March ATC's- Owls

 The monthly ATC exchange theme this month was Owls. Here is what I came up with.

Image is CTMH. The circles-chipboard from Globecraft Piccalo and covered with Enamel EP. The background is Distress Inks and stencils.

I made a background that was faux wood, so scored it and made it a window where the owls could peek out.  I am unsure of where I bought this stamp set. 

 Distress Inks background using stencils, Washi, rhinestones and CTMH image.

 This set is a piece of cardstock that was inked brown, texturized with an EF and I ripped a hold out of the center and have a CTMH owl peeking through.  The owl is symmetrical, so I glued another owl on the back side of the card.

 More Distress Oxide ink backgrounds with a Gina Marie dies and Sentiment unknown.

I used a Cheery Lynn die that includes 5 animals, one of which is an owl. I cut it out using different papers. The backgrounds, again, are using Distress Oxide inks and stencils.

These are the owl ATC's I received back:

  It is always fun to see the great ideas other people have with the monthly theme.

Thanks for stopping by!
Shelly

ATC's- "Trees"

 Our Jan ATC theme was trees.  I used a variety of backgrounds for my trees- having so much 'technique' fun!

On the Lt, the ATC is made using a chipboard tree from Sweet Stamps- Piccalo Accents. I covered it with enamel EP and it has flecks of gold in it. I placed it on a background and covered the edges with Stickles.

On the Rt is my 1-4-1 "drop card".  I used a Distress Ocide BG, added a portion of a die cut of a city scape, colored the house and trees. I added 'snow' on the trees using my white paint pen, then felt like it needed something, so added dots of snow with the paint pen and a full moon (It is the Blue Moon month after all).

On the Lt- the background is a gelly plate Background, used a tree die cut, I added dots of snow and snow on the tree with a white paint pen. I added Washi tape at the bottom.  I added a star at the top from retired SU sequins.

The Rt ATC is my favorite- I added a background of a magazine page wrinkled up, laid flat and covered with Gesso. I added the tree die cut, added pink heart sequins. I added punched hearts at the base from some retired SU DSP.

 These tree dies are unbranded. They are from a set of three. The one on the left is the largest one, I added it to a background using metallic paints. I added small ripped pieces of Washi and gold Stickles on top.
 The Rt side ATC has stickles on top. I used a Unity stamp (the honetcomb) and a strip of Washi on the bottom.

 The last two ATC's are using a Gelli plate background. I used the same tree die again, I just added Washi and heart sequins from the SU sequins I used the star from.

 I used a variety of backgrounds and used the small deer from a Gina K designs set- imported in to the scan and cut and cut it out from brown cardstock. I used glue distress, the magazing pape crinkled and gesso'ed, Glue resist x's 2 and a embossed and sanded (coordinations cardstock) technique.

Thanks for stopping by!
Shelly

Holiday Washi

I made a couple more of the Washi cards:

 The deer is Sweet Stamps Globecraft and Piccolo accent and it is embossed with enamel EP Brownstone and Aged White. There is a shimmer in these EP's.   The sentiment and corner poinsettia are Create with TLC.

And, I made this one for my sister and BIL:

 A whimsical card- the Gentleman Accents are Globecraft and Piccolo accents,  embossed with enamel EP. The sentiment Create with TLC.  My sister and BIL were involved in an auto accident- 8 vehicles and their car started on fire. I thought this would cheer them up. (They were not injured in the accident thankfully).

Challenges:
SweetStamps- Dec AG
Sparkle and Sprinkle- EP

Thanks for stopping by!
Shelly

Sweet Stamps- Anything Goes

This is my last post as a DT member for Sweet Stamps. It has been a wonderful experience working for Stacey and her family- it is just a time where I need to focus alot of energy on my family.
Here is my final post:

 There are new Halloween Piccolo Accents in the store- and they are so fun!  I used Enamel Embossing Powders to color the accents- applied with the Enamel Adhesive. I used the following Enamel EP's- Starry Sky for the bats, the bird and 'Spooky', Mossy Glen is the green, Real Rust is the fence and the cross, Aged White is the ghost and the tombstones, and Brownstone was used for the tree.
 The DP is by K & Company from Halloween (a year or two old). The cardstock is SU. The die for the card fold is by Stamp Doctor.

Challenges:
Pie it On- Cute or Spooky
Outlawz- Paper a la Mode- Halloween
Chocolate, Coffee and Cards- Halloween
Creative Corner- No Stamp

Thanks for stopping by!
Shelly

Pink & Pastel Birthday card.

I love the Spring colors and I think they coordinate perfectly with the SweetStamps challenge this week- Pink.

  I initially was going to sponge on the color, but just applied it Direct to Paper using the Ink Spots. I used the Tulip Stencil over the top of the colors using In the Pink Ink. I added splatters of black and touches of a border stamp from the You Brighten My Day set. I used the stem of the flower in the same set for my flower stems, and added Kiwi Green leaves using another stamp from the same set.  Next, using a Prismacolor pencil, I added dots  and dashes in white. I used the Wink of Stella Green for the Piccolo Flourishes, and was inspired by a card by Donna K using her Piccolo's 'naked' or 'au natural', so I just added a touch of shimmer in the flower centers using the Stardust pen. The dragonfly Piccolo was embossed using the Brownstone in the center and Mossy Glen on the wings.

Supplies used are all linked to the store and can be found on the SweetStamps challenge Blog HERE.

Our winners are chosen by Random.org- and if you use a Sweet Stamps image, your entry will count x's 2!

Sweet Stamps has a Pintrest board HERE

Sweet Stamps has a Facebook group HERE

Challenges:
Just Inspirational- Sewing-faux or real
Pinspirational- AG
Artistic Inspirations- A touch of Spring
Card Mania- Flowers
My Creative Moments- Use 2+ colors
Simon Says Stamp- In the middle- my flowers
Crazy Challenge- Springtime
Paper Girls- Pastels : )
Shabby Tea Room- Pastel pic inspiration
Inspiration Journal- AG

Thanks for stopping by!
Shelly

Sweet Stamps- Flowers

The challenge at Sweet Stamps for this week is Flowers.  I made 2 cards with the Victorian Floral Frame Image.

I stamped and embossed the image with Black Fine Detail EP, then colored it with Distress Markers. I added Globecraft and Piccolo accents- I just love the shimmer in the Enamel EP!

 And:

  I just cannot seem to stay away from pinks and blues...... I used Distress Markers and a couple of Copics to color this image. I used the sketch from Try Stamping on Tuesday- Link Below. I had one of my markers blob out ink on me for the first time ever!
 The DP and cardstock are all SU.

Products I used from the Sweet Stamps Store are listed on my post on the SweetStamps challenge Blog HERE

Challenges:
Try Stamping on Tuesday-Sketch
The House that Stamps Built- Embossing
Inky Chicks- Stitching

Our winners are chosen by Random.org- and if you use a Sweet Stamps image, your entry will count x's 2!

Sweet Stamps has a Pintrest board HERE

Sweet Stamps has a Facebook group HERE

Thanks for stopping by!
 Shelly

Sweet Stamps- He is Risen

As Easter approaches, I wanted to reflect on the religious meaning of the holiday.  I love the new crosses available with the Sweet Stamps March New Release, so used one on my card.

 I stamped just the center portion of the large Cross stamp on White cardstock and on a purple cardstock. I cut out the white one and layered it on the purple one.  The Piccolo accent cross is embossed with Enamel Embossing Powder.
 I used my small quilting ruler and measured in 1/8" and laid down a strip of 1/4" Scor Tape all around the edge of the cardstock.  I rubbed over the cardstock with the antistatic bag, then removed the top film over the tape and covered it with embossing powder.
 As always, the shimmer makes it so hard to get a good picture : )

 I wish for you a Blessed Easter!

Products I used from the SweetStamps store Are listed on my post at the SweetStamps store HERE.

 I would like to join in the Addicted to Stamps and More Holiday challenge. At Crafter's Cafe, there is an Easter challenge, and another appropriate challenge is at Word Art Wednesday.  There is an Easter challenge at Crafty Boots and also at Ohh la la Creations.  And finally, I want to join in the Sparkle and Sprinkle challenge- using Enamel Embossing Powder.

 Shelly

Sweet Stamps- Quarterfold Card

I wanted to try the Quarter Fold Challenge at SweetStamps this week, as I have never tried this before- it was so quick and easy to put together!

 There is a tutorial on Splitcoast for this card design HERE

 My card shows so many things Easter- The Cross, Peeps, an Easter Basket and decorated Easter eggs  and inside:

 A cute bunny too anxious for treats to wait!

The Supply list is on my post over on the SweetStamps Blog- all linked to the Store : )

Challenges:
Freshly Brewed Designs- Bunnies (inside and out)
Creative Card Crew- Easter Critters (Bunnies)

Thanks for stopping by!
 Shelly

Sweet Stamps- Shimmery ATC's

Happy Thursday!  I had the good fortune of meeting Stacey at the Tampa Stamp Fest this weekend, and was able to see her demo a sparkly technique- so just HAD to give it a go! I also stayed with the Sweet Stamps Pink/White plus one other color challenge for the Heart ATC.

 Sparkalicious!  I want to show you how this effect was achieved.

I used the Anti-static on my work surface. Apply the sticky tape to your ATC surface. I also used the Anti-static on the ATC stencil, then place it over the sticky side of the ATC.   Pour the Glitter over the top of the stencil, and use your finger to burnish it to the surface.

 This is what you will see when you remove the stencil.  Now, the white is sticky still, so apply glitter, Sugar beads or embossing powder to the surface and burnish that in as well.

 This background uses Cranberry wine Enamel EP, which I did add heat to, but you do not have to add heat.

This one has black EP and no heat.

On this one, I did add heat to melt the black EP- so it gives a shiny look to the EP.

Products I used from the Sweet Stamps Store are noted in my write-up over at Sweet Stamps HERE

Our winners are chosen by Random.org- and if you use a Sweet Stamps image, your entry will count x's 2!

Sweet Stamps has a Pintrest board HERE

Sweet Stamps has a Facebook group HERE

Thanks for stopping by!
Shelly Thanks for stopping by!
 Shelly

Sweet Stamps- All You Need is Love

The challenge at Sweet Stamps for this week is 'Love is in the Air'.

 I had fun with a Shaving Cream background and the Roses from the Live, Laugh, Love Roses set.  I stamped the Roses a 2nd time on Specialty paper called Silver Lustre (Paper Temptress) and colored them with Distress Markers).
  I added some Globecraft and Piccolo accents embossed in Aged White. The die cuts were also cut using the Silver Lustre shimmery cardstock. And, I had a few heart sequins on my desk, so they also scored a place on my card.

Products I used from the Sweet Stamps Store:
Live Laugh Love Roses Stamp set HERE
Black Memento Tuxedo Ink HERE
Distress Markers Peeled Paint, Barn Door and Fired Brick HERE
All About the Love Die HERE
Stitched Rectangles Dies HERE
Medium Flourishes A139 (top corners) HERE
Enamel EP Adhesive HERE
Aged White enamel EP HERE
Coordinations Classy Reds HERE
Border Die Tiffany by Cheery Lynn HERE

Our winners are chosen by Random.org- and if you use a Sweet Stamps image, your entry will count x's 2!

Sweet Stamps has a Pintrest board HERE

Sweet Stamps has a Facebook group HERE

Challenges:
Loves Rubberstamps- AG
Outlaws Color Challenge- Inspiration picture
Card Mania- Add some Red
Craft-Dee-Bowz- AG with Bow
Love to Scrap! - Love
Ooh La La- Love
Use Your Stuff- All You Need is Love

Thanks for stopping by!
Shelly

Sweet Stamps Sweeties Holiday Blog Hop

Welcome to the SweetStamps.com Sweeties Holiday Blog Hop!!

With the Holidays right around the corner we thought it would be fun to share some lovely Holiday inspiration with you!

You should have arrived here from Roxies blog!  If you haven't and would like to hop with us, please go back to the Sweet Stamps Blog to start at the beginning!

**Be sure to leave comments along the way for your chance at winning!  We will randomly choose one winner from all the comments left! The winner will be announced Monday Dec 15 on the SweetStamps Blog with the new challenge.**

 I just love this Piccolo Accents set called The Christmas Story.  I embossed it carefully with Enamel Embossing Powders- they have shimmer in them which is hard to capture here.
 I used Ranger Chipped Sapphire mixed with Gesso to paint this ornament, then I direct to ornament applied more of the ink on the ornament (and all over my hands too).
 I used Enamel EPs on the accents: Aged White on the angels and on Baby Jesus, Mermaid Tears on Joseph and the Three Kings, and Deep Sky Blue for Mary.  There is a touch of 24K Gold on Jesus' halo.  I also used Honey Mustard 3D enamel Gel on the star.
  I applied the accents and the beaded trim with Crystal effects.

 Thanks for stopping by!  Your next stop will be Teresas blog!  We hope you are inspired all along the way! 

Check out all of Sweet Stamps "sweet" goodies here!
The Christmas Story Piccolo Accents
Adhesive for Enamel Embossing Powder
Enamel Embossing Powder
Ranger Distress Inks
3D Enamel Gel

Happy Hopping
and...
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
---------

Order:
Sweet Stamps Blog
Calypso
Denise
Donna K.
Kendra
Lisa
Monica
Roxie
Shelly-you are Here
Teresa
Sweet Stamps Blog

***I do NOT have word verification on- just ignore it and you can still leave a comment. Here is hoping Blogger gets this fixed swiftly : )  

Have a Blessed weekend!
 Shelly

Sweet Stamps-Holiday Sparkle

The challenge this week-HERE- is Sparkle. I took out a variety of supplies and embossed, pasted and glittered away........

 I had a blast just playing....I sponged on some color to start off with, added a little to the cardstock by dabbing it on the Craft Mat and spritzing with H2O, then dragging the cardstock through the color.  Then I dried the cardstock.
 I cut out the Sweetcut deer, then put modeling paste thru the negative of the die cut and topped it off with Brownstone Enamel EP.  I added some more modeling paste accents thru one of the new ATC sized stencils, and once it was dry, added Stormy Sky, then Nassau Blue over the top. I used a Stardust Jelly Roll pen to add shimmer to the stencil pasted accents.
  I wish you could see the shimmer in the Enamel EP.
The supplies I used can be seen on the SweetStamps Blog- HERE-I used lots of goodies from the store

Sweet Stamps has a Pintrest board HERE

Sweet Stamps has a Facebook group HERE

Thanks for stopping by- and we'd love to see you join in our Sparkle challenge!

******* I did not add Word Verification-it's a Blogger thing....... just ignore it and you can still post comments*******

Challenges:
Red Rubber Inspirationals- Stamping Sparkly Holiday Greetings 
Crafters Cafe- Christmas Creations
Crafty Creations- To 'Die' for
Simon Says Stamps- Bling it On
City Crafter- Glittering Snowflakes


Shelly

Sweet Stamps challenge- Christmas Spirit

The Sweet Stamps challenge this week is Christmas Spirit.

 SweetStamps.com has Gilding Flakes in the store, and I had to try using them on a card. I applied Duo glue to the snowflakes, then I added Calypso Gilding Flakes and rubbed them in. Next, I used a coarser brush and wiped them off.
  For the background, I tried an experiment...I found a small tube of spray hand sanitizer at Target (in the area where they have mini travel toothpaste, etc).  I took 3 colors of ink spots and dabbed them  onto my non-stick craft sheet, and then spritzed on the hand sanitizer. I sponged on the color on one color at a time onto glossy white cardstock- first gray, then the light blue and finally just a touch of the darker blue.
 I added snowflakes and embossed them with shimmery EP. The rhinestones were colored with Copic marker YR23.

Here are the products I used :
Globecraft Piccolo Snowflake accents 
Nassau Blue (my dark blue)
Tidal Wave
Stormy Gray
Jada's Snowball Fight- snowflake stamp
Distress Clear Embossing Ink
Diamonds and Pearls embossing powder
Silver Rhinestones
Copic Sketch marker
Cardinal Pair set- sentiment
Duo Glue
Calypso Gilding Flakes

We'd love to see you join us in the challenge. Our winners are chosen by Random.org- and if you use a Sweet Stamps image, your entry will count x's 2!

Sweet Stamps has a Pintrest board HERE

Sweet Stamps has a Facebook group HERE

Thanks for stopping by!
Shelly

Keepsake Ornament

I had fun creating today with some Globecraft Piccolo products, and made a Keepsake Ornament.

 This bubble domed oval was a dickens to photograph!  This is my parents this past year celebrating their 59th wedding Anniversary.  The picture is wallet sized and the frame is called the Mini Bubble Frame Kit.

I laid this on an angle and got out of any light source and you can really see the sparkle here.

I had never heard of the Globecraft Piccolo line before SweetStamps purchased the company.  The Enamel EP is to die for- it has a beautiful shimmer to it.

Tutorial on how this ornament was created.

The kit has 3 pieces. I printed a picture of my parents and cut it down just a tiny bit smaller than the oval 'rim' frame. I measured where the center is, and punched 2 small holes for the cording under where the small rimmed frame will sit.

Pick your colors. Add the Enamel EP Adhesive to the chipboard. Add the embossing powder.  I do this step in coffee filters (from the dollar store).  If you have a heat gun that blows air and heat, start from the underside so all of the sparkle and EP does not get blown away. (I have one that just blows heat and one that blows both heat and air).  I used 2 layers of EP on the rim, as there were a few areas I wanted more coverage on.
***Tip- if you add another layer of EP, make sure you let the 1st layer cool down, otherwise the tip of the adhesive will get EP on it.....don't ask me how I know this : ) ****

 While I am embossing, I cut a spare piece of chipboard I saved from used Piccolo elements, and make a sample for the top of my jar- I am very visual........

 I also add new colors to a GP chart I found on the website- you can find the link HERE- Thanks for sharing this Tracy!

 I just want to add sparkle around the rim of the back piece, as the picture will cover up most of the back oval.  I lightly draw a line with a pencil.  Apply adhesive and don't forget the edges.

 Just the edge of the front is embossed.

The entire back is embossed- this Gold EP is spectacular  in person

Next, I glued the bubble to the oval rim with Crystal effects. If you run a used dryer sheet over the inside of the bubble, less glitter from the EP will adhere to it.

While that is drying, I made and added the bow with a glue dot.  I used ~ 14" of the gold thread for the bow and back hanger.  You could make thread longer if you wanted it to be the hanger for the tree- or where ever you are going to hang it. Make the bow starting with the center of the thread.  Put the tails through the two holes you punched.

Next, glue down the oval rim & bubble to the backing - I also used Crystal effects for this step.

Hmmm, it needs a little something more, so I added stars from the A144 Flowers, Stars, Hearts and Flourishes.

These are the products I used from the SweetStamps.com Store:
Enamel EP Adhesive HERE
24K Gold Enamel EP HERE
Aged White Enamel EP HERE
Piccolo Elements Flowers, Stars, Hearts and Flourishes HERE
Mini Bubble Frame Kit HERE  and you can find a picture for this in the Globecraft Piccolo store HERE

 Challenges:
QKR Stampede- Anything but a card
CRAFT- Christmas presents (this one of for my parents)
Crafty Creations- Embossing
Frilly and Funkie- A gift from the Heart

Thanks for stopping by today!
Shelly

SweetStamps- Stripes

The SweetStamps challenge for this week is Stripes

 I added color to the background using Ranger Distress Inks.  The inks were tapped onto the craft mat and spritzed with water.  I dragged/ran the cardstock through the color- each color was dried with a heat gun before I applied the next color.
 I added the 'stripes' with a stamp and brown Distress ink. I also sponged the edges of the card with Brown Distress ink, in an attempt to add stripes with the Rounded Square stencil.
  The 'buck' head is from the On the Hunt set of Piccolo accents an is embossed with Enamel EP. I used Mermaid Tears on the top and Brownstone on the body. I add the Enamel Adhesive to the Buck head and emboss it in a coffee filter.

The inks I used are Ranger Distress Inks Peeled Paint, Wild Honey, Rusty Hinge and Brushed Burlap.

I hope you will join in with the STRIPES challenge this week found HERE.


Shelly

Sweet Stamps- Anything Goes

For the Anything Goes challenge this week, I inked up the new AF4622 Leaves set, and the Pumpkins & sentiment from the AF4821 Fall Owls set.

  I used a Technique Junkies Technique called K-Flip.  I wanted to use fall colors- and used spots and just rolled the color onto the brayer one at a time. I used: Butterscotch, Orange, Rustic and Peapod. I colored the images with Copic Sketch Markers.
  The Braided border is a Piccolo Accent and is embossed with Brownstone Enamel EP.

The Braided Border Piccolo is found HERE

WE would love to have you join us for the challenge- any projects- Mixed Media, cards, ATC's, Scrapbook pages are allowed

We also have a Monthly challenge 10/15-11/14- Pop Up Box cards HERE

Challenges: 
Pinspirational- Insp Picture
Love to Create- Fall Colors

Have a Great Day!
Shelly

Sweet Stamps- Anything Goes

It's Tuesday- which means its challenge day at Sweet Stamps .  Our challenge theme for this week is Anything Goes .

 I had a blast playing with some new supplies from Sweet Stamps. For those who know me for a long time, you know I used to sew and smock alot- Oh the smocked dresses and matching American Girl dresses...... I have so many sewing friends from over the years- so could not resist the Vintage Dress Form Bookboard Accents set : )  I used DP and made a Crazy Patch background- even added lace and vintage buttons, plus some measuring tape Washi tape I had on hand.I used a scap of bookboard and made a wood spool and wrapped it with some thread.

  Sweet Stamps is the new owner of  Globecraft and Piccalo Accents. I had to play.....I used the Enamel Embossing Powder Adhesive over the bookboard, added the Enamel Embossing Powder (heated it first from the bottom) then heated it and added Glastique Gloss Finishing Glaze. Ohhh. the colors and textures are wonderful!  I used Brownstone on the dress forms and Vintage Copper on the flourishes.
 Here is a closer look:

Here are the Sweet Stamps supplies I used to make this card:

Sweetest Thing: Bluebell 6x6	Core'dinations Out to Sea	French Lily Oval Cutting & Embossing Die 0254	Vintage Dress Forms Accents	Enamel EP VINTAGE COPPER	Enamel EP BROWNSTONE
Enamel Embossing Powder Adhesive	Glastique Gloss Finishing Glaze	Especially For You Small	Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad

InLinkz.com

 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! The winner is chosen by Random.org- so everyone has a chance to win!

  Here is a direct link to the Monthly Challenge as well- 1015-11/14-Center Step Card. You have a chance to WIN- winners drawn by Random.org.

  Stop by the Sweet Stamps Challenge Blog HERE to see what the rest of the DT has created for the Challenges

 Challenges:
Make it Monday - Anything Goes
Glitter and Sparkle- Stitching- real of faux
Pile it on- wood- Spool
That Craft Place- Color Challenge
Pumpkin Spice- Use Buttons, bows or Bling
Bunny Zoe's Crafts- Stitching
Love to Create- Buttons

***Sweet Stamps also has a PINTREST page- HERE ***

Thanks for stopping by!
 Shelly