ATC exchange- Use Glue/PVA

 I  joined in a ATC swap with the theme use Glue/PVA. I LOVED creating using a Technique Junkies technique called Distressed Glue. 

 I made two of the backgrounds and used the pink one for paper piecing on the green.

This one uses the Summer Distress inks- that I had never used since I purchased them...... I had to adjust to the brightness of the colors, but really liked it in the end......

 I love roosters- and I love this sentiment.

 And one more using a Halloween theme. 

All stamps are Artistic Outpost.

Challenges:
Artistic Outpost monthly referral-anything goes- HERE
Frilly and Funky- Resist and Vintage- HERE
Anything Goes- make your own Background- all ATC's above-entry #2- HERE
Oldie but Goodie- HERE- Paper Piecing and use something 6 mos old- I have never used this stamp set before- sadly- isn't it pretty!
Simon Says Stamp and Show- Summer Distress HERE
ATC's with Attitude- Anything Goes HERE

Thanks for stopping by!
 Shelly

Sweet Stamps- A Favorite Technique

This week at the Sweet Stamps Challenge we are using A Favorite Technique......  That is a loaded challenge for a 'Technique Junkie'......

 Since I like a challenge, I used an older technique- Maduzia Magic-with a twist.... I have no reinkers...... so I used Shades Die inks- wiped them across a piece of acetate and picked up the ink off of the acetate with a cotton ball- added the alcohol- what do you think?  I also had to add sewing on my card- that is my all time favorite thing to do to add a great look and some dimension to my cards.

 The first step is to stamp and emboss the image- I embossed the Just for You sentiment multiple times and it covers the back of the entire page. After the embossing was done, I swiped the ink onto the acetate, added the alcohol and then the ink to a cotton ball and dabbed it on glossy white cardstock. I made an addition sheet out of just the Orchid, and used that for the corner flourishes.

Here is the background:

  I stamped and embossed the image Margery in Platinum EP and watercolored the image with the Shades die ink. I added color to the edges of the card as well and to the edge of the die cut for dimension. I did not have any lighter purple cardstock that was just right, so cut a piece of watercolor paper and highlighted the edge of it with purple watercoloring.
  I used Coordinations cardstock for the base. If you look at the Coordinations cardstock page HERE- you will find that the store has listed the ink colors that coordinate with the cardstock family-see the colors when you click on the cardstock colors.

 I used Platinum Embossing Powder for a touch of glitz for the card front- here is a better look:

Here are the Sweet Stamps products I used on my card:
Distress Clear Embossing Ink HERE
White embossing powder HERE
Anti-static pouch HERE
Just for You sentiment HERE
Shades Die Inks Sand Castle and Sunrise Orchid HERE
Image-Margery HERE
Embossing Powder Platinum HERE
Coved Rectangle Die (the image is on this) HERE
Lace Corner die HERE
Sentiment die (Rectangle multi die) HERE
Coordinations cardstock HERE

I hope you will join in the challenge!  Every entry qualifies you for a chance to win $20 of items from the store at  Sweet Stamps, and if you use a Sweet Stamps image- you will receive an additional chance to win! Please note- there is a limit of 10 challenges for each entry.The winner is chosen by Random.org- so everyone has a chance to win!

 Stop by the Sweet Stamps Challenge Blog HERE to see what the rest of the DT has created for the Challenge or click on the links below.

Sweet Stamps Design Team:

*   Bonnie  *  Calypso *
 * Dawn B  *   Jacki   *  Joni 

                                     *  Kendra  *  Linda                                             

                                          *  Shelly  (you are here)  *  Tamara  * 

 Challenges:
Cheery Lynn Dies- Anything Goes

Craft Your Passion- Emboss it
The Crazy Challenge- Anything Goes
Victorine Originals- Brown/White with one other color (Purple)
Pile it On- Something with a "P" -purple
Stampin Sisters in Christ- Use a diecut/punch


Thanks for stopping by!
Shelly

Kim's SU Workshop 8/2012

My friend Kim has a monthly SU workshop- and I was smashed after my vacation and working, but I am so happy I went- as usual, we were not disappointed!

  I am going to have to look up the SU set names and edit the posts.... I love the new SU inks with the solid images- I do not always have the best luck at getting a great impression.....

  I love the fun quilling on the snail- how fun is this!

 And how gorgeous is this?  I love this- the butterfly is three layers- Vellum, solid CS and then a stamped and punched butterfly. Kim made a paper bead out of SU DSP and it has antennae coming out of the top...... Here is a close up:

And card #4

 Can you see why I am always disappointed to have to miss her workshops?  Gorgeous cards......
She does not have a blog..... : (       I am still working on her........hahahahaha


Thanks for stopping by!
Shelly

Sweet Stamps- Watercoloring

 This week at the Sweet Stamps Challenge we are Watercoloring.

 I made a tag and a card for the challenge-here is my tag:

and, here is my card:

 I am vacationing, and challenged myself to watercolor 'on the go'.  The Peerless Watercolors from Sweet Stamps are just the ticket. I made myself a kit to watercolor anywhere- on a plane, in a car......

The Peerless Watercolors come in a book- I cut off a piece of each sheet and put them in a DVD case- each side has a sheet of watercolor paper and is covered by a clear acrylic- which covers both the peerless 'color sample pieces' and I can use it as a mixing/painting palate.

Here is what the Peerless watercolors look like when you purchase them:

How I did these:
 On the tag, I did not pre-wet the watercolor paper. I stamped and embossed the image after using the embossing buddy on the paper. I watercolored the image. I painted over the background with water, then waterbrushed blue and a touch of red-then added sea salt. After the watercolored dried, I brushed off the salt and added some speckles by tapping the brush on my index finger over the paper with a touch of color (grey) on it.
 The back layer of the tag- I spritzed on water with a mini-mister, and brushed on red and blue- which blended, then added sea salt. Once dry- I attached the top layer with dimensionals and added ribbon.

 On the card, I watercolored the flowers without pre-wetting the paper. I took post-it notes and made a border around the top layer, then wet brushed with water, then yellow paint. To mix colors when painting, I picked up paint and mixed it on the acrylic sheet I made.

Here is a view from the road:

I watercolored on a laptop lap tray.......  I can see using this on an airplane as well.

Here are the Sweet Stamps products I used on my card:
Peerless Transparent Watercolors HERE
Birds on a flowering branch HERE
Floral Arrangement 781 HERE

Distress Clear Embossing Ink HERE

Black embossing powder HERE

Anti-static pouch HERE

I hope you will join in the challenge!  Every entry qualifies you for a chance to win $20 of items from the store at  Sweet Stamps, and if you use a Sweet Stamps image- you will receive an additional chance to win! Please note- there is a limit of 10 challenges for each entry.The winner is chosen by Random.org- so everyone has a chance to win!

 Stop by the Sweet Stamps Challenge Blog HERE to see what the rest of the DT has created for the Challenge or click on the links below.

Sweet Stamps Design Team:

*   Bonnie  *  Calypso *
 * Dawn B  *   Jacki   *  Joni 

                                     *  Kendra  *  Linda                                             

                                          *  Shelly  (you are here)  *  Tamara  *

 

Thanks for stopping by!
Shelly

Sweet Stamps-Pedestal Pop-Up Challenge

  This week at the Sweet Stamps Challenge we are making Pedestal Pop up cards. The tutorial is from Splitcoast Stampers and can be found HERE.

     Here is the card front:

    and here is the card opened up:

 How fun is this! I hope you will be inspired to give it a try and join us in the challenge : )

Here are the Sweet Stamps products I used on my card:
Thank You sentiment HERE
Carnation flower image HERE
Coordinations cardstock HERE
Beach from Sandy Tans and Cardinal from Classy Reds
Authentique Carefree HERE
Rectangle Multiframe Die HERE
Scor Tape HERE
Embossing Folder Scrollwork HERE
Cheery Lynn Dies HERE
- Mini Flourish (front of card), Small exotic butterflies, Swedish Spring Oval Frame.

 I cut the die on the main pop-up, cut the tan die apart and used the center as a back-drop for the floral image, and took the outer part and used it (cut up) in the corners.


I hope you will join in the challenge!  Every entry qualifies you for a chance to win $20 of items from the store at  Sweet Stamps, and if you use a Sweet Stamps image- you will receive an additional chance to win! Please note- there is a limit of 10 challenges for each entry.The winner is chosen by Random.org- so everyone has a chance to win!

 Stop by the Sweet Stamps Challenge Blog HERE to see what the rest of the DT has created for the Challenge or click on the links below.

Sweet Stamps Design Team:

*   Bonnie  *  Dawn B  *   Jacki   *  Joni 

                                     *  Kendra  *  Linda                                             

                                          *  Shelly  (you are here)  *  Tamara  *

So, I want to show you 'HOW' I made a template for my dies and easily cut out my sentiment. It is just like a template you would make for your punches.......

 For each multi-set of templates I have, I cut out each die and save the positive and the negative.

 I take my image or sentiment and place it behind the opening, or over the die cut and see what size or shape template will work best for me.

 I have chosen this template for my sentiment. I place the die into the opening of the template and attach it with removable tape.

 Sorry this is a tiny bit blurry- monster allergy headache today.......  I center the image in the template opening, and when I have it in place where I want it, add removable tape.
 Next step- cut it out in your die cut machine. Perfect!
 Before I remove the die, I add some ink to the panel to highlight it and add dimension with a sponge dauber. 


Challenges:
Cheerful Stamp Pad- Coming up Orange
Make it Monday- Anything Goes
Cutie Pie Challenge- Spots and Stripes (card inside)
Dream Valley- Die Cuts and Punches
Bloggers Challenge-Add texture


Thanks for stopping by!
 Shelly

Sweet Stamps Stamped Background challenge

  This week at the Sweet Stamps Challenge we are making cards with Stamped Backgrounds.

  I used Ranger Distress inks on the background and then stamped over the background with the Baroque Border Stamp. (The image is stamped three times on the background- hard to see the top and bottom though).  I stamped the Pixie Silhouette image in Tumbled Glass then embossed with Clear EP. The white BG was too stark, so I dabbed on some Dried Marigold. I put 1/4" Scor Tape around the edge of the image with a small edge of it sticking out over the edge. I used clear glass microbeads that were colored with a Copicmarker (yellow) which stuck to the exposed adhesive- the adhesive on the backside of the panel helped adhere it to the background. 
  The brads in the corners are Candi legless brads painted in Turquoise Creative Inspirations Paint.

Here are the Sweet Stamps products I used on my card:
Images- 
Baroque Border HERE
Pixie Silhouette image HERE
Scor Tape HERE
Clear Glass Microbeads HERE
Ranger Distress Distressing Ink HERE. I used Shabby Stutters, Dried Marigold and Tumbled Glass. 
Clear Embossing Powder HERE
Candi legless brads HERE
Creative Inspirations Paint HERE


I hope you will join in the challenge!  Every entry qualifies you for a chance to win $20 of items from the store at  Sweet Stamps, and if you use a Sweet Stamps image- you will receive an additional chance to win! Please note- there is a limit of 10 challenges for each entry.The winner is chosen by Random.org- so everyone has a chance to win!

 Stop by the Sweet Stamps Challenge Blog HERE to see what the rest of the DT has created for the Challenge or click on the links below.

Sweet Stamps Design Team:

*   Bonnie  *  Dawn B  *   Jacki   *  Joni 

                                     *  Kendra  *  Linda                                             

                                          *  Shelly  (you are here)  *  Tamara  *


Thanks for stopping by!
 Shelly

Winner(s) winner(s) Chicken Dinner(s)

I am home late from work- so am just now posting Blog Candy winners .... Random.org says:

The First winner is # 3 Maxine
MaxineD said...
Hi Shelly - these all look great, and my preferences are in the order you have posted them - set #1, #2, and then #3.
You can track me back from this comment.
Now to go and tell the world you have candy, and I will be back :-)
Blessings
Maxine

Winner #2
#17 Kelly
MiamiKel said...
Aw, you are so sweet. You are one of the busiest ladies and I'm still in awe that you can keep your blog posts going ~ You're my hero! Love your candy, #2 stole my heart! So sweet of you to share! Blessings x0x0

Winner #3
#16
Donna said...
Just added your candy to my side bar. Thanks for the chance.

 Thanks to all who played along......I will be cleaning more later this week or early next week!

Blessings to all
Shelly

Blog Candy

 I am cleaning and sorting- starting on a shelf where I need room- I LOVE these stamps, so want to gift them ........
 To win- just leave a comment- leave me the order of interest in the sets- so when I pick winners, I can send them out ASAP .
 These stamps are all unmounted- all are trimmed and are in CD cases. 
 I will draw winners next Monday August 6th (in the evening CST).
 I will mail anywhere in the world.

Set #1

 Set #2 ********************************************************************

*****************************************************************************
 and Set #3

 Again:
-Leave a comment with a way for me to contact you
-I will mail anywhere in the world
-You do not have to be a follower
-If you link this to your sidebar, come back and leave an additional comment
I will post winners Monday evening August 6th

Thanks for stopping by!
Shelly

Summer with Michael Strong Stamps + CANDY

We are posting Summer themed cards- and having a fun Blog Hop while we are at it in the Michael Strong Yahoo group.  Mine has a story........

 My daughter just left for China for a year- she will be teaching English in a Chinese school in Shenzhen (which is about an hour east of Hong Kong-5500 miles away from home....). So, my summer has included Asian themed topics- so the Kimono stamp was perfect for my card.I also just got the latest Technique Junkies newsletter..... so the background is using the Markered Rainbow Resist technique. I also added eyelets- yep- dug out some ancient eyelets for a SCS blogging group- Stamp Addicts-challenge. The red cardstock the Kimono is embossed on is a gorgeous red cardstock-Rosso Incandescent-with a gold shimmer in it. 

The NEXT stop is Deborah- who has not one but two links with Michael Strong cards- lots of eye candy.....  After Deborah's blog- you will go to Hetty's blog-see the listing below.

 At Hetty's Blog, you will find out about some candy....... Yummy..........

I am adding a list of all participants to make it easier if you choose to 'hop'

• Michael Strong
• Rosie Guiher
• Shelly Schmidt- you are here!
• Deborah Bertholin
• Hetty Sanders
• Inge Postma
• Joanna Mackintosh  
• Lola Radnoti

 Thanks for stopping by!
Shelly