Fishy Fishy...

I am a whole lot later posting this than I expected to be....and I have two scrapbook pages to share - but I didn't like the lighting in my stamping room tonight - so I'll re-photo them tomorrow and post them then.

This little silver fish is part of two challenges; the sketch is from Freshly Made Sketches and the colours come from an Inspiration challenge over at Stampin' Royalty.

The base of the card has been "scored" with the diagonal plate and embossing folders were used for the large turquoise piece, the fish and one of the little banners.  I've used the wing from the bird punch to create all of his little fins sponging the edges with white craft ink.

It's been a very busy day - I got a lot accomplished...and now I'm off to bed.

I hope your week has been productive in the areas you want - thanks for dropping by!

Joan

Daring Adventures

It's been a busy weekend - and we're heading into a busy week - but  it's all good!  I got this card ready today - covering 3 challenges - and then I spent the afternoon working on simple sketches to take to school for our newly formed "Birthday Bridgade" to work on for handing out to students on their birthday.

The three challenges for my Adventure card come from
The Paper Players - Have music on your card - I rolled the notes onto vellum and also used a small piece for the wing of the bird.

Freshly Made Sketches - the Sketch - I found a chipboard tag in my stash - I had to cut it down a bit to fit the card - but it feels good to get rid of another one of those tid bits lying around waiting to be used.

Create, Ink! - the Colours - Rich Razzleberry, Lucky Limeade, Basic Gray.  These colours could so easily be Halloween in nature - but I moved completely away with that - using the quote from one of the first inspirational women I was introduced through a child's level biography.  Helen Keller and Florence Nightingale were the first biographies I owned.

I don't read a lot of biographies anymore - but perhaps I should.  I hope you had a good weekend, and that there are things for you to look forward to through the week.

Thanks for stopping by for a visit!
Joan

School Stitching Mashup!

 WooHoooo - it's time for the Friday Mashup!  I had fun creating the card for this week and made it especially for our new Assistant Principal.  The "Mash  Up!" challenge this week is:

1. Create a project with "Stitching or Faux Stitching".

 
2. Or Create a project for "Back To School or a Teacher Gift".

 
3. Or "Mash it Up!" and create a "Back To School Project with Stitching"!

Since I don't have any apple stamps at the present time, and I already used the little school bus from the "Every Little Bit" set a couple of weeks ago - I decided to get out the wise old Owl punch and to borrow this clever apple from Angela McKay - the North Shore Stamper.  When I was doing the faux stitching I didn't add any paper piercing to it because the stitches on the letters were going to be too small.

Be sure to stop over at the Friday MashUp! challenge blog to check out all the wonderful designs from the design team!  And when you upload your creation be sure you tag it with FM23 on public galleries.

Another quick project that I created for myself was to use some of my leftover Decore Elements Flourishes on this Daytimer from Staples - which I will use at school since we didn't get Agendas this year.

Love, love, loving the warm September weather right now.....in addition to eating the apples right off the tree.  Hope you have some things to brighten your day!  Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful weekend.

Overboard on so many levels....

A) This post includes 3 challenges 1) Mojo Monday Sketch Challenge, 2) Color Inspiration #158 from Stamping 411: Real Red, Certainly Celery, So Saffron, Peach Parfait and 3) CAS challenge at Splitcoast using a Play on Words.

This may not look clean and simple - but it didn't take much to make - strips of paper and punches.

B) Four different punches used: Two-Step Bird, Scallop Circle and 2 sizes of circle punches

C) Three different embossing folders - I don't think I've ever used that many on one card! The back strips were a given - I always had that planned - alternating the embossing was just an experiment I ended up liking. Once I made the layered strip across the card, I just HAD to see what happened when I put it through the Big Shot in the Square Lattice Folder! I just love how it takes the layered look away. The polka dot embossed circle was just a way of getting away from a plain piece of paper.

So - what a way to end the day. Bright and full of fun! The instruments are on the stage, everyone knows what they are SUPPOSE to do. We'll see what happens at the rehearsal Tuesday. Good thing tomorrow is Color Dare......I already know what's coming up!

Thanks for taking time to stop by for a visit.
Joan

Autumn Bird

This weeks colours over at The Colour Chef are

autumn terracotta juniper petal

The Stampin'Up! colours I used are Cajun Craze, Marina Mist and Perfect Plum. I finally got a chance to use this little bird from the Punch Potpourri Hostess set....I LOVE how you can punch out the fancy section of her belly to become her wing. It fits perfectly.

I also have been wanting to try this Crimped Diamond technique. What a fantastic fancy way to use the crimper. I really do appreciate those people who play around with the tools we have and come up with unique ideas. Here is the tutorial for this technique.

I hope you're having a wonderful day - and thanks for stopping by.
Joan

Stealing (Casing) on a Sunday

I am featuring a "stolen" card today.....but I just had to case it because I found it so beautiful.

I'm not sure how I ventured onto Erna's blog - Elog Cards a couple of days ago - but I did - saw this card and just HAD to have it. HERE is the original which has a few more stunning layers which pops the images even more.

I had to play hand bells with the grade 6's today at a Gala Performance winding up Music Festival. My good friend, Joan, is their director and was missing a student to ring so I filled in. I think I hit all the right notes.

I spent the rest of the afternoon coming up with projects for upcoming workshops. I'll get back into being "challenged" tomorrow.

Have a wonderful week - and thank you for dropping by.

Love Birds

Just a quick post before I get busy working on my Newsletter and stamping. I spent most of the morning rearranging/cleaning/organizing my stamp room. Why does that job never seem to end??

I created this card last night using the challenge from CCEE Stampers. This week the challenge was to be inspired by Valentine from ImageKind. The Valentine I chose is called "The Overseers" in the thumbnail. An odd sort of valentine, but the black and white called to me....plus - it gave me a reason to use this fantastic bird punch. I used Nouveau Chic paper for both the matt and the wings.

Well - off to chores - Thanks for stopping by.