Stampin' Celebration!

It's time for a Stampin' Celebration.  Today I get to let you in on a little secret I've been so excited to share. I've been invited to serve on the design team at Stampin' Celebration for the next 6 months!   What an honor to create alongside these talented ladies for such an inspiring monthly challenge.

SC76S

If you are new to Stampin' Celebration, it is a monthly challenge. On the first of every month there is a new photo inspiration released and on the 15th a sketch is released.  Each release comes with loads of inspiration from the design team.  You can choose to make your project based on the photo or the sketch or both.

Are you ready to see what I came up with?

The great thing about this CAS sketch is that it can flipped, rotated, twisted or turned and it will still work.   This one is going in my keeper binder.

You have until the 27th of March to submit your project based on either the sketch released today or the photo inspiration released earlier in the month.  Clicky if you want to check that one out.

Thank you Stampin' Celebration for inviting me to play along with you.  <3

Supplies:
Stamps: Kind Words(Penny Black)
Paper: Pink Pirouette (SU), Sweetness Paper Pack (Authentique), Whisper White, Basic Black
Misc. Stampin' UP! Supplies: Baker's Twine, Dazzling Diamonds, Fancy Fan Embossing Folder, Small Heart Punch, Vintage Faceted Buttons,

Tattered Tangles Quilt + Giveaway

This week Tattered Angels is sponsoring StampNation and they sent each design team member a box of their new line, Tattered Tangles, and a few paints, and other goodies to see what we could come up with.  Here is one of the cards I made using their new line.

Zentangle is so popular right now, but to be honest, I'm not much of a doodler, so these papers let me easily jump on the trend.  When I saw the piece above I instantly thought "quilt" and colored it in like I would a nine patch, and cut out around the outline.  Then I used the clothespins and yarn Tattered Angels sent me to string my "quilt" up.

Check out the splatters of Glimmer Glaze in the background.  It was really easy to splatter the paint.  Their Tattered Tangles paper is thick and a bit glossy on the front so it holds ink and paint well.  I used SU markers to color in my pieces and they did not bleed to the back.

Below is a sneak peek at the card I made for today's StampNation challenge.  You can really see how I used the Glimmer Glaze to color my card.

If you are a StampNation member head on over to StampNation to see what the design team came up with using their box of goodies.

PRIZE ALERT!!!!!

Tattered Angels and Catherine Pooler are sponsoring a giveaway.  Clicky to go to Catherine's blog for all the deets.  :)  Good luck!

Card Recipe
Tattered Angels/Tattered Tangles: Boucle- Cream  and Quotes (Pure Mistable Papers), Yellow Clothespins and Hemp Rope Cord (Canvas Corp), Glimmer Glaze - Desert Sun

SU Colors: Bermuda Bay, Coastal Cabana, Daffodil Delight, Pear Pizzaz, Pistachio Pudding, Basic Black

Punches: Artisan Label Punch (SU), 1 1/4" Scallop Circle Punch

Lovely Lilac Tulips

Yesterday I spent a little time out in my flower beds pulling weeds and checking out the bulbs that are starting to push up.  It's so fun to see the dead looking flower bed start to emerge with new life from the roots buried beneath the soil.

That's what inspired me to pull out this tulip stamp and my Copic markers.  Right now there are just green leaves poking out, but soon my flower bed will be awash with color.

Linking up with 2 fabulous challenges today:

CAS*ology


Stampin' Celebration



Stamps: Blessed Easter (SU), Tiny Tags (SU)
Copics: G21, RV93, V12, V15, YG63, YG67
Ink: Trunk Bay Glimmer Mist (Tattered Angels), Tuxedo Black (Memento), Wink of Stella Glitter Pen
Misc.: Garden Vines Stencil (Memory Box), Pool Party Ruffled Ribbon (SU), White Baker's Twine, Jewelry Tag Punch, Scallop Trim Punch (SU)

Try Stamping On Tuesday

Time for a sketch.  :)  I've been busy working behind the scenes on cards for upcoming design team projects, and wanted to spend some time today making a card just for my blog readers.  :)  When I saw the sketch posted this morning on Try Stampin' On Tuesday I was instantly inspired to go create.

It's very fitting for all the rain we've been having here.   The nearby river has been at or near flood stage for a week now, but today the sun is shining, the birds are chirping and our neighbor even has his lawnmower going.   Ahhh...the sounds of Spring.

This card also gave me a chance to pull out some neglected new goodies.  Can you believe I've had this stamp set and builder brads for at least 2 months and never used them?  

Try Stampin' On Tuesday #158

The twist for this week's challenge is to use stripes and squares.  This sketch will be going in my file for future use.  You can do so much with it and it's a great sketch for showcasing your patterned paper.

This card is also being linked up with Cardz 4 Guyz.  Their challenge this week is typography, words or a name.  When I made this card I planned to put it in my OWH box and I try to make most of my OWH cards "guy friendly" so they can be sent either to or from a guy.  ;)



Card Supplies:
Stamps: See Ya Later (SU-SAB)
Ink: Marina Mist
Paper: Cowboy 6x6 (MME), Basic Gray, Very Vanilla
Misc: Grey Baker's Twine (Pretty Pink Posh), Builder Brads (SU), Neutrals Candy Dots

Sew Saturday ~ BOM + Update

The block of the month for SSMQG in Feb was really interesting.  As I was putting it together I thought it would be fun to twist and turn the blocks to come up with new designs.  :)

My block is on the bottom right.  That fun circle block on the bottom middle is this month's block.  Looking forward to creating this one!  

Remember the pile of jeans from last week's goal setting post for A Lovely Year of Finishes?  Above is the pile of hems, tears, pockets and seams that I cut off.

Now I am left with a stack of jean fabric ready to cut into squares on the left and two piles of pockets and hems on the right.   Not sure I will be using these, but I wanted to save some of the cute and functional ones just in case.  ;) 

One pile down, now I have to move my sewing table out of the way so I can get to the drawer in that armoire in the background where the rest of the old jeans are stored.  Do you have any creative plans for this weekend?

February Thank Yous

I've been working on my thank you cards for everyone who ordered from me in the month of February.  :)  Here are the cards I came up with for you.

Does this card look a little familiar?  It's a stepped up version of this card from last month.  I was again inspired by the Basics & Beyond class to take that card up a notch.  If you are in the class look at the Beyond Design #3 to see how I was inspired. :)

Do you prefer the Coastal Cabana or Baked Brown Sugar?  Perhaps you would like it even better in Crisp Cantaloupe or Strawberry Slush????   I like to make a change or two with each card I make to keep it from getting boring.  :)

Today is the last to join the Basics & Beyond class and take advantage of the bonus.  The class will still be open to enroll, but the bonus offer is going away.

Clicky to  check out the class for yourself.
Clicky to join StampNation and get your 50% off coupon code.

If you are already a StampNation member you may want to check out the newest challenge posted yesterday.  Here is a peek at my card.  Any guesses on what this challenge might be?

Time for me to get back to writing my thank you notes.  Don't forget that Sale-A-Bration is still going on until the end of this month.  For ever $50 you spend with Stampin' UP! you get to choose one SAB item for free!  

Supply List:  (All items are Stampin' UP!)
Stamps: Happy Watercolor
Ink: Coastal Cabana, Crisp Cantaloupe, Strawberry Slush, Baked Brown Sugar, Chocolate Chip
Paper: Fresh Prints DSP Stack, Coastal Cabana, Baked Brown Sugar, Whisper White
Misc: Apothecary Accents Framelits

Happy Dancing For You

It's all about the embellishments on today's card.  The chevrons, hexagons, chalkboard paper and arrow clip all combine to make a fun trendy card.  Using the envelope punch board to create a file folder look for the background was the "icing on the cake".

Do you like to embellish your cards?  How much is too much for you?  Are you more of a minimalist or do you feel you can never have too many do-dads and sparklies on your creations?  For me it all depends on my mood and who/where the card is going to.

Supplies
Stamps: Woot Woot (CASual Fridays)
Ink: Fresh Ink Paper White (Impress Inks)
Paper: Sweetness 6x6 Pad (Authentique), Basic Black
Misc: Essentials Hardware Clips (SU),  Chipboard Chevron and Hexagons (Unknown Source), Diecut Chalkboard  Frames (American Crafts), Envelope Punch Board

Guest Stamper Catherine Pooler

Today I get to share a video with you from my friend, Catherine Pooler.  She showed her design team a sneak peek of the cards featured in the video and I tried to figure out how they were done.  Turns out, her way is even  easier than mine.

No surprise there.  She has mastered the basics and does a fabulous job of taking her cards beyond the basic. On my card, above, I embossed the image from love notes with black embossing powder onto both black and white cardstocks.  Then I cut out the center of the red piece and layered it on top of the white.  Watch the video below to see how Catherine made her stunning watercolor card.

***Note if you are reading this post in an email or reader, you may need to go to my blog to view the video.  :)  Click on the post title "Guest Stamper..." to go there now.

These two cards are just a small sample of what you will find in the new Basics & Beyond class.

Want to learn more?  Click HERE now.
Want to get the class 50% off?  Become a StampNation member and grab your coupon code.  Clicky
Already joined the class?  Check back in to see the Bonus content added yesterday.  :)

See you in the classroom.

Supplies:
Stamps: Love Notes (CASual Fridays), Label Love (SU)
Ink: Versamark, Real Red (SU)
Paper: Real Red & Basic Black
Misc: Artisan Label Punch, Black Embossing Powder

Sew Saturday ~ In Stitches Part 1

Yesterday I had the opportunity to attend the In Stitches Quilt show in Centralia, WA.

The theme in the tea room was Double Wedding Ring through the decades.  Each quilt had a wedding dress beside it from that era.  It was so interesting to read the stories and see the quilts, many of which were hand pieced and quilted.

Though I consider myself more of a contemporary quilter than a traditional one I can certainly appreciate all the work that goes into these hand stitched beauties.

Check out the neatly spaced stitches.  When I grow up I want to be able to sew like this!

My friend, Marla, who invited me to the show gave me a personal tour of the main exhibit hall.  I think I took at least half a dozen pictures of her various quilts on display.  This one is probably my favorite because of the teeny tiny flying geese.  :)  The entire block can't be more than 12" wide.

As we were walking around I told Marla I had seen a bag of selvages on sale at Esty and asked what someone would use those for???  She took me to a quilt made with them seen above and another one that she made. Now I want to cut an extra inch off of all my selvages too.  :)

I was both fascinated and FLOORED by the handiwork of this amazing quilter.  She pieces all the blocks by hand, then hand stitches them and the most amazing bit of info I learned, she is 91 years old!!!  WOW! I almost got a picture of her standing by this quilt, but someone stood in between her and I so I missed my chance.  Marla, can you tell me the name of this quilter?

Here is another eye catching and unexpected quilt.  Not all of the quilts at the show are hand quilted and hand pieced, but many have at least some hand stitching.  The group meets once a week and usually bring some hand stitching or applique project to work on.

Clicky to see part 2 or scroll down.

Sew Saturday ~ In Stitches 2

Missed part 1?  Clicky to go there now or scroll up if you are on the blog.

Oh my, how the batiks pop against black int this amazing quilt.  This was part of the bed turning. One lady from the guild is chosen each year to show and tell the story of her quilt history.  It was wonderful to learn the story about her and her family through the quilts she has made or that have been passed down to her.

My son's friend loves the color orange.  I would love to be able to make a quilt like this one for him before he goes off to college in the Fall.  First I have to find this pattern.

Loved the ombre look of this starry night quilt.  I'm going to try to recreate it in a card.  :)

ALYOF March

Today is the first day of March so it's time to set another goal for A Lovely Year of Finishes with Melissa and Shanna.   My goal is to cut into this pile of old jeans, along with the drawer shoved full of more torn jeans into blocks that can be sewn into a quilt top.  It would be great if I could get the quilt top done before Baseball season starts, but I will be happy with getting these cut into workable pieces.

I also need to sew the binding on my quilt finish from February and work on my BOM for our SSMQG meeting.  Lots to do with baseball practice starting soon, but I am hopeful.