Living in the Wild Wild West

Here is my final post of the day, and it was for the final challenge for VSN over at Splitcoaststampers.  The challenge was to be inspired by that song from the 80's called Living in the Wild Wild West.  The twist was to use gingham somewhere on the card.  I chose to use the verse '47 heartbeats beating like a drum'.  I used 2 different Paper Smooches sets to achieve this card.  I am so pleased with the results.  

I obviously took the nut from Falling For You and cut off the nut part to make the drums.  The drum sticks and squirrel came from Hang Ups.  The sketch came from Deconstructed Sketch.

 Here is a peek at the inside.

Stamps:  Falling For You, Hang Ups

Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black

Paper:  CC Odds & Ends, CDS Cottonball White

Accessories:  Copics & airbrush, CDS mini sparkle pearls, Labels 17 Nestabilities, green gingham ribbon, dimensionals, red Spica pen

Thanks for stopping by!

Bring on the Clowns

I'm not a clown fan, but the clowns at a rodeo obviously serve a purpose.  This is my 3rd card for the VSN over at Splitcoaststampers.  The theme for this VSN was the Rodeo, and this particular challenge was Bring on the Clowns.  Now, you didn't have to have a clown.  You simply had to use 4 bright colors and something that pops up.  I decided to get creative and come up with a clown of my own, hehe.

I used 3 different Paper Smooches sets to acquire this darling little clown card.  The main image is the monster from Falling For You.  I simply cut off one of his horns and then painted his lips red.  His puffy hair came from the set Spiffy Scooters.  That is one of the things I love most about Paper Smooches. . .all of the sets combine so well :)  The sentiment is from the Sentiment Sampler set.

Stamps:  Falling For You, Spiffy Scooters, Sentiment Sampler

Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, SU Ridinghood Red

Paper:  CDS Cottonball White, BG Lime Rickey

Accessories:  Copics & airbrush, Scalloped Pennants & Circle Nestabilities, blue button, yellow Baker's Twine, sponge, dimensionals, black pen, yellow ribbon

Thanks for stopping by!

In the Clouds

Here is my second post of the day for the VSN challenges over at Splitcoaststampers.  I used one of my new Taylored Expressions sets called In the Clouds.  The challenge was called The Queen's Wave, and you were to use something that can wave.  My 'something' was the banner behind the blimp.  I also used the Paper Sundaes challenge of Clouds and Skies.

Stamps:  In the Clouds

Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Baja Breeze, Crumb Cake

Paper:  July TE KI Kit, CDS Cottonball White

Accessories:  Copics, TE Clouds dies & plate, MFT Grass Die-namics, Lime Twist Baker's Twine, Atyou Spica pens, Peacock Liquid Pearls

Thanks for stopping in!

Happy Birthday Banner

This weekend was a fun one for stamping.  Although we've been extremely busy, my husband was so sweet to let me craft 'til my little heart was content!  This is the first of a few cards I'll post today, because this weekend marked a Splitcoaststampers Mini VSN (Virtual Stamp Night).  I love those!  

This card was for the first VSN challenge called The Grand Entry.  We were to use pennants or flags on our card, and my new CDS stamp called Birthday Party was perfect!  I also used the sketch from Clean and Simple :)

Stamps:  Birthday Party

Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Vintage Photo distress ink

Paper:  June TE KI kit, parchment

Copics:  R02, R05, YG03, RV11

Accessories:  sponge, cream brads

There are more posts to come!

Love is in the Air -- A night of VSN fun!

Warning:  this is a long post with 6 projects. . .

Last night had a clear calender, which was perfect because last night was a Virtual Stamp Night over at Splitcoaststampers.  I have participated in these before, and I just love them.  Not because there are potential prizes for playing, but because I just LOVE challenges!  Maybe it has something to do with how competitive I am. . .hmmmm. . .food for thought.

Last night's VSN was a mini one, because the big one is coming up next month.  Every hour on the hour there is a new challenge, and last night gave us 6 to work with.  Here are all of the results:

#1 -- Punch Your Heart Out

We were challenged to follow the sketch give, use punches, and follow a color challenge.  Quite a challenge for the first one!  I used a set from There She Goes called Everyday Greetings for my sentiment.  The flower is made completely from punches :)

 Stamps:  Everyday Greetings (TSG)

Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Ridinghood Red (SU)

Paper:  Cottonball White (CDS), unknown red, Ridinghood Red, Regal Rose, & Kiwi Kiss dp (SU)

Accessories:  Scallop Circle Punch, Circle Punches, Heart Punch, Scalloped Edge Punch (all SU), Red Velvet Cake glitter dots (CDS), Kiwi Kiss ribbon (SU)

#2 -- What Shape is Your Heart

We were challenged to make a heart shape card that reflects the shape of our heart, and not the actual shape.  The shape of my heart has been transforming lately as I try harder to love people around me that may seem hard to love at times (does that sound harsh?).  I ended up using a Clear Dollar Stamps set called Church Chatter.  I ended up falling in love with this card, because the heart looks a bit vintage and shabby after some distressing.  Life (as for all of us) occasionally brings heartache. . .hence the shabby tattered heart, but God can repair that heartache if we let Him.

Stamps:  Church Chatter (CDS)

Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Tea Dye & Black Soot distress inks

Paper:  Cottonball White & Pucker Up (CDS)

Accessories:  SCAL & my Cricut (to cut the heart shape), Victoria embossing folder, sponges, lace, crocheted flower (my friend Leah), twine, buttons

#3 -- Light Up Your Life

This challenge was to make a Luminaria.  I had never made one before, so I was thrilled to get to try one.  I love it!  I used a Clear Dollar Stamps set called Peace for the Journey, because it seemed so fitting.

Stamps:  Peace for the Journey (CDS)

Ink:  Wild Huckleberry (CDS)

Paper:  Wild Huckleberry (CDS), vellum, buttercream, My Mind's Eye dp

Accessories:  crocheted flower, button, Oval Nestabilities, Tabs & Tags Die (CDS)

#4 -- Paper-piece Your Heart Out

The challenge was to paper-piece at least 2 things on your card.  I love paper piecing!  I used this adorable Cuppie set called Love is Sweet from Taylored Expressions.

 Stamps:  Love is Sweet (TE)

Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black

Paper:  Cherry Go Round (CDS), Cottonball White (CDS), BG Sugar Rush

Accessories:  Copics & air brush, Oval Nestabilities, MS Loop Punch, white ribbon, Maya Road heart stick pin, heart punch (SU), white gel pen, dew drops, dimensionals, rhinestone brads

#5 -- Two Hearts Beat as One

The challenge was to use an entwined image.  I used a set called Monkey Love from Clear Dollar Stamps, where the little monkey's tails are entwined.

 Stamps:  Monkey Love (CDS)

Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black

Paper:  TE Jan KI Kit

Accessories:  TE Jan KI Kit, organdy swirl ribbon, oval punch, Circle Nestabilities, Copics & air brush, Atyou Spica pen

#6 -- Slimming Down

The last challenge was a limited supplies challenge along with a motivational stamp.  We had to use kraft CS, no more than 2 layers of CS, and any embellishments we wanted.  I chose to use Psalm 37:3-5 from Clear Dollar Stamps, because that scripture is very motivating to me.  If I trust in the Lord, He will give me the desires of my heart.  Some of the time the desires of my heart start out as one thing, but He will transform them to be something else.  I love that about God. . .if we trust Him, He will make me want whatever His will is!

Stamps:  Psalm 37:3-5 (CDS)

Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black

Paper:  SU dp, kraft, vanilla

Accessories:  Copics, Red Sparkly Fluff, chipboard heart, Corner Chomper, Sweet Cheeks ribbon (CDS)

Thanks for sticking with me through this long post.  I hope you all have a wonderful weekend :D

A card for Friday's VSN

I have been wanting to participate in a Virtual Stamp Night ever since I did the last one almost 2 years ago over at Splitcoaststampers. Sadly, I was only able to make one card, but I'm very happy with the way it turned out. The challenge I participated in was the Mae's Joy challenge. We were challenged to make a Joy Fold card with red, bling, and diva worthy. I think mine's diva worthy, because only a diva would bake in a black dress, haha. This also qualifies for the paper piecing challenge over at Wild Flower Patch, and the ink distressing challenge over at Tellen's Place. Over at Raise the Bar the challenge was to use your favorite colors, so I used red ;D

Stamps: Lovin' from the Oven (MFT)

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Tea Dye Distress Ink

Paper: Basic Black, Le Creme DCWV, October Afternoon Report Card, Neenah Solar White

Accessories: sponges, Copics, pearls, Xmas Red Stickles, dimensionals

Day 2 of Virtual Stamp Night

So here are my day 2 submissions for the VSN that took place this last weekend over at Splitcoaststampers.  I was only able to participate in 4 of the 13 challenges that took place on day 2.  They were all wonderful challenges and sometime down the road, I will use them to inspire me for other occassions.  It was obvious that the hostesses put in a lot of time and effort, and it showed.  All of the challenges looked fantastic!

Here is my first card that I did for the "Melt My Heart" challenge that was hostessed by Emily.  The challenge was to use the melted crayon background technique.  I used the crayon colors blue, blizzard blue, blue green, and turquoise blue to get this background.  All I can say is that 

this technique is incredibly fun, and if you haven't tried it you need to.  

Stamps:  Cute Critters (CD stamps)

Ink:  Basic Black

Paper:  Whisper White, Apprioct Appeal, Tangerine Tango, Close to Cocoa

Accessories:  crayons, iron, foil, Appricot Appeal & Only Orange markers, Tangerine Tango ribbon, oval punch, Labels nesties, stampin' dimensionals, Tiny Bubbles embossing folder, 

paper piercer

My second card for the day was for the challenge "Window into my Soul" hostessed by Jenny.  The challenge was to make a window or acetate card, so here is what I came up with.  

Stamps:  Moose Wishes (CD Stamps)

Ink:  Basic Black, Riding Hood Red, Close to Cocoa, Chocolate Chip, Creamy Caramel

Paper:  watercolor paper, Candy Lane DSP, acetate paper

Accessories:  courdoroy button, slit punch, label nesties, silver cord

My third card for the day was for the challenge "Love Starts with L" hostessed by Robyn.  The challenge was to use only things starting with the letter 'L'.  It is a lot harder than it sounds.  Here is what I came up with.

Stamps:  Joyful Day (CD Stamps)

Ink:  Lovely Lilac

Paper:  Lovely Lilac, Very Vanilla

Accessories:  Label punch, Lable hodgepodge, Linen

And for my final card of the day, the challenge was the "Joy of Love" hostessed by Taylor.  The challenge was to make a Joy fold card, and this is what I came up with.

Stamps:  Sip by Sip (SU)

Ink:  Basic Black

Paper:  Rockabilly DSP, Riding Hood Red, Basic Black

Accessories:  Kiwi Kiss ribbon, circle punch, oval punch

Day 1 of the Virtual Stamp Night

Wow, is all I can say about all of the challenges that took place on Splitcoaststampers for the Virtual Stamp Night (VSN) for February 20-21.  I so badly wanted to be able to participate in more of them, but I just couldn't.  You can bet that when my husband deploys again I will most certainly be able to do a bit more.  Last night was devoted to watching UFC 95 with my husband, and when I got a break or two I would check the VSN threads.  The hostesses came up with some amazing challenges.  There were 20 challenges in all, and I was able to make cards for about 8, so I guess I didn't do too bad.  

The first one I did was "Sketch a Little Love" hostessed by Janet.  The challenge was to think about what you love and using her sketch of a 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 card.  On the card you were to have a big circle and a big chipboard heart, or something like it.  I love Jesus, so I chose to make this card.

Stamps:  Delight (Verve)

Ink:  Basic Black, Rose Red Craft

Paper:  Pacific Point, Sahara Sand DSP, Good Morning Sunshine DSP, So Saffron DSP

Accessories:  chipboard heart, rose glitter, circle cutters, Heat 'n Stick powder, heat gun

My second card for VSN was for the challenge "For the Love of Chocolate," hostessed by Christi.  You had to pick your favorite chocolate and then from there you had to use certain colors based on your favorite kind of chocolate.  Mine is milk chocolate, but as the statement says, "I never met a chocolate I didn't like."

Stamps:  Chocoholic (CD Stamps)

Ink:  Chocolate Chip, Basic Black

Paper:  Chocolate Chip, Almost Amethyst, Real Red DSP, Whisper White

Accessories:  circle cutters, silver pen, Close to Cocoa, Real Red,

 & Almost Amethyst markers, paper piercer, stampin' dimensionals

The next challenge for VSN that I participated in was a "New Love," hostessed by Paula.  In this challenge you had to use all  new things.  I chose to use my Moose Wishes from CD Stamps, because I do love that little moose :D  The only thing on my card that is not new other than ink, was my ribbon.

Stamps:  Moose Wishes (CD Stamps)

Ink:  Basic Black, Chocolate Chip, Creamy Caramel, Close to Cocoa

Paper:  So Saffron, Chocolate Chip, Kiwi Kiss, Good Morning Sunshine DSP, Watercolor paper

Accessories:  aqua painter, stampin' dimensionals, circle cutters, slit punch, Pacific Point ribbon, circle scallop nestabilities

My fourth card for the night was for the challenge, "As You Wish," hostessed by Christy S.  The challenge was to take a quote from the movie 'Princess Bride' and make a card based on that.  I chose the lines, 'Stop rhyming now, I mean it.  Anybody want a peanut?'  That movie is one of my all time favorite, so this challenge made me chuckle.  

Stamps:  Nutty Christian, Just Nutty (CD Stamps)

Ink:  Basic Black

Paper:  Sahara Sand, Delicate Dots DSP, Whisper White

Accessories:  stampin' dimensionals, Certainly Celery ribbon, silver brads, paper piercer