Father's Day Card for Stampin' Celebration

I know, I know, I haven't even started making Mother's Day cards, but when an idea hits you, sometimes you have to run with it.  That's what happened with this week's sketch challenge at Stampin' Celebration.

This sketch is so versatile, I think I will go back to the stamp table and make another one with Mother's Day in mind.

Be sure to head on over to the challenge to see how the rest of the design team was inspired.   Then play along with us.  I want to see how this sketch inspires you!

Stampin' UP! Supply List
Stamps: Teeny Tiny Wishes
Ink: Black Staz-On
Paper: ??? DSP, Pacific Point, Whisper White
Accessories: Linen Thread, Project Life Cards and Labels Thinlits

Sunday Share + Giveaway Links

If I had to sum up this weekend in 3 words it would be: Baseball, Painting and Quilts.

Our son had a baseball game on Friday night and a tournament yesterday.   He is just the cutest!  He's a part of the Rochester High School baseball team and he also plays for the South Thurston Babe Ruth League.

RHS

South Thurston @ Elma

Painting continues on the downstairs.   The kitchen is done, and part of the eat-in dining room.  Hopefully we will finish that and start working on the living room today.  It would be so nice to have the main area of the downstairs completed.

As for quilts, I thoroughly enjoyed going to Arts Walk in Olympia on Friday.  I promise to share pictures with you soon.  I'm waiting to hear who the winner was of our guild challenge.

GIVEAWAY ALERT

As I am sure you have heard by now, StampNation had a Virtual Retreat last week.  If you are a member you still have 1 more week to submit your cards to the challenge threads to be eligible for prizes.  As an added bonus a few StampNation Design Team members are giving away prizes on their blogs.

Allison is giving away a MISTI today: Clicky
Kristie is too: Clicky

Maureen is giving away a PRETTY PINK POSH bundle: Clicky

Check them out and be sure to let them know I sent you.  ;)  Enjoy the rest of your weekend.  I'm back to painting.

Sew Saturday + Arts Walk

As you probably know by know our guild is participating in a challenge for Arts Walk.  We were challenged to choose one of 3 fabrics and use only that fabric plus solids to create any quilt we wanted.  The quilt had to measure at least 20" square, but could be as big as we wanted it to be.  Finally, the quilt needed to be turned in by April 19th, 2015 so that it could hang during the Spring Arts Walk.

I'm proud to say we have 24 members who particpated and completed the challenge.  If you would like to see all the quilts on display, please head over to Canvas Works in downtown Olympia, WA.  Today is the last day and there are many fun things going on after 4:30pm tonight on the Arts Walk trail.

Information about our guild and challenge.

Yesterday I went down there and saw the display.  To say I am proud of the South Sound Modern Quilt Guild is a huge understatement.  These ladies rocked the challenge and I am honored to be a fellow member among such talent, grace and kindness.  If you are in the area go down and vote on your favorite quilt.  If you are not in the area, stay tuned.  I took pictures yesterday and hope to post them tomorrow.  

April 2015 Finish

For now I will leave you with my Arts Walk quilt and finish for April.  My quilt is called Flying Free not only because of the log cabin flying geese, but because I made it with The Sophia Way Homeless Single Women's Shelter in mind.  This organization helps homeless woman get back on their feet and gain their independence.  Every woman who enters the program gets a new quilt on their bed and they get to keep it with them when they go.  I've prayed for this woman through almost every stitch and I pray that this quilt blesses her and lets her know I am praying she finds freedom and peace.

Flying Free

Gradient Stamping + Challenge + Video

Happy Friday!  I'm getting ready to head out the door and start my weekend early.  Our quilt guild is participating in the Spring 2015 Arts Walk and I am going up to Canvas Works to see our quilt display and take pictures to share with you tomorrow.   Before I go though, I have a card and video to share with you.

All week long, at StampNation, there have been challenges with prizes up for grabs.  Our challenges never end, but to be elligible for prizes you need to post your photos by May 3rd, 2015.  The first challenge was packing for the retreat with limited supplies.  We were asked to make a card using 1 stamp set, 3 ink colors and 1 embellishment.  Yowzers, that was hard for me to create an idea for, until I realized I could use my MISTI and a large font sentiment to create a CAS card.





  Then I saw the challenge this week at CASology and I knew exactly what I wanted to make.  Here's the video showing you what I came up with for challenge #1

https://youtu.be/KyB2FI8LKYw

While making this card I was reminded just how long it takes pigment inks to dry and how easily they smear.  The end results are sometimes worth the effort though.

After I created the first card the ideas kept flowing and I created 3 more.  I'll be showing you those next week.  Hope you have a great weekend!

Stamps: Hello Life (SU)

Ink: Bahama Blue , Lilac Posies, Rose Bud (Memento Luxe)

Paper: Whisper White (SU)

Accessories: MISTI (MySweetPetunia); Star Sequins, Star Embellies (Pretty Pink Posh)

SPECIAL NOTE- My friend, and fellow dream team member Kristie, is giving away a FREE MISTI on her blog.  Clicky to find out all the details.

Retiring List Is UP!

Stampin' UP! just announced their retirement list of products.  Shop early for best selection.  All items are available While Supplies Last.  They will continue making stamps until May 26th, but I have seen them stop early in the past.

Have patience.  The server is slow as it is bogged down with shoppers.  Happy Shopping!

Clicky to go shopping now!

Don't forget that the StampNation virtual retreat is in full swing.  Members can clicky to join in the fun!

MISTI is in da House!

Have you heard about the latest craze in stamping?  It's called the MISTI, which I believe stands for Most Incredible Stamping Tool Invented.  I fully admit to being a skeptic.  I've tried several different things to get perfect alignment and haven't found anything even close to perfect, especially if I need to re-stamp an image.

This tool has been getting rave reviews from stampers who have tried it, so it did intrigue me.  I have to be honest though, I was not planning on purchasing it myself.  It's an expensive tool and I just wasn't sure it would work for me.   Boy, was I wrong!

Illiana from My Sweet Petunia asked to sponsor the upcoming StampNation Virtual Retreat, coming next week.  She sent each of the design team members their very own MISTI!  Last weekend I finally got a chance to play with mine and I think I am in love!  <3

Clear photopolymer stamps changed stamping for me and made it easier to get good alignment, but it still wasn't perfect.  I think I have reached stamping perfection nirvana.  awe...bliss....  <3   I'm so excited to show you a video using the new MISTI.  In the video I explain why I wasn't able to play with it sooner along with some of my first impressions and sneak peeks for the upcoming Virtual Retreat.

https://youtu.be/vFoUKyEz2yg

Stampin' UP! Supplies

Stamps: Lotus Blossom (Stampin' UP!)
Ink: Elegant Eggplant, Perfect Plum, Wild Wasabi, Wisteria Wonder, Versamark
Paper: Whisper White
Accessories: Irridescent Ice Embossing Powder, Mini Treat Bag Thinlits

Daffodil Delight ~ Stampin' Celebration

Spring is in the air over at the Stampin' Celebration Challenge.   The new challenge is a photo collage of Springtime yellows and greens.

SC102

Here is my card using my new MISTI.   It's so much easier for me to use than the stamp-a-majig.  I think I'm in love with this tool.  To make it a shaker card I added seed beads and sequins behind the clear film.  The beads add a fun sound to my shaker card.  I think I'll be adding them to all future shaker cards.

Stamps: Painted Petals (SU)
Ink: Daffodil Delight, Pacific Point, Pistachio Pudding (SU)

Paper: Whisper White (SU)
Accessories:  MISTI (MySweetPetunia); Springtime Mix Sequins, Silver Shimmer Beads, Stitched Banner Duos (Pretty Pink Posh)

New Beginnings

This is a card I made back in winter when Whimsy Stamps was a sponsor for StampNation.  It turned out so "Springy" that I decided to save it and show it to you in April.  I can't find my supply list, but I can tell you it is colored with Copics and I used a sketch.

It just so happens that this card is perfect for 2 challenges this week.   CASology is welcoming a new sweet baby boy and he instantly made me think of this cutie card.   Welcome baby boy James!  Congratulations Gillian and family!

Announcing Baby Boy

The second challenge is Curtain Call.  The soft Spring colors seemed to go perfectly with the colors of my card, don't you think?  Here's to new beginnings, Spring colors and baby news!

Even though I no longer have the specific color names of the Copics I used, I can tell you my card was based on a sketch over at StampNation created by Ally.  StampNation members can see that sketch here.   This week the challenge at StampNation is all about sketches.  Pick your favorite SN Sketch and use it to create a card.  You all know how much I love sketches!   Here is a sneak peek of my card.

Now I am off to do my least favorite outside chore, pulling weeds.  It's the reason Spring will never be my favorite season.  The menfolk in my house claim that they can't tell the difference between weeds and flowers, so I am stuck pulling them out of my many flower beds.  Sneaky boys!  What is your least favorite Springtime chore?  Perhaps we can trade.  ;)

Free Shipping

Stampin' UP! is offering free shipping this week, starting today and running through April 10, 2015!!!!  Time to stock up on your basic supplies and get a few things off your wish list without having to pay for shipping.  

Be sure to check out the New Arrivals and Weekly Deals.   Weekly specials come out on Tuesdays so jump on the current special today and order the new one tomorrow without paying double shipping.  Hooray!

Clicky to go shopping now, or click on the Shop 24/7 button at the top of my blog page.

Sew Saturday ~ April Goals

April is one of the busiest months of the year for us.  Mostly because baseball season is in full swing and the yard needs lots of attention after being left alone all winter.  For that reason I am choosing an easy "must do" goal for April's A Lovely Year of Finishes, with Shanna & Melissa.

April Goals

My goal is to attach the binding and add a label to my Arts Walk challenge quilt for the South Sound Modern Quilt Guild.  Arts Walk 2015 is taking place later this month in Olympia, WA and our guild will have their challenge quilts proudly on display at Canvas Works.  The rules of the challenge were to use a the challenge fabric and solids only.  We were able to choose between 3 or 4 colorways.  

Flying Geese

This quilt did not turn out at all the way I planned it.  I ran out of the challenge fabric early, but didn't make it back up to Canvas Works to buy more before they sold out.  So, I had to change around my design to make it work with what I had on hand.  (a fat quarter)  I also ran into difficulties finding the turquoise color in solid.  I ended up finding some fat quarters of a seafoam green that worked.  Yes, fat quarters to sew the entire frame border of this quilt.  

After the top was assembled I got my hands on more challenge fabric, so I am using it for the binding.  Hopefully I will like the quilt more once the binding is on.  If not, I hope that person I give it to will like it.  

My favorite part is hand tacking the binding.  :)

In other news, the top is completed on my broken herringbone quilt, and there is a picture to share!  I have no idea "how" I'm going to quilt this.  I was really hoping some of our guild members would have theirs quilted before our meeting this week so I could get some ideas.  Sadly nobody did.  I added a 2" or 2 1/2" border around the entire quilt and plan to cut it down to 1" to match the size of the sashing, but I wanted a little bit of play room.   Violet Craft told us to be careful with the quilting of these quilts because of all the bias in the design.  

My secondary goal this month is to sew a couple of pillowcases for a charity project our guild is working on.  I found some cute fabric scraps from PJs and quilts I had sewn for my boys when they were little.  I'm so happy to be giving them a new home with a child in need.  What is your April goal?

Perfect Blend

Happy Good Friday to you!  This week has been a super busy one.  My son has had minimum days all week, which should mean more time in our schedule, but the opposite is true.  He's had baseball practice and games for the 2 teams he's involved with, student led conferences, and I've had work, quilt guild and creative deadlines.  On Tuesday alone I made 6 round trips from my house to some activity for my son.  Plus, we have discovered a leak in our floor, but can't figure out where it's coming from.  Oh joy!

I need some serious craft time and nap time to recover.  :)  Next week is Spring break.  Hopefully life can calm down for just a bit.  Sorry I haven't been posting cards all week.  I'm making it up to you with a card, video and 2 sneak peeks.  ;)

First the sneak peek of the "punny" challenge at StampNation that started on April Fool's Day.

You have got to check out what the others have created for this fun challenge!  StampNation members can see it here.  Clicky

My second sneak peek is a card I made exclusively for the StampNation classroom, inspired by member Tink.  She asked what she could do with all the extra paper bags her grocery store gave her.  I answered that question with this card.

After I filmed the exclusive video for StampNation, I kept the camera rolling and filmed a second video for YOU!  :)

https://youtu.be/UABkOapSM8w

Stamps: Perfect Blend (SU)
Ink: Early Espresso (SU)
Paper: Basic Black, Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla, Whisper White (SU); Grocery Bag (Fred Meyer)
Accessories: Bitty Butterfly Punch, Hearts Border Punch (SU); Coffee Cup Die Set (Whimsy)

After the camera stopped rolling on this card, I recycled more brown paper to work on a 3rd card.  This one I have to keep under cover until our new class comes out in the Creativity Grows Here classroom, but I'll give you a sneak peek.

It's amazing what an hour in the stamp room and a little bit of inspiration can do!  What is your favorite use for the bags you bring home from the store?