CCEE Collage Challenge

Sabrina is our hostess for the month of July, and today she had a technique challenge for the CCEE Stampers.  She wanted us to create a collage card/project.  She suggested that we use at least 4 different stamps.  I built up my background with two background stamps.  One is the graduated 'dotted' background from Impression Obsession.  I just love their backgrounders as they are 6 x 6 and allow you to use them in either direction. I stamped that in distress ink.  I then stamped a crackle backgrounder on top of it with a deeper distress ink.  I also sponged a bit around the edges to give some depth and 'age' to the background.  I then used two stamps from a silhouette set I have had for a while to create a sort of scene.  I then added the sentiment which I think is a Flourishes stamp.

Collage is not a style that I use very often, but I do like the results this time.  I can't wait to see what the rest of the CCEE'ers created.  Be sure to check out their creations at the CCEE Blog.

Vintage Collage

This is the card I created for the Tea Party Challenge on SCS this week.  It is now on its way to Rita who is suffering from lung cancer.  According to her friends, she tries to keep a positive energy going, enjoying her birds, nature, and any joy to aid her healing process.  I thought this card might help bring some joy to her day.

I used only one stamp, an old retired bird image from SU, on this card.  All the rest are designer paper.

If you have the time, you too could help make the day brighter for Rita.  Give it a thought.  I will make you feel good too, to know that your joy of stamping can bring joy to others.

Get Crazy and Friendly in the Challenges

The challenge for Speedy's Friends this week is to use ivory, lace, and pearls.  Gosh, I had fun with this one....however when I was 'done' I realized I had eliminated the lace.  So....what to do?????  Well, I had this fabulous lace with pearls in it that was 'yelling to me' and I decided to use the lace around the upper rose.....AND I LOVE the effect.......always wonderful when 'mistakes' become 'miracles'!!!!

The sentiment I used is from Mark's Finest Papers.  The roses are Primas, the pearl flourishes are by Zia, and then I also used a couple Spellbinders dies and some paper piercing.

I apologize for the dull photo, but I am having some photography issues., especially with certain colors, and ivory happens to be one that I just can't get sharp.  New lamps may be in my future.

Now.....be sure to go check out what I expect to be an elegant gallery at the Speedy's Friends Blog post.

This is my last challenge as  Crazy4Challenges hostess for the month of May.  My challenge had to do with the time of the year.  It is often around now that we start planning vacations or summer activities.  My challenge was to base your card on a favorite vacation spot or activity.  Well....anyone who knows me at all, will know that the ocean is a place of tranquility and fun for me.......from birth to now in my retirement.  Some of my best days were spent on/near a beach, from Misquamicut, RI and Hampton Beach, NH as a youngster to Aruba, Maine, Japan, Myrtle Beach, and others as an adult.  I have pictures of some of my fav spots on the sidebar of this blog.  So......I used this fab ocean view from Innovative Stamp Creations as the focal image, added some palm leaves also from Innovative Stamp Creations and a sentiment by Cat's Life Press. A Prima rose, some rhinestones, and Mother Nature's shells finished it off.  This truly represents my absolute favorite type of Paradise!!!!

When you visit the Crazy4Challenges Blog this week you are sure to see some interesting vacation spots and summer activities represented. 

The B's and CCEE's Are Challenging Again!!!!

I have a feeling that when you go to look at the rest of the Stampin B's cards, I will be the odd woman out.  Our challenge this week was to make a collage card.  I know, I know....this is not the typical collage card.  I really do try to mix stamped images into a stamped collage card, but I just am never pleased with the results.  So.....since the B's have 'no rulz', I went with another type of collage......the type where you bring different forms of elements together in one creation.  I honestly LOVE this card......so......I guess that is the most important thing, right?????

This is my fav ever image from Innovative Stamp Creations.  The sentiment is by another company but I forgot to write it down when I came up from the stampcave.  If you need to know, just ask in your comment.

Now be sure to go and check out all the fab collage cards at the Stampin B's blog.

Our CCEE Stampers Challenge team was asked to make western themed birthday cards.  Well, I just had to once again use the newly release Cowgirl Dottie from Totally Stampalicious.  She is so sassy.   The sentiment is an unmounted I bought at a stamp convention long ago and is not marked.  I used some stretch cording and a swirl brad, along with a MS deep border punch, SU oval punch, Sizzix embossing folder, and some rhinestones.

You can be sure that you'll find some rootin' tootin' western creations at the CCEE Stampers Blog.

Blog Hop Info and The King

Today Mark's Finest Papers is releasing its newest sets AND having a blog hop.  Be sure to go HERE to begin the hop.  For my card I used the new set called Bearded Iris.  This is one gorgeous set.....and irises can be so many wonderful colors.  Now, after checking out the rest of my post (of course I want you to see it all....lol!!!), be sure to go to Mark's Finest Papers Blog to begin the blog hop.

The Teapot Tuesday Challenge on SCS today involves making cards with guitars.  The destination for our cards this week is someone who loves guitars.  Well, the only guitar image I have is a stamp of Elvis's guitar, so I went with that.  The stamps used on this card are mostly from the now defunct Cornish Heritage Farms.  A couple of others were bought online years ago and have no company name on the stamps. 

I must admiit that for a change I REALLY like the way this card came out....hope the recipient feels the same way.

ISC Release -- Day 4 -- Vintage Artist Box

What inspires you?


Vintage Artist Box

Ever wonder why it is you stamp? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments section!  For doing so, your name may be chosen and you might win a FREE Vintage Artist box sheet, compliments of Innovative Stamp Creations! A winner will be chosen on Friday, October 1, and will be posted on the ISC blog.   Now back to what inspires you?!  What motivates you when you stamp? Who inspires you? What are your favorite images to create with?

Remember to let me know your thoughts in the comments section!

Think of the Vintage Artist Box line as your Art-Mural! Once your piece is finished you can showcase it somewhere in your studio or art area (or in my case, your stamp cave)! Consider the following themes when working on your Art Mural: butterflies, eclectic, faces of women, travel, flowers, vintage and many more.

My theme, quite obviously is the ocean.  I used the vintage artist box and sentiments from the set being released as well as other images from previously released stamps sheets from Innovative Stamp Creations.  Now, I must admit, that my creative process on this card was one of peseverence....but I am so THRILLED that I saw this through to the end as I really am so happy with the results.  I stamped the large artist box stamp in Celery, and then cut out (with an exacto knife) many of the green boxes.  I left a few as they were.  (The cutwork was difficult for me --weak peepers and all --, so don't look too closely at that!!!! )  I then colored my fav ocean scene stamp and put it behind three of the cut windows.  I then inked the world map background stamp on creamy caramel cardstock and placed that behind all the remaining 'empty' areas.  I then stamped various images and placed then on or behind to create my artist box (palms, butterfly) I really must thank my team members for their encouragement and examples which all came together to motivate me on this creation.  You girls rock!!!!  AND, yes....let me say this again....I am pleased with the results!!

Now....go see the fab creations by the rest of this supportive and oh so talented team....

ISC blog
Joanne (me!)
Judi
Julie
Karen
Kathy

By the time you are looking at this, I will be heading to the ocean......a short trip to Maine!!!  A day spent near the ocean is a day well spent!!!!   I will be visiting my fav lighthouse and gazing at the ocean.  LIFE IS GOOD!!!!   So if you have any questions for me, leave them in your comments and I'll get back to you when I get back home.