Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Skipping Stones Designs Sketch Challenge #104 & **Blog Candy**!!!

Good morning!!

I am so excited to share Chan’s sketch this week!! It’s a beauty!!

I also have TWO SETS of FREE Skipping Stones Designs stamps to give away to one lucky follower!!!

First off, here is my card…

SSD104

Chan’s Sketch…

SSD104

This week’s sketch worked perfectly with the set of stamps that I wanted to use for my Dad’s 71st birthday card, Holy Carp.

I had a great time coloring the image with my Copics and the sentiments are sooo, my father. This is a great set for any guy in your family that loves fishing!!!

I wanted to remind everyone, that I have THREE great Blog Candy prizes this week!! If you scroll down, you can see my blog candy from Stampendous and Dreamweaver Stencils. I will be giving away all prizes this Saturday, December 3rd. Please check back to see if you’re a winner.

The two sets that Heather from Skipping Stones Designs has generously offered are Rustic Tiles, November’s Featured Set of the Month and SSD’s newest release Christmas Song.

To win these two sets or the other prizes from the fabulous sponsors, just leave a comment and follow my blog. Check back on Saturday to see if you’re the winner of one of the prizes!!!

Check out how the rest of the team saw Chan’s sketch…

Chan Vuong

Betsy Veldman

Jessica Griffin

Jimmi Mayo

Jingle

JoAnn Valderama

Kandi Phillips

Karen Baker

Katie Gehring

Stephanie Mino

Wendy Price

Please play along this week for your chance to win a FREE set of stamps with our Sketch Challenge #104. Link your creation up the Skipping Stones Designs blog!! We can’t wait to see what you create!!!

Saturday, November 26, 2011

Stampendous Chipboard Challenge & **FREE** Stampendous Goodies!!!

Happy Saturday!!!

Today is Stampendous Saturday!!  A quick reminder of our Chipboard Challenge that you still have time to participate in.  Check out Stampendous Inspirations where you can link your projects!!!

A few days ago, I posted that once 300 people decided to follow my blog, I would start giving away AMAZING products from the FABULOUS companies I design for, Stampendous, Dreamweaver Stencils and Skipping Stones Designs stamps.

Today being Stampendous Saturday, the set of stamps that I am going to give away is Stampendous Cling Postcard Greetings…

Isn’t it fantastic???

Here is an example of this little beauty in action…

Stampendous18

Did you see yesterday’s Dreamweaver Stencil’s post??

I am giving away two Dreamweaver stencils, one this fabulous Heliconia Butterfly and a Happy Birthday sentiment stencil…

Here are a couple examples of these stencils in action…

Dreamweaver-Gold-Leafing

Dreamweaver-Dansbday

On Tuesday, I will announcing my Skipping Stones Designs giveaway!!

Next Saturday, I will announce the winners of all three giveaways.  I would love for you to pass along the Blog Candy that I am giving away, sooo  post these giveaway’s on your blog and then leave me a comment telling me you did so!!

My good friend Lynn Mercurio is also giving away some Stampendous Blog Candy.  Please check our Stamperosity.

Thank you for following my work!!  I look forward to filling my blog with inspiring creations from the FABULOUS companies I work for in 2012!!  I hope you will join me!!!!

Thursday, November 24, 2011

**BLOG CANDY** Dreamweaver Stencils Dream Scheme Thursday!!!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Not just today, but everyday, I have so much to be thankful for!!  I am thankful for my wonderful family, a great Husband, four fabulous kids, three dogs, the list goes on and on!!!

I am thankful to work for a fabulous lady, Lynell Harlow and her AMAZING company, Dreamweaver Stencils.  It is because of Lynell that I have the the fun, exciting, innovative job that I have!!

She gave me an opportunity a bit over a year ago that really has made me learn and grow so much. 

I have always heard those inspirational sayings about “reach for the stars and you will touch them”, but I  found out this year, for the first time in my 39 years, that those are true, they are not just inspirational sayings. 

I bought myself a wrist cuff that I wear almost daily that says “ She took a leap of FAITH, and on the way down she grew wings”.    This is what the saying looks like on the cuff.

Lenny & Eva Large Sentiment {She took a leap of FAITH....}

I love it so much, it brings tears to my eyes.  It really does say what the last year has been like for me, a leap of faith!   I want to take this opportunity to thank Lynell for making me realize that I could do things that I only dreamed about. 

Here is the the project I made today…

Dreamweaver112411

I dry embossed this fabulous frame Twisted Leaf Oval with Gold Aluminum and paste embossed the pretty font of the Thank You stencil.

 

   

Once the Glossy Black paste was dry, I trimmed around the aluminum frame.  I used some seriously old corner punches that I just recently recovered from a drawer and adhered my focal image to black velvet paper with dimensionals.

A few days ago, I posted that I was going to have a few giveaway’s when I reached 300 blog followers.  As a few hours ago, I had passed 300 followers and as my way of saying THANK YOU, three giveaway’s, one from each company I design for.   I am giving away a Happy Birthday and the Heliconia Butterfly stencils…

I will be announcing give-a way's today (from Dreamweaver Stencils), this Saturday (from Stampendous) and Tuesday(Skipping Stones Designs).  I will be giving away all three prizes on Saturday December 3rd!!  If you’re already a follower, great, but you can also help me get the word out by posting this giveaway on your blog and then let me know you posted in the comment section!!! 

Check out what the other members of the Dream Team are up today and you will get some fabulous inspiration on the journey.  There are links to all their blogs to the right of this post.

Have you ever thought you’d like to be on the Dream Team??? We are looking for a few gals to join us.  We want to see your creations even if you haven’t ever held a stencil in your hand.  Get all the details at Dream It Up!!

Happy Thanksgiving all!!!

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Skipping Stones Designs Sketch Challenge #103 & *BLOG CANDY*

Hey blogging friends!

It’s that time again…Sketch Tuesday with Skipping Stones Designs!!

We have another great sketch this week by Chan Vuong…

SSD103

Here is my rendition…

SSD103

I have been meaning to ink up the SSD All Star set for sometime now. As I sit at my desk this week…I thought…YES…this is the week!!

I simple stamped all the images, colored them and added the sentiment!! Preetty easy!!!

Please play along with the rest of the team and link up your creation using Chan’s sketch on the Skipping Stones Design blog for your chance to win a FREE SSD set next Wednesday!!!

Check out how our November Guests and Design Team members interpreted the sketch…

Chan Vuong

Betsy Veldman

Jessica Griffin

Jimmi Mayo

Jennifer Ingle (Moxie FABBER of the Year…in my book)

JoAnn Valderama

Kandi Phillips

Karen Baker

Katie Gehring

Stephanie Mino

Shannon Teubner

Taylor Usry

Wendy Price

I am only TWO followers away from 300!!! Please pass my blog along to your friends!! As soon as I hit 300 followers, I will be giving away FREE stuff from all of my favorite companies…Stampendous, Skipping Stones Designs and Dreamweaver Stencils!!!

Pass It On!!!

Saturday, November 19, 2011

Stampendous Chipboard Challenge

Here is a quick card that I made for the Stampendous October Catalog…

StampendousOct7

I stamped my focal image Cling Lone Bird (CRV237) with Memento Rich Cocoa and gave him some color with Copics.  I stamped the sentiment Cling Spring Greeting (CRV238) directly to the card stock.  I added a panel of Wild Rose Class A’ Peel’s and gave them some color with Copics.  Last but not least, I added some May Arts Ribbon.

Thanks so much for taking a peek today!!

November is Chipboard Challenge month!!  Link up your creations using Chipboard on Stampendous Impressions!!

Have a good day!

Friday, November 18, 2011

Fabulous Giveaway!!

Hi there!!!

If you love to Zentangle….you will want to rush over to this giveaway….

iamthedivaczt.blogspot.com

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Dreamweaver Stencils Dream Team Sketch Challenge!!!

Good morning and welcome to Dreamweaver Stencils Dream Scheme Thursday post!!

Today we are challenging you to play along with our sketch challenge!!

Today I completed two cards, using four stencils!!

Here are the stencils used today are Houndstooth, Large Damask, Happy Valentine’s Day and Tolle Heart.

                   

        

The result…

Dreamweaver111711(1)

Dreamweaver111711(2)

 

Dreamweaver111711

The third photo shows the metallic sheen that two cards have.  Stampee Crafts Metallic foil, brings your cards to life!!

The supplies that I used today were…

To get started, I dry embossed all of the cardstock that needed to be dry embossed.  I love to emboss my Dreamweaver Stencils with the Vagabond by Sizzix, but all die cutting machines on the market can be used to dry emboss metal stencils.  If the proper formula is used, embossing metal stencils is just as effective as using an embossing folder.

The stacking method that I use with the Vagabond is platform, metal stencil, card stock, Stamping Details Rubber Mat and two acrylic plates. 

Once the card stock was dry embossed, I left the Dreamweaver Stencil in place and started stamping my embossing ink all over the exposed area’s of the stencil.  This process is going to allow embossing powder to stick to the area’s that the embossing ink to sticking too.

The area’s of my card that are dry embossed and then heat set with powder are the Damask background and the Hounds tooth panel.

The focal point of my two cards, Tolle Heart and Happy Valentine's Day were also dry embossed with the Vagabond machine, embossing ink was placed over their exposed area’s and sprinkled with Stampee Crafts Bonding Powder.  I heat set the bonding powder and placed a sheet of Garnet Metallic Foil over each image, placed it in between a folded sheet of copy paper and ran it though a hot laminator, a quilting iron would also work well.  The heat mixed with the pressure heats up the bonding powder, to allow the metallic foil to stick.  After the heating process, peel off the foil and where your bonding powder was applied, foil will stick.  It is important to remove all excess bits of bonding powder.  Some of it you can’t see and then foil will stick there.  It is permanently adhered also.  Scraping it off, doesn’t work!!!

You can may see small areas on my project that I have covered up with white gel pen. 

If you want a bit more information on Stampee Crafts Metallic & Holographic Foils you can see an review that I wrote shortly after Winter 2011 CHA HERE.

Have you ever thought you’d like to join the Dream Team??  Now is your chance.  Dreamweaver Stencils is having a 2012 Design Team call.  Not only are the products you get to work with AMAZING, you will meet some amazing gals that will inspire you every day!!!  I encourage all levels of crafters to apply.  No special skills necessary.  Get all of the information on  how to apply HERE.

Thanks for stopping by today.  Please take the time to visit the other members of the team’s blogs.  You will find a blog roll to the right of this post.  Don’t forget to link your creation to Dream It Up, Lynell Harlow’s blog!!  I can’t wait to see your creation!

Have a great day!!!

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Skipping Stones Designs Featured Set of the Month Blog Hop!!!

 

Welcome to Sketch Challenge # 102 and Blog hop to Feature our  Stamp Set of the Month, Rustic Tiles!   Rustic Tiles is a versatile set, that you are about to see from our Design Team.  If you just came from JoAnn’s blog, you are in the right place.  If you just happened along my blog today, start at the beginning of the hop at Skipping Stones Design.  The entire hop order is there and you can hop from blog to blog with ease.
Be sure to hop along and leave comments on all the fabulous designers’ blogs.  This month we are welcoming Jimmi Mayo, Betsy Veldman and Jessica Griffin to our team as Guest Designers! Chan Vuong will be providing all the fabulous sketch inspiration this month including the sketch we're using in today's hop!

Here is my card….

SSD102

and Chan’s sketch…

SSD102

This was such an interesting sketch.  I was able to use Rustic Tiles, a set of six stamps.  One of the stamps resembles a snowflake.  I simple stamped in the new Distress Ink Festive Berries (limited edition for winter from Ranger) around the edge.  I only used half of the stamp to create the border.  The sentiment is from Wise Men.  The sentiment is horizontal, so I broke it up with tape and stamped individual words.

Did I mention that Rustic Tiles is on sale this month for $12.49!!  What a steal!!!

Now for the hop…

Chan Vuong

Wendy Price

Jingle

Jessica Griffin

Katie Gehring

Shannon Teubner

Betsy Veldman

Kandi Phillips

Karen Baker

Jimmi Mayo

Stephanie Mino

Joann Valderama

Wendy Jordan

You have reached the end of the hop, run back to Skipping Stones Designs to join in the fun of our weekly sketch challenge. You could win a FREE stamp set for playing!!

Thanks for stopping by today!!  I hope you have a great day!!

Saturday, November 12, 2011

Stampendous Encrusted Jewel Technique Treasure Hop....




Welcome to the Stampendous "Fran•tage Encrusted Jewel Hop"! All of us on the Stampendous Design Teams are sooo excited about this new technique...an accidental creative process discovered by our own Fran Seiford, Chief Artistic Officer at Stampendous! There is a quote that says, "There are no mistakes, just opportunities for embellishment!" How true is that? Today our super-creative-with-mistakes designers are excited to show you how you can deliberately create with gorgeous sloppiness. For more info on the process of Encrusting with the Fran•tage Essentials, check out the YouTube video HERE. Here's the list of our Encrusted Hoppers for today:

Stampendous Impressions' Blog
Cyndi Bundy
Trudee Sauer
Jennifer Dove
Pam Hornschu
Wendy Price
Taylor Usry
Wendy Jordan
Lynn Mercurio
Krissy Fossmeyer
Rachel Sztonyk
Suzanne Czosek

As you hop from blog to blog, oohing and aahing over the Encrusted Jewel fabulousness, be sure to leave some love (and your contact email) for the designers, as well as on the Stampendous blog. Your comments are your insurance that you have an opportunity to win one of four blog candy goody boxes of Stampendous Fran•tage Essentials for you to create your own Encrusted Jewel goodness:


Aged Black Prize Package
Aged Silver Prize package

Aged Gold Prize Package


Shabby White Prize Package

 

WOW!!  Fabulous prizes!!!  You all will have so much fun with all this goodness!!!

Today I made a stationary box with some Fran~tage greeting cards and matching envelopes.

My greeting card box is right in line with the Stampendous Team’s Chipboard November challenge.  This entire box is made of chipboard…

IMG_8349

I cut the patterned paper for each side of the box and Fran~tage’d each piece individually.

IMG_8350

I had such a great time layering the great Stampendous Chunky White Enamel, Aged Gold Embossing Enamel, Bronze Mica Flakes and Champagne Glass Glitter.  Before I started layering I stamped the Summer CHA release of Rose Branch Border (SSC1130) and Amore Frame (SSC1128) with Versamark and heat embossed Aged Gold Embossing Enamel.

I stamped the ornate scroll from the Cling Jumbo Zinnia (CRS5030) with Versamark Watermark Ink and heat embossed with Detail Gold Embossing Enamel.

IMG_8351

 

IMG_8352

One the inside of the box, I made a bit of a divider for cards on one side, pens and stamps on the other.

IMG_8353

 

IMG_8354

I adorned the cards and envelopes with the Rose Branch Border set (SSC1130), stamped with Versamark and heat embossed Vintage Mahogany Embossing Powder. The layered Aged Gold Embossing Enamel, Bronze Mica Flakes, Gold Halo Glitter and Champagne Glass Glitter and heated all of it from underneath the paper.

What a fun project!!  Again, your insurance for winning one of four prizes is leaving comments on the Stampendous Team’s blogs and Stampendous Impressions.

ENJOY the hop and your weekend!!!

Don’t forget about the Stampendous November Chipboard challenge!!
Photobucket

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Dreamweaver Dream Team Thursday *Free Theme*

 

Good morning!!! 

Welcome to Dreamweaver Stencils *Free Theme* week.  This is your chance to create something with your stencils.  Any creation that has been on your mind.  No rules….it’s all your imagination!!

A few months ago I was asked to be a Guest Designer on Christian Paper Crafts.  I made this wall hanging in a Fall theme.

CPCSept4

It was so easy to achieve.  I use the Summer CHA released, Prince of Peace (LX7004) stencil, Gold Aluminum and a die cutting machine.

The layering method I used was for The Vagabond.  On the platform, I layered the Dreamweaver Stencil (upside down), gold aluminum, Stamping Details rubber mat, and both of the clear acrylic mats.  I ran the “sandwich” through the machine. 

Once the embossing was complete, I ran a sander over the Gold Aluminum to sand off the color of the letters. 

I adhered the aluminum to card stock and adorned the edges with Gold Border stickers and die cut leaves.

 

The next three cards is a class that I have been teaching at a few stores in my area.  I love these cards because they showcase three easy techniques to be used with Dreamweaver Stencils.

The Double Glitter Technique…

Dreamweaver-Double-Glitter

To start this technique, have a bright color of glitter and a white or crystal color of glitter, Merry Christmas (LL386) stencil , all natural  soap and Double Sided Adhesive Paper.

After removing the stencil from it’s packaging, turn it over and start applying the all natural soap on the back.  This is going to allow the stencil to adhere and release from the Double Sided Adhesive Paper.  When I am teaching classes, I always tell the students “just when you think you have enough, soap some more”.

Once you’ve achieved adequate coverage on the back of your stencil, I turn the stencil over and look through the open areas of the stencil.  This is where I take my paper piercer and remove all the extra soap that has gotten caught in the small areas of the stencil, keeping in mind that everywhere there is soap, glitter won’t stick.

OK….the back of my stencil is good and soapy.  I have precut my Double Sided Mounting Adhesive to the desired size, remove one side of the adhesive and place your stencil on it and start applying your darkest color of glitter.  In my case, I used Fire Red Glitter Ritz by Elizabeth Crafts.  Once I achieved desired coverage, I “cleaned” up my stencil with a “glitter magnet”, a piece of tacky cloth that picks up glitter, embossing powder and thing small and powdery and won’t let it go.  I love it.    It is important to remove all excess glitter from stencil, so when you remove your stencil, the extra glitter won’t contaminate your negative space area.

Now…carefully remove the stencil from the adhesive sheet and apply your white or crystal glitter over the rest of the adhesive area.

Dry Embossing with a Die Cutting Machine

Dreamweaver-Dry-Emboss

Supplies needed for this technique is a Die Cutting Machine, Stamping Details Rubber Mat, mist bottle with rubbing alcohol and removable tape (optional).

This technique is the same as the above technique for embossing aluminum.

Using a Vagabond Die Cutting Machine, on the platform, I layered the metal stencil, card stock, Stamping Details rubber mat and two acrylic mats on the top.

You are probably asking why the mister of rubbing alcohol? It is suggested that you spritz the back of your card stock with rubbing alcohol to loosen the fibers of the paper to help the embossing process.

Once “Merry Christmas” was dry embossed, I left the metal stencil in place and applied  blue pigment ink with a stencil brush over the top of the embossed area.

 

Paste Embossing

Dreamweaver-Paste-Emboss

 

This is a fun and simple technique.  Supplies that you will need for this are embossing paste, metal stencil, palette knife and removable tape.

I pre-cut the patterned paper for this particular card to the same size as the metal stencil.  I adhere the stencil on top of the patterned paper to my work top with removable tape.   Place a large piece of removable tape at the top of your stencil, this will act as your “hinge” when removing in your paste embossed paper.  Tape the other three sides.  

Using the back of your palette knive, apply a generous amount of paste on the “hinge”.  With your palette knife, smooth the paste across your stencil, filling in the open areas of the metal stencil.

You can smooth off the excess paste and replace it in the jar of paste.  Remove the tape from the bottom and sides of your stencil.  Using your fingernail to hold down your pasted piece, carefully lift up your metal stencil, with the top piece of tape still adhered. 

Set your pasted sentiment or image aside to dry.

Phew….that was a lot of step-by-step!!

If you have any questions, please feel free to email me if you have any questions (wendyjo72@gmail.com)

Please take the time to check out what the rest of the team is up too.  You will find a link to all of their fabulous blogs on the right of this post.

I hope you enjoyed your visit.  Have a good day!!!!

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Skipping Stones Designs Sketch #101

Good morning!!

Welcome to Skipping Stones Designs Sketch Challenge 101!!

Chan has really gave us a beauty this week!!!

Here is my card…

SSD101

and Chan’s Sketch….

SSD101

Today I used the stamp set Skipping Stones Designs  Brrrthday.  The set has some great snowflakes as well as some amazing sentiments.

I stamped all of the snowflakes in Versamark Embossing Ink and heat embossed each one with sparkly, transparent embossing powder.  I also stamped the sentiment with Versamark and heat embossed with Ivory embossing powder.

On the back of the panel that I stamped the snowflakes, placed 1/4'” double sided Be Creative Tape.  The take is how I adhered my Creative Impressions Blue Swirly Organdy ribbon before stitching it with my sewing machine.  I repeated the same step on the opposite side of the panel.

This month Creative Impressions has been nice enough to gift each of the members of the Team with a bag of goodies ranging from ribbon to brads.  You will see how creative our team is as you check out their blogs and see how they have interpreted Chan’s sketch as well as the fun goodies from Creative Impressions!

Jingle

JoAnn Valderama

Kandi Phillips

Karen Baker

Katie Gehring

Shannon Teubner

Stephanie Mino

Taylor Usry

Wendy Price

and our Guests…

Chan Vuong

Jimmi Mayo

Betsy Veldman

Jessica Griffin

Supplies:

Cardstock: Crumb Cake, Marina Mist, Very Vanilla (Stampin’ Up)

Ink: Versamark (Tsukineko), Marina Mist (Stampin’ Up)

Ribbon: Denim Swirly Organdy Ribbon (Creative Impressions)

Embossing Powder: Silver Dust, Ivory (Stampendous)

Please play along with us this week for your change to win a FREE Skipping Stones Designs set. 

Random.org picks our winner each week!! 

We can’t wait to see what you create!!

Have a great day!!!

Saturday, November 5, 2011

*NEW* Stampendous Saturday Challenge!!!

 

Changito-Stamping_Blinkie_Nov2011

 

It's Saturday again, and that means the Stampendous team is playing along with our monthly challenge again!  This month we are playing with chipboard. There are SO many different ways to use it - paint it, distress it, emboss it, stamp on it, give it some texture......you get the idea! 

Our challenge to you this month is to join us in using chipboard on your cards and projects.  This month we are giving away a Cling Jumbo Songbird set to a random winner. You don't have to use a Stampendous image or products to play along, but we sure love it when you do!  You have until Thursday, December 1 at 11:59 PM EST to add your link to the linky tool, and we'll draw a random winner.  You can enter as many times as you'd like.

Also, did you know Stampendous is offering FREE shipping on all orders $50 or over (to US/APO/FPO addresses)?! Use the promo code FREESHIP and stock up on some goodies!!

StampendousChipboardChallen

I was soo thankful for this chipboard challenge.  I have package after package of unopened chipboard that HAS been begging to get used!!

I stamped my focal image and sentiment with Stampendous  Cling Snow Brackets (CRQ146) on cardstock and cut out using a die cutting machine.

I stamped the entire snowflake piece of chipboard with Versamark Ink and sprinkled Aged Silver Embossing Enamel over the top.  I then heat embossed.  Once the Aged Silver Embossing Enamel was dry, I applied Palette Glue pad with a sponge dauber, heated it until it was tacky and sprinkled Shaved Ice all over the snow flake to make it shimmer.  WOW…I hope you can see it in the picture, because it’s a sparkler in my craft room.  I love shaved ice!!!

I hope that you will take the time to play along with us each week using chipboard on your creation!!

Check out what the rest of the team has been up to this week….

Lynn Mercurio

Taylor Usry 

Wendy Jordan 

Suzanne Czosek

Pam Hornschu 

Krissy Fossmeyer

Cyndi Bundy

Stampendous Blog

Join us next week for a fabulous Encrusted Jewel Hop, featuring Fran’s Encrusted Jewel Technique!!