backing for my image. I placed my image on the patterned paper from Basic Grey. The Happy Halloween sentiment is a $1 stamp from Joann's which is stamped on glossy cardstock.

Tryptich - Wednesday Stamper

A three-panel or three-section work of art. I didn't know, and in case you didn't either. That's what Wednesday's Stamper called for in their challenge to create a tryptich. (Turns out I didn't quite read the challenge correctly and it should be ATC size.)
I used an arch type panel for mine. I added orchid ink to my paper and then used various stamps: Hero Arts and Paper Inspirations for the background. Romantic couple by Inkadinkado.
Quote by B Line Designs. Others stamps used are by See-D's and Art Impressions.

Travel Log

A little something I've been working on this week.



I received the 7 Gypsies Chipboard tag book as part of my Inspiration Project for this month over at Stampin D'Amour. I decided to go with a travel theme and came up with this Vacation Memories album.

I'm not even going to begin to list all the different ephemera and whatnot that went into this. Just enjoy!

Happy Labor Day

This card is my tongue-in-cheek Labor Day tribute to women everywhere -- who never really get a day to sit back, relax, and do absolutely nothing. In essence, every day is labor day.
The challenge came from Lyneen over at Stampin D'Amour who is offering a give-away to everyone who creates a card featuring working women. Check out the message board to see more details.
Images come from Crafty Secrets except for the woman in the apron. That image was one of a group of vintage magazine images I received from the Stampin D'Amour Boutique. The book label is from Heidi Swapp. The background paper is from Basic Grey.

Stampin D'Amour Challenge

If you like shabby chic and vintage looking stuff, you might want to head over to the message board at Stampin D'Amour. One of the things they have started is a weekly challenge. This week I posted the challenge and I chose to do something that incorporates animals. I thought that might be a little different. Anyone can participate, just post your submission to the message board.

My submission uses paper from Crafty Secrets. The image is a stamp from Stampsmith which I stamped onto glossy cardstock with Versafine Onxy Black. The hardware I cut off of some trim I bought at Big Lots. The ribbon is from DejaViews. The punching along the edge is from StampinUp.

Gothic Arch Challenge

There's a new challenge starting out this week called Gothic Arch Challenge. Really lots of fun to make. For their first ever challenge Nancy Maxwell James has chosen the theme "school days." Very appropriate for this time of year. Here's my submission.

Take Ten

I mentioned yesterday I was thrilled to see my work that had been published in the newest Fall Take Ten. I had 15 cards published in total. These three were some of my favorites. I found the vintage images in a very cool retro/vintage antique shop near my home. I just fell in love with all three of them. I didn't know what I would do with them at first, but when I did decide to make cards with them I was very pleased with the results. Marcia commented on some of my previous stamped cards that the little girls had such big bows on their heads, they must have had very strong necks. Here it is in real life, Marcia.

I just knew when I saw the picture of these three friends they were in Paris in the springtime.

This vintage bathing beauty makes me not so fearful of putting on my bathing suit.

I've got more to show tomorrow!

Altered Wood Album

Here's a little something I made for the Inspiration Gallery over at STaMpInD'AmOUr. In case you haven't been over there lately, lots is going on. They've got their gallery up and running featuring lots of altered projects as well as layouts and cards are going up daily. Lots of really cool stuff to check out.

The BouTiQUe is also stocking up and new stuff is being added every day. If you like Crafty Secrets, that's the place to check out.

The Wood File Folder Album is from Crafty Secrets. Paper from 7 Gypsies, Crafty Secrets. Altered Alphabets by Crafty Secrets. Stamps by See-D's, Inkadinkado, Art Impressions, StampinUp. Stickers by Karen Foster and Sticker Studio. Vintage Photos by Paperbag studios.