CCEE Play 4 Ways

Maryann  is here again with this weeks challenge for the CCEE Stampers Challenge.  Here is what she has for us this week.

I went looking for  tutorial ideas and
 found this one on splitcoast stampers
 on making a four way card.

Four Way Card Tutorial

 

I must honestly say that I don't naturally go towards fancy fold cards, so it is usually only as a challenge that I give them a try.  This one really was quite easy but can't say I will make another one.  I know, I know.....I am stuck in a rut.....LOL!!!!!!

 

I used a  background plaid stamp from JustRite, the birthday sentiment from MFT, the main image and main sentiment are from Sweet 'N Sassy Stamps.

 

Be sure to visit the CCEE Stampers Blog to see the fabulous 4 Way Cards created by the rest of the team that are just more adventurous and successful with fancy folds than I am.....enjoy!!!!

Happy B'day, Hoots!!!

 

 

 

Happy Birthday, Frances (Hoots)!!!!!!

 

Frances continues as the hostess for the CCEE Stampers Challenge.  This is her challenge for us this week.

 

As today is my birthday let's create a card that includes the things I love … owls and cards that pop up; flip or pull open; accordion style etc. Any type of construction style card will do anything goes but preferably not a flat card this week.

 

Any one who knows me well will know that this was truly a challenge for me.  I am not a fancy/fussy fold kind of stamper.  However, I admire so much when others make fancy fold cards.  Hoots is the queen of fancy fold cards in my book.  So......I put my discomfort aside and moved on.

 

Frances has enabled me to buy a few of these fancy fold dies, but I was intent on using the images you see, so I devised a pop up card design of my own.  I have decided, having made this card, that it is actually not the fancy folds that put me out of my comfort zone.  It is the 'decorating' of them that I find challenging.  Thus you will see that mine is pretty straight forward and not particularly clever.  The iimages are by Art Impression.  These images are winter images, honoring the fact that Hoots, being in Australia, is just ending her winter months.

 

Be sure to stop in at the CCEE Blog to see the other fancy fold, OWL creations by the rest of the team..

 

Have a fabulous b'day, Hoots!!!

CCEE Creates Screen Dividers

Frances, our CCEE Stampers Challenge hostess for August, gave us a fancy fold card challenge this week.  Here it is.....

This week we are creating Screen Divider Card - I have been meaning to make one of these style cards for some time now … so let us create one for today's challenge. Here is the link to the tutorial on Splitcoast Stampers. 

I have to admit that I kind of dreaded this challenge, but was happy to see just how easy it was to make.  Thanks, Frances, for making me work out of my comfort zone (this time...lol).

I used a wide variety of stamps.  I did not write down all the companies (sorry), but the large ferns are from one of my absolute favorite retired SU sets ever.

Be sure to take the time to visit the CCEE Blog.  You will be dazzled by the variety of screen divider cards.

CCEE Stampers Get Inky with their Acrylics

Welcome to the CCEE Stampers Challenge.  For the month of May, I (Joanne/jojot) am your hostess.  For the challenges this month, we are going to concentrate on tools and embellishments rather than themes.  Please feel free to do a faux version if you do not have the tool or embellishment.

  Here is this week's challenge.......
Get out your acrylics and your inks. I want you to create a background using inks, but no stamps or embossing folders. I also want something acrylic on your card/project. (You certainly may use stamps for your main panels….only the background must be made without stamps or embossing folders.

 Last week I went CAS with my card.  This week I worked way too hard on this one.  However, in the end I am pleased with the results.  For my background I used some spray inks on watercolor paper.  My acrylic is obviously the see-through part of the card front.  Last week I took the easy way out with my paper flower, so this week I decided to make up for it with this paper bloom mace with MFT dies.  I used a button as the center and added foliage from a number of dies.  I added the iron work borders both in and out of the front panel to hide where I adhered the acrylic sheet.

Hope you have time to stop by the CCEE Stampers Blog to see the fab creations by this very talented and friendly team.

Crazies Go Crazy for Folds

The Crazy4Challenges challenge this week was to use multiple folds on our cards/projects.  I am not really a stamper who gravitates toward fancy folds.  I appreciate the fabulous fancy fold creations of others, but I find I just don't seem to send the fancy fold cards I make.  Who knows why???  Anyhooooo....so I just wasn't sure what I would do for this challenge.  Well, in my stamp cave I have decorated the walls with cards sent to me by my stamping friends......they give me both happy memories and inspiration.  Well, my eyes settled on a card Dawn Lusk had sent me a while ago.....a lighthouse card done with a similar fold to what I ended up creating.

I used a stamp (by Repeat Impressions) of my very favorite place  ......Cape Neddick Light in York, Maine, lovingly nicknamed Nubble Light as the lighthouse is located on a nubble.  Here is a picture of the real Nubble Light.

Be sure to visit the Crazies Blog to see all the fancy folds I am sure this DT used.....they are so talented and creative......I sometimes wonder how I was lucky enough to be on this team from its very start.  Thanks for that go to Hoots and Cindy Haffner who started this team!!!

The Crazies Get Twisted for April Fool's

The Crazy4Challenges DT were challenged to create cards/projects with a 'twist' this week in honor of the upcoming April Fool's Day.  I took advantage of this challenge to finally indulge in one of Sizzix's Framelit Flip It Die sets that Frances always uses so fabulously.  Mine is a pretty simple card, but I think I now have figured out a better way of using the die set, so I will probably be making another one soon.....a new and improved card.

For my card I used this sweet duck set from Verve.  It 'quacks' me up and gives me a giggle.

Be sure to visit the Crazies Blog to check out the 'twisted' creations by the rest of this very talented team.

Getting Fancy with the Folds

Our challenge for the CCEE Stampers this week was to use fancy folds.  Well, I am probably on the edge on this one....it really isn't a 'fancy' fold, but it isn't an A2 card either.  So....be kind and accept my tent card as a fancy fold.  We have an extremely talented team and I am sure that they are going to dazzle you with their creativity and truly fancy folds.  I just find that the fancy folds take me longer to make and I rarely ever send them out........so.....I am living on the edge this week.

The snowflake is a sticker, but I did heat emboss the sentiment which came in that lovely frame.  I 'think' it might have been a Hero Arts stamp.

Be sure to go to the CCEE Stampers Blog to be inspired by the others.

CCEE'ers Try Special Folds

Okay.....I must admit that when I saw Sabrina's CCEE Stamper's challenge for this week, I may have groaned a time or two.  I tend to avoid unusually constructed and folded cards as I find I do not ever send them out.  However, after making this one, I must admit it was pretty easy and it really is mailable.  AND...most importantly, a recipient will be able to figure out how to open it without my help. 

By the way...the challenge was to do this technique (free standing pop up card) OR a waterfall card.

I used this stamp by Penny Black which I always turn to as I make holiday cards.  The rest of the designs are designer paper or cardstock.  If you would like to try one of these, there is a tutorial on Splitcoast called 'free standing pop up card'.

This is the card folded up.  Ignore the thumb at the left.

I can't wait to see what the rest of the team created using this 'fold/style'....I am sure to be inspired to try this technique again....REALLY!!!!  The CCEE Stamper's Blog is the place to go!!!

Crazies go Crazy for Folds

Frances is out hostess for the Crazy4Challenges this month.  For this first week, she has challenged us to make cards using folds that are different from the normal.  I went with a gatefold card.

I have shown you a picture of the card when it is fully open to give you an idea of how a gatefold works.  The image I used is by Dragonflydreams.  I forgot to write down the company of the sentiment inside.  The 'Happy  Winter' is from a retired SU set.  I am really trying to occasionally make cards for my holiday stash, and that's the reason for the winter card.  Personally, I am ready for SPRING!!!!

Now....please take the time to visit the Crazies Blog.  You are sure to be amazed, inspired, and motivated to try some new folds on your own.  If so, please share them with us by following the details on the blog.

Challenges with the Stampin B's and CCEE Stampers

The CCEE Stampers were challenged to make a fun get well card.  I think this House Mouse image fit the bill.  I paired in with this 'cozy' sentiment which I think makes it even more fun.  There are times when you don't feel up to par when you just might want to 'jump into' a hot cup of chocolate or tea or coffee to get 'cozy'.

The CCEE Stampers  blog should be a fun stop in blogland with all the fun get well cards.  Be sure to stop by.

The Stampin B's challenge this week was to make a gatefold card.  I am not a fan of alternate fold cards, but that is what is great about challenges.  They make us do things we would totally avoid......lol!!!!

I used an old SU snowflake image and a part of another SU image for the sentiment.  I had a hard time photographing this card as their is a metallic effect to the dp AND to the image, as I embossed it in gold.

Now....be sure to check out some fabulous gatefold cards at the Stampin B's blog.

MFP New Release and Blog Hop

For my Thursday Challenge cards (Stampin B's and CCEE Stampers) please click HERE after checking out this MFP post.


Hello! Welcome to the October 2011 MFP New Releases Blog Hop!

This month's new releases are: Holly Greetings, Christmas in the Country, Snowball?, Country Thanksgiving, Cardinals in Winter, and Ginger Cookies.For your convenience, all these sets are available TODAY at Mark's Finest Papers.

Country Thanksgiving Set Used

So, do you want to WIN today's Featured Stamp Sets: Country Thanksgiving and Cardinals in Winter? (If you don't want to wait to win, you can always purchase the sets right away! We'll substitute a set from NEXT month's release if today's winner has already purchased this set!)

Cardinals in Winter Set Used

For your chance to win: Comment on the following Design Team members' blogs TODAY before midnight EDT. There will be ONE random winner chosen from the comments on today's Blog Hop blogs. That winner will win Country Thanksgiving and Cardinals in Winter. We will announce the winner's name on tomorrow's MFP blog post.

Emily
Nancyruth
Neva
Faith
Dawn
Marilynn
Patricia
Chrissy
Karen
Pam
Joanne
Markie
Carol
Mark’s Finest Papers

Thursday??? Must be CHALLENGE time!!!

Cindy is the hostess for the CCEE Stampers Challenge this week.  She challenged us to make a circle card with some stitching on it.  Anne is our hostess for the Stampin B's Challenge, and, since it will be her 48th anniversary soon, she asked us to make an anniversary card.  This is my card for BOTH challenges.

I used my Creative Memories cutting system to cut my circle.  I layered it with doilies made with dies from Cheery Lynn Designs and My Favorite Things.  I addedd a store-bought blooms with some stitching on them and some small rhinestones.  I colored my image (from My Favorite Things) with my Copics and then cut it out.  This is a skill I am working on.  With my weak peepers, it takes longer than it should and isn't always smooth.  I then stamped the sentiment (also from MFT) and punched it out with my SU mid oval punch.  I then added a gingham brad as a flower center and it was done!!!!!

Now be sure to visit the team blogs of these two fabulous teams.

Stampin B's Blog
CCEE Stampers Blog

This second card is the one I did for Wednesday's Sketch Challenge on SCS.  I used Mark's Finest Papers set called Poppies, Poppies, Poppies for both the image and the sentiment.

And....on a personal note.....Thanks so very much for all your kind words on the passing of my beloved Pepper.  Your words were very kind and comforting.

Time for the Thursday Challenges

Charlene, our CCEE Stampers hostess for August, had another interesting fact for us this week.

"The streets of Victor, Colorado, once a gold rush town, are paved with low-grade gold."

 GOLD is the operative word.  I used a set from Verses that I bought at the June convention in Springfield, MA.  I used my star embossing folder, adding some paper piercing, some golden rhinestones, and some golden web ribbon.

Brenda, our Stampin B's Challenge hostess this week, challenged us to make easel cards.  I used one of my 'found treasures' (while 'cleaniing' my stamp cave) as my image.  It is an unmounted bought years ago at convention, but I think it might be by Stamp Camp.  I added the sentiments, fancy tag, brads, paper piercing, and that is about it.  I think I will get some good use out of this now that it has been rediscovered.

Now be sure to visit both of these fabulous teams to be inspired AND to play along with us.

CCEE Blog
Stampin B's Blog

A Masculine Tent Topper for the Crazy4Challenges

The beginning of August is a busy b'day time for me.....lots and lots of friends have b'days, and quite a few require masculine appropriate cards.  So, I used the Crazy4Challenges goal of making a card in some sort of shape other than rectangle or square to get one of these done.  I used a soon to be released set called Forest Gifts by Mark's Finest Papers for the image, and a second soon to be released set called Wisteria for the sentiment.  I always seem to reach to SU's River Rock when making masculine cards.

I am sure the Crazy4Challenges post is going to be filled with fabulous creations and shapes, so be sure to stop in at the Crazies' Blog to be inspired and dazzled.

This card was also done for Speedy's Friends Challenge which was to also use a different from normal style or shape of card.

Tenting with the Crazies

Cindy is our hostess this month for the Crazy4Challenges.  This week she challenged us to make a tent card.  If you are interested in playing along, there is a very clear tutorial for tent cards on SCS.  I used Mark's Finest Papers Lilacs in Summer set for my card.  I am still trying to make up for using the wrong set in the recent release.....color me blush with embarrassment!!!!

Be sure to visit the Crazies Blog to see the fab creations of the rest of the team.  I took a sneak peek at some of them, and they are AWESOME!!!!

The Crazies are Shakin' Things Up!!!

Cindy, our July hostess for the Crazy4Challenges Team, once again has us doing a different style of card.  This time our challenge is to make a shaker card.  My mind immediately went to the beach and sand, so sand is what my card is shaking up.  For my shell image and sentiment, I used a set by Mark's Finest Papers.  I added some border punch work and some Prima flowers along with some MS punched branches.

I am also entering this into the Speedy's Friends Challenge which was to have three hearts on your card.  Well, with my border I have many more than three hearts.

To see the other shaker cards created by the Crazies, be sure to visit the team blog.  We would LOVE for you to play along with us.

The Crazies are JOYous this week!!!

Cindy is our Crazy4Challenges hostess for the month of July.  For this week's challenge she asked us to make a JOY fold card.  I put the smaller picture on the left so you can get an idea of the actually fold/formation.  For those who want a tutorial, go to the resource center on Splitcoast and there are both written/photo and video directions by Beate.

I am not a fancy fold afficionado.  I tend to use A-2 or square cards.  So, I am actually happy, though a bit challenged, when one of my challlenge team hostesses make me work out of my comfort zone......and Cindy surely managed to do that this week.  However, I must honestly say that the fold itself is easy peasie.....it is the 'decorating' decisions that take the longest.  Despite the varied dp and the bright colors, I feel like this one needs some finishing detail that hasn't come to mind yet.........oh well!!!!

I, like many of you, can't wait to see what the rest of this team created with this JOY fold.......so to check them out I encourage you to visit the Crazies Blog. 

This card will also be entered into Speedy's Friends Challenge which was to use the colors of yellow, pink, and green.  The set I used is a recently released set from Mark's Finest Papers.

No Squares or Rectangles Need Apply......!!!!!

The Challenge for  Totally Stampalicious Monday  is

ANYTHING GOES EXCEPT SQUARES OR RECTANGLES

I honestly had such fun making this card.....It totally grew a life of its own, and is better (IMHO) than anything I had intended.  Sometimes ya' just gotta' let those creative juices flow on their own...IYKWIM!!!  I used the Violet Scarlette set from Totally Stampalcious' Bugaboo line.

(By the way.....an apology first for the muddy photo......and for forgetting to put some teenie rhinestones in the centers of the flowers.....will do that later!)

Be sure to check out the fabulous creations by the rest of this fabulously creative and fun team by visiting the Totally Stampalicious Blog.

The Crazies and Tents??? What could that be all about????

Our sponsor this week continues to be.....

Our 'mission. this week was to create a tent card.  Frances gave us a tutorial from the Just Magnolia Challenge Blog we could refer to if help was needed.

AND....here is my tent card....my photograph is a bit dull and really does not show the dimensionality of it.  You will just have to imagine that the snowflake is free falling in a cut out circle.  It is only attached by a cord to the top of the card front.  The point of attachment is hidden by the large polka-dotted bow.  These tent cards do fold nicely and will fit fairly flat in an envelope.  I decided to make mine for my holiday card stash.

Now....be sure to visit the rest of the Crazies to see what they have created.  Here are the links to help you.

Crazy4Challenges Blog
Barbara Anders
Cindy Haffner
Frances Byrne
Jessie Rone
Joanne Grzelak (me!)
Joycelyn Pelkey
Lori Boyd
Lynda Benden
Mercy Kerin
Vicki Garrett
Silke Kittman

Stampin B's Challenge #29 Diagonal Double Pocket Card

For those of you looking and saying to yourself, "That isn't a diagonal double pocket card!! Doesn't Joanne know what diagonal means?????" Yes, I do know what diagonal means, but that part of the instructions went right out the window and I made a double (non-diagonal) pocket card. .......AND the wonderful thing about the Stampin B's is that we don't get all hung up on the rules......so I know that Nicole, our hostess this week, will forgive me!!!!

There was no stamping done on this card......just like last week!!!! So there is not much to tell you about the creative process.

Now be sure to go to the Stampin' B's Blog to check out the creations of the rest of the team.