Sympathy

I had to make a couple of Sympathy cards, so inked up one of my (unused) stamp sets from SU.

 Even though I need absolutely NO more DP, when I saw this stack (1/2 off) on Cyber Monday at Michaels, I had to have it....... It is by Paper Studios- Country Road.
 The floral stamp and 'Thoughts' are by SU from the set Best Thoughts. The sympathy stamp is by Unity.
  The image is colored with Copics, CAS for me- getting easier......... The reason for making these cards, not too easy.

Thanks for stopping by!
Shelly

Chaos Day 4 and House Mouse

I made a couple more cards today- really cranking out the cards with the challenges!  Day 4 at Christmas Chaos at Bugaboo is a recipe- 3 papers, 2 embellishments and one word.

 The image is colored with Copics, and I decided to try a dotted background using the markers. I added Wink of Stella on all of the ornaments, the star in her hair and around the outside of the oval. Three papers are SU- Garden Green and DP, I punched out a star from a TJ shimmer technique leftover, and decided to cover it with Stickles : )  I added rhinestones for the 2nd embellishment (Kaiserraft). The Joy sentiment outlined with Sakura Gelly Roll Pen for some added shimmer.
I used the sketch from Tuesday Morning Sketches.

 I figured I would whip up one more Christmas card while I had extra DP left so made this:

 Again, using the Tuesday Morning Sketch- flipped on its side and a SU sentiment. How sweet- gotta love thpse House Mouse images!  Again, colored with Copics and used some dotty action for the background. CAS but it is one more card done!

Challenges:
Addicted to Stamps and More- CAS

House Mouse:
ABC Christmas Challenge- Youngsters

Thanks for stopping by!
Shelly

Christmas Chaos Day 3

The Bugaboo Day 3 challenge for Christmas Chaos is a color challenge.

 I love these colors!  I got to card making and made up three cards.

 I colored all of the images the same- using Copics, Wink of Stella and Liquid Applique. The sentiment is SU, the punch is SU.

 These two really are the same, except I added less color on the raised part of the embossing folder (SU) and used different words (same die set) from Paper Smooches.

I am getting lots done compared to my regular stamping- I am very slow, so working on faster, CAS, less time consuming.........

Check out the Catch the Bug Christmas Chaos HERE

Challenges:
Crafty Creations- Happy Holiday
Clear It Out-Stash- AG; stash- ribbon- years old, first time using diagonal SU embossing folder.... and that SU stamp set.
Holly Jolly Christmas- AG
Get Creative- Use Die Cuts/Punches
Merry Monday Christmas Challenge- Candy Canes
Pile it On- Christmas

Thanks for stopping by!
Shelly

Washi Kindness card

I wanted to make some Kindness Cards, and use up some stash at the same time....

I was able to use up some of my Washi stash- made a few of these backgrounds, so you will see more of them in the near future. This Washi Flip Flop technique is from the TJ Washi Tape and Ribbon CD. I used SU Embrace Life (retired) for the flowers and the sentiment is from Technique Junkies.

Challenges:
Addicted to Stamps and More- AG
Crafting by Designs- 3 of something- sequins, flowers
Word Art Wednesdays- AG
Aud Sentiments- AG with a Sentiment
Craft Rocket- AG with a Sentiment

Thanks for stopping by!
Shelly

Tuesday Throwdown- Anything Goes

The Tuesday Throwdown post this week is Anything Goes!  Our Sponsor is Craft Classes Online. Check out the website- there are a variety of classes offered.

 I tried a modified Z fold card for the 1st time. I keep seeing them and could not resist.  My Inspiration is from Deb Valder- measurements and a video- at this link. I played with a sweet image set from SU- and made a card for a new Grandma.
 Inside:

   Gender neutral, although the baby has already been born.

Challenges:
Crafty Cardmakers- Shaped Card
Word Art Wednesday- Family Friendly AG

Thanks for stopping by!
 Shelly

Altered Playing Cards #3

I am playing catch up- I am wanting to try to keep up with this challenge, so worked on last week's challenge- I need more hours in the days!

 The ATC's are made on Playing cards- they are both covered with Gesso. I added Alcohol inks on the Lt side as per the challenge. I used SU images and a sewing themed stencil- on the Lt you can see a vague brown stencil of a measuring tape. I added Wink of Stella to the flower centers and the heart, and the buttons are from a SU Sizzlet.
 The Rt ATC is colorized with Ranger Distress Inks in fall colors, and the Oak leaves are a Cheery Lynn die. The leaves are cut with scraps from my Technique Junkies bucket, and the sentiment and background stamp are from Sweet Stamps.

 We have a wedding tomorrow in Chicago, so I will be visiting Blogs on Sunday : )  And stamping....

I hope you have a Blessed weekend!

Thanks for stopping by!
 Shelly

Tuesday Throwdown- Handmade flowers

 We are making handmade flowers this week at Tuesday Throwdown. 

Our sponsor for this challenge is Flourish with a Bling

 I used a SU sentiment and SU (retired) DSP .The cardstock is Vanilla and Perfect Plum, and the ink is also Perfect Plum. I used 2 dies from Cheery Lynn Designs- Small and Med roses- I think it is the first time I have used them! I cut the flowers out of the DSP. The butterfly is also a Cheery Lynn die and it is cut out of a shimmery Technique Junkies scrap.

Challenges:
Eureka Stamps- Monochrome
Love to Scrap- Monochromatic
Crazy Challenge- Dies or Punches  (the roses and butterflies are also dies)
Lacy Sunshine- Flowers
Frosted Designs Friday- Flowers and Stitching


Thanks for stopping by!
 Shelly

TJ ATC Swap #2

The 2nd TJ ATC swap is back and it was another fun one. The requirement is just to use a TJ technique from a newsletter or any CD.
I made 2 sets of ATC

's.

 This is the Faux Metallic Gelato technique and the image is Stampendous - colored with Copics, and SU sentiment.

  This is called the Whitewash Chic technique, also from the Artistic effects CD. Sentiment is Technique Junkies Stamps (formerly known as Stamp Camp).

Next, Barb I, also made 2 ATC's:

 Lt- Splattered Bleach (Feb/March 2013) and Rt- Ribbon Tab (Dec/Jan 12-13)

 Beth C:

Tie Die Circles (April/May 2014)

Cheryl R. made:

 Pieced Zines (2/2010)

Cindy T made:

Ancient Paper (Dec/Jan 09-10)


 Dawn T made:

 Bubble wrap Stamp & Embossed

Holly made 2 ATC's:

 Lt Pearly Gelato Wash (4/2014) and Rt-Line Pop (12/2012)

Juliet A made:

 Penciled Twinks (2/2008)

and Lynne W made:

 Bandana (8/08)

Thanks for stopping by!
 Shelly

Feeling ready for Spring!

The new Technique Junkies Newsletter is out : )   I love a couple of the techniques so much- this is my take on the Stencil Spray with a Twist:

 I used Dylusions in Red, Orange and Green. The stencil pattern was cut on the Cameo (using Make the Cut). I used a Freebie SVG as a pattern for the stencil offered by Birds Cards. The background image is SU and the rest are by About Art Accents.
  The image is colored with Copic Markers in colors to coordinate with the background. The leaves are a separate image, so I masked them. The shimmer I added with a Stardust Gelly Roll Pen.

Challenges:
Bloggers Challenge- Stencils
Crafty Catz- Springtime
Creative Corner Challenge- April Showers bring May Flowers
Get Inky- Spring
Sister Act- Anything Goes
One Crazy Stamper- Anything Goes
4 Crafty Chicks- Color an image
Through the Craftroom Door- AG

Thanks for stopping by!
 Shelly

Pasted Delusions

 I had a little creative time today- I made a background using Pasted Delusions- from the latest Technique Junkies newsletter.

  I made a couple of backgrounds before I hit the road- and have to say- they are fabulous IRL- the color is so vibrant and the embossing paste is so fab! (Wendy Vecchi embossing paste : ) )
  I used Postcard Geisha Image 2 HERE from Taylored Expressions from Art Neko/About Art Accents and colored it with Copic markers. The sentiment and dragonflies are by SU (Asian Artistry). I added some Smoosh to the top of the dragonfly and the Flourish diecut from Sweet Stamps.

Challenges-
Sister Act- Anything Goes
Addicted to Stamps and More- Coloring
Crafting with Dragonflies- Nature/Trees/Leaves- stencil BG bamboo trees
Try it on Tuesday- Textures
Cheerful Stamp Pad- Use Stencil

Thanks for stopping by!
 Shelly

Distressed Rainbow Stripe ATC

 I played with the dimensions in the Distressed Rainbow Strips tutorial from the Technique Junkies last newsletter, and made it work for an ATC.

 

The fan is Stampin Up (retired), the Kanji is Mark's Finest Paper and the background is by Sweet Stamps. 

We visited China, and it is very apparent how the colors are so important- and have significant meaning there- Gold, Red, Green, Blue, Black and White stand for the elements- so are very represented in the scenery everywhere. 

 Have a great Day!

Shelly Schmidt

Ghost Masking

 I had fun digging through my unused floral images looking for the perfect image for this new Technique Junkies technique- alas- this 'retired' SU set chosen.

   I used to love this Roses set and used it alot- the sentiment is from another 'retired' SU set. This is a flat card- no dimension except for the back layer. I added some sponging around the edges for added dimension.  I had to add some stitching to finish off the edges.

 A.R.T. Challenge- Anything Goes
Happy Campers- Use a Stamp
Paper Crafting Journey- Anything Goes

Thanks for stopping by!
 Shelly

Pinspired and Bright

 I just won this fun stamp set from Blogger Melisa. I decided to use the Washi tape that came with it and a yellow Washi tape from SU and make a fun summery card.

  The stamp set is by Technique Tuesday. I stamped and colored with Copics, then added sparkle around the edges of all of the yellows and in the flower with a Sakura Gelly Roll pen. The sentiment is SU.  The card design - saw that on Pintrest : ).

Challenges:
Sister Act- Anything Goes
Craftin' Boutique- Anything Goes
Cute Card Thursday- Anything Goes
Crafting By Designs- Anything Goes
Creative Belli-Summer
Paper Pretties- Thank You
Paper Shelter- Anything Goes
City Crafter- Summertime
Clear It Out- Use Washi Tape


Thanks for stopping by!
Shelly

Party Anyone?????

My Awesome friend Kim is at the Stampin Up Convention- she  has a challenge- to book a party while she is there.  She does not have a blog- and I talked her into becoming a demo...... so I am going to help her..... This is a sample of a card we made at her last workshop at her house:

 This is one of 4 cards we made.  She will walk you through it if you are new to stamping. 

SO, let me know if YOU want to PARTY!!!  I will get you connected for a great time stamping and a great ladies night out!!!

 Shelly

Americana- Michael Strong Day 1

This week, I am the Card Captain over at Michael Strong Stamps Yahoo Group.

  My card uses Michael Strong's larger Cloisonne Star Stamp- there is a smaller star with the same design in this set as well. I embossed the image using Silver E.P. on Navy cardstock. The background is Red, Navy and Metallic Silver using an older Technique Junkies UFO.......from my stash. I wanted a striped pattern, so embossed the stripe EF from SU, but left the stripes as is- no highlighting with ink.......  My husband says it is not traditional enough..... Well.....I like it- I won't give it to him.....hehehe.   I added shimmer around the sentiment and the edge of the card with a Sakura Gelly Roll Pen.The sentiment is retired SU.
 If you happen to have just one Michael Strong stamp and want to get daily inspiration in your mailbox, come join the Yahoo group.  It is a fun group with monthly challenges plus a Sketch Challenge- and not too much chatter...... and on occasion, Michael has giveaways too......

Challenges:
613 Avenue- Anything Goes Plus colors of your flag
Amusing Challenge- Anything Goes
2 Sisters- Stripes
Chocolate, Coffee & Cards- Red, White and Blue
Sisterhood of Crafters- Stars and Stripes
Perfect Sentiment- Red, White and Blue

Thanks for stopping by!
Shelly

In the Spotlight

I made a card and an ATC for a friend for her birthday : ) We are both in a group at RubberStampChat where we send an ATC to others on their Birthday- and we can also send a card.

  I used a SU set called Pleasant Poppies. I stamped the image, then cut out three ovals, then ran the entire set thru the Bigshot and embossed it. I cut out a plain white oval the next biggest die size, outlined it in colors to match. I finished off the card with twine and a sentiment from Create with TLC. 

 For the ATC, I used a Glue Distress background- love the color of the Distress ink with the Poppies.

 
  I dabbed dots of Elmers glue and let them dry, then added Distress ink over that.  I stamped the image again, and cut out flowers, as I did not like the look of all of the flowers dotted (from the background technique). I colored the flowers with Copics. The sentiment is shimmery...and again, from Create with TLC.

 Challenges:
Card Crafters Circle- Happy Birthday
Crafty Catz- Say it with Flowers
Whimsical Designs- ATC
Fun With ATC's- flowers

Don't forget my blog candy- 50 yards of ribbon and a bow maker- thru July 3rd  HERE

Thanks for stopping by!

 Shelly

God Bless America!

I had another fun idea using the Triple Embossing Technique from the Technique Junkies- from the latest newsletter.......

 

  When I looked at the wood grain embossing I did on the last card, I thought....R/W/B!!!  I love it!  The image is from Coronado Island Stamps, and the sentiment retired SU.


Nothing says I love the USA better than an Eagle and God Bless America!!!

Challenges:
Crazy Catz- Add some embossing
Kitty Bee Designs- R/W/B
Simply Create Too- Use the colors in your country's flag

Thanks for stopping by!
 Shelly

Happy Technique Friday

Happy Friday!  Today I have a card made with the Faux Silk Designer Paper technique from the latest Technique Junkies newsletter. I used a digital image from Pure Innocence digi stamp Characters on Etsy. This particular image is not currently in the store, but there are plenty of others : )

I used Stampin Up cardstock and Designer Paper (retired). I colored the image with Copics and added some Sakura Gelly Roll pen for shimmer. The flowers are also colored with Copics- as is the Washi Paper I added. I thought the rhinestones also needed color, so touched them up with a Copic marker as well.

Challenges:
4 Crafty Chicks- Flowers
Creative Card Crew- Punches or Dies
Tuesday Morning Sketches-Sketch
Use it Tuesdays- Use hoarded supply- DP -package had never been opened......
Make it Monday- Anything Goes

Shelly Schmidt

Shimmer, Gimmer, Sparkle and Shine- New CD Blog Hop!

I am joining the rest of the Technique Junkies Design Team today to share some great artwork from the brand new CD, **Shimmer, Glimmer, Sparkle and Shine**!  I had so much fun creating with techniques from the CD- I think it is my favorite CD so far!!! 

  You will want to start the HOP at the beginning, visit Judy on the Designer’s Blog so as not to miss a thing!  (The entire Blog Hop list is noted there).

  You have just visited Holly's Blog - she made a couple of fabulous projects, didn't she?  It seems we both had purple in mind for designing!    I love the butterflies she added to her card too.....!

 ( THIS is a link to the PDF from the CD to show you some of the fun ideas from the CD. )

 I used two techniques from the new CD. I started with the Glimmering Gelato tutorial:

   The image (HERE) and the border die are from Sweet Stamps.  I also added Stickles around the opening of the die cut, and added Copic coloring to the rhinestones.  The cardstock is by Coordinations.

 Next, I used a technique called Frosted Dylusions. This technique makes two cards:

  I used an image from Sweet Stamps colored in Copic markers. The BG stamp is (a retired) Stampin Up. I colored the ribbon with Copic Marker. The dies are by Cherry Lynn Designs- available at Sweet Stamps.

  While doing this technique, you will have 'left overs-ink" for a second piece.

The flower (Sweet Stamps) is another sample of Glimmering Gelato's (I used red and pink for the flower head and 2 shades of greens on the stem). The inks for the background are the same as above- Dylusions Purple, Yellow and Red. The layer behind the technique is an Iridiscent Vellum (so does not look green IRL).

  Next on the Blog Hop- using a fun technique with Glimmer Mists is Hetty.

One lucky person that makes a comment on each of the participating DT blogs will WIN one of the new CD's. Pat Huntoon will announce the winner on her blog next week. 

If you cannot wait to order, click on the link here- this is a drop dow menu with all of the TJ CD's...... 

Select One or More CDs to add to your order

Shimmer Glimmer Sparkle and Shine CD $14.95 USD Great Gifts CD $14.95 USD Mini Album Mania CD $14.95 USD 3D and Fun Folds CD $17.95 USD Emboss or Die CD $17.95 USD Stampbooking CD $17.95 USD Fancy Folds and Motion CD $17.95 USD Stampin' Companion CD $17.95 USD

I hope you enjoyed the Sparkle and Glimmer! 
 Shelly

Fun with Glue ATC's

My Monthly ATC group had a theme of Glue resist this month.  I had fun experimenting........ this is a long post..........

 I made a template with a small heart punch and added glue through the punched shaped hearts to the background (with regular Elmers Glue).....let it dry, applied distress inks.....  The stamps are Michael Strong and SU.

On this one, I just scribbled on the glue and let it dry- the image is House Mouse, and it is colored with Copics. There are 3 layers of bobbin and 2 of the mouse.


Next, I took glue and spread it over a piece of bubble wrap- and let it dry before applying the inks.

  This image is Sweet Stamps, the sentiment is Create with TLC.

 This image is Inkadinkado.

 These images are Rogue Redhead.

A collage image from an Unknown source. Obviously the background is dotted with glue. Sentiment is Rogue Redhead.

On this image, I painted the Geisha faces with glue, then applied Distress Inks over the top. Then, I dabbed the glue off the faces. The image is colored with Copics. The image is from About Art Accents.

On this ATC, I drew 'U's'. Image is Prickley Pear and it is colored with Copic Markers

 On this ATC, I just added the lines with glue then added Distress Inks. The image is an Unknown digital image and the sentiment- Create with TLC.

These images are by Rogue Redhead.

 On this ATC, I took the glue and dotted it on and then rubbed it side to side with my finger- once dry I added Distress Inks. The image is the same as the ATC above- I am not sure who created it.

On this ATC, I dabbed glue on the ATC and spread it around with a patterned frosting spreader. There is a background pattern from the glue and that is why you see streaks in the tree. I stamped the image twice and cut out the word Serenity and the house. The image is by Artistic Outpost.

Thanks for stopping by!
Shelly