Dreaming and Creating

Stamps: Elk and Crosshatch Background Stamp from Stampin' Up, Scenery from Stamping Sensations.

CS: Close to Cocoa from SU, Kraft

I stamped the scenery in Chocolate Chip ink (SU) and then over that, the Crosshatch stamp in pigment ink. The elk is stamped in black ink and cut and embossed with a Spellbinder's die. I wrapped pearl cotton (DMC) around brads positioned on each corner. Nice and easy. So, here is another masculine card. Let's see what you can come up and link your card on the Stamping Vacation site.

Other fun challenges for my Elk card:

Cards For Men: Anything Goes as long as it is for a man

Mark's Finest Papers: Use a die cut or punch

The Stamp Man Challenges: Cards for men

CCEE Stampers: Clean and simple

OWH Stars and Stamps: Almost Anything Goes

Thanks for stopping by today. Have a super special day!

Karen

I am back today with a new Challenge over at the Stamping Vacation Challenge blog. We have added a couple of new challenges to tickle your fancy. This new challenge is "Clean and Simple" with a recipe.

The recipe is:

One Die Cut

One Sentiment

2 Colors

2 Layers

So no images, just a sentiment. And it is not as easy as it sounds. This challenge is due by Nov 26th and qualifies for the monthly prize drawing. I decided on a humorous sentiment from My Favorite Things.

My two colors are: Sage Shadow and Barely Banana (Stampin' Up). A scallop oval for the die cut. I also added a layer of dry embossing. Oh, and a ribbon. You gots to have ribbon!

Isn't that a funny sentiment? I think it is. Well, I would love to see what you come up with. Link your cards up over at Stamping Vacation. I wish each of you a super great day.

Karen

I am posting like crazy today. This will be it for today. I made this sweet card using an image from Stamping Dragon Designs. They are the sponsor this month at the Stamping Vacation Challenge blog. Lots of challenges still open for this month. I was in a cutesy, pinky kind of mood today. So, I put together this card using the Dress Dummy image.

The image was printed out from the computer onto white CS. Then I stamped a background stamp (Stampabilities) with Tattered Rose ink (Ranger) and added a little distressing. Make sure the printer ink is really dry! It is notorious for smearing! Stamped "For You" with Ruby Red ink (both from SU). Made card from Coral Pink CS (DCWV). I watercolored the skirt with Ruby Red ink (Stampin' Up) and added some pearl stickers. I die cut and embossed some buttons and a heart shaped lock with a Spellbinders set. I distressed the die cuts with the flat end of a watercolor crayon (SU) and rubbed it with my finger. Works great! I wrapped a strip of pink tulle around the lock. I also added a little pink satin bow.

Well, since I showed you the inside on the previous post, I will for this card too.

The same process was followed for the inside ( down size the image before printing onto white CS). The CS from Staples goes through the printer just fine.

Challenges for Pink Dress Dummy:

Cheerful Stamp Pad: Pink and Woman

Totally Gorjuss: Pink

Stamping Vacation No No Challenge: No Images that start with S

Alice in Wonderland: Use a door, gate or key hole-I used a heart lock with a keyhole.

Sandy's Space-New Challenge blog!: Use one of 4 Frames as Inspiration. I used the Create Beauty frame. I think it is more of a hairdressing theme, but it had a pair of scissors so I felt it could be used for my sewing themed card too.

Post number two done. I guess I had better get to some other things around the house. Have a hap hap happy day!

Karen

Boy, it is really getting cold here. Had to wear a jacket today and turn on the furnace last night. These temps really make it feel like Fall. So, saying that, I have a Hedgy Fall themed Thank You card. I used one of the Hedgehog stamps from Penny Black.

The Hedgies are so cute. This one has a Lady bug delivering a thank you note. I watercolored the image with ink and a wet brush. I used a Spellbinders die. And, I also added a background dry embossed with a Cuttlebug Folder. And thank you is repeatedly stamp on the Soft Suede with a Stampin' Up stamp. CS: Always Artichoke, Ruby Red, Soft Suede from Stampin' Up. Here are some detail photos so you can see all the Challenge elements.

And for a extra treat, I am giving you the view that the card reciepient sees...the inside.

I will of course write a little note. This really cute sentiment stamp is from Verses Rubber Stamps.

Challenge for Fall Hedgy Thank You:

Papercraft Star: Thank you, Dry Embossing, Die Cut, Metal (I used red metal accent stickers)

Stampin For The Weekend: Fall

Caarvarks: Inside Out

Penny Black at All Sorts: Fall colors

Baby Bud Designs: Fall (Their very 1st challenge)

Stamping Vacation Color Combo: Pumpkin, Sage, Caramel

Simon Says Stamp: Give Thanks

I am having a cup of coffee to warm up. Tastes good too. Tomorrow I am going to an all day card making event hosted by Suzanne Everett. Should be lots of fun. My bud, Sharon, and I will be heading out first thing in the morning for a glorious day of card making fun. Well, talk to you later.

Karen

I stamped the swan (DeNami) with pigment ink (Cosmic Copper -Tsukineko) and embossed with clear powder. I colored in the beak with a Copic.

CS: Always Artichoke and Bravo Burgundy - Stampin' Up.

I made the ribbon ruffle by running a row of hand stitches down the middle of a length of satin ribbon. I wrapped it around the card and took some sticthes to hold the ends together and used a drop of Fabri-Tac to keep the ruffle in place. I added a bow from the same ribbon. I stamped a sentiment (TPC) using the same ink and embossing powder and punched it out. Here are some detail shots so you can see up close.

This ribbon ruffle was really easy to make and makes quite a statement. Don't you think??

Challenges for the Christmas Swan:

DeNami: Christmas Card

Stampin' Royalty: Ribbons, Ribbons, Ribbons

CCEE Stampers: Ruffles

Tip Top Tuesday: Anything Goes (don't need a tip)

Winter Wonderland: vintage

One Stitch At A Time: Anything Goes and your favorite embellishment- my fav embelly is ribbon of course!

So now that is it for me today. It is nice and sun shinny here. I should get out and do some of the fall clean up in my garden. I could trim back the peonies. Yes, maybe I will do that. Well, whatever you decide to do today, I hope you have an enjoyable day! See you soon.

Karen

Let's take a virtual trip to Paris today. I have these great scenic stamps from The Stampsmith and I have been experimenting with them. I thought they would be fabulous stamped with a Kaleidacolor pad. I used a different pad for each card. The first card is all blues to purple colors. I also thought this image would be cool all covered with Ultra Thick Embossing Enamel (Ranger). So, I applied two layers of it to each image. One is smooth and the other is crackled.

Stamped the image on glossy white CS with Kaleidacolor Ink Pad Blue Breeze (Tsukineko). When it is dry, go over the entire image with a Versa Mark pad. Pour the UTEE over and heat. Repeat for a second layer. Trim to size. I used gold staples to attach. The piece will be pretty thick and you will need a good glue to attach, or use staples!

Sentiments and Eiffel Tower from The Paris Full Sheet: The Stampsmith

CS: Marina Mist, Pacific Point, and Black from Stampin' Up.

DP:ATD and DCWV

Here is a detail shot so you can see the effect of the UTEE. Gives the image lots of shine and depth. Kind of like decoupaging.

The second card is made in the same way except that I bent it to crackle the UTEE. This is a cool look too. More distressed.

This card used the Kaleidacolor pad Creole Spice (Tsukineko).

CS: Purple from WorldWin; Always Aritchoke SU; Mustard from Bazzill.

DP: Basic Grey

I hope you can see the crackle in this detail shot.

Challenges for The Eiffel Tower:

OWH Stars and Stamps: Masculine Cards

Corrosive Challenges By Janet: No White

Charisma Cardz: Vintage

Paper Cutz: Anything Goes

Totally Papercrafts: Autumn

Hope you have enjoyed your Autumn trip to Paris. Talk to you soon!

Karen

PS: Don't forget...The Stampsmith Challenge #2 is still open. Black and White with one other color. And a Stampsmith Stamp.

I just found this challenge from Denami to use ribbon is some way. Well, who loves ribbon more than me?! So, I grabbed a new Denami stamp I have been dieing to try. I made a sweet little card I call Coffee Note.

The image is stamped in black ink and colored with Copics on white CS. It was layered with Blush Blossom and Close to Cocoa CS (Stampin' Up). I made these little do-dads out of sheer pink and brown ribbon. I cut a length of ribbon about 12 inches and ran some hand stitches down the long edge. Pull the thread tight and it makes this cute little accent. Take a few stitches all the way thru to hold it together and knot the thread. I glued them to the card using Fabri-Tac and added some pearls. Very fun.

Two posts for me today. Well, I think that's enough. I should go get some other things done. Have a great day!

Karen

Today begins challenge number 2 over at the Stampsmith Challenge Blog. First, I would like to say how great all the entries for the first challenge were. Yep, they were great. Lots of talented people out there. Check over to the blog and see who won the gift certificate and the"highlights".

Now for the second challenge! This is a color theme and we challenge you to create a project using specific colors :

Black and White and One Other Color

with at least one Stampsmith Stamp to qualify for the draw! If you do not yet have any Stampsmith images, please join us for the open challenge on November 1st.

For my Design Team card I choose rusty red for my "one other color". I used a Lucy Stamp that is available from the Stampsmith Shop. I added a telephone stamp and a sentiment from Gina K. Designs. I call this card "Phone Tag".

Now you see why I called it "Phone Tag"....funny huh? The image was stamped with black dye ink on glossy white CS. I die cut the image and the Red DP (My Mind's Eye) with a Sizzix die. I added black brads to the tags and layered them onto the numbers DP (DCVW). I used Rust CS (DCWV) for the card base. And of course, lots of black sheer ribbon.

Well, I think this is a fun card. Now, get busy and show us what you can come up with! Don't forget...there is a prize too. A $10 gift certificate to The Stampsmith Shop. Thanks for stopping by! Have a super day!

Karen

There is lots of different DP on this card: Dk Brown from Crate Paper, Music from Penny Black, Brown/Turquoise from My Mind's Eye, Brown print from Provo Craft. The card base is from DCWV and is a coffee/mocha colored textured CS. I used a doubled sided Blue/Brown ribbon I found at Hobby Lobby, a hand pleated piece of black tulle, pearls, and rhinestones for embellishments. Here are some close ups.

I did lots of tearing and distressing with Vintage Photo (Ranger). The image is stamped with Tuxedo Black dye ink (Memento) on glossy white paper. I die cut and embossed the image with a Spellbinders die. The tulle is hand pleated and I just hand sewed the pleats in place and glued down to the card under the ribbon. This was a really fun card to make. I love the freedom of collage. I just like all the layers and different patterns. I think this is from my quilting days when I would use 5 to 10 different fabrics in one block. So fun!

Challenges Billie sings for:

Simon Says Stamp: Recipe- 3 types of embellishments (Ribbon, Tulle, Pearls).

Cheerful Stamp Pad: A woman

Anything Goes: ribbon

The Sisterhood of Crafters: Bling (pearls, rhinestones, and large earring on the image of Billie).

Well, I hope everyone is having a good day. We are having lovely cool weather here in Michigan. And, sunshine! Talk to you soon.

Karen

I have a Monochromatic card for you. I made this for the Stamping Vacation Challenge - Monochromatic: use only green. Sounds easy, right? But, you can't use any other color..not even white. So, that makes it a little harder. I had tons of papers with green and little bits of white. So, I had to keep digging. But, I found several! I used the Sweet 'N Sassy Sketch #77.

I also used a super sweet stamp set from Sweet 'N Sassy called Everyday Miracles. And, of course, I only used the color green. Here is what I came up with.

CS: Sage Shadow - Stampin' Up, DK Green - DCWV. DP: DCWV. Spellbinders Die. Ink: Handsome Hunter - SU. And, here is a close up. Isn't that a pretty sentiment!?

Butterfly Miracles Challenges:

Sweet 'N Sassy: Sketch

Stamping Vacation: Monochromatic - Green

Tuesday Taggers: More that Two legs

Ellephantastic Challenges: Anything goes

Paper Take Weekly: Your Favorite challenge from the last 3 years- Just the one-One color: green

Now, that is enough from me for today. I am going to make a big pot of Swiss Chard soup. Sounds weird, but it is so good! Serve with a little Parmesan cheese. HMMM. See you soon.

Karen

Back to winter at Dreaming and Creating. Today, I have a set of snowman projects. A Christmas card, a Winter card, and a tree ornament. All projects were made using Mark's Finest stamps. (Don't forget they will be the November sponsor over at Stamping Vacation.) Let's look at the Christmas card.

I colored the images with inks (applied with a wet brush) and markers. I filled in the hat, mittens, and scarf with glitter glues. The DP is from My Mind's Eye, Stampin' Up. CS: Green and rust - AC Cardstock

The second Snowman is Winter themed card with a funny sentiment. The Snowman was colored the same way as card #1. CS: Marina Blue - Stampin' Up. DP: K & Company. That cute sentiment is from Victorine Originals.

And, a detail shot so you can see the glitter.

The third project is a Tree ornament.

Lots of fun Challenges for the Snowman Crew:

Mark's Finest: Stripes

Alphabet Challenges: X is for Xmas

Pile It On: Things in 3's-3 projects, 3 images, three colors (blue, red, green), 3 papers.

Ooh-La-La: Nothing Floral

Bah-Humbug: Favorite Cuties- the snowman

A Spoonful of Sugar: winter wonderland

Die Cut Dreams: Recipe- 3 papers, 2 embellishments (ribbon and rhinestones), and one hand colored image (snowman).

Paper Take Weekly: Three of a Kind:3 papers, 3 projects, 3 colors.

Anything Challenge: Christmas has come early

Design Dollies: Make 3 pieces with same theme.

I'll be back later with a butterfly card. See ya!

Karen

Stamps: The bird cage- Inkadinkado; Flower-SU; Friend - My Sentiments Exactly

DP: TPC and K and Company

CS: Bazzill

The embellish is hand made with a metal tag and punched circles. I tried to make a faux gold leaf effect by stamping with pigment ink and brushing on Perfect Pearls. You can see this in the photo below.

Challenges for Peach Bird Cage:

Sentemental Sundays: Add a Tag

Craftalicious Challenges: Anything Goes

Cute Card Thursday: Make your own Embellishment- tag

Incy Wincy Designs: Faux Anything - Faux Gold Leaf

Simon Says Stamp and Show: Use Metal-Tag with metal rim.

The Crafty Pad: Friends

Totally Gorjuss: Not a Square - I used rectangles and circles

Totally Papercrafts: Buttons and bows

Stamptacular Sunday: buttons, flower, word friends or friendship

Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge: Distressing

If the Shoe Fits Scrap It: Distressing

Flourishes: ink and edge distressing

And here is a second card:

Here are the red versions:

Well, there are lots of photos, but isn't fun to see how many different cards you can make with the same stamp? Have a good day.

Karen