That Old Black Magic

I've been working on mastering the Black Magic Technique today.  I am going to be demonstrating this technique in May at the NC Stampin' Up Quarterly meeting in Kernersville.  I also did this card for a color challenge at Picture Perfect Creations using Elegant Eggplant, Pretty in Pink and So Saffron.

I used the stamp set Wings of Friendship.  Here's how to do the Black Magic Technique:

• 
  
  Stamp a solid stamp in White Craft Ink onto a dark cardstock.  I used Black but you could also use Basic Gray, Night of Navy, Elegant Eggplant, Chocolate Chip .... 
• Let the ink dry or speed it along with your heat gun.
• Color the images with pencils - prismacolors, watercolors, metallic - OR watercolor crayons.  I used a combination of them on my image.
• After coloring, I squirted a little white reinker out and using my Aquapainter, I added white accents along one side of the flowers, bird, etc.  On the other side, I used my White Gel Pen to add more accents.

To finish the piece, I used my White Gel Pen all along the black piece; punched out a corner and did the white gel pen on it.  I stamped the bird's wing again with the white craft ink, cut it out and popped it up.  Then I sprayed the piece with a mixture of alcohol and Shimmer paint to make it sparkle.  I backed the piece on So Saffron.  The card base is Pretty In Pink although the colors did show up too great.

Hope you like it and try one of your own.

Color Combo Challenge

What beautiful weather we had yesterday!  But today is overcast and rain is expected ... to be followed by a chilly day tomorrow.  Hey, at least we're not in Dallas where it snowed yesterday!!  Hard to believe that!!

Just a quick reminder.. there are only about 10 days left to take advantage of Sale A Bration!

Did you know that there are over 60 stamp sets you can recieve for FREE during Sale a Bration!?   In addition to the wonderful sets in the SAB mini catalog, you can also get a 72 sheet pack of designer paper, or a great new scallop edge punch FREE with each $50 order!

I worked on a Challenge last night and finally finished the card today.  I think I had everything I owned on my desk when I finished (trying to get the card just right)!!  Here's my creation in response to the Color Combo on Picture Perfect Creations.  These colors were hard for me!!

The Not Quite Navy card (and dots) didn't photograph well - they look almost black!

Recipe:

Cardstock:  Not Quite Navy, Lovely Lilac, Whisper White, DSP from Daisy Bucket (Beach House)

Ink:  Not Quite Navy

Stamps:  A Little Birdie Told Me (SU); Doodles (Inkadinkado)

Access:  Nestabilities; Word Window Punch; beads, wire; SU Scallop Punch; 1/2" Circle Punch; Pretties Kit 

Here's a close-up of the beaded antenna.  I definately gave my eyes a work out stringing those beads!

I entered a color challenge from this same blog last week (HERE) and got runner-up.  Here's the link to the winning card.    I'm hoping to win this week!!

Megan (Picture Perfect Creations) is also doing a Design Team Call.  If you are interested, you can learn more on her blog 

Picture Perfect Challenge

I promised you a card today!  I found a new blog today that was offering a challenge so I took the challenge!

I decided to work those colors into an Easter card.  Here is what I came up with:

This stamp set is part of a clear set from Inky Antics that I forgot I had!!  I used my Nestabilities ovals for the bunny.  The black scallops are from the Scallop Trim Punch in the Saleabration Catalog.

Don't forget .... only a couple more weeks to get FREE items from the Saleabration catalog.  It will be all over March 30!!

411 Challenge

I've had a busy week so far.  Monday, I played bridge.  Yesterday I worked the Soup Kitchen in the morning, making my Chicken Spaghetti Casserole.  It was a big hit!!  But, we made way too much.  The day before they had served 148 people and I bet we hardly had 100.  We made 6 large pans of the casserole and had 2 1/2 pans left over!!  Several people came back for seconds and a few had us give them tinfoil so they could take it home and have it for dinner.  We have decided that that casserole will be the Newcomer's signature dish!  One of the gals I was working with is a big volunteer with the Red Cross and she got a call about a big apartment fire in Charlotte that had displaced about 165 people.  Sonny & I were asked to help with a shelter that they were setting up at an elementary school in Charlotte the next day ... or so I thought.  They said they needed us from 10:30 to 7 and I assumed they mean 10:30 AM to 7 PM on Wednesday.  When I got home that afternoon, Sonny had already talked with the Red Cross and was prepared to go help at the shelter at 10:30 that night!  I wasn't going to go because Linda needed me to help her the next day entering the clients in the computer.  Sonny ended up going to Charlotte and returned home at 4 AM.  He was not a happy camper!  They ended up having only ONE person in the shelter!!  I think earlier there had been 4 people but 3 of them left and didn't come back!  I talked to Linda today and asked her why keep the shelter open for one.  Why not just put him up in a hotel?  A lot of it has to do with $$ - the Red Cross is strapped for funds just like everyone else in this economy.  And of course, at the time, they thought more people would be coming but they evidently found family and friends to put them up for the night.  Of course, today, they are back and needing places to stay - probably only about 15 families and they are putting them up in hotels now.  It just doesn't make sense to me.  I'd tell those people if you don't come to the shelter, forget about a hotel!  Linda did tell me that the local hotels were calling with some great offers.  They were able to get rooms at Howard Johnson for $140 for 7 days!

Here's my recipe for the Chicken Spaghetti if you are interested:

1 large chicken

1 8 oz pkg spaghetti

2 10 oz cans cream of mushroom soup

1 med. onion, chopped

1 4-oz can sliced mushrooms

1/2 cup olives

salt, pepper

2 C shredded cheddar cheese

Cook chicken until tender.  Remove, reserving broth.  Cook spaghetti al dente in reserved chicken broth; drain; reserving broth.  Cut chicken into bite sized pieces.  Combine all except cheese in large bowl.  Add small amount of broth.  Pour into lightly greased 10 x 13" pan. Top with cheese.  Bake 350 45 minutes.  

Saturday and Sunday I did a little stamping.  I decided to do a challenge from Stamping 411.  You can follow their link on the left side of my blog.  They post a sketch every Saturday and I haven't done one in a while. Here is the sketch: 

Here is the first card I did.  I used a retired SU stamp set, Summer by the Seam my oval Nesties and a Cuttlebug embossing folder.

Then I decided that I didn't really follow the sketch to the "T" so I did another one that was a rectangle instead of an oval.  This card I used Crazy for cupcakes, a felt flower and the background is from a wonderful two step stamping set, Greenhouse Garden.  

Monday Mailer plus 411 Challenge Card - easy too!

Wow, what an easy card this was!  I made this card for my Monday Mailer and for the challenge at Stamping 411.  It was such an easy layout that I didn't even have to think!  The paper is from that wonderful stack of DSP in the  Occasions Mini Catalog!  If you are on the fence about this paper, jump off and order it.  It is really great!  I'd love to see this paper go into the main catalog next year but doubt that it will.  

So there's not much stamping involved in this card at all since all those flowers are on the DSP - only the saying which is from another great SU product - Teeny Tiny Wishes.  I can always find a saying I want in that set.  So I stamped "because nice matters" on Pumpkin Pie and punched it out with the Modern Label punch.  Then I glued some leaves and a little flower from the Sweet Pea Stitched Felt pack (in the Occasions mini too); tied some orange grosgrain and Chocolate Chip taffeta ribbon (I know ... it looks grey) around the DSP; and glued it onto my Rich Razzleberry card.  Easy, peasy!!

Mojo Monday Challenge

It's been a long time since I've done any challenges.  So, today I did two cards for the Mojo Monday challenge.  I needed a birthday card and a "just because" card, so these are what I came up with.

This one is really bright!  But, I figure, we old ladies like bright colors!!  Don't we???  The inside says "Don't let your age get you down, You might not get back up!"  The stamps are from Little Paper Shop except for the Enjoy sentiment - it's SU.  Hope this card doesn't offend my friend!!

I love this one.  I used Baja Blue and a retired stamp set that I think is my all time favorite and one I'll never get rid of - Art of Life.  I also made a "crinkly flower" with my circle punches.  Here's a close up of the flower. 

I punched one circle from my 3/4", 1", 1 1/4", 1 3/8" Circle Punches and 2 circles from the Scallop Circle Punch.  Then I just wadded each of them up into a tight ball.  Then I straighted them back out and using my paper piercer, punched a hole in the middle where I inserted a Rhinestone Brad.  Then I "poofed" the flower back up and glued it on my card!  A lot of technical terms here but I think you get the picture!!

Just wish I could see my sweet little grandson, but guess I'll settle for pictures on his mom's blog instead like this one -

Playing Mahjong today .... wish me luck!!

Clean and Simple

Getting tired of Christmas cards?  We're sure inundated with them at this time of the year!  I started addressing mine last night.  I'm not including letters this year so it shouldn't take so long to get them done.  I've already received five or six cards and have them on display.  My first card of the season usually comes from my Texas friend, Sharon, but hers wasn't the first one this year.  What happened, Sharon??? 

Today I cleaned off my desk ... what a mess!  I had embossing powder and glitter everywhere.  Now, let's see how long it stays clean.  After I did that, I got the urge to stamp again.  I decided to do the Clean and Simple Challenge at Splitcoast .... since my desk was clean and all!   Here are the rules for the challenge:

1. Clean: the design is uncluttered with lots of white or open space. Simple: having a clear focal point without a lot going on to detract from it.

OR

2. simple in design regardless of the number of embellishments or how long it takes to color, stitch or to use a special technique

OR

3. can be copied and mass produced fairly quickly… usually without a lot of coloring, layers, embellishments, tools and/or techniques

OR

4. any combination of the above

Plus, there was a color challenge involved - use Red, Brown and Vanilla or White.  I think this card meets the challenge and I am quite pleased with it.

I used Close to Cocoa paper and embossed it with the Petals a Plenty embossing folder using a thin wooden frame on top of the embossing folder to keep the center unembossed.  The Northwoods stamp was stamped on a piece of vanilla and I used my Copics to color it.  I used Champagne Shimmers to paint around the oval and Frost White Shimmers on the snow.  But, of course, I had to use some stickles so dotted it on for snow.

Chilly Snowman Sketch Challenge

It's been a long time since I've just been able to make cards and not been preparing for a class!  I don't have any classes in the near future so I'm just playing in my craft room (as evidenced by my 4 Dasher cards yesterday!)  This morning I made this card for a Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge.  As I've said before, I enjoy doing sketch challenges - takes away some of the decision making!!

It is a combination of a few things that I have had for a while - the ribbon, the paper ... it's good to use up things you already have.  The stamp is one of the Northwoods stamps.  I used stickles and Liquid Applique on the snow.

Here's the sketch if you want to play along.

I'll be heading out soon to watch those Steelers.  Let's hope they can win today.  Time is running out to even think about getting a Wild Card position.  Luckily, Ben will be playing today but don't know how the relationship is now between him and Hines Ward after last week's comments.  We'll see!  Sonny is between a rock and a hard spot with his fantasy team.  His quarterback was Kurt Warner.  Last week, when Kurt had to sit out with a concussion, he picked up Matt Leinart, Kurt's backup.  Well, they haven't announced for sure this week who will play.  He's putting in Matt but if Kurt plays, he'll be up the creek with no quarterback!

Mojo Monday Sketch

I haven't done a challenge in a while, so I decided to do one real quick tonight.  Here's my card for the Mojo Monday Challenge.  If you want to participate, just click on the box on the left and read all about it!

I used Taken With Teal cardstock along with DSP, Holiday Lounge.  I stamped the snowflakes in white on the Teal card from Serene Snowflakes (found in the Holiday Mini catalog).  The two rectangles are the DSP and I stamped (and embossed in white) one snowflake on each of them.  The sentiment is from DRS Designs.

Hope you like it!!

Sheetload of Cards

I subscribe to SheetLoad of Cards.  Every month, I receive in my in-box a free monthly e-zine (you know, like an on-line magazine) with sketches and card ideas.  They have a different sponsor each month and this month, it is DRS Stamps.  I love their stamps and their affordability!  Each month they encourage us to submit cards to them using the sketch in the e-zine.  So, this time, I decided to take them up on the challenge and actually made TWO cards!  Here they are:

I love this DRS stamp!  The sentiment is from Stampin' Up.

Isn't he the cutest??

So, check out Sheetload - they are offering free shipping for their featured sponsor this month!!

Mojo Monday Sketch Challenge

This card is for the Mojo Monday card sketch #103.  Since I just came back from traveling, I thought this sentiment was a good one!

The cardstock is some Stampin' Up and some from other sources that I've hoarded away!! 

I'll be pulling on my Steelers tonight!  Hope you will too!  First game of the season .... I'm pumped!!

A Friendly Challenge

Saturday after my Shape class at Stamper’s Alley, I saw a really cute tri-fold card that was on display.  Debbie, Judy and I examined the card to figure out how to make it.  I told Debbie I’d put one on my blog and for her to post one on her blog.  I tease Debbie because she is not great about keeping up her blog.  (It may have something to do with the fact that she works full time but I don’t know!!)  Anyway, lo and behold, Sunday night, Debbie had made the card and posted it on her blog HERE.  Isn’t it great?

Well, I actually made my card on Sunday after we got back from the Lake as my Monday Mailer.  I wanted to wait until I got it in the mail to Ellie before posting it though.  So, even though Ellie won’t receive it for a day or two, I’m going to share it with my faithful blog followers!

Here is the card open:

Card Recipe

• Stamp:  SU Wings of Friendship (Hostess)
• Paper:  Regal Rose; So Saffron; White, Tea Party DSP
• Accessories:  Circle Maker; Dazzling Diamonds; Celery Ribbon; ScorPal; Hole Punch; Rhinestone Brad
• Ink:  Regal Rose, Certainly Celery (SU) 

NMBS Blog CASE

I’m a member of the NMBS (No More Bad Swaps) group.  Periodically, they have a featured “nimbee” and ask that you CASE one of their cards.  So, that’s just what I did today!  You can check out her blog HERE.  Here is Adela Rossol’s card:

Here is the card I made:

I used the stamp set, Echoes of Kindness, a retired hostess set, and Flight of the Butterfly.  The sentiment, cherish, comes from the Baroque Motifs set.  I colored the flowers using my Blender Pen and Rose Red ink and the leaves are done with Old Olive marker.  The base card is Bordering Blue and the flower image is matted with Rose Red and Old Olive.    The DSP is non Stampin’ Up.

411 Challenge

I made my card for the 411 Challenge last night. It’s also going to be a birthday card for a friend who lives in England.

Here is the challenge sketch:

Here is my card:

The stamp sets are from Great Impressions but all other items are from Stampin’ Up. The paper is: Certainly Celery, YoYo Yellow and the new In Color, Bermuda Bay. I colored the cars with my Copics and used Glossy Accents on the windshields.

Happy Birthday Tom!

Top 5!!

I'm excited! I made a card last week for the challenge at THIS site and it was was chosen as one of their TOP 5!! Yay!!

Now on to do this week's challenge!

Dual Challenges

I did another card tonight to meet the criteria of two challenges!  And, I have to brag, I just love this card!!  The sketch is another one from Stamping 411.  The colors are from a new one I found called Color Throwdown using Kraft, Baja Breeze and Pink Pirouette .... how could I resist?

This card uses Kraft, Pink Pirouette, Baja Breeze and Parisian Breeze DSP.  The stamp set is from Hero Arts, Feather Gras.  I cut out all those flowers and the flourish/stems.  The circles are from the Nestabilities.  The scallop punch is Martha Stewart and I used little gemstones in the center of the flowers.

It has been so hot and humid here the past few days.  We didn't even want to go out on the boat today because of the humidity.  We've been back in NC almost 3 years and this is the first time we have encountered that awful humidity that we both remembered about the Carolinas.  Hopefully, next week will be better!  So we had to busy ourselves today finding things to do inside!  We picked my Mom up about noon and went to the movies to see Pelham 123.  It was very good if you like action flicks!  I love Denzel Washington and Travolta.  After the show, we drove to the mall so I could get my sunglasses tinted a little more and Sonny actually went shopping!!  That never happens, but he needed shorts and a belt.  (The belt he was wearing he has had since  before we were married .... in 1973!!  Think he needed one???)  When we left the mall, we headed to Friendly's Restaurant in Huntersville where we all 3 had ice cream sundaes.  I know, not quite Weight Watchers, but it sure was good!  When we took Mom home, Sonny & I planted a couple of gardenia bushes for her.  Then, we headed to Michaels (and Sonny to Dick's).  Michaels shelves were pretty bare.  I think they are getting ready to put the fall merchandise in .... can you believe it??  We were going to take a spin out on the lake when we got home, but by that time is was 6:00 pm and Sonny said he felt like we were back at Ashley's we had been on the go so much today.  So, we just had dinner (I was smart and put pork ribs in the crockpot this morning!) and watched a couple of shows on tv.

Hope your weekend is good and you are keeping cool!  We keep reminding ourselves it could be worse .... we could still be in Texas where it is still 90 degrees when you go to bed!

411 Sketch Challenge

Last night around midnight, I decided to make a card!  After watching the depressing stories about Farrah & Michael for the past few days, I needed something to cheer me up! 

I decided to do a challenge card from this sketch:

The "411" sketch challenges are a lot of fun.  They even give you the measurements!!  I took a few liberties with the sketch - as you can see .... no scallop circle, but used the daisy instead but I like the results.  Hope you do too!

I used the new "In Color" Rich Razzleberry and paired it up with an old "In Color" Pink Pirouette.  The DSP will be retiring next week but I still love it!  It's Raspberry Tart and I think it matches these two in colors well.   (remember - click on the picture to see it)

I'm sure going to miss this year's in colors.  The new ones are going to definitely have to grow on me!!  I'm just not too sure about them.  But that is what I said last year about Baja Breeze and it turned out to be one of my favorites!  Have you stocked up on them before they retire???

Stampin 411 Challenge

I just heard about a new blog - Stampin 411 - that was started that will have weekly sketch challenges. I love sketch challenges so I thought I would participate in this one. This card has taken me a couple of days to finish. I started it Saturday morning; then took a break when my hubby took me out to breakfast. When I got home, I worked on it a little more until I had to go to Mooresville to take a class at Stamper's Alley. When I returned home, I had a little more time to work on it; then we went over to friends for a cook-out. Fast forward to Sunday am. .... I was able to finish it before we went out on the lake in our boat. Now, I'm back home from the lake and able to post it!! Whew!!!

I really like the way this card turned out. The card base is Baja Blue (sure gonna miss this color!) with DSP from Parisian Breeze. The stamp set is Organic Grace which is a retired hostess set that I never even inked before. A lot of cutting went into this card - the flowers, the fern and the little wildflowers! I sponged Baja Blue on the white square and backed it with Kraft.

Diva Challenge

I've been on a roll the past couple of days!  I missed a whole week of card making, so I'm making up for lost time now.  Monday and Tuesday I made 8 cards!!  I decided to make a few to submit to a magazine.  I've had 2 cards published before, but it's been a while.  So, I decided to get cracking and see if I can get published again. 

Today, I only got one card made.  I had other things to do today!  But, decided to do a card for the Diva Coffee Break Challenge.  Here's the sketch -

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I have been going through some old stamps that I am going to put in the used stamp sale at Stampers Alley (May 2).  I brought a bunch of stamps back from Ashley's - mostly non-Stampin' Up stamps that I had given her when I started with Stampin' Up.  Now, she, like me, mostly uses Stampin' Up.  Of course, I had to go through the old stamps and pull out a few that I think are "keepers" and this is one of them.  The stamp is by Inky Antics and I think it is so cute.  I used my Copics to color her - note, I tried to make her  shoes a little scuffed and worn at the toes. 

 

Color Throwdown

I made this card this weekend for a "Color Throwdown Challenge!" Not exactly colors I would have picked, but there are some cute cards HERE.

• Recipe:
  Paper & Ink: Tempting Turquoise, Old Olive, and Elegant Eggplant
  Stamps: Itty Bitty Buds and Great Friend
  Accessories: Dew Drops, Anna Griffin Butterfly Punch; Decorative Corner Punch;
  Cuttlebug Embossing Folder
  
  The Great Friend stamp set is actually a sneak peek of the new Occasions Mini Catalog. Isn't it great?