One World, One Hop Blog Tour -Stop #890

International Blog Tour Link to main page here- On World, One Hop

 

Grab your ticket and Climb on board the magic carpet to share the journey with bloggers all over the world. The One World One Heart Giveaway was started by Lisa from A Whimsical bohemian three years ago as a way for bloggers to connect. I just started my blog this year and thought it would be fun to join in. Anyone can join in my giveaway. You don't need to have a blog, just make sure you leave a way for me to reach you. (Leave a contact e-mail or some way I can reach you). The giveaway ends on Feb. 15Th at 5:00PM and will close at that time. I will have three prizes, and my husband will pick the names out of a hat (really a bowl), just make sure you only enter one comment! Others will be disqualified. First name drawn gets first pick, second name drawn gets second pick, etc.

   This blog tour includes artisans of all areas not just paper crafting, so I wanted to include some of my other projects from other areas of interest.

 

This is called smocking- and these are smocked and beaded Easter Eggs- learning smocking started my journey into all of the other areas of crafting and paper crafting.  (Sorry, I am keeping these!)

My first giveaway:

A Beaded Amulet Bag- this is what I did with all of the left over beads from my smocked Easter Eggs.  You wear this like a necklace. (The chain from tip to tip is 24")

Give away two:
 

Next, I learned to crochet flowers- these are made with DMC 6 stranded cotton threads. I also made 5 pieces of edging that is 3-4 inches long for you to use like you would German scrap on your project.

Give away three:

These Artist Trading Cards (2 1/2 x 3 1/2) all use Technique Junkies techniques in one way or another. They are all signed on the back and the Technique is mentioned.

If you would like to join in on this International Blog Hop, go to Lisa S's blog and read the info- then contact her directly.   Entries will be accepted until Feb. 8th.

Thanks for stopping by!

Shelly

"Fallin in Love" Bear

  If you like Digital Stamps, there is a fun digi store and blog to follow called Designed2Delight. The first week of the month there is a FREE digital image- that will be this coming week.  If you make a card and upload it with a link (to Mr Linky) on her blog before the week is up, you will get the next week's digital image free.  Refer a friend that mentions your name when uploading on Mr Blinkie, and you will get an additional freebie.

Can you see the hearts at the tips of the snowflakes???  Such a sweet image that could be used for Christmas or Holiday season as Thank You notes, or for winter "Love" or for Valentines....... can you tell I really like this cute image???  It is colored with SU markers and a touch of Copic markers added for the highlights (B000, W1, W5).  The Bordering Blue CS background has a technique called Metallic Pop that does not show up too well in the photo..... I added another touch of glitz with the Sakura gel pen to the gloves and the centers of the snowflakes. The red DSP is punched with the SU SAB scalloped edge punch, and the sentiment punched with the oval and scalloped oval punches by SU.

Here is my pink version- colored with Copic markers E0000, E000, C2, C3, W1, W3, W5, B000, R81, R85 and Sakura Gel pen for a touch of glitz. I added the rhinestone snowflake for a little more glitz.

  

 I challenged myself to keep up with a challenge called Christmas Cards all Year long- I need to make 5 cards a month- I have made 2 this month previously,  here are the remainder of the cards. (Last minute, but I know I will be happy in November and Dec. to have these!).

 

Challenges with these cards:
Christmas Cards all year long- 5 cards a month
Cupcake Craft-Matching set
Creative Card Crew-Punch it
Spoonful of Sugar-Freestyle
Pixie Cottage-Pink and Red (Pink/red card....)
Practical Scrappers-patterned paper

Thanks for stopping by today!
Shelly

Blog candy Winner!

I put my husband to work tonight again- here is the name of the winner:   Kimmenburke     Congrats- I have no contact information to reach you, so we'll give you a week to contact me to pick your set and send me your mailing address.

 

Thanks to all who played along in my Blog Candy Give-away!
Shelly

New Stamps at FCD and more BLOG CANDY

     ***PLEASE SCROLL DOWN FOR THE MOST RECENT POST***

            CLICK HERE for the FCD BLOG HOP POST

***This post will stay on the top until 1/30/10- please scroll down for my most recent creations! ***

Pamela just let us know that she has three new sets available and the sets should be available by the end of January.  ********!  Gorgeous is all I can say.........
                  Here are the previews from Firecracker Designs by Pamela

                                                                   Heart Strings  $8.99

Got Chocolate  $8.99

 

Love Bites  $8.99

BLOG CANDY from ME to one lucky stamper- and my Husband will help me pick a winner again (he is really good at it now........)
                One set of your choice from the three above sets -Ray will draw Jan 30th at 7PM

I will also cut and mount them in a CD case and apply Tack it over and over again if you so desire.
Just leave a comment her on this post for a chance to win!
Become a follower- an added chance
Post the candy on your Blog- I will add two MORE chances

*************Please leave a contact e-mail for me to reach you!*********************

Have a great weekend

Thanks for stopping by!
Shelly

Bloggers Challenge-Happy Birthday and Got Chocolate

 I am late this week for my Bloggers Challenge Post- Sorry- I have been having bad, very bad headaches, and just could not stamp yesterday or this AM.  I am so glad I feel good enough to stamp tonight, I had a blast with my card making!
  I used a new set from Firecracker Designs by Pamela called Got Chocolate.  This is a fun set and I can see using it all year long for Birthdays or a 'sweet note' to a friend!

 

The A-4 card is my Bloggers Challenge card-made for a Birthday. All Stampe FCD except for the Sentiment- it is SU SAB (Happy Moments).  The DSP is from the SU Occasions Mini-Oh La La this paper is so much better IRL than it is in the catalog!!!  I almost hate to use it........ The dounle sided satin ribbon is also new from SU- Love it!  I colored the image and all of the truffles in Copic markers. The sentiment tag is from the Heritage Cricut cartridge and I used DTP (direct to paper) to color it with Choc Chip SU ink.

This layout is from MoJo Monday- for the A-4 and for the circle card.  For the circle card, I cut out Choc Chip CS with the scalloped circle Nestability. I did cut through both layers-because I sewed the Lt side of the card- and the fold is just to the left of the ribbon on the left. The image is stamped on Georgia Pacific CS and colored with Copic markers. OK- all of the little truffles are cut out and applied to the margins with Tombo Mono Multi glue..... This little sweet card is for a friend that is a caterer and had us over for dinner recently- I needed a special card to send her and her husband.  The ribbon is SU.  Copic markers used for this project:

E000, E00, E25, E27, E29, E31, E33, E35, E37, R81, R83, R85 and "0". I used Choc Chip and Close to Cocoa SU markers as well for the tiny little areas...........

Challenges: 

MoJo Monday-Sketch

Flourishes: Pink (anything that starts with a P)

Pile it On-Warm wishes- send joy and happiness

Spoonful of Sugar: Freestyle

Crafty Creations-Celebrations (Birthday to you!)

Stamp Something-Delightfully Delicious

Papertake-Sketch (for the card below)

Creative Card Crew-Punch it (sentiment 'bite' below)

Practical Scrappers-Patterned paper

I had one more image and decided to make a card using the sketch challenge from Papertake (Tuesday challenge). I used the SU scallop oval punch for the bite out of the sentiment. BG is SU Choc Chip and the DSP is again from the SU Occasions mini.  The stamps are the same Got Chocolate set from FCD.  I could send this card to any member of my immediate family and it would be most appropriate.  My Dad is quite the cake baker- so I think I will send it to him (and my Mom)!

My favorite Chocolate is Milk Chocolate and Fannie May- or Dove Chocolates.

What is your favorite Chocolate or candy???

Thanks for stopping by!
Shelly

FCD Digital Freebie and New Heart Images

I wanted to make a quick post, and tell you that FCD has a Digital Freebie offered today- an entire page of words to use in conversation Hearts

You can download this page of images FREE if you CLICK HERE

 



While you are there, check out the two NEW Heart Digi's available today- Conversation Heart and Give My Heart Wings.

I am off to an appointment, but will be home to papercraft later this afternoon!
Thanks for stopping by!
Shelly

New FCD Digi Designer and Greeting Farm Digi Challenge during CHA

 Firecracker Designs by Pamela has introduced a new Digital Image Designer today!  And, the artist is Cat Gondak who is also a Technique Junkie- so I have had the pleasure of seeing her creative artwork AND have a few pieces she made for the Technique Junkies ATC swap.  Welcome Cat!!! You can check out her blog- the link is on my sidebar with the other FCD team members.

So, this Manatee is one of Cat's new Digi Images available at  Firecracker Designs by Pamela- and I have to say I LOVE it!  So, I printed it out and went to work tonight.......I have had this background that I made months ago just waiting for the right opportunity to be used........it is a wonderful sparkly background made with SU reinkers and Irridescent Medium (you can buy it for $5.00 or so at Dick Blick....it is liquid Glitter- without the mess! My first time using it- but it will not be my last!!!)   Anyway, I colored the image with Copic markers that closely matched the reimker colors I used. I used: R22, R24, E17 (on the flower), C1, C2, C3.  I also colored the prima's with the two R's and the E17 to coordinate with the card.  I also colored the Dew Drops to coordinate with the card. I put the BG paper through the Cuttlebug and 'highlighted' the raised embossed areas with Cameo Coral Ink-direct from the pad. I think the sentiment is so funny! And, Spring Break....it is only 10 weeks away....but who is counting........
Challenges:
Pile it on-Warm Wishes
Saturday Spotlight with Hidden Potential-Let the Sunshine
Cooking it up with katie-Non-human image, texture, New Product
Artful Inkables-Think Spring
Charisma-Fruity Colors
Stamp Something-Funny Somethings

Well, I also had this great AI Foil background (a Technique Junkies technique) on my desk- I made it months ago as well...... I thought it would make a darling card for the Greeting Farm Challenge that I saw on their blog tonight......While they are at CHA, each day they will post a digital image, and if you make a card with it and post it to the blog, you will get the next day's digi free!  Oh my, I cannot resist these challenges!  This little guy is called Mer Ian.  I colored him with Copic Markers- E000, E00, C2, Y13, Y15, BG05, BG09, BG10.  I added a tree stamped in a Kaleidoscope color pad with a retired SU stamp. I like the effect and the touch of color on the top.  Next, I stamped the Happy Birthday-another retired SU stamp in Tempting Turquoise, backed it with Gable Green and that with Temp. Turquoise and put that up on dimensionals.   This digi challenge closes at 6PM tomorrow (Monday 1/25).


Challenges:
Greeting Farm Digi Challenge
Sassie Susie-Card for a Boy
Stampin B's DT-Nautical
Gingersnap-Metallic
StampinwithSarahKay-Birthday card for a boy

Thanks so much for stopping by and I hope you will go check out Cat's new Digi Images at FCD.  Pamela, the owner of FCD is also adding new images Monday 1/25, and look for some FREE sentiment images to be released Tuesday 1/26-along with a tutorial on how to cut them out. 
  Have a great day!
Shelly

Sweet Blog Friend Award

I recently joined a wonderful Blogging group called Sisterhood of the Blogging Stampers- aka SBS29.  I recieved this award today from Kim- how sweet of you-Thank You!
  I am to choose 10 things that make e happy, then 5 other Bloggers to share this award with- and that is going to be a really hard choice- so I will randomly pick a stamper from each of my blogging groups and one from my FCD DT crew.
 First, 10 things that make me happy:
1)My Faith and sharing it with others
2)My husband and children
3)Time with my parents-I cherish this
4)My 6 siblings and all of their kids
5)Cousins and distant cousins too (I do a little family history)
6)All of my friends, and especially my stamping friends!
7)The ladies I work with who are all wonderful
8)My health
9)All of the blessings Gos has given me- like my crafting talents and the things and stuff to do it with
10)Being a member of Paper crafting networks- SBS29 and my blogging groups, Firecracker Designs by Pamela DT, Technique Junkies and Splitcoaststampers.

Not easy, but these are the ladies I choose to share this sweet award!
   Donna -FCD Design Team member and SBS29 sister
   Vicki-Sweet Dreamers-sends me lots of Blessings!
   Lynn- Stamps R Us-very inspiring to me!
   Mary G-Glitterbees founder-Bless her heart-very warm hearted!
   Juliet A-Technique Junkie extraordinaire and ATC queen

Next, I am to:
1. Copy and paste the award on your blog.
2. List who gave the award to you and use a link to her blog (or hyperlink).
3. List 10 things that make you happy.
4. Pass the award on to other bloggers and visit their blog to let them know!

OK- I am off to send this award to the above ladies!
Thanks so mych Kim
Shelly



  

Firecracker Designs by Pamela January Blog Hop and Bloggers Challenge

               Reduce, Reuse, Recycle if the Theme of our Blog Hop

The official start time of this Hop is Friday, at 8:00 AM (EST). If you arrived early, please be patient as all the links may not be live yet.

This is a “circular blog hop” where the only beginning is wherever you start!!  You will know you are at the end of your blog hop when you’ve come back to the blog you’ve started from!  (It’s not a huge circle…so it should be easy to remember where you started.)

There will be a winner from posts made to the Design Team blogs, and the winner will be chosen from a mystery blog hostess that we don’t even know who it will be until the hop is over…so that’s why you’ll want to leave a comment on EVERY blog, so you don’t miss out!

**To find out if you’ve won… you will be contacted by Pamela via e-mail (so be sure to leave it with your comment.) and you can also find out on Pamela’s blog after the blog hop ends on Mon, at 8:00 PM (EST).**

I combined my Reuse and Reduce theme with my Bloggers Challenge this week , which is to punch or use die cuts.  I used my Cricut- cartridge Heritage for the trees and the fences.  I challenged myself to make a card and a matching ATC (reusing the image and Reducing it to a smaller size).  Now, over on Papercraft Planet, Firecracker Designs has a challenge to make a Winter Themed card, so I made an additional card in a  winter time theme.    (My Firecracker Designs by Pamela Stamp set is called Pitchin In)

The tree, birds and birdhouse are all colored in Copic Markers. Here is a list of the markers used:
"0", C2, C3, B21, B24, E33, E35, E37, E47, E57, R24, R27, G20, G85, G99 Plus, Su Markers Old Olive and Close to Cocoa.
  I used the haystack in the stamp set for the foilage on the bottom below the fence.  I colored 1/2 the stamp with Old Olive and stamped it repeatedly, then went over it lightly with Close to Cocoa.  I added flowers with Flower Soft in the Floral Bouquet collection from FCD. I dotted the white above the ground with Old Olive marker.
  The background of the card is called Spritzed Stone and is a Technique Junkies technique using Copic markers.  It is soft and pretty IRL.
 The card stock is SU Ballet Blue and Real Red.  The white is Georgia Pacific.

Here is my winter scene. This tree is cut out with the Cricut. I painted the Bg over the Spritzed Stone with Ranger Rock Candy Distress Crackle paint in a thin layer- that gives the bacground a shimmery look. Then I added stickles for a wintery look.

Here are the ATC's I made- if you are a Technique Junkie that does the TJ ATC swaps- the ones on the right are on their way to Juliet's house via USPS now.

Now, to continue the circle, you will need to hop on over to Tesa's Blog 

and keep going until you’ve come back to where you’ve started!  Thanks so much for playing along with us and we hope you have a great time!
This set of cards also fits challenge by Flourishes- Scene It
Roses on Paper-Show up Winter
Artful Inkables- Think Spring
Ooh La La-Create a scene-new challenge blog

D2D free Digital image and LOTS of ATC's today

   Today I made a card with the Designed 2 Delight digital image for this week.  Faith offers a free digital image the first week of each month, and if you play along and post a card, you get the next digi image free.  If you want to jump in at any time, you can purchase the next image.  If you play along, you are considered to be a member of her Artistic team. I colored the image with Copics R85, C2, C3, E33, E35, E37. I used a new Valentine Cuttlebug folder that my Blogging sister Karli 'enabled' me to get.....she twisted my arm- from the Home Shopping network.....I used a technique from the Technique Junkies called AI Foil and Red Stazon Ink.  I layered on Metallic Silver paper and SU Purely Pomegrante card stock.  I added some bling on the bow and the collar-rhinestones in Valentine colors from Archivers. Yummy- I love PINK (and Blue), so I have to say I am really loving this time of year and crafting!
Challenges for today:
Designed 2 Delight (D2D)-Digi Freebie
Belli Challenge-Hearts
Crafty Creations-Valentines or Love
PaperTake-Pink
Incy Wincy-Favorite Coloring Medium
Corrosive-Let's go Digital
Polka Doodles-Love, valentines, Anniversary or Wedding
Practical scrappers-embossing (Cuttlebug)
Gingersnap Creations-Metallics
Caardvarks-Red hearts-BG Cuttlebug AI Foil

Next- this was a gift from a friend Diane.  She is multi-talented and can do anything!  We did a little stamping Years ago, and she has a newfound interest in stamping- Stamp TV is teaching her ALOT!  I challenged her to a swap (which I have not made yet by the way......) to make ATC sized shutter cards- Diane has mine finished- isn't it awesome???  I LOVE this- the silver is recycled and is Wrapping paper.

These two ATC's are also done by Diane- Dang!  I am working on getting her to join the Technique Junkies, but  honestly, she is making wonderful cards as is- I will keep working on her when she runs out of fun things to do, she will not be able to resist!  In case you do not make ATC's they are 2 1/2 by 3 1/2 and are samples of Art.  They are not really supposed to look like mini-cards- they are more for expressing your artistic talents..........  Some of mine look like little cards, some look like techniques I am learning.........

 Next, I have a Technique Junkies ATC share- I sent in 5 ATC's and recieve 5 ATC's back.  It is an on-going perpetual swap run by Juliet A- here is what I found in my mailbox today:
Deb Lovett: Cling and Scrunch
Cat Gondek-Color outside the lines
Juliet Arrighi-Cracked Glass
Brandy Jarvis-Janes Coat
Judy Parlin- Herringbone

Finally, this is what I did last Sunday and Monday...organized a corner of my paper crafting room.  I took all of my mounted stamps and put them in Portfolio cases or the Stampendous " storage containers my friend Nancy found. I took all of my stamps out of clam shell cases- such a great space savings.  I still have a ton of re-organizing to do, but what a huge job to have behind me!  I am also going to index these stamps- eventually.  The wire baskets at the bottom are my background stamps and my unmounted rubber stamps- I have more on the other side of the room......... (I went into Office Depot and found this bookcase on sale for $15.00!!!).

Thanks for listening to me today..........
I also spent yesterday and today getting ready for the Firecracker Designs by Pamela Blog Hop this weekend- Please join us for a fun Reuse, Reduce, Recycle and I combined my post with my Friday Bloggers Challenge.

Shelly

Designed 2 Delight Digital Freebie and Blog Candy Link

Here is the Direct Link to my Blog Candy-running through Jan 30th-please stop by and leave a comment if you have not already done so.

   I am still hanging in there with the D2D digital Freebie's (that stands for Designed 2 Delight- link for info here) and the weekly giveaways for a free image if you post a card weekly with your last free image. *If you decide to give it a go and play along, please mention my name when you post your card, and I will get another bonus image*
  I decided to make my Glitterbee's Challenge card tonight as well, so needed to incorporate a color challenge- Positively Pink, Bashful Blue and Certainly Celery.   I added in a Sketch Challenge from Crazy 4 Challenges as well......  I colored the Digi Image from D2D in with Copic markers RV23, RV25, W1, C2, C3, B21, B23, E31, E33.
  I used a Glue Pen and added SU Dazzling Diamonds to the whipped Cream. The DSP is from SU, and the ribbon is from Target $1.00 Spot from last year.  I used the SU oval and scallop oval punch for the sentiment plus dimensionals.  For a final touch, I pierced the top edges.
Challenges for this card:
Crazy 4 Challenges-Sketch
Corrosive Challenge-Let's go Digi
Glitterbee's-Color Challenge
Polka Doodles-Love, Valentines.etc
Stamp Something-Blue/White
Belli Challenge-Glitter
Bee Crafty-fav color combo and a digital image

  For my next card, I used the same digital image a touch smaller and this time, I used SU markers Certainly Celery, Positively Pink and Blue Bliss, plus Creamy Carmel to color the image.  I sponged Pos Pink around the image and pierced the one corner for balance.  The BG is White cardstock run through the Cuttlebug and highlighted with Blue Bliss ink direct from the ink pad. Using the Sketch Challenge from Aly's Sunday Sketch, I added some ribbon on the Lt side of the image, and added the sentiment and then more ribbon to complete the sketch.  I added 2 colors of Green ribbon in addition to the Pink ribbon with hearts to qualify for one more Challenge....Pile it on!
  For the whipped cream on this card- I tried something brand new to me- Liquid Applique in a Vanilla color to add texture.  For three textures of Cuttlebug Highlights, the piercing and the Liquid Applique, that also qualifies the card for another challenge- Crafty Creations.  I added Glitter via the Sakura Gelly Roll Pen- the touch of Gold makes the hearts on the cup and the one in the steam really sparkle.
Challenges for my 2nd card:
Aly's- Sketch Challenge (Aly is a 10 year old girl who loves to stamp- tell her I sent you if you stop by!)
Pile it on- 3 different ribbons
Incy Wincy-Sweet treat
Digital Tuesday-embossing folders
Crafty Creations-3 different textures
Charisma-Anything new
Polka Doodles-Love
Our Creative Corner-Green and Blue
Glitterbee's-Color Challenge
Corrosive-Let's go Digi
Belli Challenge-Glitter
Bee Crafty-Favorite Color combo and a digital image

 Finally, I wanted to share a picture of my Copic color card I keep in the rack with my Copic markers by color family. Mary Ann, who is the authority on Copics- her blog- I Like Markers- suggests making a color chart for your Copics on the paper you use when coloring  images with Copics.  I have a full sized color chart, and additionally, I take these ATC sized cards (2 1/2 x's 3 1/2) and make a small chart by color family.  Here I have the B's and the BG's.  This way, I can hold my card right up to the cardstock I am using to find the closest match I have to the cardstock I am using without the visual distractions of the 'other' colors on the color chart.  I make these for my Bic and Sharpie markers as well.

Thanks for stopping by today- I hope you have a wonderful Martin Luther King Day- hopefully off work- and better yet- I hope doing whatever it is you enjoy most.
Hugs,
Shelly

Bloggers Challenge-Color Challenge

 I am a few hours late today....... For the bloggers challenge today (Friday), Challenge Mom Lisa Somerville gave us a color challenge- Pink, Brown and White.  As usual, I am making a card at the last minute.....I have a really good excuse this week though....I have had a killer headache, and had to get a shot in my neck yesterday- and am still on some muscle relaxants......and believe me- coloring while having taken them is quite the challenge.  (And I hope I do not look at these cards later and think AAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!)
  OK- In order to see the Shimmerz on the heart, I took 2 pictures of each card.  I LOVE Pink and Brown- and have some Basic Grey DP that I have been Coveting......what a perfect use.......
We have a new Digi designer at Firecracker Designs by Pamela, and I just fell in love with this image immediately. I used the image from Cherish You and the Sentiment from Warm my Heart-both just released today.  I am getting together with my 'Sewing friends' next weekend, and have 6 cards to make- well here are two I will not be doing at the last minute!
  So, the image was printed from the computer, colored with Copic Markers -for the lighter card RV32 and RV34, and for the darker card, R46, R83 and R85.
  I painted Shimmerz on last-after coloring with the Copic markers- and for future reference- you cannot color with Copics on an image once it is painted with Shimmerz........so make sure you do all of your touch-ups first.
  I added some lace to the side panel and zig-zagged around all of the layers.
 I used the Sketch from Mercy's Tuesday Sketch challenge to get my MoJo started- it is wonderful! 
Challenges for this card:
Bloggers Challenge- see my sidebar for a link that will take you to other creative Pink/Brown and White cards- and there are quite a few SAB samples if that interests you........
Mercy's Tuesday Sketch Challenge #56 -I love this sketch, and will use it again...........
Cupcake Craft-Going Girly
2 Red Banana's-Think Round- my 3rd card to meet this challenge this week!
ABC Challenge-layering
Charisma-Anything new-Digi just released, new lace
Polka Doodles-Love, Valentines, Anniversary or Wedding- this is my girlfriend valentine card version #1
Belli Challenge-anything that sparkles
Dancing in Pajama's-Glitter/Glitz
Practical Scrappers-Glitter
Tanda Stamps- Lace

  I am thinking I will put up a few tips about sewing on cards- is anyone interested in that??



Thanks for stopping by!
Shelly

Blog candy Winner!

I put my husband up to picking a winner again- he was self conscious about how he looked, because last time I put him up to this he got a comment that he was hot- should I go change my shirt???

First- Thanks to all who posted a comment for a chance to win and for those that added the candy on their side bar and joined as a Follower.  I truly do love stamping and sharing with you and seeing what everyone else is creating! I also appreciate all of the soldiers and their families.

So, Ray pulled out the name Lee-Grandmalee

Lee - grandmalee said...

Awesome candy that I would love to use in my cards for Operation Write Home! We just finished up on our Valentine's cards, but I always also send in Love, Thinking of You, Birthday, Anniversary & other non-seasonal cards with every batch. My daughter served in Iraq & her unit received cards from Operation Write Home as well as mine, so I've continued my support. I also make Valentines for the veteran's in local nursing homes. I have the JROTC kids deliver them for a special touch. Keep up your good work, as I know the soldiers do for us! I'm following you now too! Way to go Ray- looks like the stamps will be put to very good use!!!  That is wonderful!

Please send me your address @ Shellymc2@comcast dot net
And, would you like for me to trim it and put Tack it over and over again on the back to make it sticky??? I am happy to do that if you would like.

Shelly

FCD Digital image for Birthday(s)

   I  have hit that half century mark, and so have my friends.  I need two more Birthday cards in the next two weeks- one for a woman and one for a gentleman friend.
 As you know, I am on a mission to use the Copic markers and improve my shading....I need lots of practice too- so I used another digital image in my 'to do' pile.  For the first card, I used the sketch from the MOJO Monday site.  It worked beautifully with the image and the '50'....... I really enjoy the challenges, as it really stretches me- and I try things I may not have thought of before....the card also meets a couple of other challenges as well.
Deets:
Digi Image: Firecracker Designs by Pamela, plus itty bitty BG's from SU
CS Old Olive and DSP from SU
ribbon SU, Dew Drops- colored with Copic Marker V15-challenge for the Copic Junkies Yahoo Group
Ink:Versamark, Black EP, SU scallop Punch, Nestability circle.
Copic markers used: C1, V06, V12, V15, G20, YG00, YG63,YG17, R20, Y11, Y13
 
Challenges-
MoJo Monday-sketch
Incy Wincy-Sweet Treats
Pink Elephant-Birthday
2 Red Banana's-think round-rounded corners and sentiment
Digital Tuesday-embossing-the #50 is embossed
Crazy 4 Challenges-Birthday
Charisma- Anything New-new DSP SU and new digi image

  Ok- for the next card- I used a Sketch challenge from Paper Take weekly and combined it with another-well, a few more......
  Two of the DSP are from SU- the bottom one and the one behind the main image- the top one I have no idea who makes it.  (3 DSP's used altogether).  Again I colored with Copics- with a few adjustments:
Copics: C1, RV25, RV34, RV17, RV29, Y17, YR18, G21, YG17, YG63, R20, V06, V12, V15
Believe it or not, I try to use Copics close in color to SU colors-since that is the paper I use- and I consulted the SU color chart to see what coordinated with Old Olive........ (More Mustard and Eggplant Envy).
  I colored white Prima's and buttons with Copics to coordinate- my first time trying this........  I sponged on a touch of the eggplant on the edges of the white and that softened the look a bit. Birthday sentiment is embossed and is up on dimensionals.


Again, I participated in a number of challenges- and I have to say I am glad I did, because I really like the sketch and it was fun to color the flowers and buttons- another first for me.
Paper Take Weekly-Sketch
Digital Tuesday-Embossing-sentiment
A Spoonful of Sugar-3 DSP, 1 ribbon, 3 flowers, 3 buttons
Pink Elephant-Birthday
Incy Wincy-Sweet Treats
Crazy 4 Challenges-Birthday
Charisma-Anything New- DSP  and image are new
Dare U 2 Digi-Buttons

Whew- oh- I also wanted to share a gorgeous 1-4-1 Technique Junkies swap card from Vaudene- a very talented stamper.  She used the Burnished Background Technique- it is just gorgeous!!!

My next day off, I am going to work to attempt to make her a card worthy of mailing to her......!!!








If you did not comment on my previous post for BLOG CANDY- well, you have until Friday to win!!!
Here is the link to the post

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Shelly

D2D free digi challenge and BLOG CANDY

  I have been keeping my eyes open for free digital images to practice on my Copic and Prismacolor pencil skills, when I happened along the Delightful Inspiration blog with a Free Digi challenge. If you play with the first image of the month, you get the following weeks digi image free.....so I started playing along, and I am having a blast!  This week the image is free- and isn't this gorgeous???  If you miss out- you can go to the digi store and purchase an image to get started, then the next image is free......if you refer a friend-and they mention your name- you get an additional free image. (Please mention my name in your link if you would- I will recieve an additional image!).
  OK, my card this week was made using Copic Markers. I colored with R81, R83, R85, G21, C1, C2, and C5.  I colored over the middle heart with the Signo Silver Metallic Pen. I outlined the image and bird with C1. The CS is Pixie Pink by SU, Silver metallic and G.P. White.  The BG paper is made with a Technique Junkies Technique called Spritzed Stone- using Copic Markers. If you know me.....you know that I LOVE trying new Techniques and I will be making more of these pretty backgrounds for sure-it is so much prettier IRL!  I stamped the sentiment from Firecracker Designs by Pamela Flourishes 6 and placed it in a metal frame, and attached this to the card using Silver Metallic cording.  The bow on top is a wired metallic Silver ribbon-and is attached with a glue dot. I added clear Dew Drops so the BG color would show through.
Challenges this card satisfies: Glitterbee's blog group sketch (turned on the side)
A Spoonful of Sugar-Hearts
Digital Tuesday-Valentines
Artful Inkables-Monochromatic
Doodle Palace-Color, Sparkle, The word Love, A digi image and Hearts
Cooking it up with Katie-color challenge, an unusual Valentine and a new technique!
KL Stampin n Scrappin-Pink, Black and a neutral color
Paper Play- metal
No Time to Stamp-Love is in the Air
2 Red Banana's-think round/curves
Flourishes-Feel the Love

Now, on for the good stuff!!!  BLOG CANDY!!!



   I have a passion for soldiers- I send boxes to Iraq every month for the kids- I send random stuff my 21 yr old son might enjoy.......  A couple of  SU demos gave me tons of card fronts a year or so ago, I am still working on mounting them and sending them a few at a time........
   At work, I share a desk with a nurse Mini. Mini's son is going to be heading to Afghanistan next month.  So, I want to offer this set from Firecracker Designs by Pamela as blog candy and ask for you all to say a prayer to ask God to comfort him and keep him safe so far away from home and on such a dangerous mission.
+If you post my blog candy to a blog, leave me a note and I will enter you twice.
+If you become a follower of my blog, leave me a note and I will add you for another chance to win!
+Send a friend who becomes a follower and I will add you for another chance to win!

I will announce the winner FRIDAY, JAN 15th!!!

Thanks for stopping by!
Shelly

Bloggers Challenge-Sketch Challenge

 Today our Bloggers Challenge is a Sketch challenge. I made a card that is totally different than my usual-the bold monochromatic colors of the DP attracted me for a Thank You card I need.  I just purchased the DP from Joann's (on sale...) because I thought it coordinates really well with the Elephants on Parade set from Firecracker Designs by Pamela.
  I inked the Elephant with Chocolate Chip ink then Versamark on Confetti CS by SU, and then I clear embossed it.  I also stamped the sentiment the same way.  I backed the elephant image with Chocolate Chip CS from SU using the torn frames technique from the Technique Junkies.  I punched the edges of the middle panel with a 1/16" punch and used a #18 Tapestry needle and wove in my recent purchase that coordinates nicely-jute- to give it a touch of embellishment.
  I have two Versamark pads- a suggestion from Michelle Zindorf- one is 'clean' and one is used for stamping in after the image has been stamped in another color (and I bought them 1/2 off at Hobby Lobby- I love saving $$$).........
Challenges for this card:
Creative Card Crew-Distressing (Torn Frames)
Artful Inkables-Monochromatic
ABC Challenge-Layering
Cute Card Thursday-All New (DP) and jute
  Here is a peak of  the pretty snow here- my husband snapped this today- the snow is so pretty! 

Thanks for stopping by my blog today- please check the Bloggers Challenge icon on my sidebar to see other Sketch Challenge creations!

Thanks for stopping by!
Shelly

Technique Junkies ATC swap-Leading Ladies

I am thrilled to have finished the ATC's I made for the Technique Junkies perpetual swap today.  My personal goal is to make a set a month, and I usually cannot seem to achieve this.......  It has been a few months.  The swap is on-going, so when ever I have time, I make a set of 5 to 10 ATC's and mail them in to our Swap Coordinator Juliet- in return, I get as many ATC's as I send in- all use some sort of Technique Junkies Technique on them.  For these ATC's, my technique is called Antique Paper.  The stamps are Firecracker Designs by Pamela. I colored them with Copics and used Polar White Flowersoft (FCD) on the fur collar.  The Copic colors I used are in this Blog post from 1/1.  This is the post where I have the full sized card.

Thanks for stopping by!
S

helly

Sisterhood 29 of the Blogging Stampers and a new organization Project

  I joined a new Blogging Group-Sisterhood of the Blogging Stampers.  Before I introduce myself, I want to show you what I am up to lately.
  Slowly as I have been accumulating stamps and supplies over the years...my 'stuff'' has almost completely filled up my kitchen pantry- which is not small...... And, because I stamp in the kitchen, sometimes my stamping supplies are out on the table for a few days....... I decided that my task was going to be to reorganize my sewing supplies- get rid of alot of unused fabrics and patterns and make room for my stamping supplies in 1/2 of my sewing room.. 
Two things you should know about me- I am a little Obsessive/Compulsive -as in I buy alot of 'stuff'-cause I stamp (or sew) late at night when the stores are closed..... that is the obsessive part. The Compulsive part of me is a sorter- so I have lots of stuff packed into the space it is in very efficiently.
  Ok, for the past month, I have sorted the sewing supplies and gotten rid of tons of stuff, and now I am moving into my new stamping space.  Where to put it all.........
  I took a load of the sewing supplies to the Hospital resale shop to donate- and while there I found this desk- nothing fancy- but very sturdy and the bottom Rt drawer holds file folders- perfect for storing paper in!  I am in heaven!  So, I went to donate a pile of stuff and came home with this desk- it fits perfectly in my space and will work great for stamping on.  (God has opened that window for me!!!).  I won't show you the closet or the bookcase full of stamps and supplies until I get it better organized...........
  Next- where to put all of my stamp pads....... I found a tutorial for these stamp pad holders last year- Here is the link to a blog where Stacey King  introduced this core board stamp pad holder-holds 60 ink pads- that you can make for $6.00.  The receipt for my core board is dated 1/29/09.........  OK, well I saved it for a freezing cold day in 2010! I made 2 of these holders and still have Chalk inks that I will have to store somewhere else- I am really liking how this is working- I have the pads at my fingertips and my markers as well.

Ok- you have probably noticed I am a little chatty- yep!  I come by it honestly- it has been passed on from my Father- there is a 100% proof silly gene that I also inherited that I am also quite proud of-also from Dad.
  I am from an Irish Catholic family with 7 kids. I grew up in Kankakee,Illinois (right on the river-south of the damn.....).  I left home to go to college at Northern Illinois-where I studied Nursing. I lived for one year in Cincinnati, Ohio, and my husband came and got me and once we were married, live in Wheaton, Illinois. 
  I have always been involved in some type of creativity- in my younger years I learned to sew, knit, crochet, Macrame, etc.....I smocked beautiful garments for my kids when they were younger.  I started Stamping once the kids hit school age and the teachers gave me stamped cards as a Thank You gift.  I found Stampin Up- but needed more than workshops- once I got home I had no clue what to do with the stamps.......  I found Splitcoaststampers in 2004 AND Technique Junkies in 6/04.  I was hooked!  I have learned alot and my stamping has come a long way since that time.  My joy comes from trying new techniques.  The cards where I stamp, color and add DSP are not my favorite- I enjoy the challenge of learning something new.  If you look back at my cards, I truly am inspired by the Techniques I learn from the technique Junkies. Color and shading are my 2 biggest challenges, and I am currently working on Copic marker and Prismacolor coloring of images.  
  I look forward to getting to know you all better and to have fun trying some new challenges.  Oh- I cannot always do all of them, as I forgot to mention- I mentioned my husband Ray, but not the kids- I have 3 children-2 are in college, so I work......... I enjoy my work, but do not have as much free time to stamp as I once did.  (I work one week on, one week off as a nurse in a Pre-Procedure Dept).  My twins are Juniors in College-Chris at University of Illinois (Champaign) and Katie at Ohio State University.  My youngest daughter Stephanie is a Junior in High School.  She likes to study and is very bright. She keeps herself busy with sports- Cross Country, Basketball and Track, so we spend a bit of our time watching the school sports- we will miss it when she graduates. 
   I started my blog just recently when I saw a Design team call for Firecracker Designs by Pamela- so I am new to this- there is still alot I have not figured out about it.  I love networking with others to learn and grow as a stamper, plus to meet some friends along the way. 
  I believe I have gone on long enough.  Happy New Year to all and I look forward to getting to know you all better.  Thanks Kim for the call out to join in a blogging group!

Shelly