Cricut Expression 2

Check it out everyone My Pink Stamper is giving away the brand new (hasn't even been released yet!) Cricut Expression 2.
If I won this I would donate my my Expression to my unit for patients and staff...the possibilities are endless!!!

cQc#79

I have followed the colorQ blog for a long time, but I think this is the first time I've done a card for their challenges, no reason really.  But, but when I seen the inspiration for this challenge I knew it was time for me to play along with them and I knew immediately what I was going to do for it.  Here is the inspiration for colorQ challenge #79

Doesn't that look like a fun challenge to play?  Can you guess what technique I used for this challenge?  I did the Baby Wipe technique from http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/; you can follow the link to the tutorial for this.

Supplies
Card Stock:  Basic Black, Melon Mambo, Whisper White, Marina Mist (I don't have any Bermuda Bay)
Stamp Sets:  En Francais, Day of Gratitude, Something to Celebrate
Reinkers:  Melon Mambo, Marina Mist, Old Olive
Ink:  Basic Black
Punches:  Modern Label Punch
Accessories:  Old Olive 5/8" Satin Ribbon, SNAIL, baby wipes

Tips

1. It is very messy, so I would put paper towels under your baby wipe before you put your reinkers on it.

Enjoy

A La Card Monkey

Isn't this is an awesome bag of goodies...this is the prize that A La Card Monkey is giving away for their theme challenge this week.  Check out this list of things that are included in this prize...
Garden Whimsy 8pc stamp set


Goody-Goody Gumdrops 19pc set
Picnic Parade 15 pc set
Stampin Fun for Everyone 7pc set
Chocolate Chip grosgrain ribbon 5/8"
Fresh Favorites 1 Buttons
Baja Breeze Corduroy button brads
Chocolate Chip Library Clips 1/2"
Sweet Pea stitched felt flowers
Welcome Neighbor DSP pad
Baja Breeze 81/2 X 11 Card Stock
On board Blossoms chipboard

But, this is not all of the prizes for this week, check out their blog for what else is being offered at A La Card Monkey  And while you are there you can check out all of the cards entered in this weeks challenge...and maybe even enter one of your own.

A La Card Monkey Nature Challenge

It has been a long time since I've done any challenges, and I think it's time for me to start getting those creative juices flowing again.  As a SU! demonstrator there is a website called Stampin' Connection that we can access.  While looking through that website last night I found a discussion about a new challenge blog, so I needed to check it out.  It's called A La Card Monkey, and they will be doing weekly challenges.  The theme for this week's challenge is nature:

It's just a simple card, but who says there is anything wrong with simple?  I don't have many nature sets...hmmm, maybe I better do some shopping. 

Supplies

Card Stock:  Not Quite Navy, Watercolor, Soft Suede

Designer Series Paper:  Paisly Petals

Stamp Sets:  Spring Song (retired)

Ink:  Not Quite Navy, Soft Suede, Baja Breeze, Basic Black Craft Ink

Punches:  2-3/8" Scallop Circle, 2-1/2" Circle, Decorative Label Punch, Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border Punch

Accessories:  Basic Black Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, Embossing Buddy, Powder Pals, Basic Pearls, Paper Snips, SNAIL, Dimensionals, Vanilla Shimmer Smooch Spritz, Color Catcher, Aqua Painter

Tips

1. You can't see the effect of the Smooch Spritz in the picture, but it really adds some shimmer to the card.
2. The color catcher is a great tool to have when using the Smooch Spritz.
3. Never try to do watercoloring without paper towel close by.  I always seem to get too much water on the picture, and dabbing the area with paper towel always does the trick.
4. I used watercolor paper so I could do watercoloring on the bird, so I also used watercolor paper for the greeting; just so it would have the same look as the bird. 

Products

I just learned (I know, the whole world has known how to do this forever...) how to do screen shots, so now I can show you some of the SU! products I used. 

The Pearlized Smooch Spritz is a spray that adds some shimmer to your cards.

And the Color Catcher is just a box that you can leave set up to catch the spray so you don't get anything on the furniture.

These things are all in the 2010-2011 Idea Book and Catalog, but the Designer Series Paper isn't.  SU! has given us a little sneak peek of the 2011-2012 Idea Book and Catalog.

Doesn't that look fun!!

Anyway, on my last post I told you I would show you how to layer the Decorative Label Punch.  This is not something I came up with, I seen it done on a video on The North Shore Stamper.

To start you want to punch out 2 of the Decorative Label shapes in whatever color you are going to use for the layering.

With your Paper Snips cut each one of the shapes in half, one lengthwise and the other shortwise (is that a word?).





Then you want to cut the corner tips of each one.  The cuts don't need to be straight because you won't see it, you just don't want those points showing in the layers.

With the tips cut off use SNAIL to put the first layer on, it doesn't matter which one you do first, just be sure to either do the top and bottom, or 2 sides; not a top and a side. 

Honestly you could stop here if you wanted, just the top and bottom layer looks good.

After the top and bottom, use your SNAIL to add the 2 sides, so the back looks like this.

And the final product looks like this.





As always, let me know if you have any questions, and I hope you enjoyed my post today.

Faux Mother of Pearl

In our April issue of Stampin' Success they outlined a technique called Faux Mother of Pearl.  The cards that were made using this technique turned out gorgeous, so you know I just had to try it.  There was just one problem, the technique required Frsot White Shimmer Paint, and all I had was Platinum Shimmer Paint.  Oh well, Platinum Shimmer Paint it is.  The card turned out pretty good with the Platinum, but you can bet the Frost White Shimmer Paint is on my next order.

I'm sure there is a tutorial out there on how to do this, but I'll just share the steps I took with you.

To start you need a paper plate or some type of washable hard surface and paper towels; I used a Stampin' Up! Clear Mount Block.  Shake your bottle of Shimmer Paint (whatever color you use) and pour a small amount on whatever surface you are using.  The bunch up some Saran Wrap, dip it into the Shimmer paint and then dab the excess onto a paper towel. 

Using this Saran Wrap dab it on your Glossy Card Stock lightly, being sure to leave white areas of the cardstock exposed, and let it dry.

This is what it will look like.

 
Once the Shimmer Paint dries then you can use either a Stamping Sponge or Brayer to add your ink. 

I did this with 3 different colors, and then used the Blossom Petals punch to punch out the shapes to make a flower and leaves for my card.  Which turned out like this...



In this picture you can get an idea of the pearlized look on the flower.

And this is the card without the glare.  As an after thought I should have punched out the shape for the Happy Easter using the finished Mother of Pearl card stock and then stamp my frame and greeting on that.  Oh well, next time.

Supplies

Card Stock:  Wild Wasabi, Daffodil Delight, Whisper White, Rich Razzleberry, Glossy White

Stamp Sets:  Teeny Tiny Wishes, Four Frames

Ink:  Platinum Shimmer Paint, Pretty in Pink, Rich Razzleberry, Wild Wasabi

Punches:  Blossom Petals Punch, Decorative Label Punch, 1/2" Circle Punch

Accessories:  Basic Rhinestones, Basic Pearls, Old Olive 5/8" Satin Ribbon, Square Lattice Textured Embossing Folder, Glue Dots, SNAIL, Dimensionals

Tips

1. My "happy easter" is crooked, but using a Stamp-a-Ma-Jig would have prevented that.
2. Check back soon for a tutorial on how to frame the Decorative Label Punch.

I hope you enjoyed my post today.

The Versality of Paint Chips

I am so excited about today's post; everyone of these cards make me smile!  I went to a Stampin' Up! Regional event in Hamilton last fall and this was a technique that was demonstrated in one of the WOW presentations.  That day I stopped at Home Depot on my way home and picked up some paint chips to play with.

And true to form, they sat in a drawer for the last 6 months until I finally pulled them out today and decided to start playing with them.  I made 4 different cards to show all of the options you have when using these to make cards with.

The first one is stamped with Whisper White Craft Ink and embossed with Iridescent Ice Stampin' Emboss Powder.  I stamped with the Whisper White Craft Ink because I was going to use White Stampin' Emboss Powder, but then changed my mind and did the embossing with Iridescent Ice.  Unfortunately, you can't see the sparkle of the "easter eggs" in the picture.

Supplies

Card Stock:  River Rock, Rich Razzleberry, Whisper White

Stamp Set:  Easter Blossoms

Ink:  Whisper White Craft Ink, Rich Razzleberry Craft Ink, Versamark

Punches:  2" x 1-3/8" Oval

Accessories:  Stampin' Up! Subtles Brads (Pretty in Pink), Paper Piercer, Mat Pack, 5/8" Rich Razzleberry Satin Ribbon, Iridescent Ice Stampin' Emboss Powder, Clear Stampin' Emboss Powder, Heat Tool, Embossing Buddy, Square Lattice Textured Impressions Embossing Folders. Big Shot, Dimesionals, SNAIL

For the second card I used Melon Mambo Craft Ink and Clear Stampin' Emboss Powder.

Supplies

Card Stock: Baja Breeze, Melon Mambo
Stamp Set: Elements of Style
Ink: Craft Melon Mambo, Classic Basic Black
Punches: 1-3/4" x 7/8" Oval, Scallop Oval
Accessories: Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Embossing Folders, Big Shot, Pretty in Pink 1-1/4" Striped Grosgrain Ribbon, Clear Embossing Powder, Embossing Buddy, Heat Tool, SNAIL

Tips

1. I used the scraps from the paint chips to stamp the "Life is a Matter of Moments."

For my third card I used Black Stampin' Emboss Powder, and I gotta tell you I'm loving how this one turned out!!



Supplies

Card Stock:  Naturals White, Basic Black, Tempting Turquoise

Stamp Sets:  Bliss, Occasional Quotes

Ink:  Versamark

Punches:  Word Window Punch, Modern Label Punch, Ticket Corner Punch

Accessories:  Paper Piercer, Mat Pack, Stampin' Up! Brights Brads (Tempting Turquoise), Black Stampin; Emboss Powder, Embossing Buddy, Heat Tool, Square Lattice Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Big Shot, Basic Black 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon, SNAIL, Paper Snips

Tips

1. I used the Paper Piercer and Mat Pack to make holes exactly where I want the Brads to sit.
2. When putting Brads in the corner I often get a part of the back of the brad that sticks out past the edge of the paper.  When that happens I use my Paper Snips to cut off the excess.

My last card is my favourite, I love the look of the white embossing with the blue.

Supplies

Card Stock:  Night of Navy, Whisper White

Stamps:  Charming, Teeny Tiny Wishes

Ink:  Craft Whisper White

Punches:  Pinking Hearts Border Punch

Accessories:  Baja Breeze 1/2" Seam Binding Ribbon, Sticky Strip, White Stampin' Emboss Powder, Embossing Buddy, Heat tool

Tips

1. To get this look with the ribbon, I pulled a couple threads length wise from the middle of the ribbon, and as I pulled that thread the ribbon bunched up.  I then placed a piece of sticky strip across the Night of Navy Card Stock and then layed the ribbon on that Sticky Strip to hold it in place.

Well, that's all for today, I hope you enjoy my post as much as I enjoyed making these cards.  

Springtime Smiles

Today's post is in honor of the snow we just got...ugh!!! I'm not complaining because it could be worse, but I'm just in desperate need for some sunshine, it's been a long winter.
The stamp I used for this card is a silhouette, and to be sure I got a good solid image from the stamp I did heat embossing with black Stampin' Up! Embossing Powder 

Supplies

Cardstock:  Basic Black, Whisper White

Designer Series Paper:  Love Letter

Stamp Set:  Easter Blossoms

Classic Ink:  Basic Black

Ink:  Versamark

Punches:  Scallop Oval, 1-3/4" x 7/8" Oval

Accessories:  Chantilly 1/2 Crochet Trim, Black Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, Framed Tulips Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Big Shot, Embossing Buddy, SNAIL

Enjoy

Another Shaving Cream Card

This is another card I made using the shaving cream technique from http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/, using a different "batch" of shaving cream. 

Supplies
Card Stock:  Basic Black, Naturals White
Stamp Sets:  Lovely As A Tree, Thank You Kindly
Ink:  Classic Basic Black, Versamark
Reinkers:  Melon Mambo, Daffodil Delight, Tempting Turquoise
Accessories:  Black Stampin' Emboss Powder, Heat Tool, Stamp-a-ma-Jig, Paper Piercing Tool, Mat Pack, Basic Black Brads, Embossing Body, SNAIL, Shaving Cream

Tips

1. When I made this card I used more drops of reinker and left the shaving cream on the card a little longer than the first one, that's why this one has a lot mor color.
2. The embossing buddy is a must when heat embossing, it helps keep the embossing powder off the cardstock.
3. Have LOTS of paper towels close by when doing the shaving cream technique.

I hope you enjoyed my post today.

It's A Messy Job!

Today's post is a tutorial that I found on http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/.  It's a tutorial on how you go from this

to this...

To start, fill your tray (I used the small Stampin' Up! Powder Pals tray) with shaving cream and add a few drops of Stampin' Up! reinkers.

And with a wooden stick swirl the reinker around in the shaving cream.





Take your cardstock and lay it into the tray of shaving cream, making sure you have the front of the cardstock completely covered with the shaving cream.

Now here comes the messy part.



Using paper towels wipe the shaving cream off the cardstock in a swirly motion.

When you take the cardstock out of the shaving cream, you can also place a second piece of cardstock over the first piece and 'smush' it into the shaving cream.



So when you pull them apart both pieces of cardstock will be covered with shaving cream.

Wipe the shaving cream off these in a swirl motion as well.  The longer the shaving cream is on the cardstock the darker the color will be

After you let the cardstock dry you can use it in a lot of different ways.  This is the first card I made.



Supplies

Cardstock:  Confetti White, Basic Black, Whisper White, Pretty in Pink and Bashful Blue

Stamp Sets:  Heartfelt Thanks, Teeny Tiny Wishes

Classic Ink:  Basic Black, Pretty in Pink

Reinkers:  Pretty in Pink, Bashful Blue, Certainly Celery

Accessories:  Certainly Celery 5/8" Satin Ribbon, Stamp-a-ma-Jig, SNAIL

Tips

1. Use a neutral cardstock for the shaving cream, I used Confetti White.
2. I haven't tried it, but I don't know if using Whisper White cardstock would be good, it isn't very heavy.

This is the second card I made with the same 'batch' of shaving cream.

Supplies
Cardstock:  Basic Black, Pretty in Pink, Confetti
Stamp Sets:  Artistic Etchings and Tiny Tags
Classic Ink:  Basic Black
Punches:  Jewelry Tag, 1/16" Handheld Circle Punch, Top Note Die
Accessories:  Basic Black 1-1/4" Striped Grosgrain Ribbon, Linen Thread, Stamping Sponge, Vintage Wallpaper Textured Impressions Embossing Folders

I hope you try out this technique, and if you post it to your blog let me know so I can check it out.

Stylish Blogger Award

Hi All ~
How exciting is this, I received a Stylish Blogger Award from Nicki Shoppis; this is my first blogger award.  I love it, thank you Nicki!!!  Be sure to check out her blog, she has some great posts http://www.inkpaperstamp.com/.
When you recieve a blogger award there are 4 things that you are supposed to do...

1. Thank the person that gave you the award and link it back to their blog.
• Nicki Shoppis SU! demonstrator sent me the award, her blog is http://www.inkpaperstamp.com/
2. Share 8 things about yourself
• I am a Registered Nurse and have worked in oncology nursing for 18 years.
• I live in Rochester, NY but I'm Canadian.
• I have 2 cats; Marvin and Muzby.
• I don't have any children, but I do have an 18 year old nephew, DJ, who I adore.
• My favouite hobbies are paper crafting, reading, cross stitching and watching Stewie on Family Guy.
• I love being a Stampin' Up! demonstrator, I'm only a hobbyist, but I've met a lot of great people and made some wonderful friends since becoming a demonstrator.
• I currently am working as the Interim Nurse Manager on my unit (Blood and Marrow Transplant) and even though it is a challenge and makes me step out of my comfort zone everyday, I am really enjoying it.
• My favourite SU! colors are Cherry Cobbler and Early Espresso.
3. Pass this award onto 8 other bloggers
• Sherri Clarke http://sherrisspace.blogspot.com/
• Lori Burkitt http://www.stampingwithlulu.blogspot.com/
• Holly Krautkremer http://rubberredneck.typepad.com/
• Kendra Richardson http://kendrascorner.blogspot.com/
• Anne Marie Hile http://stampinanne.blogspot.com/
• Nataliya http://lovecraftsforever.blogspot.com/
• Lori Ingebritson http://mycheerystampinspace.blogspot.com/
4. Leave a comment so they can pass along the recognition.

Thanks again Nicki!