MIA

My dear and sweet mother died this past Tuesday 12/18. Her funeral was yesterday.  That is where I have been. May she RIP!

Merry Christmas to all!

Thanks for stopping by!
Shelly

ATC's- Fall and tea bag stamping

These are my Nov ATC's for the Unity ATC swap group I am in. I love to try new things, and I have never tried tea bag stamping.....  I love tea- drink alot of it......  so, began saving the tea bags and drying them out......

 I stamped the image on the tea bags using Nuvo Hybrid Black ink.  I let it dry.....  I stitched the tea bags onto watercolor paper, and then watercolored over the top of the teabag.  No two came out alike. In very small letters, it says 'Tis the Season. The kit I used is an Itty Bitty called Tis the Season Deer IB 779.

  After coloring, I stapled the tag onto the tea bag ATC. I have more stamped and ready for future projects : )

We make 2 ATC's each month, so the 2nd theme (which is optional to follow) was Fall.

 I used fall watercolor colors (Daniel Smith) and no 2 of the ATC's are the same.  I used IB470- Wishing you Joy for this ATC,

Thanks for stopping by!
Shelly

B-I-N-G-O last and final day!

Today is the last and final day of Holiday Chaos over at Bugaboo.  So many fun entries and a great way to make some last minute Christmas cards!  Our prompt today is B-I-N-G-O- you can check it out HERE!

Here is the card I created for the challenge:

 And, the image and sentiment are the Friday Freebie in the Bugaboo store today- do stop by!!! HERE is the link.
  I colored with Copics, and added Sparkle to Santa's Elf using Wink of Stella.  The Sentiment came with the image.
  The greenery is a Cheery Lynn die and I used Wail Wasabi SU cardstock.  The little touch of ribbon is also SU. The touch of Red cardstock is Ruby Red SU. The tan embossed piece is a Tim Holtz EF.
  This week has been a blast!  It has been so fun to join in as a GDT for Bugaboo for the Holiday Chaos, and I have 7 more Christmas cards done!!! 

Challenges:
TBA 

Thanks for stopping by!
Shelly

Color Challenge- Holiday Chaos Day 6

Fruitcake- do you love it?  It appears that the colors are our prompt for Day 6 of the Bugaboo Holiday Chaos for today!  You can see it all HERE

Here is what I created :

   I will probably like Gertrude when I get 'older'.  (Or, maybe I already am....).  LOL 
The image is Gertrude- tinsel in a tangle from Bugaboo Digital Stamps. It is colored using Copic markers. I wish you could see the sparkle in the picture..... : ) 
 I hope you are enjoying the prep for Christmas this year! 

Thanks for stopping by!
Shelly

Holiday Chaos-Picture Inspiraton Day 5

For Day 5 of Bugaboo's Holiday Chaos, we are using the following prompt:

 I used the image Kidz Christmas Boy and his Dog

  What a sweet image, I could not resist it : )  The image is I colored with Copics, I added shimmer using Wink of Stella. The DP is Authentique and there is a strip of shimmery Washi there as well. I added three red sequins as you can see....  The sentiment is Art Impressions.

Challenges:
City Crafter- Santa Claus
Through the Craftroom Door- AG
Cards in Envy- The Spirit of Christmas
Dare2BArtsy-Winter

Thanks for stopping by!
Shelly

Tuesday Throwdown-Anything Goes

It's Tuesday , time for team B of the Tuesday Throwdown team to create for a Anything Goes challenge!  We are sponsored by Sweet N Sassy Stamps. Korin has generously offered images for us to use- and I chose to use the Sweet Cocoa, digital image  : )

 This sweet digi is so fun- I am going to give this card to my sweet mother, who loves Hot Chocolate!!!
  I colored the image using Copic markers. I added some Wink of Stella to the white parts of the candy cane. The sentiment is from Artistic Impressions. The DP is MME Glittered Christmas papers (it's old,,,,!).  The cardstock is from Gina K.
  I punched out a snowflake using a MS snowflake punch and added a rhinestone to its center. The ribbon is a white organdy with silver stripes through it,

Challenges:
Dream Valley Challenges- Christmas

C.R.A.F.T -Sketch challenge
If you Give a Crafter a Cookie- Photo Insipiration
Dies are Us snowflakes.  Die- Memory Box Stitched Circle die

Thanks for stopping by!
Shelly

Ugly Sweater- Day 4 Holiday Chaos

Its Ugly Sweater Day at Bugaboo for the Holiday Chaos challenge for Day 4!

 This fun crazy reindeer loves shimmer and blitz!  Kinda like me- just quietly : ) 
I used the image  Reindeer Christmas Goodies. I colored the reindeer with Copics.  I used a MFT die to cut out the silver glitter outer panel. I added a red ribbon and three red buttons with cording included. (so under caption #2 for challenge).
   Copics are used to color in the sentiment and added spaces. The DP is MME. Cardstock is GP white and Gina K red. The entire panel with the reindeer is colored with clear Wink of Stella- so very shimmery!

I hope you will join us for these fun challenges!  There are lots of prizes to be won!!!

Thanks for stopping by!
Shelly

Gift Wrap/Anything but a Card- Holiday Chaos Day 3

I made a wine tag for my "Anything but a card post"- I love Red (wine that is).  This project was created for the Day Three challenge for Bugaboo's Holiday Chaos which you can find  HERE : )

For Day 3 of Holiday Chaos, here is our prompt:

 I used SU Not Quite Navy cardstock, embossed with an embossing folder from Sweet Stamps. I added the fussy cut image Merry Christmas to Ewe and added it to the tag.  The image was colored with Copic markers. I added liquid applique for texture : )  I added Washi and mini holographic Washi (that was a gift from Dr Sonja at SCS). I used the SU circle punch 1 3/4" for the top. I scored 2 lines at 2 1/2" and 3".   The tag measures 7 3/8" long by 3 7/8" wide.

 I hope you will come join in this fun challenge week!  You will get last minute Christmas cards or projects dome and will be in the running for some great prizes!!!

Challenges:
613 Avenue Create- AG + Washi Tape
Addicted to Stamps and More- Non-Traditional Christmas colors
2 Crafty Critter Crazies- Use a critter

Thanks for stopping by
Shelly

Awkward Holiday Chaos Day 2

Day 2 of Holiday Chaos is a Sketch-- this is my absolute favorite challenge of any type!  

Here is our inspiration:

I turned the sketch on its side and used the Snowflake Reindeer Silhouette image for my card. Isn't this image beautiful???  I also used some gift wrap that I saved from last Christmas that I thought was fabulous!  I layered it all on Navy SU cardstock. The sentiment is a red Rubber stamp- company unknown.  It is embossed using Ranger Queen's Gold EP. 

I hope to see you joining in the challenges at Bugaboo Holiday Chaos HERE- there are awesome prizes and if you enter each day, you could won one of the Grand prizes!!!  

Challenges:

Challenge Up Your Life- Winter Animals

Alphabet Challenge- R is for reindeer

Cute Card Thursday- recycle something

Thanks for stopping by!
Shelly

Holy Flurry of Chaos- Day 1

Holy Flurry of Chaos at Bugaboo has started!!!  For Day 1,  Create a project that includes 'some' type of Snow!  

 I created using this fun JJ snowflake image, colored with Copics and I highlighted with a Wink of Stella shimmer pen. I added bling and added glossy accents to her glasses. I used a Memory Box die cut using DP and added Bling. I also added twine and a snowflake charm.

I hope you will come join us in the Christmas Chaos at Bugaboo- seven days of fun and lots and lots of prizes!

Thanks for stopping by!
Shelly

Coming Dec 1st

Each year I try to participate in the Holiday Chaos challenge at Bugaboo.  It is a card a day for 7 days, with lots and lots of daily prizes and a grand prize for those who post everyday. 

Well- just a note- Christmas Chaos begins Saturday 12/1!!!  I hope you can carve out some time to play along!!!

Thanks for stopping by!
Shelly

Bugaboo Tutorial- Pull Up card

I saw a fun card, called 'Pull Up (accordion) card', and had to have a go at it.  It looks labor intensive but it is so fun!  I am on my 4th card already!  : )

 It lays flat to fit into the envelope, but once opened, it opens up to reveal the fun images or sentiments you add to it!

 I used 2 different Santa's on the card and a circle sentiment on the base in all 4 corners.  This is akvsantahohoho. 

And, this is akvsantachimney. 

On the base in all 4 corners, I added Chimney Circle, in keeping with the Santa theme. . 

OK- for the 'HOW TO' :

For the base of the card, use the 6" square DP with a design.  I  glue the rest of the base together as the last step.  (So it does not get dirty : )  If you are using thin DP consider adding a piece of cardstock for stability.

The first step is to glue the accordion folded strips to the base. Glue the last 2" square at the end of each strip to the (bottom) of the above 6" square.

I penciled in an + in the center of the back of DP on my piece to center the accordion strips- see photo.

*Each strip is 2" wide, so this guides you for centering. The strip will be glued in the middle third of the 6" square of DP- as shown in the picture.

 and from the top:

 After I glue on the accordion strips, I am going to skip to another step- the top 'pull' area.  If you look at online tutorials, they do this later, but it makes more sense to me to do this now.

Glue the 7/8" x 3/34" strips as shown in the picture.

 This is the top of the + with DP showing.

This is the + from the underside. 









Next, add the circles- these are stabilizers for holding the ribbon.

The circles that are 1" and 3/4" belong on the top, There are 2 1" circles that go on the underside- one has a hole punched it it, the other does not - they go on the underside, the one with no hole will cover up the ends of the ribbon.

Next, attach the ribbon.

Fold the ribbon in half and push it through the (punched) hole from the bottom to the top. Next, hot glue the ends of the ribbons to the bottom as shown in the picture. First, make sure your ribbon is not twirled on the top side.......   : )

                      

Next, add the last red circle (no hole punched in it) with hot glue to cover up the ribbon ends.

OK, next we are going to glue this piece to the accordion strips. 

 Place the edges of the top piece we just made (with the ribbon) under the top 2' x 2' square of the accordion strip. 

Once it is centered to your liking, just glue the end of the top strip to the underside of the top 2" x 2" piece.  (I write this because I put glue on the bottom side and it stuck to the next accordion section....LOL).  SO, in the top piece we made, we put glue just on the top edge of the 2" square, 

This is what your card should look like at this point- all ready to decorate!

Glue the base pieces on- the 6.25" x 6.26" red base, and the 5.75" x 5.75" white piece that is on the base- you will write your note here, I wait until my card is completed to add the white piece so I do not get it dirty : ) 

 The HoHoHo in Silver Mirror cardstock (Sweet Stamps) was cut out using Alphabet Dies from Crafty Ann. 
 The akvSantas were cut out using a Die-Versions stitched die set. 

This is where I write my note- it is on the underside of the card- see why I wait until last to write a note?  

 What a fun Holiday card, don't you think?  It goes pretty quickly too.  

Here is a list of the items I used in making the card:

1 piece  6"x6" DP  (Vintage design- by K and Company)

4 strips main color cardstock  cut to 2" x 12" ; score 

 @ 2", 4", 6", 8", 10"

2- strips 7/8" x 3.25" 

4 circles punched out  (3 are 1" and 1 is 3/4")

5/8"  Ribbon 12" long

1 piece red 6.25" x 6.25" square cardstock

1 piece coordinating 6"x6" DP 

1 piece white 5.75" x 5.75" 

Squares of white or coordinating DP 1.75" x 1.75"                 

4 dies or other embellishments for top tier of accordion

4 stamped or printed images for base card corners

5/8"  Ribbon

Washi tape

Happy Creating! 

Shelly

It's a Girl

I love this sweet image by Penny Black, and used it to make a baby card for a friend : )

 The image was colored with Copics. How fun it is to make sweet baby cards!

Challenges:
2 Crafty Critter Crazies- AG with a critter
Craft-Dee BowZ- AG with handmade bow
Penny Black- Make Someone Smile : )

Thanks for stopping by!
Shelly

Unity GIU Blog Hop

  Happy Sunday!  Today, a group of ladies and Gents that were GIU artists in September and October are hopping with more fun Unity cards!  More chances for you to enjoy some inspiration and to WIN some fun Unity stamps!

Thanks for stopping by- I have a couple of cards for today.  First, a fun and festive Christmas scene.
This darling Unity set is called Woodland Festivities.  This  scene is watercolored using Daniel Smith paints.  I added shimmer with Stickles.

Next, a card for a family member that is going to become a mom for the first time- lots of changes in the future : )  And, that will make me a Grandmother!
 I just had to paper piece the image- I used mostly SU DSP from my stash. The embellishments are generic from my stash- dew drops which I have in every color : )  The die was purchased from ebay.

                           

Here is the Hop order :

 Katy Duffy Fowlerhttps://www.facebook.com/CastlehouseCards/
Crystal Minkler https://crystalominkler.blogspot.com/
Bernia Febin https://moxiecraftie.blogspot.com/
Shelly  Schmidt https://shellymc2.blogspot.com - You are here
Brandon Leggitt https://tazersfan.wordpress.com/
Bobbie Sue McConathy https://www.two38creations.com/

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

P.S.- Comments on my blog are moderated- Spammers love me : ) 
I get an email alert there are comments and will come approve them shortly.

Thanks for stopping by!
 Shelly

DDD National Aviation History Month

For the November Dueling Darlings challenge, LJ (Divas) and Darlene (Dazzlers) challenged us to create with the theme of National Aviation History Month. November is dedicated to exploring, recognizing and celebrating America's great contributions and achievements in the development of aviation.

 Darlene sent the following kit:
"Sky is the Limit" images by SU stamped in Memento Tuxedo Black on SU Very Vanilla cardstock. Sentiments are from the same set, same ink, same cardstock.

DP is Going Places pack by SU. The EF is "World Traveler" by SU on Pool Party carstock, also by SU. Flower and sequins from Darlene's stash.
I added black twine from my stash.

Be sure to hop along and see what the other Dazzlers- my team, and the Diva's have made!

Divas and Dazzlers links : )
Divas
Blogs : Barb  , Carol ,  Judy ,   Heather  , Kelly  LJ  Tami
SCS Galleries:  Suzy  , Terry S 

Dazzlers:
Blogs: Darlene  ,  Donna,  Jeanette  , Shelly- you are here, Terry L  , Tracie

SCS Galleries:   Paola , Terry A , Debbie B

Thanks for stopping by!
Shelly

Unity ATC's and GIU winners

I have two ATC's to share with you today.  The first one has a theme of BCA

 This is really bright- I made an Alcohol Ink background in pinks. Yes, it is bright IRL!  I stamped the sentiment in Silver EP on the black cardstock and added Stickles as seen on the O for hope and around the border. The heart image is stamped and embossed in white EP onto the pink. I added some speckles and sequins, a strip of shimmery Washi and called it a day,

 This Fall themed ATC started on white cardstock, I sponged on Distress inks. I colored the stamp with markers and huffed on it, then re-stamped.

I pulled 4 names from my GIU week- for winning my blog candy.
Kim Klinkovski
JHays
Barb
Wilma Deg

Thanks for stopping by!
Shelly

Recycling

 I had a little inspiration from the inside of an envelope.

 I opened a card from a friend and saw this paper, and cut it open- yes!  Enough there for a card. It is beautiful IRL with gold metallic in the design.  I added a sentiment from Unity and put it in the mail to her : )

I am back in town Monday and will post winners of my blog candy from my week of GIU for Unity stamps.  The winners of my week of GIU were Cindy Hodges and Beth Norman.

Thanks for stopping by!
Shelly

Happy Bird-day

I am joining the Bugaboo designers today posting and 'Oldie but Goodie' : )
A Bird-day card for a nephew:

 Gosh, I do not get any older, so cannot imagine how these kids do!!!  This card is for a nephew who is up to my shoulders this year!!!  WOW!

challenges:
Seize the Birthday- Birthday CAS
Crafters Cafe- Male- young one : ) Well...12 yrs old

Thanks for stopping by!
Shelly

GIU Day 5 more foiling

It's my last day of the Unity GIU week of posting.  It has been so fun- thanks to everyone for such wonderful and encouraging comments!!!  I have also had so much fun creating with foils- I had most of the supplies already- just spent about $13.00 for the week for the foiling supplies !

  I saw THIS tutorial by Gracie of Gracielle Designs, and was smitten!!!  I ordered the Rebekah Meier  Mixed Media tape and the Mixed Media Medium.  (You do NOT need a laminator when you use this).
  I used Distress Spray Broken China , then applied Broken China and Tumbled Glass Distress inks.  I stamped snowflakes from the Joy Girl kit in white ink, black ink and Chipped Sapphire ink.  I added drops of White Ranger paint and silver paint to the background.
  The mixed media medium dries clear, so once dry, I wrinkled up the foil (iridescent- not sure of brand, Silver and gold) and dabbed them onto the three snowflakes.
  I stamped Christine Girl with Black Nuvo Hybrid ink and colored her with Copic markers. I fussy cut it out.   I added Silver Mirror cardstock (Sweet Stamps) on the Teal cardstock, then applied the canvas Mixed Media Strips.  Oh, how I love this!!! Next, I added the fussy cut and colored image.
  I stamped the sentiment in Teal, then in Versamark. I embossed it with Stardust (shimmery) embossing powder. I added Liquid Applique for a puffy look to the edges of the shirt, skirt and hat.

 *I added Decofoil transfer adhesive by painting it onto the red snowflake she is holding and the flourish at her feet.  Once dry, I added the foil.......  * another way to use foil- paint it on just the area of the stamp where you want it.

One more card using the toner sheets.....  I had to try using these since I have 3 packages of them...lol  You cut your die using the toner sheets and run them through the laminator.  You can do it with small dies or large dies......

  I used this large die by Die-Versions. Cut the die and then foiled it- thru the laminator-so easy and stunning!

 This is so pretty IRL!  I added a sentiment from the Woodland Festivities kit.  I dabbed on Decofoil transfer gel to the stamp, stamped it, let it dry then foiled it.  I sponged over the foiled sentiment with distress inks.  I fussy cut it out and added it over the bow.

I made a Splitcoast listing of foiling techniques.  Please stop by and add any new techniques- would love to see what you have done!!!

If you leave a comment each day, you will have a chance to win one of two fabulous grab bags of 25 stamps from Unity Stamps!

(And, did I mention I have an item or two to give away as well?  )

HERE is a link for the day 1 post
HERE is the link for the day 2 post

HERE is the link for the day 3 post
HERE is the link for the day 4 post

Thanks for stopping by!
Shelly

Unity GIU Day 4-sentiments

Today, my GIU post is all about Sentiments : )

 A side view of the shimmer

 This toner sheet was purchased from Gina K, and I used a sparkly red Decofoil on it, also from Gina K.  I sponged on red ink. The shimmery red and the gold cardstocks are Paper Temptress.  The Red frame is cut from a die from MFT. I stamped the sentiment from Full of Merry

A second sentiment from that kit :

For this card, I placed strips of 1/4" double side adhesive tape every 1/4" and alternated the red and gold foils.

 The ruler is a quilting ruler- it has great markings on it for measurements.
On my card, I added a gold frame around the sentiment using a Memory Box stitched die. The leaf die is from Sweet Stamps. I added red Stickles for accent.  There is a Unity Christmas tree stamped in Versamark on the top.

Another toner sheet from Gina K used here:

I sponged on colors in strips in a rainbow theme. The Unity sentiment (from a grab bag) is stamped in purple and embossed in Sparkly EP 

Love the shimmer!

 I decided to add a tied knot instead of this bow, but I have a second bow maker I am going to throw in to the blog candy I am giving away! Plus, some ribbon......

If you leave a comment each day, you will have a chance to win one of two fabulous grab bags of 25 stamps from Unity Stamps!

(And, did I mention I have an item or two to give away as well?  )

HERE is a link for the day 1 post
HERE is the link for the day 2 post

HERE is the link for the day 3 post

Thanks for stopping by!
Shelly