I literally spent about an hour and a half yesterday working on a card for a challenge which I was going to post today. I was so frustrated with it -- I never got it to be exactly what I wanted. So that's in the trash and instead I'm going to show you the goodies I got in the mail today. Don't know about you, but I always like when bloggers show what comes in the mail or the great deals they got on stamping and craft stuff.


So here's what came in the mail today from the Boutique at StampinD'Amour. If you like vintage items, the Boutique has so many unique items. I am just in love with that chipboard purse from Maya Road. It has chipboard inserts to alter. Millions of ideas for that. I also had to have the vintage recipe tin. Like the cool stand on the top to put your recipes as you cook? Don't know how I'll alter that yet. The vintage stamp of the two clown children will work for either Halloween or birthdays I think. And I love the vintage paper and rub-ons from 7 Gypsies. Well, lots of stuff to create with, so I better get to work!
FYI: I ordered these on Tuesday and Wednesday and received them today!

Think Monday -- And Wednesday

Because I'm covering two challenges in one post.

Think Monday, Think ATC's challenge called for using metal in some way on our ACT. I created this purple ATC by applying purple inks to my ATC and then stamping the flower by Inkadinkado. I used a vintage label and cut that to fit my metal frame. I then added a metal dragonfly as well.

My blue ATC is for this week's Wednesday Stamper challenge which called for something blue. I applied different shades of blue to this ATC and stamped over that with a crackle background stamp from Inkadinkado. I then stamped the half-circle from See-D's on the bottom. "Venezia" as well as the female image is from Stampington. I stamped her on blue patterned paper and then cut her out. I also stamped and cut out the square image under the Q which is a part of a collage stamp from Hampton Arts.

Something Different....

.....from the vintage and collage stuff I've been focusing on lately. I picked up these two stamps over the weekend at Hobby Lobby for like $2 each, so I thought I'd try them out.

Both images are from American Art Stamp. These skinny little creatures are not so easy to color.

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 -- Inchies

Here is a layout that was published in the latest issue of Take Ten. It featured some Inchies I had made as well as three of the cards I made with them. I was really pleased with these, so was very excited to see them make it into the magazine.

You really need to click on the inchies to get a good look.

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!

Stampers Sampler

Got my complimentary issue of Stampers Sampler as I had a card published in the August issue. It's one I made for their Halloween challenge.

Musical girls are by Queens Dresser Drawers; pumpkin stamp by StampinUp.

Sentiments are rub-ons.

I also got my copy of the Fall Take Ten yesterday. Even though Kris, from the Inspiration Team at StampinD'Amour had given me the heads up, my jaw dropped when I saw the work of mine they had published -- oh, my goodness. I will be posting some of it later this week. They did a two-page feature on some inchies I made and the cards I made using them. What a pick-me-up that was!

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.

Love

One of last week's posts showed a stamp of a vintage couple I received from Inkadinkado for submitting a card for their on-line gallery as well as some paper lace and pearl embellishments I found at the dollar store. I've been wanting to create something with them and finally got to it today. This card's flowered background paper is from Crafty Secrets. I know I've said how much I like this paper before so I won't say it again. The embossed flowers were a RAK from Jacki because I admired some I saw on her blog. Thanks, Jacki, that was so sweet. I also used some rub-ons for the sentiments, but think that was a mistake. I've learned my lesson before with these, but I thought I could get away with it: Don't bother with cheap rub-ons. You'll only end up aggravated. Using name brand ones makes all the difference. Also, you can't really see it on this card unless you click on the picture and look closely, but after I stamped my couple on vellum I overstamped it with a crackled background stamp. It looks like cracked glass .

On this card you can definitely see my crackled background. I stamped my couple directly on the paper, then masked the image so I could stamp all around it with my crackle background stamp from PSX. I used red and a tiny bit of black for this effect. I stamped the word LOVE from Art Impressions on the bottom. My chipboard heart is from Heidi Swapp and I stamped over it with Staz-On and a PSX love stamp. More paper lace as well as some stamped stitches from Inkadinkado clear stamps.

This card I created for a challenge over at StampinD'Amour's message board -- two stamps and some lace. Easy enough. I used two vintage images from Inkadinkado. I used real lace this time as well as some self-adhesive brads from Colorbok. To get my oval I used a template from C-Thru Ruler, cut it out and then distressed the edges. I placed it on a turquoise panel and them stamped some decorative corners from PSX on that panel.

One of the hidden treasures I found in my locked file cabinet the other day was a folder full of templates. Totally forgot I even had them. Thought they were outdated even before that. But recently somebody was talking about templates and how much lighter, easier to store and less expensive they are than the punches everyone is so crazy for. Now, I wouldn't want to be cutting out a scalloped oval, but I would certainly cut this oval pattern out and then cut around it with my scalloped scissors. If I had to have 50 ovals or circles for a project I am sure a punch would make sense, but for my purposes these templates are just fine.

Altered Tin

Since I just returned from my trip to London (alas, it was London, Kentucky, not UK) I thought I'd show something I made a couple weeks ago -- an altered tin. The heart shaped tin is from Foof-la-la. I first covered it with Alcohol Inks (Ranger), but you can't see the sides and bottom from this picture. You'll have to trust me that it turned out very nicely:0)

I covered the top with paper and ribbon from K&Co., a flourish stamp by Rhonna Farrer, and the bird image is from the book Memories of a Lifetime. Inside I used more images by MOAL and Crafty Secrets. Stamps by Sugarloaf, StampinUp, Stampington & Stampabilities.

Think Monday, Think ATC

I know...it's not Monday. But in case you are not familiar with this cool site, Think Monday, Think ATC puts out a new challenge for ATC's each week. This week the challenge was to incorporate any kind of number into your ATC. I made these two.

I've been enjoying making these since I took a class by Claire Hampton of Hampton Arts this summer. As much as I like collage, I had, unbelievably, never made an ATC before this summer.

Well, I'm off for a short trip with Big Sister. Be back on Sunday!

Imagine Bliss

This card started with my ruled paper from Crafty Secrets. I cannot tell you how much I LOVE this paper. It comes in 6x12 pads with 32 double-sided sheets. The collection of papers in each series (there's four themes in all) is just amazing. It's not available in stores, but I got mine at the StampinD'Amour Boutique. Click here to see these paper pads.

After distressing the edges with distress ink I added my stamped image (Queens Dresser Drawers) and inked up those edges, too. I colored her dress in with Prismacolor pencil. I stamped the "imagine" from Heidi Swapp with chalk ink. The ruler image (Limited Edition) was stamped along the side. The bird I cut out froma 12x12 scrapbook transparency I bought by mistake, but decided to cut up and use. "Bliss" is stamped out with my PSX alphabet (one of my favorite alphabets by the way) with chalk ink. I then placed the card against the brown and pink patterned paper from K&Co.

Free Stuff -- or close to it!

Well, I think after today's post I may lose a blog reader for good. JK! But here's what Nise posted on my paper purchase from Archivers: "That's it. I'm done stopping by here. This is an INCREDIBLY GORGEOUS card, but it's your shopping abilities that send me over the edge. Now you've gone to Archiver's, which is opening this month about 120 miles from me and I have a $5.00 off coupon and no money." I like her sense of humor. (At least I think she was just kidding:0)

I do have some shopping info to share -- but, Nise, hang in there because I've also got some info on FREE stuff!

Here's what you can get for free:

Inkadinkado is offering a free stamp of your choice from their website for any card you send in using their product that's posted in their gallery. This is not a competition. I'm fairly confident if you send it in, they post it. The stamp above is the one I selected. I'm not affiliated with them in any way, it's just that I love their stamps and have quite a few of them. I'll be posting something with this lovely stamp very shortly.
Stamping D'Amour for whom I am a design team member is offering some cool freebies, too. If you visit their message board, sign up, and start posting, there's a whole range of goodies you can receive depending on how many times you post. I just received my free vintage sticker, but I'm really shooting for the free rubber stamp. The boutique also has just gotten in a bunch of fantastic new collage and vintage style stamps. You're going to want to check those out for sure.

Now, onto my shopping finds -- something I found yesterday at the dollar store. The one that's actually called Dollar Tree.

I am absolutely in love with this!!

It's lace trim that's actually paper and is self-adhesive. Four gorgeous rolls for $1. The neat thing about it is when you peel away the adhesive backing, you still have the film you can use as another piece of lace. It will require a strong adhesive, but it works! Is this not just terrific?

I also found these lovely pearl embellishments at Dollar Tree. I first thought they were edible decorations, you know, for cakes or something, but upon on closer inspection I realized they would be perfect embellishments for cards or altered projects. Can't beat $1 in my opinion.

No time to create today as DS is getting ready to go back to school and finish up his last year of college.

Today he got a job offer which he accepted. Pretty nice set up, isn't it, to know you'll have a job waiting for you when you get out of school?

Anyway, I'll be making some stuff with these goodies later in the week.

Back to School

I made this card for a contest several months ago but decided now was a good time to post it. My son is leaving to go finish up his last year of college this week, so I've got school on my mind. I don't remember who makes this paper, but it looks like something DaisyD's would make, doesn't it? It was a school collage sheet, but I cut it up and made it a collage that worked on my rectangle. The only stamping on this card is the "School Day's which are by Inkadinkado clear stamps. The alphabet ribbon is by Remember When and the buttons are by Joanne's Crafts. Didn't win anything in the contest, but I still like this card.

Here's something else I like....

that I found at Archivers. The box caught my attention -- it was so cool looking. Made by Fancy Pants, it's filled with vintage looking journaling cards. They are lined on one side if you want to use them for journaling, and the other side features different designs and quotes/sentiments for various occasions. There's a whole boxful, but here's a few.

I made this card using the luscious papers I showed yesterday plus the lined journal card from above.

I stamped my dancer (Inkadinkado) with black StazOn since it's glossy paper onto the journaling side of the card. I cut out the flower on my Cuttlebug using two varying shades of pink. Also cut out a black circle for the middle. The congratulations stamp is from Hero Arts. The paper was already scalloped and punched at the bottom. Easy wheezie. So I think I'm done with the pink and black for a while.

Pink & Black....

...again. I am really thinking pink and black a lot lately. And it might be from this absolutely gorgeous paper I found by Creative Imaginations called Narratives. I just LOVE it!

I find some 12x12 paper hard to use in cardmaking, but this paper works perfectly. I love the scalloped edges and the flourish edges, too. It's pricey though at $2 a sheet.

See what I mean? I just love the flowered punched edge of this paper as well as the background script. I stamped the flower (smARTworks) with some Brilliance Radiance inks and then placed this transparent tag by Prickly Pear over it.

The sentiment is by Impression Obsession. I placed that into a black chipboard label holder.
The decorative corners are by PSX.

This & That.

Has anybody else been having trouble with Blogger? Or is it just me? I had the hardest time accessing my blog or other blogs using blogspot. Took forever to upload things. Frustrating.....




But on a much happier note, an encouragement card of mine was published in the September issue of CardMaker Magazine. Got my copy of the magazine yesterday and was pleased to see the layout.

There were some really good articles in this edition, one on ink distressing techniques and another one on bleach stamping techniques.

Thought I'd share a few interesting things I found the last few days as I was browsing through some blogs:
Pat over at Technique Trail demonstrates a super cool new way to use outline stickers. Something I definitely must try with my leftover stickers.

I love this one -- Mimi at Stamps-A-Latte Stamp Cafe shows a great and cheap way to make those ghost shapes you see everywhere. Go and check this out!

One more thing I've got to try is Kim's fantastic idea over at Kim's Daily Grace for making sheets of "card candy" which are essentially pages of homemade embellishments you can either keep or give away -- or as in her case, sell.

Inchies Swap

I participated in an inchies swap sponsored by Joanne over at Made by Joanne. Our theme was "hats" and this is what we came up with.

1. Kaz, Anje, Gillian M
2. Joanne, Me, Jo C-S,
3. Seona, Jo C-S, Mel

In case you are not familiar with inchies, they are one-inch square canvases which are stamped with an image and oftentimes include a word. It is quite challenging working on such a small canvas but lots of fun.

I thought today that these inchies could be great embellishments and could also be used on ACT's.

Check my archives for my inchie creations.

Look Again...

...and you'll see I've used Christmas paper for my backgrounds. A challenge was put out by Lisa over at Shabbychick Junk to use up your Christmas paper -- and make anything but Christmas cards. I loved that idea.

For the first card I used some of my standby Christmas paper -- good for all the evergreen stamps and nature type of cards. I've even used some of my Christmas ribbon on this one. The paper is Green Plaid by Karen Foster. Stamps are by PSX/Inkadinkado. Sentiment by PaperTreyInk.

The middle one uses a sheet of double-sided red striped paper from Making Memories. Unfortunately, the glossy black paper does not photograph well, so you miss some of the pop. Stamps are by Rubber Stampede, Hampton Arts, and the birthday wishes are by Sugarloaf.

The last one was a pretty simple one using the Mike's $1 stamps and some of my favorite Christmas paper by Paper Studio and another strip of Making Memories.

Got to use up this Christmas paper because I know what happens when I start seeing the new stuff coming out.

More ATC's

The background for these was made by applying Distress inks directly to a plastic surface such as a transparency, plastic wrap, etc. Then mist it with water. Take your ATC card and pick up the distress ink directly onto your paper. You can let it dry or heat dry and then do it again adding another color. I then added some distress ink around the edges of the cards as well.


I found the print for "There's two sides to every story" and "I was in one of my moods" in a book I found
at the bargain book shop called
"Every Excuse in the Book." For $1
I'll have all the excuses I'll ever
need!

The possibilities there are endless using it for ATC's.

Had fun making these!






Birds and romantic couple from Crafty Secrets. Stamps by Hampton Art Stamps, Queens Dresser Drawers, Hero Arts, Rhonna Farrer, and StampinUp.

Gift Card Holder

Once I had constructed this little gift card holder I just could not think of a thing to stamp on it. The Basic Grey paper is just too lovely and complete in itself. So I left it at adding a couple of bright Prima flowers with a bronze brad. I used a doily just peeking out from under the flower.

I will add a ribbon sort of as a purse strap also, but it just did not photograph well so I left it off for the time being.





That is not an actual credit card -- do not attempt to click on the picture for an enlargement! It's one of those that comes with junk mail but suits my purposes here. The gift card you might want to include sits very nicely between the fold of this card and two little slits I made in the two upper corners. I then added a little bit of velco to keep the top closed.

I did manage some stamping on the bottom here. Sentiments by PSX and Hero Arts. Flourish stamp by Making Memories.

I've had requests for the template, so if you'd like a copy e-mail me or leave a message where I can e-mail you.

My Pink and Black Cards

Yesterday as I was making these cards my DH asked me what I was making. I told him I was making pink and black cards. He asked me why. I realized I just had a desire to create something with pink and black and I wouldn't be at peace until I did. So this little gift set evolved. I coordinated my notes (using a lot of the Mike's $1 stamps) with a take-out container to hold the cards. Makes a cute little gift I think. You really have to click on the picture to get good look.

Penny Black stickers

....make the nicest cards! I used some of her Christmas stickers for my cards last year and they turned out just beautifully. In fact, Cardmaker Magazine picked one up for this year's Christmas issue. When I saw these spring flowers I grabbed them -- knew I'd use them sometime to make a special card. So I used these two to make the last two birthday cards I need for this month.


This one helped me use up some scraps as well. Sentiment is by Paper Trey, Ink.





Like the way I photographed this card with the ribbon? Very professional, don't ya think:0)


Funny thing is I refused to put ribbon on these two cards, tempting as it was. I love ribbon, I really do, but it seems as if you see it on every single card. So I challenged myself to make two cards without ribbon.


I've also been seeing a lot of these tent topper cards where the image goes off the top of the card. So I thought I'd try that, but with a little different twist -- I'd go off the side.
Sentiment on this one, again, is by PaperTrey, Ink.